Greaseology

We are discussing minutes 1:10-1:15 of Grease so get ready for the countdown!  In a matter of seconds National Bandstand will go live and all of Rydell High will be on television screens across the country.  Ms. McGee and Coach Calhoun must first deliver the remaining two rules for the night, but then Vince Fontaine takes the mic and preps the kids for live TV in rhyming verse and then they are LIVE!  Vince Fontaine introduces Johnny Casino and the Gamblers who go right into the first song, “Hound Dog”.  The students all start dancing The Madison, America’s first line dance from the 1950s.  During the song we see that the Frosty Palace waitresses are watching the show live in the restaurant on a black and white vintage 50s television.  After “Hound Dog” Vince Fontaine addresses the audience and says that the dance off is about to begin, and reminds everyone that it doesn’t matter if you win or lose, it’s what you do with your dancin’ shoes!  Then the music kicks in and the band announces it’s time to do The Hand Jive! For the remainder of our segment, Vince Fontaine moves throughout the crowd tapping shoulders to eliminate students while Marty tags along.  Frenchie and Doody are eliminated followed by Rizzo and Craterface.  As the song progresses, the dancing gets racier and the moves go way beyond the original Hand Jive dance.  Our segment ends just as Kenicke had the wild idea to pull up Patty Simcox’s dress revealing her underwear on live television.We will also discuss the history of the song “Hound Dog” and how its roots began before Elvis ever even heard it.  We will also talk about the real hand jive song, “Willie and the Hand Jive” and how it influenced the version Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey wrote for Grease AND the famous Bo Diddley beat that can be heard in the song as well as in many other popular songs throughout music history.Okay cats, put your mittens around your kittens and away we go!Check out the Bo Diddley beat playlist on Spotify!

Pop in your VHS tape and grab your Pink Ladies jacket…we are discussing minutes 1:05-1:10 of GREASE in which the dance is still happening!  We’re about to meet Cha Cha, the bombshell from St. Bernadette’s that Danny definitely dated in the past (we love you Danny, but you’re not fooling anyone). Vince Fontaine makes his move on Marty with some cringy pick up lines and Sonny spikes the punch with booze.  While getting flirty with Tom Chisom, Blanche announces that when she hears music she just can’t make her feet behave which makes us wonder, “has Blanche made one-two-many trips to the punch bowl?”  Ms. McGee and Coach Calhoun make their entrance to announce Vince Fontaine (who is secretly getting cozy with Marty) and present THE RULES.

We are discussing minutes 60-65 of GREASE! The T-Birds are still getting Kenicke's car ready for Thunder Road and using stolen parts to get the job done.Marty and Rizzo still need dates for the dance off, but when she sees Craterface drive through the parking lot, Rizzo has a great idea that will promise to make Kenicke as jealous as possible.We hear "Rock n Roll Party Queen" play as students enter the gym all dressed up. Marty spots the super cool DJ Vince Fontaine and leaves Sonny in the dust as she makes her move. Sandy is nervous she'll get camera fright, but Danny says it's okay because he knows Ted, the cameraman.Johnny Casino and The Gamblers show up and perform their first song, "Rock n Roll is Here To Stay" as we watch background dancer couples move past the camera. Danny and Sandy are doing an amazing routine and get the attention of Mr. Rudie, a teacher who is helping judge the dance contest.Our segment ends during "Those Magic Changes" as Frenchy expresses to Doody that it would be nice to turn around on the dancefloor rather than march in a straight line.We will discuss Dennis Stewart, Edd Byrnes, Dick Patterson, Sha Na Na, and Wendie Jo Sperber. This is a great episode that you won't want to miss!

Fast forward your VHS tapes! We are discussing minutes 55-60 of GREASE in which Frenchy tells Vi she dropped out of Beauty School and wishes she had a guardian angel to tell her what to do when suddenly her real Teen Angel appears and encourages her to turn in her teasing comb and go back to high school

Get your popcorn ready, we are watching minutes 50-55 of GREASE! Sandy has just left Tom in the dust and is reconciling with Danny on the track field. The two make plans to go to the dance together and then head off to the Frosty Palace for an intimate and romantic come-back date over cherry sodas and polar burgers. All is well until Kenickie and Rizzo crash their date, followed by Sonny and Marty, Doody and Frenchie and then Putzie and Jan. The whole night is a big bummer for Danny and Sandy who didn't get to have their alone time, but it's an even bigger bummer for Kenickie and Rizzo who's fiery romance is extra volatile tonight. The scene ends when Frenchie removes her scarf and reveals her "Easter egg" pink hair to Vi.