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Image Source: Paramount Pictures Back in 1978, Grease took the world by storm, dominating the box office and solidifying its place as one of the most beloved movie musicals of all time. With catchy tunes, unforgettable dance numbers, and all the Danny-and-Sandy romance you could handle, it was a bonafide cultural phenomenon. Naturally, Paramount decided to ride that wave and greenlight a sequel. But here’s the twist—most of the original cast didn’t return for Grease 2, and the magic of Rydell High didn’t quite translate the second time around. The film flopped hard, pulling in less than 10% of what the original made at the box office. Ouch. Fast forward a few decades, and Grease 2 has managed to rewrite its narrative. It’s no longer just “that sequel no one went to see”—it’s a certified cult classic! From the catchy “Cool Rider” anthem to the...

John F. Burnett, the veteran film editor who cut Grease, And Justice for All and Murder by Death and films for directors George Cukor, Blake Edwards and Sydney Pollack, has died. He was 90.

Burnett died Oct. 24 of natural causes in Lincoln, California, his son, cinematographer and producer John Earl Burnett, told The Hollywood Reporter. He said he chose not to disclose the news of his death until now for “personal family reasons.”

Burnett also worked with directors Robert Ellis Miller on The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter (1968), The Girl From Petrovka (1974) and Bed & Breakfast (1991) and with Herbert Ross on The Owl and the Pussycat (1970), The Sunshine Boys (1975) and The Goodbye Girl (1977).

He edited two sweeping ABC miniseries adapted from epic novels by Herman Wouk, 1983’s The Winds of War and 1990’s War and Remembrance, winning an Emmy (shared with Peter Zinner) for the latter.

Burnett got his start at Warner Bros.,...

As we slide into the final episodes of the season, this crazy world is getting even crazier.

From heart attacks to the National Guard playing war games on M-Tex land to curb the drug cartels, it’s clear the story is building toward an explosive finale.

Landman Season 1 Episode 8 proves the narrative has no intention of slowing down, and I couldn’t be happier about that.

(Ryan Green/Paramount+) Just When I Thought Ainsley Was a Lost Cause…

From what I can tell, Ainsley isn’t anybody’s favorite character. She’s teetering on the brink of adulthood without the essential tools any successful adult needs to survive.

It still shocks me that she had never seen a retirement home. On Landman Season 1 Episode 7, her childlike reaction to the realization that people congregate together to die was mind-blowing.

Jessica Knight and Alden Parker: The Romance That Could Change NCIS Foreverby...

When an actor stars in a film, their promotional responsibilities are often written into their contracts. They have to appear on talk shows or post about the film on their social media accounts ... or even just not say anything bad about the production, no matter how the film turns out.

With the benefit of time, though, many actors look back on their work and want to let fans know that they were just as disappointed as we were. An actor trashing their own movie lets us know that they're human just like the rest of us, and that they too can tell when something just didn't work. It can also make for a great press anecdote. Take Dennis Hopper, for example, who told The A.V. Club that his son once asked him why he bothered to star in "Super Mario Bros." The "Easy Rider" star recalled telling his son, 'Well,...

Wicked Box Office (North America): Surpasses Grease In Just 8 Days (Photo Credit – Instagram/Prime Video)

The box office is exploding with tentpole movies and has recorded one of the biggest Black Friday collections ever in North America. Wicked is already set to be one of the biggest movies of the year, and it has once again set a new record even before saying goodbye to the second weekend. It has surpassed Grease’s domestic haul to become the highest-grossing musical adaptation and the first to achieve another huge feat. Scroll below for the deets.

Grease, starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, was released in 1978. The musical rom-com was directed by Randal Kleiser and based on the 1972 musical of the same name by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey. It revolves around the lives of greaser Danny Zuko and Australian transfer student Sandy Olsson, who develop a deep attraction for one another during a summer romance.

T’is the season — for male strippers? Yes, actually. Yes indeed.

Netflix’s new Christmas movie “The Merry Gentlemen” is now streaming, telling story of a young dancer who comes home to find that her parents’ business — and thus, her whole childhood, essentially — may be going under. So, to help save it, she organizes a Christmas-themed male revue to pull in ticket sales.

The movie features a lot of familiar faces, but perhaps some new ones for you too. So, we’ve got you covered.

Here are all the major players in “The Merry Gentlemen.”

Netflix Ashley (Britt Robertson)

Ashley is a professional dancer, who is unceremoniously fired for being too old (in her 30s). She’s played by “Tomorrowland” and “The Longest Ride” star Britt Robertson. She also starred in “The Space Between Us” and more recently, “The Rookie: Feds,” as well as a few episodes of “The Rookie.

This steamy holiday rom-com purposely subverts a lot of the genre’s most recognizable tropes.

Depending on where you are in the country, the next few months could get pretty cold. Fortunately, Netflix has the perfect movie to heat up your holiday season as the original Christmas movie “The Merry Gentlemen” is available to stream starting on Wednesday, Nov. 20. The film stars Chad Michael Murray and Britt Robertson and involves a Broadway dancer who stages an all-male, Christmas revue to save her hometown performing arts venue. Anticipation for this one has been high since the movie’s very steamy trailer was released early this fall. Don’t miss a single second of the action with a subscription to Netflix.

How to watch ‘The Merry Gentlemen’ When: Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024 TV: Netflix Stream: Watch with a subscription to Netflix. Sign Up $6.99+ / month netflix.com Everything you need to know about ‘The Merry Gentlemen...

The flying car in Grease that pops up near the culmination of the film has led to many theories and concepts so it helps to have the Grease ending explained. Although Grease technically takes place in the 1950s, the contemporary fantasy largely deals with 1950s teenagers grappling with 1970s themes about gender and sexuality. Grease follows the romance between Sandy Olsson (Olivia Newton-John) and Danny Zuko (played by a young John Travolta) and their group of friends as they navigate their senior year of high school and their fears about graduating and becoming adults.

One of the most famous and controversial scenes in Grease happens at the end when good-girl Sandy transforms into a greaser girl, and she and Danny perform "You're The One That I Want." Sandy's evolution from a good girl into a provocative greaser has been both praised and criticized in the years since the film's release,...

The trailer for The Merry Gentlemen has arrived. The upcoming Netflix Christmas movie, which stars Chad Michael Murray and Britt Robertson, follows a young woman attempting to save her family's local performance venue The Rhythm Room by staging a Christmas-themed burlesque revue featuring shirtless beefcakes. The movie's ensemble cast also includes Grease 2's Maxwell Caulfield, Sabrina the Teenage Witch's Beth Broderick, General Hospital's Marc Anthony Samuel, Dirty Dancing (2017)'s Colt Prattes, Wizards of Waverly Place's Maria Canals-Barrera, and The Practice's Marla Sokoloff.

Netflix has now unveiled the official trailer for The Merry Gentlemen. It kicks off by introducing Britt Robertson's character and what the stakes are for The Rhythm Room, which needs to earn a great deal of money before Christmas. However, her idea to stage a Magic Mike-esque burlesque show becomes slightly more complicated when she has strong chemistry with Chad Michael Murray's lead dancer.

John Travolta's role as Edna Turnblad in the 2007 musical comedy Hairspray was one of the biggest highlights of the film, but it only happened thanks to a behind-the-scenes agreement during the casting process. It was obvious that Edna had to be a drag performer after Divine played the role in the original 1988 film. Although John Travolta turned out to be the perfect casting choice, the legendary performer only agreed to the project on the proviso that another actor was also involved.

Hairspray starred an ensemble cast from musical backgrounds, such as High School Musical star Zac Efron and Chicago actor Queen Latifah. It's no secret that one of John Travolta's biggest film roles was as Danny Zuko in Grease. However, it's lesser known that Michelle Pfeiffer was the leading star of Grease 2, playing the role of Stephanie Zinone. When he was offered the role of Edna Turnblad, John...

[Editor’s note: The following story contains spoilers for “Joker: Folie à Deux,” including its ending.]

Yes, “Joker: Folie à Deux” is a mess. Yes, it is a lackluster follow-up to 2019’s “Joker” that made history as the first R-rated movie ever to gross over $1 billion worldwide. Let’s just say that Joaquin Phoenix definitely won’t be winning a Best Actor Oscar for this sequel.

But, what “Joker: Folie à Deux” does do is position itself as a so-baffling-it’s-amazing soon-to-be cult classic. And this also might not be the last of this particular “Joker” universe created by director and co-writer Todd Phillips, as the film serves a trio of origin stories for other villains, for better or for worse.

Sure, Phoenix’s Arthur Fleck is dead, but as we soon learn, he never really was The Joker after all. Arthur is an empathic, mentally ill character who became a larger-than-life symbol, so much so that he couldn...

As one of the foremost defenders of oft-maligned films like "Grease 2" or M. Night Shyamalan's "The Happening," I've gotten pretty comfortable living on Subjective Film Opinion Island, even if sometimes I'm living alone. While "Alien" and "Aliens" are rightfully considered classics by, well, everyone, the general consensus on the rest of the franchise isn't as predictable. Films like "Alien 3" and even "Alien: Resurrection" have had their reassessments over the years, and "Alien: Covenant" has rightfully taken the crown as the franchise's most misunderstood and underrated.

However, Ridley Scott's first film of his prequel duology, "Prometheus," arguably remains the series' most controversial. When it debuted in 2012, critic Germain Lussier wrote for /Film that the film "ends up feeling like a hundred people tried to shove their own ideas into a single movie." Five years later, Matt Monagle wrote an impassioned defense of the film, declaring it "one...

Doody from Grease found success in various roles post-musical, showcasing his versatile acting talent both on screen and stage. Barry Pearl had memorable cameos in Grease: Live and other popular TV shows, continuing his love for performance and musical theatre. Doody's iconic charm and youthful exuberance made him a lovable character in Grease, maintaining the musical's timeless appeal.

The Doody Grease actor has continued to act and often celebrates his breakthrough movie. Grease, the iconic musical that first graced the stage in 1971, has become a cultural phenomenon thanks to the 1978 movie adaptation. Set in the 1950s, it tells the story of teenage love and rebellion at Rydell High School. The Grease musical's success led to a 1978 film adaptation starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, which solidified its place in pop culture history. The catchy songs, nostalgic charm, and memorable characters made it a box-office hit and a staple of musical theatre.

Image Source: Paramount Pictures Be honest: Did you secretly watch Grease 2 a million times as a kid? Because even though it was kind of panned back in the day, there’s something about it, right? That Michelle Pfeiffer energy, the out-there songs… it’s weirdly lovable. Why Grease 2 Exists Is a Whole Story… Grease was a total accident hit! The sequel was a quick cash grab, and, well, the original stars weren’t interested. But, early Michelle Pfeiffer is pure magic, even if the script isn’t. Cool Rider – Masterpiece or Trainwreck? You either get totally hooked on this song, or it makes you cringe. What’s your take? The soundtrack throws 50s sounds at you, then pure 80s beats. It’s a mess, but kind of unforgettable. Turns Out, it Was Almost Even Weirder! Imagine this: Andy Gibb as the lead, , even Cher almost had a role!

Chicago – The excellent new film “Babes,” which screened at the 2024 Chicago Critics Film Festival (Ccff) on May 4th, was the feature film director debut from a familiar name … Pamela Adlon (“Better Things”). “Babes” expanded nationwide on May 24th for Memorial Day weekend.

Pamela Adlon at the 2024 Chicago Critics Film Festival

Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com

“Babes” is a hilarious riff on women friendships/bonding and an unexpected pregnancy. Eden and Dawn (Michelle Buteau) are besties, having grown up together in New York City, and are now firmly in different phases of adulthood. When carefree and single Eden finds herself pregnant after a one night stand, she decides to have a baby on her own, and her friendship with Dawn will face its greatest challenge. “Babes” is a hilarious and heartfelt comedy about the bonds of friendship and the messy, unpredictable challenges of adulthood and becoming a parent.

Our latest look at new and recent books about (or connected to) cinema includes looks at a couple beloved classics (Scarface and The Blues Brothers), a unique photography book by Dune dudes Josh Brolin and Greig Fraser, and a deeply involving account of the life of iconic Warhol superstar Candy Darling. Plus, we’ll run through some noteworthy novels that belong on your summer reading list. The world is yours, friends.

The World Is Yours: The Story of Scarface by Glenn Kenny (Hanover Square Press)

If you are a film fan who has read Glenn Kenny’s Made Men, the blood-drenched dive into the making of Goodfellas, there is a good chance it is one of your favorite books. Kenny’s follow-up is a look into the creation and legacy of another ultra-violent classic, Brian De Palma’s Scarface. Unsurprisingly, The World Is Yours: The Story of Scarface is damn...

Chicago – The excellent new film “Babes,” which screened at the 2024 Chicago Critics Film Festival (Ccff) on May 4th, was the feature film director debut from a familiar name … Pamela Adlon (“Better Things”). Ms. Adlon walked the Red Carpet at Chicago’s historic Music Box Theatre.

Pamela Adlon at the 2024 Chicago Critics Film Festival

Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com

“Babes” is a hilarious riff on women friendships/bonding and an unexpected pregnancy. Eden and Dawn (Michelle Buteau) are besties, having grown up together in New York City, and are now firmly in different phases of adulthood. When carefree-and-single Eden finds herself pregnant after a one night stand, she decides to have the baby on her own, and her friendship with Dawn will face its greatest challenge. “Babes” is a hilarious and heartfelt comedy about the bonds of friendship and the messy, unpredictable challenges of being adult and becoming a parent.

Michelle Pfeiffer is a three-time Oscar nominee who has starred in a variety of classics in her long career, excelling at everything from comedy to drama, romance and action. Take a look back at 15 of her greatest films, ranked worst to best.

Pfeiffer has had a 40+-year career on screen and has managed to overcome being known at first just for her looks. While her beauty was prominently on display in many of her first roles she quickly became more than just a pretty face and plunged herself into deeper and more complex roles. Pfeiffer’s first professional acting job was on a TV series version of the film “Animal House” called “Delta House.” Her character on the TV show was referred to simply as “The Bombshell.” This debut hardly signaled the arrival of an actress good enough to someday earn three Oscar nominations and seven Golden Globe nominations along with one win.

When 1980’s Airplane! proved to be a massive hit, becoming one of the highest-grossing films of the year – up there with The Empire Strikes Back and Best Picture winner Kramer vs. Kramer – it was inevitable that it would get a sequel. But how often are comedy sequels good anyway? When have they ever really recaptured the magic and the laughter of the original? Well, Airplane II: The Sequel gave it a go…by basically being the same movie. Except this time around, Zaz wisely opted out, leaving the production without the strong leaders who reinvented the spoof genre. Instead, they got the guy who wrote Grease 2, one of the most notoriously awful sequels ever! So, strap in – no, not to an airplane but a space shuttle – as we find out: Wtf Happened to This Movie?!…The Sequel!

1980’s Airplane! did incredibly well upon release, making just under $85 million on a $3.5 million budget,...

Killer cyborgs, A-list megastars, groundbreaking visual effects And a kick-ass soundtrack! It can mean only one thing. Yes, that’s right, good friends of JoBlo, uber director James Cameron is back to show us exactly how to follow up one of the biggest smash hits of your career with a sequel that had to surpass the expectations of even the most hardcore fan of the original movie, and also show the world how to revolutionize modern VFX…Again. Cameron had already wowed audiences with The Terminator back in 1984 and had proven that he could create impressive sequels to existing sci-fi franchises with the action-heavy Aliens in 1986. He’d also made great strides with visual effects in 1989’s The Abyss so could his original vision of having a liquid terminator in the franchise really work?

That’s right, sci-fi fans, we’re giving one of the greatest sequels ever made a...

Sequels that replace the original main star often fail due to audience wariness and a loss of the franchise's unique identity. Movies like "Grease 2" and "Mean Girls 2" lacked the charm and quotability of their beloved originals and were considered failures. Films such as "Ace Ventura Jr.: Pet Detective" and "Son of the Mask" suffered from the absence of Jim Carrey's comedic skill and were financial and critical failures.

There are plenty of movie sequels that replaced their original main star and ended up completely failing. Unfortunately, when movie studios find themselves with a successful film or series, they can’t help but keep making sequels, even when the original main star needed to be replaced. This can happen for a number of reasons, such as the original star not wanting to do a sequel, a follow-up not making any sense with the original character, or many...

Sequels to beloved movies often struggle to replicate the success of the original due to cast changes, hiring different directors or writers, or losing the unique spark. Grease 2, Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights, and American Psycho 2 are examples of forgettable sequels that failed to capture the magic of their predecessors. Despite attempts at sequels and prequels, such as Dirty Dancing 2 and Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies, the originals like Dirty Dancing and Grease remain the most beloved and enduring films in their respective franchises.

Sometimes a successful movie spawns a whole franchise, and other times, it may lead to a sequel that no one even remembers a few years later. There is no success formula, but critical reception and box office numbers do play a huge role in whether the sequel joins the original movie on the pedestal of eternal fame. While Grease, starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John,...

Outstanding performances can elevate even the worst musicals, like Maddie Ziegler's in "Music" and Gene Kelly's in "Xanadu." Despite critical and commercial failures, talents like Kelly Clarkson in "From Justin to Kelly" and Michelle Pfeiffer in "Grease 2" are worth watching. Cher's powerful vocals in "Burlesque" and Emmy Rossum's remarkable portrayal of Christine in "Phantom of the Opera" solidify their status as entertainment legends.

Musicals, one of the most beloved genres in Hollywood, have produced some great performances even in bad movies. Full of enchanting performances, catchy songs, and dazzling theatrics, it's easy to see why they are so popular. When done well, they can be extraordinary, but not all musicals hit the mark. Over the years, some have failed to resonate with critics and audiences. But even in less successful musicals, there can be outstanding performances by actors that make them worth watching. These performances...

Some musical movies, like Cats and The Pirate Movie, were panned by critics but still have redeemable qualities that make them enjoyable to watch. Grease 2 and Spice World received mixed reviews but gained a fan following over the years due to their catchy songs, comedic aspects, and nostalgic charm. Glitter and From Justin to Kelly were criticized for their poor acting and clichéd stories, but their soundtracks found success and garnered support from viewers.

There have been many musical movies that have been released throughout the years, though not all of them have been positively received by critics. Though the concept of telling a story through catchy and emotional songs is a large part of their appeal, some musical movies fail to strike the right chord. But just because some musical movies weren't critically successful, doesn't mean that they cannot still be enjoyable to watch.

Musical movies such as West Side Story,...

There are narrative flourishes and then there are narrative flourishes. And one in the new film from director Amy Glazer (Seducing Charlie Barker, The Surrogate) is a doozy. How much you appreciate this heartwarming drama about a female pilot who discovers that her grandmother may actually be a legendary figure in aviation history will depend on how much you’re willing to go along with its major plot twist, which won’t be revealed here but is relatively easy to figure out. But if you’re willing to suspend some disbelief, 7000 Miles, recently showcased at the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival, offers myriad pleasures, not the least of which is a terrific performance by Wendie Malick. The veteran sitcom actress (Dream On, Just Shoot Me, Hot in Cleveland) anchors the film with her charismatic turn in a rare leading role that Katharine Hepburn would have killed for.

The central character...

Clockwise from top left: Grease 2 (Paramount), Jaws: The Revenge (Universal), Exorcist II: The Heretic (Warner Bros.), Batman & Robin (Warner Bros.) Image: The A.V. Club In 1997’s Scream 2, self-proclaimed film geek Randy Meeks (Jamie Kennedy) rants about sequels in his college film class. “Sequels suck! By definition alone they’re inferior films,...

Clockwise from top left: Grease 2 (Paramount), Jaws: The Revenge (Universal), Exorcist II: The Heretic (Warner Bros.), Batman & Robin (Warner Bros.)Image: The A.V. Club

In 1997’s Scream 2, self-proclaimed film geek Randy Meeks (Jamie Kennedy) rants about sequels in his college film class. “Sequels suck! By definition alone they’re inferior films,...

Here’s hoping that “Yellowstone” fans have a comfortable chair this weekend! Paramount’s free streaming servicePluto TV is gearing up to stream the first four seasons of the show on its More TV Drama channel.

Season 1 will start streaming Friday, Sept. 1 at 4 p.m. Et. Seasons 2 and 3 will begin airing at the same time on Saturday, Sept. 2 and Sunday, Sept. 3 respectively, and the fourth season will start streaming at 2 p.m. Et on Monday, Sept. 4.

Watch the Trailer for ‘Yellowstone’ Season 4:

There’s also new content coming to Pluto’s Game Shows channel, with shows like “Pictionary” and “25 Words or Less” debuting there this month. More kids titles will also head to Pluto thanks to the addition of the Nickelodeon Zoom! Zoom! channel, with lightning-fast series like “Blaze and the Monster Machines” and “Top Wing” available.

There are lots of other marathons and themed events coming to Pluto TV this month,...

Actress Michelle Pfeiffer, who has long been one of Hollywood’s most prolific sex symbols, has wowed her fans with a completely makeup-free picture. The actress, who has a career spanning four decades, took to Instagram to pose without an ounce of makeup on. The 65-year-old blonde beauty could be seen lounging on her sofa while posing up a storm to celebrate a milestone in her career, reports mirror.co.uk.

The actress has been praised by fans after sharing her fresh-faced picture, with many quick to gush over her natural beauty and note how it appears she has not had any filler or Botox.

Leaning back on her sofa, Michelle looked laidback in a simple grey sweatshirt. With her natural skin tone and texture in full view, the actress ditched concealer and foundation to instead parade her off-duty appearance.

The actress’ hair was down and tousled, with her snapping...

Shelter is the newest addition to the on-screen Harlan Coben Universe. A Young Adult-skewing eight-part thriller, it’s the story of high schooler Mickey Bolitar, who’s recently moved from overseas to his dad’s hometown of Kasselton, New Jersey, where he and his new friends investigate the disappearance of a fellow student. Like any Harlan Coben series, it takes place in a heightened world peopled by memorable villains, shock twists, cliff-hangers, and mysteries that change shape multiple times before they’re solved.

Mickey Bolitar is the star of three novels by Coben – a spin-off trilogy from his hit 11-part book series about Mickey’s uncle Myron Bolitar. Netflix has the rights to that character, so don’t expect to find an actor playing him in the cast rundown below. Here’s more on the actors telling this story.

Jaden Michael as Mickey Bolitar

Mickey Bolitar is a talented high...

John Travolta celebrates Grease's 45th anniversary with a throwback video of him and Olivia Newton-John arriving on the red carpet for the premiere back in 1978. Based on the stage musical of the same name, the beloved rom-com followed the high school romance between leather-clad greaser Danny Zuko (Travolta) and the sweet exchange student, Sandy Olsson (Newton-John). Originally setting the record for the highest-grossing musical movie of all time, Grease's catchy tunes, relatable depiction of teen life, and lovable characters have kept it alive in pop culture.

In honor of the movie's 45th anniversary, Travolta took to his Instagram to celebrate Grease with a throwback video from its red carpet premiere.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by John Travolta (@johntravolta)

The video, as seen above, showed just how big a spectacle Grease was at the time, as Travolta and Newton-John arrived on the red carpet amid swarms of screaming fans and paparazzi.

A version of this story about the choreography of “Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies” first appeared in the Comedy Series issue of TheWrap’s awards magazine.

As the old song goes, “Grease” is the time, the place and the motion — and the latter is provided for the Paramount+ prequel series “Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies” by none other than Jamal Sims, the show’s choreographer and one of its director. The first hurdle was how to weave a new dance language with that of a film that pretty much everyone knows.

“It was really one of the films that made me want to be a dancer,” Sims, who as a choreographer has worked on everything from the Oscars to “RuPaul’s Drag Race” to “Encanto” to the “Step Up” franchise, said. “You know, we didn’t have a lot of musicals when it came out. And then to see...

For many around the United States, summer break is here at last. To some, that means more time spent camping, playing sports, or just enjoying the great outdoors. For others, it’s time to head inside until the heat breaks and ride out the hottest months of the year while enjoying some A/C.

If you belong to the latter category of person, or if you just love watching free movies, Pluto TV has the announcement of the summer for you. Paramount is bringing its Popcorn Summer Movies promotion back to its free streaming service, which means Pluto TV users will be able to watch hundreds of hit movies on the service at zero cost over the next few months.

Watch Now $0 / month Pluto.TV

Pluto carries more than 350 streaming channels, in addition to its growing library of on-demand films and series. It has hundreds of classic TV episodes from shows...

In our Q&a series Last Call, we get down to the bottom of every last thing with some of our favorite celebs - from the last time they were starstruck to the last song they listened to. This week, "Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies" star Tricia Fukuhara takes our call.

One thing about Tricia Fukuhara is that she can hustle. Before the actor was cast as Nancy in Paramount+'s "Rise of the Pink Ladies," which released its first season finale on June 1, she was working odd jobs in Los Angeles. "I had three jobs at the time," she tells Popsugar of the period when she was auditioning for the role. And she was literally on a shift at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter when she got the news she'd landed the part.

"It was my frog choir job at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter," she says.

Paramount+'s 2023 series "Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies" serves as a prequel to the hit 1978 film. The musical series follows Jane (Marisa Davila), Olivia (Cheyenne Isabel Wells), Cynthia (Ari Notartomaso), and Nancy (Tricia Fukuhara) as they form the girl gang the Pink Ladies in 1954. In "Grease," which is set in 1958, Sandy (played by the late Olivia Newton-John) is befriended by the Pink Ladies clique when she becomes a student at Rydell High, though Betty Rizzo, Frenchy, Jan, and Marty are all different levels of welcoming toward her.

How does "Rise of the Pink Ladies" connect to the original "Grease"? Well, of course, the new Pink Ladies and T-Birds attend the same high school that the original characters do. In the movie, Rydell High is run by Principal McGee, played by the late Eve Arden, but in "Rise of the Pink Ladies," she's Assistant Principal McGee, played pitch-perfectly by comedic icon Jackie Hoffman.

Michelle Pfeiffer, who starred in Grease 2, passionately defends the sequel after her feelings toward it were misrepresented. Grease 2 is the 1982 musical follow-up to 1978's Grease, which starred John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John. The sequel featured minimal returning cast members, with Pfeiffer taking the lead alongside Maxwell Caulfield. However, Grease 2 failed to impress, with many seeing it as a lackluster retread of ideas from the first film.

Pfeiffer took to Instagram to defend Grease 2 after she saw herself being misquoted about the film. Her story features a screenshot of an article with her name misspelled alongside quotes attributed to the actor disparaging the film. Pfeiffer quickly points out that the quote is inaccurate, instead speaking on how much the movie ultimately meant to her. Check out Pfeiffer's passionate defense of Grease 2 below:

"This project is and has always been so special to me and my history...

When one mentions the name Michelle Pfeiffer, several images may come to mind – a sultry lounge singer, a powerful witch, or even a whip-wielding cat burglar. Over the course of her illustrious career, this talented actress has played a wide range of roles, showcasing her incredible range and versatility as a performer. In this article, we will take an in-depth look at the evolution of Michelle Pfeiffer’s career, spanning from her early days in Hollywood to her recent projects and accolades. By examining her body of work, we can gain a better understanding of her lasting impact on the film industry and her enduring legacy as a powerful female icon in Hollywood.

Born in 1958 in Santa Ana, California, Michelle Pfeiffer grew up in a close-knit family with three siblings. Raised in a religious household, her early years were marked by a strong sense of discipline and structure. This foundation...

Every now and then, an actor is vocal about disliking a film they once starred in.

While the question “Do you have any career biggest regrets?” may be one of the more obvious ones a journalist can ask an actor. the answer can sometimes be extremely revealing.

Many Hollywood stars have spoken negatively about their past choices, and have even poked fun at the role during an appearance in another one of their films.

Others – for example: Charlize Theron – have admitted accepting a film purely based on the director’s filmography, only to then be let down by the final results of their collaboration.

Below, The Independent looks at 27 actors who have been vocal about disliking films they have starred in.

George Clooney – Batman & Robin (1997)

Michael Keaton, Christian Bale, Ben Affleck – some of Hollywood’s best-known actors have played the Caped Crusader on screen. However, only one wore a...

Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies is set four years before the story it's based on, but breaks musical rules that make its story even better. Grease opened on Broadway in 1972 and was turned into the highest-grossing movie musical in 1978, though the story is set in 1959, with music by Jim Jacobs, Warren Casey, and John Farrar to match. The Rise of the Pink Ladies series is set in the mid-1950s and takes a different approach to the music, but it’s this specific rule-breaking from the source material that improves its story.

As successful as the Grease film was, its soundtrack was just as, if not more, successful. It expanded on the score from the Broadway show, adding four huge songs, “Grease,” "Sandy," "You're the One That I Want," and the Academy Award- and Grammy-nominated “Hopelessly Devoted to You.” Grease was such a success that it even spawned a sequel,...

Paramount+ is set to expand a beloved franchise with Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies, a 10-episode musical series that gives viewers a new glimpse into the Rydell High of 1978’s Grease and 1982’s Grease 2. Set four years before the events of Grease, Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies tells the story of how the eponymous students rose to notoriety before the arrival of Grease’s Rizzo, Frenchy, Jan, and Marty. With standout musical numbers and stunning choreography, Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies is an exciting revisitation of Grease with a modern edge.

Rydell High’s student body is as vibrant as ever in Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies thanks to the show’s devoted and energetic cast. Three such cast members, Jason Schmidt, Madison Thompson, and Shanel Bailey, enjoy plenty of story-shaping power as their respective characters of Buddy, Susan, and Hazel. Each actor delivers a...

Tricia Fukuhara as Nancy Nakagawa, Marisa Davila as Jane Facciano, Cheyenne Wells as Olivia Valdovinos and Ari Notartomaso as Cynthia Zdunowski in Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies “Too Pure to Be Pink” on Paramount +, 2022. Photo Credit: Eduardo Araquel/Paramount+ It’s been nearly 45 years since Grease first debuted in theaters … and 41 years since Grease 2 completely flopped in theaters. Given that so much time had passed, it may seem a little surprising that Paramount+ has revived the franchise with a new series, Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies. In fact, the idea came as a shock to the woman who is now the series’ showrunner, Annabel Oakes. When we spoke to her about the show, she told us how her feelings about the concept swung from a firm “no” to an enthusiastic “yes.” (Click on the media bar below to hear Annabel Oakes) https://www.hollywoodoutbreak.com/wp-content/uploads...

The Paramount+ series Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies is a fun return, or pre-turn, to the world of 1978’s Grease and 1982’s Grease 2. Taking place four years before the events of Grease, Rise of the Pink Ladies features a stellar new cast, brand-new music, and thrilling choreography that both harkens back to the roots of the franchise while fully utilizing modern production techniques. The 10-episode series explores the founding of the notorious Pink Ladies while serving as both a love letter to Grease and a fresh look at Rydell High.

Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies benefits from a fantastic cast led by Marisa Davila as Jane and Cheyenne Isabel Wells as Olivia. Both actors are steeped in theater, but while Davila has been seen on a number of television shows including Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Wells has taken on her first major television role in Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies.

As a prequel series hits our TV screens, the cast and crew of the hit film remember the auditions, the stage show and the ‘summer-long party’ of filming

Forty-five years ago, audiences first glimpsed the sun-kissed, palm-lined campus of Rydell High, the school setting for the movie musical Grease. Featuring star-making performances from John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, Grease immersed viewers in the camp melodrama of 1950s adolescence, replete with preening boys, blushing girls and explosive dance numbers.

Based on the 1971 stage musical by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, which had starred actors including Richard Gere and Barry Bostwick, Grease the film swapped the original’s grittier Chicago setting for the steamy heat of the west coast. Centring on the story of the car-obsessed T-Birds and their romances with the chain-smoking Pink Ladies, Grease was met with a mixed reception upon its release in 1978. “I’ve never seen an uglier large-scale musical,...

Even in the streaming wars era, with programmers gambling on new concepts in order to gain and retain subscribers, schedules aren’t brimming with musicals. That’s because TV musicals are hard. And as a general rule, they rarely stick — even when well executed.

Sure, for every “Galavant” and “Eli Stone” there’s a “Glee,” a “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist,” or a “Smash,” which was a delightful disaster for two seasons. But even “Glee” had its own set of pacing and storyline problems after the surprising first season. “Smash” failed to catch fire in the ratings despite its cult following, and “Zoey” barely held on during its two-season (and a movie) run. As for Apple TV+’s “Schmigadoon!,” the proof will be in the (corn) pudding as to whether it can sustain its momentum when Season 2 debuts this month.

Part of the problem is that TV musicals are divisive. You...

Two highly-anticipated comedy series are hitting streaming platforms this week, the excruciatingly relatable "Beef" on Netflix and the musical prequel series, "Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies" on Paramount+. Meanwhile, there are films like "The Drop" and "Mayhem" available to stream that might help viewers get ready for a series like "Beef." Both flicks are exclusive to their prospective streaming platforms, so hopefully you've got Hulu and Shudder in addition to Netflix. There's also the Netflix series "Julie and the Phantoms" and the oft-forgotten "Grease 2" on Paramount+ to serve as the perfect companion pieces to "Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies." Last-up, there's also the Prime Video series "Paper Girls" which manages to capture the girl-power energy of the new prequel series while boasting a stand-out performance by one of the stars of "Beef."

Beef Is About To Become Your Latest TV Obsession

Where to Watch "Beef": NetflixWhen...

The Los Angeles premiere of the new Paramount+ original series “Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies” was held on Wednesday, March 29 at the Hollywood American Legion Post 43. Gold Derby’s associate editor Latasha Ford interviewed several cast members and behind-the-scenes talent including actors Cheyenne Isabel Wells, Jackie Hoffman, Shanel Bailey, Josette Halpert, Vivian Lomolli, Emma Shannon, Dylan Sloane, Madison Thompson and Niamh Wilson, creator Annabel Oakes, “Grease 2” star Lorna Luft, executive producer Alethea Jones, choreographer and director Jamal Sims and executive music producer Justin Tranter on the red carpet. Watch the video above.

The musical series takes place four years before the original “Grease.” In 1954, before rock ‘n’ roll ruled, before the T-Birds were the coolest in the school, four fed-up outcasts dare to have fun on their own terms, sparking a moral panic that will change Rydell High forever. The show will premiere on Thursday, April 6, exclusively on Paramount+ in the U.

The original "Grease" stage musical first debuted at the Kingston Mines night club in Chicago in 1971. The book was by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, who also wrote the music and lyrics with John Farrar. Set in the 1950s, "Grease" was a winking, somewhat bawdy anti-nostalgia piece about high school greasers and car nuts falling in love after a significant summer vacation. It banked on the images of squeaky-clean 1950s teeny-bopper movies, but inserted sexuality, a teen pregnancy, gang violence, and themes of class. The main characters were Danny the greaser and Sandy the square. They had a romantic fling in the summer, but may be too embarrassed to date one another during the school year. Their relationship is reconciled when Sandy adopts the clothes and mannerisms of the greasers. "Grease" moved to Broadway in 1972 and played all the way through 1980, making it the longest-running Broadway show at the time.

Warning: This post contains major spoilers for Ant-Man and the Wasp: QuantumaniaAnt-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania officially kicks off the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Phase Five, and it’s got a cast full of familiar faces and new ones. Directed by Peyton Reed from a screenplay by Jeff Loveness, Quantumania is the first MCU film to feature Kang the Conqueror, who previously made his debut in Loki season 1 as He Who Remains.

Scott Lang is living his best life after the events of Avengers: Endgame. He’s back with his daughter Cassie, and he’s even written a book about his adventures with the Avengers. But this happiness doesn’t last for too long because he, Cassie, and the Pym family are sucked into the Quantum Realm. Together they must face Kang and stop him from leaving to wreak havoc on the multiverse. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania wraps up...

(Welcome to The Daily Stream, an ongoing series in which the /Film team shares what they've been watching, why it's worth checking out, and where you can stream it.)

The Movie: "Sex Appeal"

Where You Can Stream It: Hulu

The Pitch: High school senior Avery Hansen-White (Mika Abdalla) excels in every area of academics. With a laundry list of extracurricular activities, philanthropy efforts, and a 5.00 Gpa, she's ready to take MIT by storm next year. But first, rather than focusing on the time-honored tradition of the senior prom, she chooses to conquer her "nerd prom" instead: a scientific competition that offers the winner a fellowship that sets them up for life.

Thanks to this year's STEMcon prompt, Avery must create an app that solves a problem in her personal life, which is something that she hasn't cultivated since she's preoccupied with academic milestones instead of "superfluous" ones. After finding...

Are you ready to witness the rise of the Pink Ladies?

Paramount+ debuted the full-length trailer for Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies this week, and it features all the singing and dancing you'd expect from a project set in the Grease universe.

The clip debuted Tuesday on The Drew Barrymore Show during "Drew's News" with Drew Barrymore and co-host Ross Matthews, along with special appearances by cast members Marisa Davila, Cheyenne Isabel Wells, Ari Notartomaso, and Tricia Fukuhara.

Truthfully, the series looks like a movie, and the plot seems like something that can be told in around two hours, so unless there are some changes along the way, the show might not stand the test of time.

The Grease franchise -- sans Grease 2  and those pesky live editions -- are near and dear to fans, so expectations will be high to set a show in that universe.

As previously reported,...