Grease Product Placement – Can NBCs Deal Save Grease?

Can Howie Mandel and his herd of models save NBC’s ‘Grease? NBC is in maximum cross-promotion mode for the debut of their new reality show ‘Grease: You’re The One That I Want’, which starts with two hour-and-a-half-long episodes on January 7th and 14th. The show will center on the search for stars on an upcoming Broadway revival of Grease, directed and choreographed by Kathleen Marshall. In addition, a number of Grease stars – from the original stage production, the last Broadway revival, the film version and its sequel Grease 2 – will make guest appearances on the reality show. The line-up includes Barry Bostwick (original Danny Zuko on Broadway), Jeff Conaway (Danny replacement in the original run and Kenickie in the film), Marilu Henner (Marty replacement in original run), Lucy Lawless (Rizzo replacement in Broadway revival), and Adrian Zmed (Danny replacement in original run and revival, and Johnny in Grease 2). Jai Rodriguez (“Queer Eye…,” Rent, Zanna Don’t) and Tony Award-winner Marissa Jaret Winokur (Hairspray) will also appear as guests. The new production of Grease will open on Broadway in June 2007. Bravo will re-air the episodes on Tuesdays at 6:30 PM, Wednesdays at 12 AM and Thursdays at 11 PM. “You’re the One That We Want” is produced by BBC Worldwide Productions. The BBC’s Paul Telegdy, Emmy nominated Conrad Green (“Dancing with the Stars”) and David Ian are the Executive Producers.