While we're on the topic of Natalie, I should acknowledge that nearly every week, my commenters note that Natalie is the daughter of Squiggy from Laverne and Shirley. The reason I haven't mentioned this little factoid is partially because I don't think I've ever seen Laverne and Shirley so I won't know what I'm talking about. It's also because I had only a vague recollection of what Squiggy looked like and I was afraid if I googled him I'd see what he looked like and he'd look identical to Natalie and then I'd really not be able to take her seriously. I was already having a hard enough time when judging her on her own merit.
But FINE. Now I've gone and looked him up and pretty much everything I predicted would happen has happened.
Aaaaanyway, let's see the results of Autumn's blonde transformation.
EEEEEP
Oh well, it'll grow out. Did John Barrett actually do that himself? It's just...splotchy. It looks like what would happen if I tried to do Autumn's hair myself.
But there's no time to just stand in front of the salon mirrors admiring themselves all afternoon. The ladies have another workshop to get to!
They are sent to a studio where they discover Laura Bell Bundy, the current Elle Woods on Broadway, waiting for them. She is there to tell the girls about what it means to be Elle Woods. It means being forgiving and understanding. I don't know if those were her exact adjectives but they were all good words, so you get the picture.
When Laura (Laura Bell?) explains what it's meant for her to play Elle, she gets a little choked up, trying to express how it taught her to be more open. Now, she may be playing it off like she's just overflowing with emotion, but really I think she is crying because she has to leave her role and give it to one of these talentless hacks sitting in front of her.
YOU'RE GONNA CRASH AND BURN
Does anyone know why Laura Bell is being replaced?
After she dishes out some information and tears for the girls, Laura Bell says, "Okay now I'm going to leave, and you're all going to dress up exactly like me and get your pictures taken."
So the girls put on their outfits and make love to the camera, Elle Woods style.
Here's Autumn.
MEH
And then Bailey, who copied the exact pose on the current Legally Blonde poster, but the judges (a PR guy and the photographer) actually complimented her on her rip-off. What gives?
THANK YOU!
Lauren.
TA-DA
Newly blonde and ridiculous Natalie.
I'M BLONDE!
And kind-of-fading-away-a-little-bit-lately Rhiannon, who certainly isn't going to get herself back into the spotlight with these tired poses.
IS SHE WEARING WHITE STOCKINGS, BTW?
After the cameras are put away, it's time to decide who is the day's best model. There are two finalists: Natalie, because she stood on top of some books, and Bailey, because she is a copy cat.
The winner is Natalie. But this time, the winner of the competition does not get to bring a guest along with her to the reward date. And today's date is lunch with the understudy to Emmett's character. Gee, Natalie, bet you're glad you have him all to yourself.
"DID I MENTION I'M BLONDE?"
YES, DEAR. WE SEE. GOOD WORK.
While all of the other girls mock-congratulate Natalie on her victory, Autumn looks perturbed. In her interview later, she explains that it's because Bailey was awarded honorable mention for her knock-off posing. Autumn, if you're fighting over honorable mention, it looks to me like you've already accepted the fact that you'll never win this thing.
EYE OF THE TIGER
Before sending the girls off into the night, Duff comes back to the studio to give them all their music for the next rehearsal. This time they'll be singing the ballad "Legally Blonde," a song in which Elle gives up on her new legal aspirations and decides to just return home. While watching the footage of this live performance, the ladies all start to cry. Oh the empathy!
I can't even stand it. This episode is like nonstop waterworks. Autumn is bawling because the lyrics "Just let me be legally blonde" ring true to her and her desperate pleas to be cast as the show's lead. Okay, this song isn't about anything like what you're going through, but whatever. Way to make it your own.
THIS SONG REMINDS ME OF THE TIME I DROPPED MY CARDIGAN IN A MUD PUDDLE
The following day, everyone wakes up feeling refreshed. After spending 45 minutes admiring her blonde locks, Natalie gets dressed for her big date with the understudy.
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Comments (4)
I just downloaded (legally, of course...legally blondely) all the episodes of this show and watched them in the span of two days. Ohmigod You Guys is never going to leave my head, and I'm OBSESSED WITH THIS SHOW NOW. Thank you for recapping it!
1 of 4 | Posted by BaileyQuarters | Posted on July 11, 2008 11:06 AM
Hi! I love this show. I can't help it. I wasn't a big fan of the movie or even the musical (caught it on MTV months ago) - but this show kicks it. I've been trying to get my best friend to watch - he wasn't interested ...until I told him about the dye jobs. He'd been to Minardi salon in NYC a few times (during his "platinum" summer) - and when I complained to him about the way Natalie and Autumn looked, he went on line ....and said Bergdorf has a really bad rep. for dying hair blond!! And boy did I see why. Yick. Autumn was smart not to let on to the other girls that she hated her hair. I thought Natlie looked awful - the shot captured in the recap was the only time it looked halfway decent. Poor Squiggy's daughter!! I also miss the grouchy, entitled Emma. Not really rooting for anyone -- I just totally dig this show! From the weird judges (creepy curly haired big shot, moustache woman, and flaboyant Sam) to the catchy tunes ... it makes my Monday nights!
2 of 4 | Posted by C MacKenzie | Posted on July 11, 2008 11:11 AM
Aw, geez...I can't help it, I just can't be mean to these girls anymore. Well, excepting the Evil Christian character (there's always one on every reality show, it seems).
Maybe it's because I like bad musicals and cute blondes?
One thing of note: the 'challenges' seem to have no bearing on the outcome whatsoever --the judges make no reference at all to them, their only effect seems to be get the winner of each challenge eliminated (this is not my discovery, I read this elsewhere). Maybe the producers felt that the audition/training process itself would be too boring with the batch of cornfeds. Anyway, even the auditions seem more like a formality than anything else, just lining up the cannon fodder.
Nathalie was never going to be Elle Woods. Just doesn't look the part at all. And she looks much better as a brunette.
I still believe there's a ringer in there. There's no way they'd risk the Broadway show like this.
Will the winner really go on Broadway right away? Is it a permanent gig, or just for a couple of weeks (which would explain while Laura Bell isn't so concerned about all this...she probably has a vacation coming up). Maybe whoever wins is actually being hired for a touring version?
Just wondrin'.
Oh yeah, props to MTV for putting their shows online (and making them accessible to us expatriates).
3 of 4 | Posted by itchy | Posted on July 11, 2008 10:07 PM
I think it is so annoying that when Duff is reading who is on "The List" she has to do the math for all of the girls. She's always like, "There are five of you left, and only two names on the list. That means two of you will go to the office and one of you will be eliminated." then she'll read the first name and say, "There's only one name left on the list, and there are four of you in front of me." It's like just read it already. I don't know it is just annoying to hear.
4 of 4 | Posted by kelseym13 | Posted on July 13, 2008 5:50 PM