At last, something that seems like a bit of a challenge. And it's one that Autumn is tackling with a good attitude, but also with a good deal of self doubt. Tapping, it seems, is not her strong suit. So she approaches the dance steps with a "smile and fake it" technique, hoping no one will catch on.
Little does she know, Bailey is watching her. Like a hawk.
SERIOUSLY?
The southern princess comments, "Tap dancing is definitely a gift. Either you have it or you don't. And Autumn was having the hardest time learning the tap moves." OK, that's an interesting way to view tap dancing. A gift. Like a gift from God, huh Bailey? Then she wraps up her Autumn-bashing with, "She is just not good enough."
Their singing/dancing/jumping around lesson comes to an end, and Duff returns from the shadows to announce who was the stand out performer, and therefore the winner of the mystery prize of the day.
But Duff's got some disturbing news. "Unfortunately there was no stand out performer."
ACTUALLY, YOUR PRIZE WAS A BEDAZZLER BUT I STOLE IT TO MAKE THIS SHIRT
The girls all looked crushed until Duff comes back with, "Because at this point in the competition, you're all stand outs!" Oh you trickster!
All of the ladies will get a special surprise when they get back to the Pink House.
Feeling very relieved and entitled, the girls go back to their loft to find a lovely dinner waiting for them.
After their three course meal, their waiter comes to their table carrying a tray with four little blue boxes on it. This can only mean one thing: Tiffany jewelry.
WORTH EMBARRASSING MYSELF ON MTV FOR THIS
The ladies positively squeal with delight and they eagerly grab their gifts. As they admire their necklaces, Lauren reads the card aloud, determining that they are a gift from Duff. Aw, how sweet. She's like the mom that's too busy to actually raise her kids, yet always manages to send something kickass for their birthdays.
After the excitement dies down, the girls all talk about their hopes and dreams, specifically: when they knew they wanted to be Broadway stars. Bailey begins with, "Since I was in kindergarten." Rhiannon's like "Oh I knew when I was in my high school musical (last year?) and I could just feel that this is what I wanted to do." Lauren's like "Ever since I was a kid (last year), and I used to sing in the bathtub."
And sitting there, listening to all of this and scowling, is salty old Autumn. She's having a hard time dealing with the 10 year age difference between her and her competitors.
BABIES!
In an attempt to make them feel worse, she tells the other girls about her own crushed dreams and how when she first arrived in New York, she was sure everything would just fall into place for her. But instead, she is still struggling. And she realizes that it may never work out for her, just like it never works out for so many people.
WHATEVER. ARE THOSE WRINKLES, AUTUMN?
The following day, the ladies head to rehearsal where they'll learn all of the intricate dance steps and lyrics and tempo changes of "What You Want."
First, they focus on getting down the lyrics. And it's here that we're reminded Rhiannon has some serious singing issues.
AND SOME SERIOUS PERMANENTLY SPREAD OUT FINGERS
Homegirl sounds about as good as I do when I'm singing karaoke after 6 drinks. She admits "I may not be the best singer in the competition, but..." Stop right there. Shouldn't you be the best singer in the competition if you win this thing?
Next, they move on to practicing the dance moves. It's here that Bailey really shines, nailing all of the steps and making all of the girls take notice. And they have nothing but good things to say about Bailey. Autumn says, "Bailey is a very precise dancer, but when it comes to singing and acting, I have nothing to worry about." Lauren comments, "If she didn't look how she did, she would have been cut before Selena."
DADDY DIDN'T LET ME DANCE LIKE THIS IN SOUTH CAROLINA
The following day, it's time to finally see what the judges have to say. Yes, it's audition time once again.
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Comments (4)
Considering that Bailey and Rhiannon are only a year or two older than Lauren, the too young comment is kind of lame. I do think she acted a bit immature at times, but the talent is there.
If Autumn does go home, there's no way Rhiannon can get thru the entire show (which is the final audition) so I think that Bailey is the winner. And if it's between Bailey and Autumn, they'll say Autumn is too old. Although isn't Laura Bell Bundy at least 30? She's starting to look it....but being on stage, age isn't as apparent as it in on TV or movies (no close ups in hi-def).
Considering that I would like Autumn to win, that probably means it will be Bailey. I did read somewhere that the winner isn't guaranteed to keep the role indefinitely but rather it will be for a short amount of time and then extended only if ticket sales are good. But I have no idea if that's true or not.
1 of 4 | Posted by Anonymous | Posted on July 18, 2008 5:11 PM
Great recap!! I, too, am confused by the comment about Lauren's age. How old is the character? I believe Elle is in her senior year in high school...applying to Harvard and starting to attend Harvard??!! So, Lauren is 18...I don't get it. I think you're right about it being rigged too. The judges comments ridiculously run the spectrum of "you were great" to "we just don't see it" at the oddest times.
2 of 4 | Posted by CharlaLiz | Posted on July 19, 2008 10:34 AM
Actually CharlaLiz, Elle would technically be 22, since you can't attend law school until you've finished a 4 year degree. Regardless, I don't really understand that comment either. Lauren's been 18 the whole time so I think it's kind of ridiculous that they strung her along for 7 episodes and then realized "Oops you're only 18". I like Rhiannon alot, I think she sparkles and she's fun to watch but unfortunately the vocals aren't there. Out of Autumn and Bailey, I would prefer Autumn to win, I find Bailey pretty annoying for some reason. Oh well
3 of 4 | Posted by hollybear | Posted on July 19, 2008 3:44 PM
I've been saying the show is rigged from the get-go.
Proof is, their reasoning is clearly skewed -- I find Autumn quite charming, her dancing is definitely no worse than Rhiannon's, and she has a similarly perky personality. Rhiannon simply cannot sing. What they hell is she doing this far into the game?
I don't see any great chops on Bailey either. She dances like a virgin And the self-righteous holier-than-thou act just annoys me to no end.
Lauren deserved to go home, simply because she looks like any ol' mutt-faced sorority chick from the Midwest. Seriously, it's like they grow them in huge farms out there.
4 of 4 | Posted by itchy | Posted on July 19, 2008 4:11 PM