Is Legally Blonde: The Search for the Next Elle Woods the best show on television right now?  Yes, right?  Snap!  OMG!  I am completely, 100% addicted.  I can't believe I have to wait a whole week until I can get more.  Snap! I have a problem.

Do I object to replacing Laura Bell Bundy with a reality television show? Absolutely.  Snap. Am I breathless with anticipation during every episode on Monday night's?  Absolutely.  Snap. Call me a freak.  Call me a sell-out.  Call me crazy.  Just don't call me late for Legally Blonde: The Search for the Next Elle Woods (argh argh argh - bad bad joke). Snap.

Ok, enough with all the snapping.  I am stopping.  For those of you who don't watch - and I can't even begin to imagine who is NOT watching, but for those that are not tuning in -- Legally Blonde: The Search for the Next Elle Woods is the new MTV reality television show that is putting 10 girls through their paces and taping their every move in the quest to take over the lead role in the B'way show Legally Blonde. 

Warning: Spoilers Ahead

I am going to talk about this week's episode - if you haven't seen it yet - you will want to skip ahead.  Monday night, our little bubbly pink friends on the show had to deal with the loss of Lindsey (who I personally think went too soon - hello - Cassie S (Crazy Elle). didn't even go to the dreaded "Casting Office" last week).  When Lauren (Belter Elle), Emma (Veteran Elle), and Celina (Rocker Elle) returned to the house instead of talking about what went down during elimination there was a smack-down with Cassie S.  The girls cornered her (especially Celina) to tell her she was wack-a-doodles and had been alienating the whole house.  Cassie was totally clueless and listened intently, wiping away tears.  However, she took all that feedback and promptly ignored it and remained one of the most compelling characters on any reality tv show - EVER! 

Has this Show Gone to the Dogs?

The challenge for the week brought the girls in contact with the canine stars of Legally Blonde and they were each tested on their abilities to "bond" with the two dogs that rotate playing Bruiser Woods in the show.  WTF?  "Bonding" with the dogs?  What does that mean?  There was much footage of the girls squealing over the pooches and walking back and forth with the dogs.  Later the dog trainer watched the girls interact with the two Bruisers and declared that Autumn (My Favorite Elle - Currently) was the clear winner.

Me: "Hey, Autumn.  How did you get your lead role in Legally Blonde?"

Autumn: "Oh, I bonded with the dog the best."

Me: "That makes sense."

Let's Get Serious

After that "strenuous" test, the girls then prepared for the elimination audition.  They would sing the song "Serious" with the show's star Richard H. Blake.  The scene has a ton of over the top comedy, a bunch of high notes and some "real acting moments".  That is a lot for the girls to tackle.  The big drama for the episode was that Emma (Jerry Zaks daughter - hello - can you say rigged?) got really really sick.  She was a smoker until she decided to quit before coming on the show.  I guess that her lungs were going crazy from the lack of smoke and she developed an ugly bronchitis.  My favorite moment was when Seth Rudetsky told her she needed to learn to cough in a way that didn't hurt her voice. What exactly does that mean?  "Emma, can you cough on a high C, instead of a low D?"

Despite her illness Veteran Elle, Emma knocked it out of the park during her audition.  I also thought Rhiannon (Bubbly Elle) and Lauren did nicely.  You know, it is really hard to tell who is doing better or worse...they don't show enough of each girls audition.  There is a lot of cutting back and forth.  I wish they would play out the entire thing...I know it would get a bit boring, but at least we might be able to assess the girls' talents a bit better. Oh wait, Oh My God you guys - they have full performances on MTV's website.  I have to steer completely clear from that website.  I just know I would get sucked in and bury myself in my computer monitor and when I finally looked up it would be 2012.  Back to the show...

Getting low marks and ending up in the casting office were Cassie, Celina, and Autumn.  First they nixed Celina.  It had to happen sometime - she wasn't going to win.  Rocker Elle just wasn't ever going to fit into the role of Elle Woods. She took her defeat like a pro, but I thought her hip wagging exit was bizzaro. 

Then in a shocker (NOT) they judges cut a second gal.  Cassie!  Frankly, I was ready for Cassie to go home.  Don't get me wrong, I do think she is awesome television (all that delusion and anger - fierce!) but she couldn't sing and you kind of need to be able to do that to star in a B'way show.  Before she was axed Cassie lashed out at the judges for saying that she would be a good swing/understudy in the show; "Um, NO - I want to be the STAR of the show!" she barked - looking like she wanted to rip out Bernie Telsey's eyes.  Then they cut her.  Never fear Cassie S., I see a big future for you somewhere - I am not sure where, but a great gig is out there waiting for you.  (check out the glam photo of Cassie S. in today's post - she cleans up nice - eh?) Maybe she could get on one of those MTV shows were they bit reality stars against one another in competition!

Now I have to wait another week -what will I do.  Oh, yeah, I will talk about who I think will win.  For me it is down to Emma and/or Autumn.  What do you think?  There is also a possibility of...wait...I have probably devoted too much space to this topic.  Ok, I hear you - how about a little tidbit of gossip then...

Casting Buzz

"The Broadway" is buzzing about The Adams Family Musical that is on the fast-track for a rialto opening.  Word is that Bebe Neuwirth has officially signed on to play Morticia Adams and that Nathan Lane is very very close to finalizing a deal to take on the role of Gomez Adams. Wow.  That is some heavy hitting casting.  If you think this will be some cheesey musical - think again - the show is going to be directed and designed by Phelim McDermott and Julian Crouch, who created the hit show Shockheaded Peter (a cutting edge show that took NYC by storm several years ago).  I liken this to Julie Taymor taking on The Lion King - these guys are creative geniuses that will likely re-imagine the show for a unique theatrical experience.  When do tixs go on sale?

That is it for me.  I am going to try to deal with my Search for Elle withdrawal symptoms; perhaps I should head over to MTV.com and check out behind the scenes footage.  No! I must resist the temptation.  I must resist.  If you don't hear from me on Friday - send help!

~ See You On The Aisle