When news broke that original "Grease" stars Didi Conn (Frenchy) and Barry Pearl (Doody) had been cast in the Fox Network's musical event "Grease: Live", fans rejoiced.
For Pearl, who filmed the original musical 39 years ago, passing the torch to newcomer Jordan Fisher as Doody was easy given their history, and no advice was necessary.
"When one doesn't have to give advice that bespeaks what he's already doing," Pearl told Headlines & Global News exclusively.
For the majority of the "Grease: Live" cast, growing up with musical was just something that happened, and there was never a time when the movie was not a part of their lives. So being able to reinvent it is an honor.
"The majority us grew up with it because it was just always around," Fisher admitted. "We have the immense pleasure and opportunity to take a piece of work that's so beloved by so many generations and essentially reintroduce it in a format that's never been done before. The fact I get to be a part of that could just bring me to tears."
"The torch has been passed and from what Didi [Conn] and I can see, because she's a part of it as well, we couldn't be more pleased with how its been passed. These kids are kicking in with a capital KICK," Pearl added.
Despite the films original leads, Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta, not appearing in the project, Pearl would still love to see the pair involved.
"I would love it and they are gorgeous people," Pearl said. "I'm still in touch with them and we have their blessing. There was a rumor that Olivia had a role but she said, 'No, it's not going to happen.' She was thrilled that I was a part of it and I'll tell you here and now, they have blessed this production and couldn't be happier."
As for Travolta, he's not ruling out the possibility of hosting a screening with Newton-John the night it airs. "There are so many variations of productions of 'Grease,' from Broadway to high schools, this is no different in that it's a group of actors doing it live on television," Travolta told HNGN. "'Grease' has the right like 'The Sound Of Music' and 'Gypsy' to portray itself live. I've been to many productions of it live and this one might just be executed a little more acutely. Yeah, I'll be watching."
"Grease: Live" airs Jan. 31 at 7 p.m. on FOX.
