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RSSFinalewatch: 'High School Musical: Get in the Picture'
After a leaving you in Tamara's very capable hands while I enjoyed la dolce vita, I'm back in time to recap the finale of High School Musical: Get in the Picture. ...Yay?
We're treated to a stage show tonight as the 12 finalists perform a High School Musical medley in front of the large, shrieking audience. Despite the lyrics, however, they're not all in this together. The final four will be competing for the prize tonight, and director/choreographer Kenny Ortega will be making the final decision. Ashley Tisdale is also in da house, and it actually takes me more than a moment to recognize her thanks to the new nose. I can't even joke about it, to be honest. She's totally generically pretty now, and it's sad. She damn well better have really had a deviated septum, that's all I've got to say.
After a shopping trip/K-Mart ad, the final four perform another medley of HSM songs, and they sound really great. Tierney seems the most nervous, with stiffer movements than the others, though her voice is as strong as always. Christina also appears to be holding back, while Stan really gives it his all. Isaiah may be trying a little too hard, and his dancing seems overly exaggerated. Christina is bumped to the chorus, which is sad, but probably the right call.
Speaking of the chorus, the rejects get a chance to vote for most improved (or the "used to suck award," as we called it in high school). At first it looks like everyone will vote for themselves, but then Ether and Anthony pick up several votes, and the group emotionally decides to give the prize to Anthony. Hmm...I love the guy, but he's definitely the weakest singer in the group. And the prize is a solo song. So while it's a heart-warming moment in some ways, it's definitely not as strong as it would have been if someone else had sung it. But I'm so proud of loveable Anthony that I totally don't care that they're basically ruining one of my favorite songs ("Forever Young"). Go, Anthony!
Next, we're treated to solos by the three remaining finalists. Stan, proud owner of the tiniest faux-hawk ever, does a marvelous, American Idol-worthy job with "Don't Want to Miss a Thing," complete with a dramatic key-change and a run into the crowd. He might have this competition in the bag. Tierney probably could have picked a more dynamic crowd-pleaser than "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," but it really shows off her gorgeous voice. Her movements seem very choreographed rather than spontaneous, however. Isaiah, singing "Live Like you were Dying," does a great job getting the crowd into it and using the stage for all it's worth, and he sounds stronger than ever.
In a choice I'm not sure I agree with, Isaiah is bumped into the chorus, and it's down to Stan and Tierney. I love Tierney, but she's not a adept as the other two at putting on a show. Before we can see their duet, we're subjected to a performance by Nick Lachey of "All in my Head." It's...really not my kind of thing, though it's a great illustration of why boy band singers' careers don't age well. You just can't sing that kind of pop music with any sort of seriousness past the age of 25 without seeming sad and old, especially next to all those youthful contestants.
Stan and Tierney duet on "Just Getting Started," from the High School Musical 3 soundtrack. Hmm. I'm gonna give it to Tierney on the vocals, and Stan on the performance. He just seems SO comfortable on the stage that it's hard not to want to watch him and want to be in on the fun, though I'd probably rather listen to Tierney. Stan takes the big prize, as predicted. Um...enjoy your music video over the end credits, dude. I'm glad they added a couple singles and some sort of contract to the prize, at least.
What do you think about the judges' final decision? Will you be first in line to watch High School Musical 3, so you can wait with bated breath until the end credits to watch Stan's big break? Are you horribly disappointed that the Stan/Shayna/Tierney situation was never resolved?
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Zap2it Twitter Talk 
I tend to disagree. I found Isaiah and Tierney to be excellent performers; I found Stan a bit awkward and dorky. I was surprised to see him move to the final two and aggrieved to see him win it. Why must some charming white guy win the first cycle of every reality show? Why??
Ugh, so you're gonna turn this into a black/white thing? Ether and James were miles better than Isaiah. And Stan's little cheating girlfriend could knock Tierney's socks off in a real talent competition. I don't agree that Stan was the best in the competition either, but don't be playin' the race card h8er. Tierney's voice was frail and warbly in her lower register. Isaiah's couldn't be more nasally if he tried.(nor could stan's for that matter). The judges picked the best looking of the bunch, because the fat kid, the geek and the other geek wouldn't appeal to the cameras like a Stan or a Tierney. If it's a race thing, it's also a weight thing and a popularity thing.
Stan was the best from the beginning. Never saw anything in Isiah and never knew why he kept winning. I would have put him down weeks ago. Anyway. I thought all along it should be between Tierney and Stan. Last night Stan was hands down the best! He is hot, and sounds good and is exactly the kind of guy they look for in these movies.
Stan singing to his sister was made me laugh but was very much in the spirit of HSM.
Issah picked the wrong song. Tierney did not sing like this was the most important song of her life. Stan did. I was sure she would win, until she sang her last song. The judges told her all season that she does not emotionally commit to the performance.
I'm glad that Stan won. I admit that he wasn't the best in the beginning, but he improved greatly. He was pretty awesome for someone who never went to a performing arts school. His stage presence says it all and he has a great voice. I think they picked the right guy for the movie and he is probably going to be even more famous someday.
To the comment about race- Did you see the families? Stan's mother is Asian! So what does race have to do with anything? Tierney and Stan are both mixed. Crazy people. Why does everyone think people are being racist all the time. You're not even paying attention!
I really wanted Tierny to win!!! so disappointed! I thought she was the best overall. She has been my favorite since the very beginning. Stan is good too but he is a little cheasy sometimes.
NICK LACHEY WAS SUCH AN AMAZING SINGER!! i think his song was the best part of that show :) lol, anyone know when his single's coming out?
i think that Tierney had the best vocals out of everyone but she always held back in her performances so that is why stan won. I was shocked to see stan as the winner but ultimately I think the judges didn't want Tierney's hair and Corbin Bleu's hair to have controversy so they gave her the boot!