High School Musical:  Get in the Picture on ABC

By Ally Matteodo

The final episode of High School Musical: Get in the Picture aired on September 8^th at 8:00 p.m. ET on ABC, and rightly deserves the title of Best TV Show of the Week.  Over the course of this reality competition, talented young individuals were plucked from across the United States for a chance to win the prize of an exclusive talent deal with ABC, a music video spot at the end of High School Musical 3, and two musical singles.  The final twelve performers traveled to Las Vegas and eight of these individuals were placed in the chorus.  The remaining four performed together and individually in the final showcase.  Over the course of this episode, the faculty members and Kenny Ortega, the Director and Choreographer of the High School Musical movies, slowly whittled down the remaining four until only one contestant remained:  Stan Carrizosa.  During the course of this episode viewers witnessed the final four going on a shopping spree to K-mart, a performance by host Nick Lachey of his single “All in my Head,” a performance by contestant Anthony Acito of “Forever Young” by Alphaville, and performances by the final four contenders.  In the end, Stan was announced as the winner and celebrations ensue. 

In the course of this episode, there was a segment in which the contestants sat in a circle and discussed which of them had changed the most during the experience.  The leader of the circle explained that whoever was chosen as having changed the most would receive a special honor.  Initially, each contestant said that him- or herself had changed the most, because each wanted the prize. However, when the circle reached Bailey Purvis, she broke down in tears, saying that even though she lives and breathes High School Musical, she has to name Anthony.  This caused a cascade of emotion which infected everyone in the circle.  In a unanimous decision, the group decided that Anthony was the person who has changed the most, and he received the special privilege of performing a solo at the final showcase.  One of the contestants remarked that in the beginning, everyone wanted the honor for themselves, but now they want it for each other. 

This is a wonderful microcosm that reflects upon the program as a whole.  Not only were the young individuals extremely talented, they are extremely good people.  There is a moment in any competition where ambition can turn into something ugly or ruthless, but this never happened on Get in the Picture. The contestants all wanted the best for one another, and this episode proved that camaraderie and collaboration will always overshadow cutthroat manipulation. 

The performances were delightful. Stan Carrizosa sang “Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” by Aerosmith with a voice that rang out full and clear.  Tierney, another one of the finalists, performed a beautiful rendition of “Somewhere over the Rainbow.”  Kenny Ortega remarked that when he was casting High School Musical, he looked for people who not only performed well individually, but who also brought out the best in their co-stars. Ortega remarks that Stan and Tierney (the two ultimate finalists), had these qualities, and he wanted to work with both of them.  When one is confident and secure in oneself, there is no need for pettiness, there is no need to try to upstage a co-star, and there is no need for jealousy.  When you bring out the best in others, you inevitably bring out the best in yourself. 

Best TV Show of the Week

The Parents Television Council - www.parentstv.org