Fox’s Grease Live will include a new song written for Carly Rae Jepsen’s character Frenchy. But it’s the existing songs and some of their lyrics that seemed to interest TV critics most during Fox’s TCA panel to promote the project.

“Can you say ‘the chicks will cream’ and ‘pussy wagon’?” one critic wondered early in the conversation.

“We’re working really hard to get those lyrics out of our heads,” joked Aaron Tveit, who plays Danny. “Hopefully it doesn’t slip out.”

Not cut is the line “did she put up a fight,” but Tveit said the production will “try to have some fun with it rather than suggesting it’s something darker.” Also surviving: Rizzo’s pregnancy scare, according to Vanessa Hugdens, who plays the role, calling it “very important” to Rizzo’s storyline, though slightly “dark.”

Meanwhile, Didi Conn, who played Frenchy in the 1978 film adaptation of the early-’70s Broadway hit, will appear in Fox’s presentation as waitress Vi, who was played by Joan Blondell in the film. Also putting in an appearance is Barry Pearl, aka Doody from the pic.

Director Thomas Kail, who has a hit on his hand with Broadway’s Hamilton, said he hopes the production conveys “why theater has existed for thousands of years and always seems like it’s going away and never does. … It’s about coming together and having a communal experience.” He said he hopes this project projects a “celebration of live performance.”

Theater, “doesn’t have to be a bad word,” said Kail, who hopes, before long, TV finds room for five or six live theater productions a year.



Check out a new promo for the production above.