Hi everyone. I'm pinch-hitting for tonight's episode (Ep. 10 - finale) and came across the synopsis of episode 9 on NBC's site when I was confirming tonight's air-time. I figured I'd post it here so those of us who are still suckers enough to actually watch this show can find out what happened. This is taken directly from the NBC web site.HIGH SPEED, HIGH STAKES - EPISODE 9 (NEVER AIRED)
Corinne, Sean, Mélisande and Jeanne were already going over lines for the new screen test, "Road Kill" immediately following the elimination of Mae and Mark. In the scene, three thieves celebrate their successful heist of weapons while three others interested in the loot give hot pursuit. Unlike previous scenes, this one had both action and humor. The final six were a competitive bunch and looked forward to cranking the competition up a notch. Later, Jared got emotional when he received a "goodie box" from his girlfriend. His feelings for Mélisande and his personal transformation via his Next Action Star experience were making him realize that he wasn't happy in that relationship.
The next day, the final six arrived on a remote location for off-road vehicle training. In teams of three, they would each complete a high-speed, off-road course in a Ford F-150 as part of the NetZero Challenge. The team with the fastest combined score would earn the retake card. John, Jeanne and Corinne (Team 1) competed against Sean, Mélisande and Jared (Team 2). Team 1 rolled in with a final, combined time of 11:37.42. Team 2, led by Sean's quick lead time, finished at 11:02, but had a glitch.
In his haste to complete the course, Jared failed to grab his seatbelt. He kept trying to pull it on during the course, but wasn't able to hook it - which disqualified him and consequently his team. Jeanne, Corinne and John felt Jared once again over-reacted when he turned a mistake into a huge hissy fit. Ultimately, Team 1 got the re-take card, which gave them an advantage going into the screen test.
Back at the house, Jeanne began a discussion about what everyone expected from being in the Next Action Star competition. Mélisande said they all want not only to win, but to have this as their life/career or they wouldn't be here. Jeanne said now was definitely the time to figure out if you really want it. The next day in acting class, everyone was relieved to learn there would be no emotionally draining crying exercise. Instead, a lighter skit tested the contestants' comedic timing and improv talents. Then two teams of three rehearsed dialogue from "Road Kill". Sean joined the twosome of Jared and Mélisande. John, Jeanne and Corinne teamed up for an alternate reading. Both teams seemed to work well together, but Howard awarded the Casting Card to Mélisande.
Howard then spoke to Mélisande separately about her upcoming partner selection. As the Casting Card winner she would pick her team first, leaving the remaining three contestants to work together as the second team. Howard wanted to make sure Mélisande made the best choice for her performance. He suggested that she choose not to perform with Jared for a change. Howard also suggested that she work with Sean and John. At some point, he told her, she needed to "dare to stand out."
Meanwhile, Jared, Sean and Mélisande had planned to work on back-stories for their characters - thinking they would perform as a team, such as they did in acting class. However, after Mélisande's talk with Howard, she told John and Sean that she wanted to work with them. She knew it was a "big concept" that would affect everyone, not just Jared. At that moment, Jared walked in and learned of Howard's advice. Mélisande didn't want to upset things and was equally concerned with Jeanne and Corinne's feelings. She told everyone Howard's advice to give everyone a head's up. As predicted, Jeanne and Corinne weren't thrilled, but respected Howard's opinion. Ultimately, it was up to Mélisande.
Later at scene selection, everyone was curious to see what she would do. First, she selected herself to play "Chris." Then she chose Sean and John as scene mates. Corinne, Jared and Jeanne weren't thrilled, especially when Jared said he wanted to play "Quinn" - the character Jeanne had also wanted to play. It became a face-off, with neither Jeanne nor Jared willing to budge. It got to the point, where Mélisande actually stood up and offered to change her decision. Jeanne fortunately stepped up instead and said Jared could play Quinn.
Mélisande's team chose to rehearse all night, while Jeanne and Corinne preferred not to "over-rehearse" but get a good night's sleep instead. The next day, everyone arrived on set to perform "Road Kill." Mélisande's team was up first, which allowed Jared's group even more time to rehearse... but once again Jeanne and Corinne seemed to shut Jared out. When it came time to shoot, he blanked on his lines. Jeanne also had time getting "into character." Corinne and Jeanne decided to use the retake card without discussing it with Jared. Soon the six contestants ended their long, grueling day and relaxed by making S'mores back at the mansion. They knew that at the same time the next night, only 4 would remain.
Meanwhile, the judges reviewed the screen tests. Victoria, Alan and Louis began with Sean's performance. Alan didn't feel it was Sean's strongest work. Victoria thought both John and Sean overdid it in the scene. As for Mélisande, Louis thought she pulled ahead; while Victoria felt she wasn't ready for a starring role. On to Jared…Louis was ready to cut him, while Alan thought he did well. Louis and Alan were not impressed with Jeanne, but acknowledged she had done well in past performances. Victoria felt Corinne had taken the comedy and made it believable and real, while the guys were less impressed. It seemed it was anybody's guess as to who would be cut. The judges knew they had to really think about who would be "right" for the feature film.
Back at the mansion, Tina arrived for callbacks. The next (and final) screen test was titled "Score to Settle" and featured Matrix-like wire stunts. Tina called Corinne and Sean first. The final two scripts went to Jared and Jeanne. Mélisande and John were out. Jeanne and Corinne didn't bother to clap for Jared, which Sean thought was rude. Victoria later said that while Mélisande is beautiful to watch, she was unable to break through her emotional wall making her inaccessible on camera. John, she said, was a really good actor; however, the judges weren't sure that he was an action star. Jared and Mélisande shared a tearful goodbye hug and kiss, while Corinne, Jeanne and Sean said goodbye to John.
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