Cool Rider, Hot Takes: Our Deep Dive into Grease 2
Release Date: 5/20/25, 5/27/25
Description:
We’re kicking off our podcast with a film that’s polarizing, iconic, and still somehow misunderstood: Grease 2. Join us as we revisit Rydell High for motorcycles, ladder-straddling musical numbers, and Michelle Pfeiffer’s star-making role as Stephanie Zinone. Part 1 covers our love/hate history with this cult sequel, and in Part 2, we get into the wild details, weird trivia, and all the reasons why this movie has clawed its way into our hearts.
Spoiler: We stan Stephanie, love Didi Conn, and will never recover from “Reproduction.”
Movie Synopsis:
Stephanie Zinone (Michelle Pfeiffer) leads the Pink Ladies with unapologetic cool and a refusal to be anyone’s “chick.” When she ditches top T-Bird Johnny (Adrian Zmed), she catches the eye of new British exchange student Michael Carrington (Maxwell Caulfield). To win her heart, Michael reinvents himself as a mystery biker known only as… the Cool Rider. Hijinks, musical numbers, and a whole lot of sexual confusion ensue.
Highlights & Trivia:
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- Michelle Pfeiffer was 23 during filming and married to thirtysomething’s Peter Horton at the time.
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- Maxwell Caulfield was also 23 and married to Juliet Mills—20 years his senior and sister of Hayley Mills. He’s since blamed Grease 2 for derailing his career.
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- Christopher McDonald (Goose) later became Shooter McGavin in Happy Gilmore.
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- Didi Conn returned as Frenchy, now trying to get her diploma.
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- Pamela Adlon (credited as Pamela Segall) was just 15 and would later voice Bobby Hill on King of the Hill.
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- Jean & Liz Sagal (Doublemint Twins) also starred in Double Trouble.
Behind the Scenes:
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- Filmed at Venice High School (also Rydell in Grease).
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- Budget: ~$11 million
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- Opening Weekend: #5 behind E.T., Star Trek II, Rocky III, and Poltergeist
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- Box Office: $15 million total
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- IMDb rating: 4.6 (but 1,400+ Amazon reviews say 4.6 stars, so justice is being served)
Fan Culture & Re-Evaluation:
Once considered a flop, Grease 2 now enjoys cult status with fan screenings, merch, anniversary revivals, and even West End musical tributes. Critics like Mark Kermode have called for its cinematic redemption.
Did You Know?
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- Maxwell Caulfield once worked as a nude dancer at London’s Windmill Theatre.
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- Louis St. Louis, who composed many of Grease 2’s tracks (and several from Grease), passed away in 2021 after a lifetime of contributions to musical theater and film.
“I want a whole lot more than the boy next door…”
Join us for this musical rewatch and cultural re-evaluation of the sequel that tried, failed, and somehow triumphed.
