The explanation, with spoilers, after the jump …

I haven't watched all of tonight's telecast, since I was keeping track of a local contestant on Grease: You're the One That I Want. (Ashley Spencer is her name, and she's hanging in there.) But for a column tomorrow I did check the results. Dave and Mary are out. That's not the problem. Rob and Amber finished first AGAIN.

My problems with this are so huge. It's not just that Rob is a snotty player and a big whiner. (On last week's show, he complained about another player's tactic — when he would have done the same thing — and then claimed he was just playing mind games. Bull. He's a bad winner and a sore loser.) It's that he and Amber are professional reality-show contestants now, and that damages the game.

I know, I've said that R&A damaged the game the last time they were on, bringing a nasty, Survivor-honed sensibility to a game that always felt more honorable to me. But their lives now are spent going from TV game to TV game, sharpening their skills along the way, and never seeming to have a life that involves something other than talking trash and playing for cash. Other Amazing Race competitors worry about things in the real world, then have to compete against a couple with no other concerns.

Yes, R&A are very, very good players. I will give them that much. And they came into the race determined not merely to win but to dominate, and so far they are doing that. But it is still possible to see someone very good at a task — and hate them nonetheless. Think New York Yankees — a proper parallel not only because of the swagger involved, but because "Boston Rob" would hate it so much.

I may still check into the race, just to see if R&A finally lose. But that seems unlikely right now. I may end up recording the shows, then watching again if they are eliminated. Only the way they are playing, that may mean waiting until next season.

"Saturday Night Live," "Friday Night Lights" and — even without a day in its title — "Grease," after the jump …

Not sure if I'll post anything on the Grammys; Beacon Journal pop music writer Malcolm X Abram is blogging during the telecast, and you can find the link on www.ohio.com.

Has been a semi-lazy Sunday, aside from groceries and some other shopping. Felt dragged after Saturday, when I did work, including the difficult, emotional task of covering a local Navy man's funeral. Got through it, but didn't watch much TV other than Thursday's "CSI." Caught up some today.

So, notes:

"CSI" was a strange, grim episode wrapping up the tale of Grissom's fill-in (Liev Schreiber) in a way that made very sure we won't be seeing him again. Very much a departure for "CSI" in its low portion of geek science. At the same time, it could be seen as an argument in favor of the geek scientists. They may have their problems, but they're nothing compared to what the old street cops brought to the table — rape, incest, murder, corruption, a severed hand.

"Grease" is now on. Opening group sing: "Summer Lovin'." Lots of hammy rivalry and shoving for the microphone. Twist announced: The two lowest vote getters among the Sandys and the Dannys will have a sing-off for their survival. Introduction of the judges, with special guest Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Video recap of last week's show, with contestant comments. Much posturing.

Break, so let's talk "Saturday Night Live," with host Forest Whitaker. The digital short wasn't much. Whitaker was obviously a good sport, happy to do some silly business — and to sing — but also willing to let other people run the sketches. In fact, it was Maya Rudolph's night — as Whitney, as half of "Bronx Beat" with Amy Poehler, as Whitaker's duet partner. "Bronx Beat" was giggly just because Poehler and Rudolph went with it. Her Whitney was entertaining, though the sketch dragged on too long. (I'm also wondering how Whitaker felt about the Whitney-mocking considering he directed "Waiting to Exhale." Of course, that could have made him even more all right about it.)

Back to "Grease." We're doing an "Idol"-ish who's-safe thing. Kevin, Derek, Chad and Austin step forward — are all safe. That leaves Matt, Max and Jason. Max is also safe. That leaves it between Matt, the guy who was brought back by the judges, and Jason for the sing-off.

Women's turn: Ashley A, Ashley S, Laura and Kathleen are called forward. Ashley Anderson, the other judge bring-back, is in the sing-off. Ashley S, Laura and Kathleen are safe. Allie, Juliana and Kate are left; Allie gets the sing-off.

The returnees sing first. Max goes with "Can You Feel the Love Tonight." Laura follows with Lloyd Webber's "Jesus Christ Superstar" theme. Very strange choice, and only a so-so performance. Judges more enthusiastic. Next: Ashley S. and Derek. He does "Footloose," with backup dancers. Gee, you think they're trying to give him a boost? Ashley S. does "Take That Look Off Your Face," another Lloyd Webber song. She's getting better; she's gotten that screechy tendency considerably under control, except for a little trouble at the end. And she looked a little orange in the lights.

Judges: High marks from Kathleen, Lloyd Webber, Jim and Snarky Brit, although SB wanted more anger from Ashley S.

Another break, so let me finish my "SNL" thoughts. Other good stuff: Darrell Hammond's Jesse Jackson (and that whole bit, especially the end), Valentine's Day with the Cheneys. Overall, it was a show where I less inclined to fast-forward than usual.

Still in a break, so let's talk "FNL," which I finally watched today. Solid episode, as I have come to expect from the drama. Especially impressed by its refusal to resolve the core issue in an hour, or even to have the main antagonist be genuinely regretful. What a show. I am running out of ways to explain how much I value it.

So now we can stay with "Grease." Kevin sings "Burning Love," Juliana does "Don't Cry For Me Argentina." When I listen to Kevin's Elvisness, I hear Simon Cowell saying "a little too cabaret." Definitely too Vegas. (I know, he's auditioning for a Broadway show, but even "Grease" has more hair on its chest than this.) And he's really having trouble with the melody. Got backup dancers, though.

"Evita" always makes me think of the TV ads I used to see for it during its Broadway heyday, with Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin going "not much to ask for. Or something. It was 30 years ago, you know. As for Juliana, decent voice but I feel as if she's dragging out the performance. Lloyd Webber looks as if he's wincing at the end.

Snarky Brit not crazy about Kevin, and thinks Juliana is too polished. Lloyd Webber says neither has made the song their own, the way the previous performers did; seems to be taking the blame for Juliana's performance. Kathleen not crazy about Kevin, either, and unenthused about Juliana. Jim — told to answer "very quickly" — is a huge apologist for both, saying he's seen them better.

Back from a break: Lloyd Webber gives a guarded endorsement to a new "Grease," although he wishes for a more diverse range of performers. (By the way, I haven't mentioned it yet today but the enthusiastic crowd, complete with signs, is quite annoying tonight. I find it not very credible.) Then the expected ga-ga sequence of the people working with ALW, leading into a group sing of "Phantom of the Opera." Not for the first time, I think Lloyd Webber is struggling to listen politely, and to let Billy Bush make the gushy comments. I remember a show on Bravo — back when it was a cultural channel — where Stephen Sondheim worked with some singers. He felt no need to be polite, directly correcting their work, his criticism unvarnished. Let's get him for a "Grease" episode.

Right.

Chad, "My Eyes Adored You." From "Jersey Boys," we're told, as part of an ongoing attempt to use compilation shows as a pretext for considering these Broadways songs. Not great, particularly on the high notes. Kate, "Buenos Aires." She seems to be much blonder. More talky than singing, even in places she could sing harder. Not good on some high notes. Let's see how Lloyd Webber looks … Down at his notes, clapping limited. And he's first up for comment. Spares Chad, who has the flu. Jokes with Kate about investing in his new show. Then calls her a terrific singer. Other judges basically kind.

Austin, "Ease On Down the Road." Big dance routine, not impressive vocal. Kathleen, "Memory." I liked her quite a bit last week. This time, not so much. She's no Betty Buckley. They have to stop showing Lloyd Webber at the end of songs; he seems really not to enjoy himself, no matter what he says after.

And coming up … the sing-off. Videotape of reactions backstage after they were told they were at the bottom of the votes. Tears included. So how is this thing going to work? Jason and Allie were the lowest vote-getters. But the panel will decide who goes home. Song: "Tears on My Pillow," each to sing part of it — Jason followed by Matt, Allie and Ashley A., then back and forth between the two women. After hearing these fragments, I'd keep Jason and, based solely on this performance, Ashley A. even though she's been very bad before. Results after the break.

Judges — only the regular three — make their call. Jason survives. Allie survives. So the two who were brought back for a second chance, Matt and Ashley A., both go bye-bye. And Jason and Allie get to do their regular performance for audience voting. Jason takes "That'll Be the Day." Very unfortunate. Allie does "I Don't Know How to Love Him." Much better.

Recap. Then the judges pick their faves of the week. Snarky Brit goes for Austin and Laura. Kathleen has Derek and Kathleen. Jim picks Max and Laura. Lloyd Webber — who politely avoids punching Bush for once again calling him "World Wide Webber" — calls it for Derek and Laura; Laura "staggered' him. Not sure about that, but Ashley Spencer told me some time ago that she thought Laura was the toughest competition.

And that's enough for this post.

Olivia Newton-John makes her second appearance as a guest judge on a reality show in a week. First contestant has so many sound effects with his moves that it feels like a segment on "Funniest Videos." Which is not a bad comparison, considering how he sang….

Four nos. ONJ looks a little better than she did on "Grease: YTOTIW," where her eyebrows were permanently curved and her forehead unmoving… Next up: Another suspiciously old-looking contestant, with a voice that does not make his age an issue. Four more nos. Then a break, followed by bad singers in comparable costumes. One even odder than the Big Bird on Tuesday night.

A cute Hollywood story: Singer who's the daughter of one of Dean Martin's Golddiggers. As near as I can recall, the Golddiggers were known mainly as leggy dancers — so maybe this gal did inherit her unfortunate voice. Judges recognize that. Begging ensues. Paula, significantly cleavaged, is a major target of begging. ONJ considers "the hard part" to be the begging. What, she doesn't mind hesring all the bad singers? Now Mama Golddigger is brought into the room. She has a better sense of show biz than daughter does. Simon also considers mom "foxy."

Sequence of other contestants' begging follows. After a strong night of Birmingham auditions, Los Angeles is not impressing. Alaina Alexander, 24, of West Hollywood gets a Hollywood ticket, even though she is, as Randy says, "pitchy all over the place" on Michael Buble's "Feelin' Good." Does this tell us that they had to settle for so-so in L.A. — no matter how many "really's" Simon put in front of his "good" for her.

Back from the break. Now we get a woman who was influenced by Taylor Hicks and whose mother told her she wasn't "TV pretty." She flips at the sight of Taylor's image on the "Idol" backdrop. This is the high point of her appearance. Horrifying "Dancing in the Street." Ryan at least gives her a tepid "Soul Patrol" call-out as she leaves (to Hicks's "Do I Make You Proud").

Backup singer. Sometimes a promising source of contestants. Brandon Rogers, 28, of North Hollywood, does indeed deliver — on Willie's "Always on My Mind." Muffs one note, but Paula and ONJ are warm. Simon reads through the audition, then calls it the best of the day.

The teaser is for a tearjerker, and here it comes after the break. After another audition, though: Brian Miller, 19, a recidivist, tries to knock it out on "A Change Is Gonna Come." He hurts my ears, but he's cute — though Simon calls him "forgettable" and says he can't remember from last year. Randy, ONJ and Paula go yes — so it's Hollywood.

More teary run-up. It's for Sherman Pore, 64, of Los Angeles, whose "lady love of 20 years" urged him to get a petition to appear on the show, while she fought cancer. But he gets in the room, to tell the people that she died two days before the audition. "You Belong To Me" — one of my favorites. He's not great but he gets by, and Paula is a puddle. Simon shakes his hand. "I am a winner," he says.

Twenty-one people got Hollywood tickets this day, and we've seen three of them in 40 minutes. But I don't begrudge Sherman his moment.

More love: A couple, both auditioning. She's very bad thinks she can vamp Simon. It's not happening. Boufriend goes next. He's so bad, he freezes my DVR.

Another baddie after the break, then another "Idol"-ater, who says he he has been preparing for two years for the show. Don't people have jobs anymore? He's going to need one, and it won't be singing on "Idol." Then, the twist! He used a training DVD made by Randy and Paula.

Nineteen go from L.A. to Hollywood on Day 2. Next Tuesday: San Antonio. (This time, I watched the promo!)

Many things to say about tonight's "Grease: You're the One That I Want" but I'll start with a simple one: How could anyone smile while singing "Walking in Memphis"? It's a booming song, to be sure, but one that does not remotely call for a big Ipana grin throughout. Yet that is what we got from Kevin, and I am still wondering why no one called Kevin on it — especially when Juliana was called on not conveying the drama in "The First Cut Is the Deepest."

But I am so cynical about the show at this point, that even with two Buckeyes in the competition (Kate and Ashley S.) I am wondering if what anyone does really matters. Besides the Kevin/Juliana inconsistency, here are a few reasons:

— Bringing Matt and Ashley A. back into the competition for no discernible reason other than that their stories were liked by the audience. Tonight's show indicated yet again that both are way out of their league as singers.

— Where most of the competition went two-by-two (two Dannys back-to-back, two Sandys likewise), Matt and Ashley A. were a separate pairing, which spared them from sounding even worse in comparison to the people who know what they're doing. Yes, their addition creates an odd number of men and of women. All the more reason NOT TO BRING THEM BACK.

— The judges are, for the most part, in the tank about who is good and who isn't. Only Snarky Brit Producer was at all blunt, while Kathleen Marshall and Jim Jacobs were extremely kind — and guest Olivia Newton-John wouldn't even pick two favorites at the end. (Who does she think she is, Paula Abdul?)

My theory: Even though there was a reference to auditions going on for other "Grease" roles, I won't be surprised if the Broadway production ends up drawing on the TV show pool for Kenickie, Rizzo and other supporting roles. If that is looming, then the people involved in the show are going to be reluctant to trash perfomers whom they will still have to work with; it's sort of a corollary to "American Idol's" getting kinder when the pool gets down to the folks who might end up releasing CDs under "Idol's" auspices.

— The remarkably convenient way that the judges, in picking their favorite Danny and Sandy, managed not to overlap at all — listing six different favorites. (It would have been eight if Newton-John hadn't been such a wimp.) Snarky Brit went with Ashley S. and Derek, Marshall with Austin and Allie, Jacobs with Chad and Kate. Way to keep things wide open — and, going back to the other-casting theory, to keep more performers happy.

Other notes: Ashley S. did all right with "The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in His Kiss)", especially in terms of stage presence, and Kate was OK — little slow getting to the oomph in "All By Myself." But of all the men and women tonight, I was really surprised by Kathleen's "Suddenly I See." A real force, that one.

Next show's guest is Andrew Lloyd Webber who, as far as I can determine, does not have a hyphen in his name even if the show's graphics indicated otherwise. No new telecast next week because of the Super Bowl, so we wait until Feb. 11 for voting results.