Stockard Channing Has Her Say On Grease’s Opening Cartoon

For years now, the classic musical Grease has been the subject of debate as to whether it sets a bad example with its messaging, after Olivia Newton John’s Sandy reinvents herself at the end of the movie to grab the attention of John Travolta’s Danny.

But there’s another controversy that’s arisen in recent years over a scene before we even make it to Rydell High.

As you may well recall, after we’re first introduced to Sandy and Danny frolicking together on the beach, Grease then cuts to an animated opening title sequence, where some of the cartoon characters.

In recent history, this section has faced scrutiny thanks to an oft-cited viral post claiming that the animators “did Stockard Channing dirty” with their depiction of her.

Well, the woman herself has finally had her say, and she’s conceded that she’s not exactly a a fan of the drawing in question.

“My cheeks!” Stockard said when asked about the caricature by Entertainment Weekly. “I felt the same way.”

“That’s even worse than I remember – look at that!” she responded when presented with the image.”

Stockard then admitted that she’d “only seen the movie twice”, and both were at official screenings.

“One was in the opening at Grauman’s Chinese [Theatre],” she said. “And I do agree that cartoon was unfortunate. It was my nightmare vision of self.

“And the second time, I saw it 20 years later. Also at Grauman’s Chinese.”

“I’m very proud of it,” she insisted. “But I don’t watch it.”

The future Oscar nominee played the Pink Ladies’ leader Rizzo in the 1978 stage musical, performing on group numbers like Summer Nights as well as the solos Look At Me, I’m Sandra Dee and There Are Worse Things I Could Do.

And if you think we’re going to just mention the absolute anthem that is There Are Worse Things I Could Do without including a link so you can listen to it right this second, you are mistaken.