The missing Link. Hairspray Live! fans found plenty to enjoy about the NBC musical production that aired on Wednesday, December 7, including the catchy tunes, fancy footwork and fabulous performances by the big-name cast. However, it’s hard to please everyone, especially when Zac Efron is involved — or not involved, as the case may be. (Watch all the highlights in the video above and check out our by-the-minute Hairspray Live! recap here!)
Efron costarred in the 2007 theatrical film version of the John Waters musical as Link Larkin, the lead male dancer on The Corny Collins Show. And while Garrett Clayton (The Fosters) did a great job as Link in the live NBC version on December 7, it’s not easy to fill the shoes of the High School Musical star, 29, as fan tweets posted throughout the show attest.
“I’m always kinda thinking about Zac Efron, but tonight I’m really thinking about Zac Efron,” wrote on Twitter user.
Another person tweeted, “Am I really about to spend the next three hours complaining [that] Zac Efron didn’t reprise his best role? Yes.”
The cast of 2007’s Hairspray included Nikki Blonsky (Tracy Turnblad), John Travolta (Edna Turnblad), Amanda Bynes (Penny Pingleton), Brittany Snow (Amber Von Tussle), Queen Latifah (Motormouth Maybelle) and James Marsden (Corny Collins).
Hairspray Live!‘s cast is rounded out by Maddie Baillio (Tracy), Ariana Grande (Penny), Jennifer Hudson (Motormouth) and Derek Hough (Corny).
Check out some of the more memorable tweets below.
https://twitter.com/insteadofhollow/status/806670645803315204
I’m always kinda thinking about @ZacEfron, but tonight I’m really thinking about Zac Efron. #HairsprayLive
— Erin Wood (@erinabletweets) December 8, 2016
This Tracy is so great. But damn it… I miss Zac Efron as Link Larkin! #HairsprayLive pic.twitter.com/aHKCtoG6Og
— Lily Miranda ?? (@LilyMiranda07) December 8, 2016
This Link Larkin only makes me think about how perfect Zac Efron was. #HairsprayLive
— Sarah Boo (@GidgetAnne) December 8, 2016
I love this live version, but ain’t nobody better than Zac Efron as Link Larkin. #HairsprayLive
— Samantha Holland (@hollandsamantha) December 8, 2016
The Hairspray movie is better than #HairsprayLive cuz Zac Efron pic.twitter.com/Vtq8UiKkrM
— reggie ann (@reggieann_) December 8, 2016
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Hairspray Live! airs on NBC Wednesday, December 7, at 8 p.m. ET.
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