Then the kids get sweet swag bags, a visit to the movie set, a chance to hang out with some of the High School Musical cast members and the director and -- whoa! -- a chance to be extras in a scene for the latest HSM installment. One kid actually talks about "how far we've come" -- it's the first episode for the finalists, you haven't gone anywhere.

Then another contestant, Shayna, points out that Get in the Picture is just like high school -- whether you want to admit it or acknowledge it, you're in a constant competition for something. That's the one interesting thing I heard in the entire hour. There's also some workout routines the kids learn, but I've lost interest at this point. I'm ready to move on to Monday.

Last night's episode kicked off with a live performance. The kids had to perform a HSM song while running around a Kmart, but only they could hear the music via portable music players. I get that this is one of those "let go and go outside your comfort zone for your art" things, but it's also one of those things my mom told me never to do things. (Next Sunday's episode -- hug a stranger -- is also on the list of things my mom told me to never do.) The contestants then take what they learned from the lesson and bring it to the elimination challenge. In groups of three, the kids have to show they can let go through song and a story line they're given.

Anthony, Bailey and Christie sing "There's Always Someone Cooler Than You." It's kind of fun, but I just can't get into it. One of the judges says Anthony relies too much on his personality, another says Christie is trying to hard to sell it. I feel like they all sound a little winded halfway through the song.

Isaiah, Stan and Tierney sing "Unwritten." It sounds and looks pretty solid; Isaiah's voice is better than I gave him credit for in the past. These three are safe for now.

Ether, James and Shayna sing "The Remedy." I think Ether's surprisingly good, but one of the judges says he isn't really letting himself go just yet. I can't believe how much the judges love their performance, because the harmonies sound discordant. Maybe that's why I'm not in the music biz.

Briana, Christina and TJ sing "Man in the Mirror." The rehearsal was a little tense to watch because there's definite friction between the girls, but the performance is fun and sounds nice. The girls are too loud for "backup" singers, though.

At the end, the judges pick the "best student" (winner of the challenge), who reads a cast list of the kids who are still in the competition. The names that aren't called are "sent to the chorus," or eliminated. So much for no small parts, only small actors. Tierney wins and takes an unnecessarily long time to read the cast list. At the end, Briana and tiny Christie from Hawaii are out.

Next week looks like duets, and the flirtation between athlete Stan and "unconventionally pretty" Shayna is affecting some of the other students. I need to start seeing some more drama.