Hairspray Live! college sophomore Maddie Baillio, as her first professional role. In November 2016, it was announced that Ricki Lake and Marissa Jaret Winokur (who portrayed Tracy Turnblad in the 1988 film and the Broadway version respectively) would make cameo appearances; Winokur and Lake appeared as employees of Mr. Pinky's boutique. Darren Criss served as an on-air host, hosting a half-hour "Countdown to Hairspray Live!" show on NBC with Kristin Chenoweth and Sean Hayes, as well as behind-the-scenes reports throughout the live broadcast. Oreo, Reddi-wip, and Toyota broadcast live, themed commercials during "Hairspray Live!"; Oreo's ad featured the character of Corny Collins,
Charm School with Ricki Lake Ricki before elimination and praises Ashley's progress, but says Marcia still has a drinking problem. Bubbles then talks to Ricki and says Ashley's mean and unwilling to change and brings up the comment made yesterday and admits it hurt her feelings. In detention hall, Brittaney, Ashley, and Marcia are voted onto the carpet. Ashley says Bubbles had a reason for voting for her and regrets snapping at her and apologizes to Bubbles. Ricki asks her if she's sorry because she's now at risk for going home, and Ashley says no. Marcia confesses to drinking, but hasn't been getting into fights.