Hollywood Arts (2026) s01e08 Episode Script

1
So I break down the walls that I made ♪
Won't hold back, I'm here to stay ♪
They're calling it Pearcarmaggedon.
98% of LA's self-driving
Pear cars are out of service.
The reason? They're on strike.
How does a driverless car go on strike?
I don't know.
I'm here with local resident Pepper
to get the scoop.
Pepper, how's the Pear car shortage
affecting your morning commute?
I go to Hollywood Arts, which is pretty
close, so I'm just gonna walk today.
Had to leave a bit earlier, no big deal.
Just a little less time
with my dog Waddles.
[somber music plays]
Like I said, no big deal.
[sniffles]
Are you happy, Pear car?
You made this adorable girl cry.
- [clicks]
- Congratulations, Pepper,
on your television debut!
- [cheers]
- [Trina] Sparkling cider!
[louder cheering]
You made it look like
you were really crying.
I really felt like you were sad
to leave your dog. Great acting.
- Yeah, incredible.
- Yeah, thanks. [laughs]
Acting.
[singer vocalizing]
Are you kidding me?!
Okay, yes, I love my dog. Sue me!
No!
I just got a text from my agent…
[all] Brad Branzino?
I was supposed to have an audition
over lunch today, and they canceled!
- Did Brad Branzino say why?
- They're going a different direction.
They only wanna cast
real mother-daughters for the role.
So, ask your mom to audition with you.
I would, but--
And you guys all know my mom.
She would do anything
for her little Jenny Wenny.
I do not likey-wikey that nickname.
- But she's in court today.
- [laughs] I love your mom.
- What's she being charged with?
- She's an attorney.
It's illegal to be an attorney now?
I just got an idea.
Jen, what if your mom
was in this room right now?
I'd assume she'd given up
her amazing career
and we'd have to sell our Tahoe estate?
Not the Tahoe estate.
I mean, what if I pretend to be
your mom for the audition?
[gasps] Keep talking.
I would, but that's
sort of the whole plan.
[giggles]
Great plan, Mom!
- Thanks, Jenny Wenny.
- Oh!
Make it stoppy-woppy.
Oh, guys, wait.
- Uh…
- Oh… let me guess.
"Lying is wrong, children."
"I'm a good girl."
Oh, yeah, that's so me.
I was just gonna tell you guys
that the Pear cars are on strike,
and I assumed Trina's car
is always in the shop.
Guys, you won't believe this, but my car…
isn't in the shop today!
- What?
- No!
Do believe in miracles!
USA! USA!
USA! USA!
[upbeat musical transition]
Mmm.
Anyone else not feeling lunch today?
My Melon DeGeneres is mushy.
My Toast Malone is burnt.
Oh! There's this new pop-up pizza place
everyone's been talking about.
- Cheesy Does It?
- Ordering a Pear car as we speak.
- Pear cars are on strike, my guy.
- How does a driverless car go on strike?
We could just take the metro.
You okay?
This Jenna Or-tea-ga is so hot,
it burned my lip.
I have to go to the nurse!
Nobody follow me!
Okay, was that Pepper weird
or just weird weird?
Her tea wasn't even that hot.
- How do you know?
- She spat it on me.
Wanna spend our lunch hour
pretending to be thermometers?
Or do we wanna go to Cheesy Does it?
To the metro!
What is this metro you speak of?
It's the subway.
[scoffs] LA does not have a subway.
Well, I'll be.
[upbeat musical transition]
So good to be back in your car again.
Hmm! Thanks.
Oh, sorry. I thought it was obvious
I was being sarcastic.
What are these things all over the place?
Oh, it's my surround sound.
- Check it out.
- [beeps]
[echoing] Nothing beats a JetBrew holiday.
Okay, can we just focus
on the audition, please?
Mmm! Good idea. If we're gonna be
a believable mother-daughter duo,
we have got to get our facts straight.
Okay, so my birthday is on…
You were born on a crisp Sunday
at twilight.
Your father was working as
a security guard for the New York Knicks.
- My father is not…
- I tried to hold you in
as long as I could
but the game went into overtime.
You know those Denver Nuggets.
They can't resist a tie.
I highly doubt the casting people
are gonna ask for the birth story.
Pretty sure I've been
on a few more auditions than you, pookie.
Hmm. Hey, take the wheel.
I gotta do my makeup.
- What?
- I'm kidding!
I taught myself how to drive
with my knees.
- [tires screech]
- Ah. Here we go.
[passing car horn blares]
Ah! I got a horn too, buddy!
- [car horn blares]
- Ahh!
[upbeat musical transition]
Wow, this thing can take you
anywhere in LA.
Well, not anywhere.
Wow, this thing can take you
some places in LA.
- Oof!
- Whoa!
[mocking laughter]
Something funny?
- [laughs]
- Yeah, you guys.
First time on the subway, huh?
Course it is.
They go to Hollywood Farts.
[laughs] What a hilarious misread.
It's actually Hollywood Arts.
No. They know, they know.
You guys think you're better
and more talented than everybody else.
- Especially this one.
- [gasps]
- This is assault!
- Hey, leave my brother alone.
We're just trying to get pizza
in Long Beach.
Actually, no, you're not.
You're getting off at the next stop.
- Unless you beat us in a dance battle.
- A dance battle?
'Cause you just messed with…
The Blue Dragons!
[hip-hop music plays]
I'm cringey in the best way
Like disco on a Tuesday ♪
I cry when something's funny ♪
Spill tea with all my honey ♪
I'll handle this. Step aside, Emilia.
- That's not my name.
- Right about one thing,
I do think I'm better than everyone else.
Dance battle, it is.
- [electronic music plays]
- Oh!
[chuckles]
I kinda like it ♪
Why am I like this? ♪
- I kinda like it ♪
- [grunts]
- Emmy!
- Oh!
I'm scared. [whimpers]
Okay! Alright.
- [bag thuds]
- I guess we're doing this.
- I kinda like it ♪
- Why am I like this? ♪
Why am I like this? ♪
- Oh!
- I'm so sorry.
[laughing]
Whoo!
This ends now.
Whoa! Qwest has gotten good!
And not a moment too soon.
The battle is ours!
Ha-ha!
[grunts, groans]
- Yeah!
- Yeah, come on!
Ow! My butt!
"Ow! My butt!"
Hey. You okay?
Yeah, just a little embarrassed, I mean…
Thankfully, nobody saw that.
[Qwest on video] Ow! My butt!
Or everyone saw it.
Ow! My butt!
Ow! My butt!
Oh! Check this out!
[woman on video] POV: You can't dance!
Follow me for more Granny Gripes!
Oh, man! That was Granny Gripes?
I follow her. She's got good clips.
[Helen over PA] Emmy, Oscar, Qwest,
the Social Media Counselor
would like to see you
in the Black Box Theater immediately.
Maybe it's a good thing.
[Helen] It's not a good thing.
But of course,
the game went into overtime.
Those Denver Nuggets,
they can't resist a tie.
[chuckles] They certainly can't!
- Thank you for sharing your birth story.
- Yeah, you can't make that stuff up.
Okay, well, clearly
you're a real mother and daughter,
so let's just hop
into the scene, shall we?
Biff Bumpy Peanut Butter commercial,
take one.
Being a mom can be a bumpy ride.
Honey! Your sandwich is ready.
Oh, great.
Another peanut butter sandwich.
Smooth and boring.
Oh, I wouldn't be so sure about that.
Take a blight.
A blight?
You know I meant "bite."
Just stay in the scene, honey!
You're right, Mom. I know my birth
did a number on your brain.
Not a problem.
- Let's just take it again from the top.
- Great.
Honey! Your sandwich is ready.
Oh, great!
Another peanut butter sandwich.
Boring and smooth.
The line is "smooth and boring."
- Who cares?
- Well, you seem to.
- And stand up straight, you're slouching.
- Stop micromanaging!
- Stop scowling, you'll get wrinkles.
- You would know.
Oh! What's that supposed to mean?
- I'll tell you what it means!
- No, no, no!
Oh! Is today the day? Today's the day
you're gonna fight your mom?!
- Oh, no!
- Oh, yeah it is, Mama!
You didn't have to say all that.
Keep… the earring… in.
[upbeat musical transition]
I've been here for three years,
and I've never once been called
in front of the Social Media Counselor.
She's terrifying.
I see her in my nightmares.
- [tense music plays]
- Attention!
Ma'am, w-we are so sorry.
Silence!
You tarnished the name of this school
and lost us 556 followers.
[cell phone chimes]
Make it 557.
- We can expla--
- I don't want an explanation.
I want you to fix it today!
- [all] Yes, ma'am.
- Louder!
[all] Yes, ma'am!
[collective sigh]
Oh, man! What are we gonna do?
[low voice] You're gonna beat
those Blue Dragons.
[clears throat] Sorry.
You're gonna beat those Blue Dragons.
- Pepper!
- What are you doing here?
- What do you know about subway dancing?
- More than you'd think.
[train conductor]
Now approaching Watts Station.
[man] Pepper! The curve!
[loud scream]
You okay, Pep?
Yeah, I'm fine.
'Cause you just straight-up screamed.
Forget about that. Just follow me.
Stop! This is actually perfect.
Let's stay here.
I'm getting too old for this job.
Before I teach you how to subway dance,
you should know my origin story.
You're about to hear some wild stuff.
You're Pepper.
You say wild stuff all the time.
I broke both my legs
dancing on the LA metro.
[all] Whoa!
Whoa is right.
You see, before Hollywood Arts,
I lived a very different life.
Took the train everywhere.
I was underground more than above.
Fell in with a dance crew. As you do.
I tried a dance move no man, woman,
or child should ever attempt.
The Triple Daisy Spiral.
But then… [sighs]
[all] The legs.
All two of 'em.
Wait. Pepper, we are best friends.
How did I not know any of this?
If I had told you I broke both my legs
on the LA metro,
you would've done whatever it takes
to shut down the whole subway system.
Well, I don't know
if I would've gone that far.
You would've.
You would've.
Now let's boogie!
There's a lot you don't know about me.
I broke both my arms canoeing.
- That was a giant waste of time!
- Worst audition of my life!
It would've been great
if you said bite instead of blight!
You know what? Blight me!
[shrieks]
- [phone chiming]
- Ah!
[loud gasp]
We got a callback!
- I knew it!
- Well, you crushed it, Mamacita!
Ha-ha! Best audition of my life!
- Yes!
- [both squeal]
Okay, before you can learn
to dance on a subway,
first you need to learn…
to stand on a subway.
- Scoff.
- [Emmy scoffs]
Big turn.
[all yelp, groan]
I rescind my scoff.
Boom! Tipsy! Hands, hands.
- Uh! Kick, kick, kick. Kick!
- Ba-bow!
[grunting] I'm dancin'.
Look up! I can't see your eyes!
- Oof!
- Again!
- Kick!
- [panting]
Aha! Aha!
I'm not here! Don't look at me! Again.
[hip-hop music playing]
[all cheer] Yeah!
- Oh-ho-ho! Let's go!
- Go!
Looking hot.
Looking dang hot. You guys actually have
a chance of pulling this off.
A chance?
My literal butt's on the line.
If you're such a good subway dancer,
why don't you come with us?
Did you guys not hear my story?
I broke two out of my two legs
on that subway.
But, Pepper, we need you.
[train conductor]
Now approaching Watts Station.
[loud thump]
[man] Oh, no! She broke her legs!
- All two of 'em!
- [cringes, sighs]
I'm sorry, Emmy.
I can't.
I've tried to go back down there,
but every time I get to those turnstiles,
my legs, the very same ones that broke…
freeze up.
Okay. If you're sure…
We're just gonna have to try our best
to make you proud.
And restore honor to Qwest's butt.
God, I hate today.
Hurry up! You have just
enough time to catch the 3:15.
Okay, break a leg. No, no! Don't do that.
Just… win.
Hollywood Arts! Hollywood Arts!
["Steal My Sunshine" by Len playing]
I know, it's up for me ♪
- If you steal my sunshine ♪
- Making sure I'm not in too deep ♪
If you steal my sunshine ♪
[cell phone buzzing]
[gasps] It's my mom's office. Shh!
- [music stops]
- Oh, she's gonna be so excited
to hear that her Jenny Wenny
got a callback.
Mom, hi! You got my messages!
Oh. Hi, Jarvis.
Uh, could you tell my mom that I got--
I'll… see her at home tonight.
[quietly] Yeah, bye.
Your mom seems pretty busy.
She's always pretty busy.
You said she always has time
for her little Jenny Wenny.
She always has time for her clients.
And she doesn't call me Jenny Wenny.
Then why do you tell people that?
I don't want everyone feeling sorry
for the poor little rich girl.
I guess I thought if I got a callback,
she would…
be proud of me.
Well,
I know I'm just your fake mom, but…
I'm proud of you.
Thanks. Or… whatever.
My little Jenny Wenny.
Oh, my God, stop!
My little Jenny Wenny is so pretty-witty!
Okay, enough.
Want me to take my earrings out again?
- Huh?
- Don't you dare!
[hip-hop music playing]
[deep inhale, grunts]
The Blue Dragons!
POV: You just got clapped
by the Blue Dragons. Ha!
Yeah, that's right.
We run this line! Ha-ha!
- Oh… do you?
- Oh.
- [loud sniffing]
- Oh.
Thought I smelled farts.
[tense music plays]
[clears throat]
You guys seem different than before.
Let's just say we got a little…
pep in our step.
Oh, my God, because Pepper taught us
how to step. That's good stuff.
Enough wordplay
that only makes sense to us.
Let's boogie.
[funky electronic music begins]
Ugh, you're looking like fool's gold ♪
I'm selling this groove, sold ♪
Want it cool, like it ice cold ♪
Wanna step like this
Better sell your soul ♪
Get moving, better start improving ♪
Gotta tell a little secret
Then we'll start from the top ♪
- With the cream of the crop ♪
- You don't say ♪
If, if, if, if you wanna know ♪
Where it all went wrong, yeah ♪
Thought you'd up your game
But it took too long ♪
Hold onto your feelings
'Cause I feel the presence ♪
Told you then that I would be
The last one standing ♪
If you wanna know
Where it all went wrong ♪
Thought you'd up your game
But it took too long ♪
Get moving, better start improving ♪
Gotta tell a little secret
Then we'll start from the top ♪
- With the cream of the crop ♪
- You don't say ♪
If you wanna know
Where it all went wrong, yeah ♪
Thought you'd up your game
But it took too long ♪
Hold onto your feelings
'Cause I feel the… ♪
- Yo, Ace! We're losing!
- I'm on it!
If you wanna know
Where it all went wrong, yeah ♪
Thought you'd up your game
But it took too long ♪
Another Hollywood Farts fail!
Hey, no fair! You cheated!
- That wasn't me!
- Yeah, it was.
[overlapping arguing]
[Jen Z] And that's why kids…
…and moms…
…love Biff Bumpy Peanut Butter.
[giggles] I love you!
Mom! Stop embarrassing me!
And… cut!
[both squeal]
- You nailed it!
- [gasps] Me?
- You were amazing.
- Oh!
Thanks! We'll call you.
[scoffs]
"We'll call you"?
I've been on enough auditions
and bad first dates
to know what "we'll call you" means.
[deep exhale]
Yeah! What happened? We crushed it.
It's just…
I'm missing that fire you two had earlier.
Oh, my gosh, same. You guys had
such a contentious, real relationship.
Yeah, an authentic mother-daughter energy.
But now you two are getting along so well,
I'm wondering if you're just pretending
to be mother and daughter.
- Oh!
- How dare you!
My saint of a mother did not spend
26 hours of labor pushing me out
for you to question our relationship.
My real daughter is right!
See, when you say "my real daughter,"
it makes it sound like
she's not your real daughter.
Yeah.
Can we see both of your IDs?
- [inhales]
- Ha-ha!
- I'll show you my ID.
- Oh!
- You wanna see my ID?
- Honey, keep your earrings on.
- I'll show you my ID!
- Come on, sweetie.
Let's go spend your real father's money!
[roars]
[upbeat musical transition]
Ridiculous! We practiced so hard!
- Yeah, I know.
- We should still be dancing.
Face it, bro. Your dancer went down.
Just take the L and go.
- Get out of here.
- No! You're cheaters!
- Cheaters?
- Yeah, cheaters!
[indistinct shouting]
- Pepper!
- Pepper! Oh!
- Oh! But what are you doing here?
- Yeah, I thought you said you were
too scared to come again.
I was. Until my friends needed me.
Pepper? Is that you?
Yo, you know her?
Yeah. She used to be pretty good.
Yeah, I used to be.
But now, I'm better.
[frenetic electronic music begins]
I see right through you… ♪
- Mm!
- Okay!
- Come on, Pep!
- Yeah!
Whoa!
- Yeah, Pepper!
- Come on!
Oh! Ha-ha!
- Hey!
- Alright! There you go!
Yeah!
Oh!
She's gonna do the Triple Daisy Spiral!
Oh!
[in slow-mo] The Triple Daisy Spiral!
[music continues]
Whoa! She did it!
Hey!
- Whoa!
- Oh!
Come on!
And that'll teach you to mess
with Hollywood Arts.
- Mmm!
- [laughing]
I'm speaking once again
with Hollywood Arts student Pepper,
who frankly bodied
the entire Blue Dragons dance crew.
Pepper, how'd you find it in you
to conquer your fears
after you broke, if I'm reading
this right, every leg you have?
Well, I was just trying to help
my best friend, my other friend,
and my future husband.
- Whoa!
- Yes!
Yeah!
- Pepper!
- [all gasp]
[stately music playing]
Good job, kid.
- [all shout]
- Oh, my God!
- Hey!
- Yay!
Hey, guys! Did you get the part?
Even better!
[both] We got clothes!
[all] Yeah!
USA! USA! USA! USA! USA!
[upbeat music playing]