Backstage (2016) s02e25 Episode Script

- [Miles.]
Previously on Backstage - I thought I could trust you.
[Vanessa.]
There's something wrong with Helsweel.
Durani took her to the hospital.
Friends first - [applause.]
- Friends first You were talking about me behind my back? I just didn't want someone else to get hurt.
Guess what? Someone did.
[Alya.]
If we all had mothers who were casting agents, we'd have experience, too.
[Bianca.]
Eighty-nine thousand views.
- [Scarlett.]
Since last night? - [Bianca.]
Yeah.
- We are so gonna be famous.
- [both chuckling.]
- [woman on phone.]
Can you call back? - [Bianca.]
No, I can't call back.
'Cause the fact that I had time to call at all is a small miracle.
I'm meeting with my trainer in ten, I have a client for lunch, and I have a backstage meeting with Katy before she plays the ACC.
Perry.
That's the one.
So, it's a tiny fib to impersonate my mom.
But I've seen her stretch the truth for, like, ever.
It's creative talk.
Casting directors do it all the time.
It's in my DNA.
Fantastic! I look forward to seeing Clive backstage at Katy's show.
But Scarlett and Bianca won't be there.
So, if Clive wants to keep running the hottest record label in the world, then he better be at the prestigious Keaton School of the Arts this afternoon to sign YouTube's latest sensations, before they sign with one of the other record labels showing up today.
I suppose I could hold, but if my trainer shows up, then You're gonna love me.
You already do, but you're really gonna love me after I introduce you to Clive Richie.
"The" Clive Richie? The music mogul who makes or breaks careers? - That's the one.
- He's coming to see us? To sign us.
We wow him this afternoon, and we're on the charts by summer.
This afternoon? But it's open mic today.
Exactly.
The timing couldn't be better.
No way! I'm student council pres.
I have to host and prep for the open mic.
- We won't be ready to perform.
- We were born ready, Scarlett.
Uh, that's my line.
We only get one chance at a first impression.
- Tell him to come another day.
- Are you out of your mind? You want me to cancel on Clive Richie? Yes.
That's what you really want? It's what I really, really want.
Yes, still here.
That's right, 4:00 p.
m.
today at Keaton.
I'll see him there.
My eyes are open, but I cannot see And I'm up and walking Still feels like a dream Until our eyes adjust, I guess We're only feeling in the darkness Oh, oh, oh - We just need a spark - Oh, oh - To light up the dark - Oh, oh I can feel you with me I can feel you with me - We just need a spark - Oh, oh - To light up the dark - Oh, oh I can feel you with me I can feel you with me We just need a spark Hey, man.
How you holdin' up? I'm fine.
My mom, on the other hand, has a detached retina and is going into emergency surgery today.
She could be fine, or she could end up blind.
I find out today if the surgery was a success, or, uh if, um If you need anything, I'm around.
What I need is to stop talking about this and focus on dance.
A place to focus.
- [door opening.]
- Let's do this.
It's all about the dance and not at all about [girls chattering.]
- Helsweel.
- Perfect.
- [Jenna.]
How is she? - [Vanessa.]
Are you okay? [Carly.]
Is she okay? [exhales.]
[upbeat music playing.]
I'm changing things up.
I needed to be inspired, so I started with a new look.
That's how it works sometimes.
Inside out, outside in.
After what happened with my supposed friends I needed something new.
Wow! Your hair looks so That's brave.
When you look up "worst compliment ever" in the dictionary, you'd find the word "brave.
" Sweet 'do.
Thank you? Okay.
As I'm sure some of you know, today's the open mic in the quad.
I want everyone to be there.
Let's try out some of your EP songs on a bigger stage.
Mr.
Park? What if we don't have anything for our EP at the moment? That friendship song you played the other day, Alya, was beautiful.
- Play that.
- [Alya.]
I threw it out.
I threw it all out.
Um, I don't connect with that theme as much as I used to.
Message received.
That could happen.
But if you don't wanna sing the song you already got, you better get writin'.
'Cause like I said, everyone's performing.
Okay, inspiration, let's get workin'.
New look, new music I can do this.
Sometimes, artists need a little push.
Luckily, I learned a few moves from my mom.
First, keep it casual.
- Need some help? - Um, with this banner, yes.
This doesn't seem complicated.
I bet we get it done in no time.
Is this about Clive? Of course not.
But it's not too late to get him here for open mic.
- I'm sorry, B.
Not today.
- We're ready.
No way Clive turns down the chance to sign us.
I'm not even sure Clive's label is the right place to sign.
Second, when you encounter self-doubt, call their bluff.
You're right.
Clive is not the right fit for you.
Maybe I should just sing for him myself, and you can figure something else out.
We're a duo.
That's totally uncool.
And when you see your opportunity, pounce.
Fine.
But, Scarlett, what's really going on here? We have the chance for a star maker to come see us sing, and you wanna throw it away to hang some banner? That's not it.
It's just Keaton is safe.
Clive is the real world.
- Bringing him here is - Scary.
But this is the perfect opportunity to blend the two worlds.
Keaton meets the real world.
And we get to perform somewhere that's comfortable.
And most importantly we're doing this together.
Okay, okay.
But do you still think Clive will show up? We already cancelled.
About that I didn't.
- Bianca! - [chuckles.]
What? I knew you'd come around.
[in Ukrainian.]
Okay, lengthen your spines all the way to the sky.
[slow piano music playing.]
Lengthen your spines.
I had a Ukrainian teacher for two years.
Dance is dance, no matter what language it's in.
[whispers.]
I feel so lost without Helsweel here.
It's just Ukrainian.
You'll pick it up.
[in Ukrainian.]
Stretch those legs.
I want to see them straighter than a flagpole.
Straighten your legs.
Language barrier aside, I miss Helsweel's presence.
She's right there, watching over us.
Come on, Sasha.
You're saying you don't miss having her here? Let's save the therapy session for later and enjoy dancing.
[Jenna whimpers.]
[sniffles.]
Are you kidding me right now? [in Ukrainian.]
What's the problem, Mr.
Bradstreet? She is.
She's the problem.
Sorry! It's just, with everything that's going on - I'll take that down.
It'll be easier.
- No! It helps to see her.
Even if she can't.
Everyone's obviously affected by Helsweel's situation.
It might help if you shared any updates you have on her.
Did you sleep at the hospital? - How were her spirits when you left? - I don't wanna do this.
- It's okay.
We're here for you.
- No! I don't wanna do this.
- The tears, this whole thing.
- Yeah.
Let's get back to work.
None of you even like her.
- And I can't blame you.
She's mean.
- Beckett.
This concern is all fake.
So, let's stop pretending.
[guitar playing.]
Cleaning the slate is easy.
Figuring out what you write on it that's the hard part.
Are you making fun of me? You inspired me.
Wigs are one of my things.
Okay.
Well, thank you, I guess.
Maybe I should just take it off.
Everyone else either laughs at me or tells me I'm brave.
Do what you want.
This is an art school.
We try things here.
Have you seen the kid with the cape? - Morton? He's the best.
- [laughs.]
I get it.
I just wish it was as easy to put on a new song as it is to put on new hair.
And you lost me.
I have nothing to perform at the open mic because I threw out all of my old songs.
That seems short-sighted.
I wanted to start fresh and try something new, like the wig.
Just because you want new hair doesn't mean you throw out your old head.
Weird analogy, but I guess not.
So, maybe don't throw out the old songs.
Just put a wig on them.
Hey.
Mind if I get some work in, too? Do what you gotta do.
If you need to say something, say it.
I don't need to say anything.
But if you do, I mean Hey, man.
It's just us.
- No posters, no tears - And no hugs? Definitely no hugs.
It's just I feel like a bad son.
Left school property when she told me not to.
And then I yelled at her.
She didn't do anything.
I did.
- You didn't know what was gonna happen.
- [sighs.]
Now, what could be her last day as a teacher is ruined because I didn't listen to her.
It's not your fault.
- Whose is it? - No one's.
It's okay.
It's a wake-up call.
I let her down again.
I'll drop out of school to help her if I have to.
Whatever it takes to make her happy.
Yeah, you sound like a horrible son.
Listen, man.
Everyone fights with their parents.
It doesn't mean there isn't love there.
Besides, Helsweel's surprisingly forgiving.
I mean, she forgave me for the leotard incident, right? It's a long story.
[chuckles.]
Thanks, man.
I needed that.
So, are you ready? For what? To dance? [chuckles.]
[Sasha.]
Hey! Let's go, man.
What kinda sandwich is that, tuna fish? Clive Richie.
Someone named their sandwich "Clive Richie"? Why is he here already? Just be cool.
We can handle this.
Real world meets Keaton.
We can do this.
Ladies.
Clive Richie.
I spoke with your agent, Sussie Blackwell? My mother, yes.
Um, she had to leave, but she'll be back later.
I'm her daughter.
Bianca Blackwell.
This is Scarlett Dunn.
We know you're busy, so if you want us to sing for you now, then it's definitely something Oh, it's not necessary, I can stick around for the open mic.
Keaton is pretty renowned for producing top-notch artists, so I'm interested to see who's here.
Besides, I'd like to get to know my acts before I sign them.
[squeals.]
He wants to sign us! So, tell me about your sound.
Sonically, we like to keep our melody sparse to feature our voices.
And we are not afraid of distortion as a way to find a new sound.
Mm-hm.
Mm-hm.
What else? We try to find groove to ride in recording sessions.
It is an important part of bringing out our best material.
Okay.
I'm impressed.
You've got a very special sound, Scarlett.
Thank you, but you mean "Bianca and Scarlett," right? We have a special sound.
Right, well, you've done TV, you're an established brand.
Right? Scarlett is a clean slate.
I can work with her.
No, that's not happening.
We're a team.
Well, I came here to listen to you.
- I wanna sign you.
- [cell phone ringing.]
Talk to me.
Excuse me.
Bianca It's okay.
You know that real world I was talking about? Well, this is it.
No.
No way I'm doing this without you.
What kinda person just comes in here and tries to blow up all the work that we've done? I was right.
He's not the right person to sign with.
So, what if he signed a few successful artists? If he can't see that we're a team, his ability to recognize talent is overrated.
We'll sing at that open mic together and we'll kill it, right? No.
You're doing this.
No, I'm not.
You are singing for him today and signing with him afterwards.
No, we are a team.
Scarlett, you're doing this.
End of story.
No! I-I can't.
Not without you.
I'm not going anywhere.
I just won't be onstage with you.
But I'll be with you every step of the way.
But we can find another record deal.
There are other labels.
I won't let you throw away this chance to be great.
I will not stand in your way.
You are doing this.
[in Ukrainian.]
Work it! Work it! [cell phone vibrating.]
Mom? She's gonna be okay.
She's gonna be okay.
One, two, three, four [upbeat music playing.]
Scarlett.
Here's the deal.
If I like what I hear I'm gonna team you with my top producers, top songwriters, and get you into the studio ASAP.
Well, actually Scarlett wants right of refusal when it comes to producers, and she writes her own songs, which obviously means she'll need to keep her publishing rights.
Listen, Bianca, maybe I didn't make it clear earlier, but I wanna work with Scarlett and only Scarlett.
But that's impossible.
Scarlett, you're the one I want on a label.
And I'll sign if you work out the right deal with my manager.
Who's your manager? Bianca Blackwell.
I believe we've met.
[people clapping.]
Welcome to Keaton's open mic! [people cheering, applauding.]
First up, Keaton's own, Alya Kendrick.
[applause.]
Whoo! [boy.]
Yeah! [sighs.]
Here goes nothing.
You shared all your secrets And confided in me I thought I was helping By setting them free I trusted too much Maybe that is my curse And I saw your face And it tore me apart Friends first Friends first When the seconds count Friends first When the tensions mount When your turn is up And the chips are down On the same team once But I get it now Friends first Friends first Why don't you care That you threw my heart on the floor? Now I'm moving on Walking out the door Friends no more Friends first When the seconds count Friends first When the tensions mount When your turn is up And the chips are down Once BFFs But I guess not now Friends first Friends first Friends first - [boy.]
Yeah! - [people cheering.]
[indistinct chatter.]
Fair.
So, do we have a deal? And why would I deal with you? Because you want Scarlett.
And you can't sign her unless you go through me.
Right of refusal on producers, but shared publishing rights on a three-record deal, and the label chooses where she records.
We can live with those terms.
As long as there's a reasonable advance on each record.
- [girl.]
Yes! Scarlett! - [boy.]
Go, Scarlett! [people cheering, applauding.]
This is a song that I wrote with my musical partner, Bianca Blackwell.
[applause.]
Why do grownups always tell us We're young for this? They should be comforted By our confidence That we can do whatever we want And you can come along I will fight for you If you want me to, ooh Daddy told me I could be a superstar If I wanted to If I could stay away From all the distractions And all interactions And work Ooh, work You tell me not to worry about it I'll live without it Can't get your love back Can't get my love back And I don't know how I don't know what happened to us After that Kiss, kiss Wrapped up in a bliss Till something when amiss Miss having you close I can only really miss it Your lips on my lips It's, it's all that there is All that's left of our kiss Kiss, kiss, oh, whoa It's, it's all that there is All that's left of our kiss Kiss, kiss, oh [people cheering, applauding.]
- [girl.]
Way to go, Scarlett! - Whoo! She's got skill, doesn't she? So do you.
I'll be in touch with the contracts.
[Clive.]
Oh.
In case your mom can't get you backstage to see Katy [Bianca chuckles.]
[chuckles.]
She made the costume completely out of feathers.
[laughs.]
Sweet song, wig woman! Where are we going after this? Some of the other weirdos are gonna hang.
Um You know the advice about not throwing out songs 'cause they aren't 100 percent working? That applies to friends, too.
Today, uh, if it's okay, I'll stick to new friends.
Cool.
Wig weirdos represent.
[chuckles.]
[upbeat music playing.]
Oh, oh! Oh, hey! Oh, oh! Oh, hey!