The Young Person's Guide To Becoming A Rock Star

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Young Person's Guide To Becoming A Rock Star

From left to right: Fiona Johnstone (Simone Lahbib), Wullie 'Bigot' Macboyne (Stephen McCole), Jez MacAllister (Ciarán McMenamin, Psycho MacPhail (Duncan Marwick) and Joe Nardone (Nicola Stapleton).
Format Comedy
Created by Bryan Elsley
Starring Ciarán McMenamin
Simone Lahbib
Nicola Stapleton
Stephen McCole
Duncan Marwick
Gerard Butler
Keith Allen
Country of origin UK
No. of episodes 6
Production
Running time 35 mins
Broadcast
Original channel Channel 4
Original run 10 November 1998 – 15 December 1998
External links
IMDb profile

The Young Person's Guide To Becoming A Rock Star was a successful British comedy series, which aired on Channel 4 in 1998.

It was a six-part satirical take on the music industry, written by BAFTA award-winner Bryan Elsley. The plot centered around a young Glaswegian band - Jocks Wa Hey - as they struggle to find success.

The series won the 'Best Drama Serial' award at the 1999 RTS Television Awards and, that same year, writer Bryan Esley was nominated in the RTS 'Best Writer' category for the series.

Contents

[edit] Synopsis

The series followed the ups and downs of a young Glaswegian band called 'Jocks-Wa-Hey' and their attempts to 'make it' in the tough and uncompromising world of the music industry.

The five piece band consisted of: the charismatic Jez MacAllister (Ciarán McMenamin) on vocals - our guide through the painful process of becoming a rock'n'roll star; his best pal, bass player 'Psycho' (Duncan Marwick), a disorganised student who is the complete opposite of his nickname; drummer Wullie MacBoyne (Stephen McCole), a mean looking psychopath, known as 'Bigot' to his mates; the insatiable and hard-hitting Joe Nardone (Nicola Stapleton) on lead guitar, with more 'balls' and arrogance than the rest of the band put together; and finally Jez's cool-headed welfare officer and electric keyboards wizard, Fiona Johnstone (aka MC Fiona; Simone Lahbib).

The band recruit new members, revoltionise their sound, acquire management, arrange a showcase gig, get signed, record a hopelessly over-budget album and cut a chaotic swathe through the cut-throat world of marketing and promotions, finally resting at the dizzy heights of a top ten single and a massive £3 million debt.

Along the way they encounter Slick Sloan (Keith Allen), the disingenuous A&R man; Derek Trout (Fish), record producer; and their cheesey manager Art Stilton (Forbes Masson) who also manages supergroup 'Bonk, Bonk, Bonk'.

The series also includes cameo appearances from Noel Gallagher, Chrissie Hynde, Jay Kay, Denise van Outen, Sara Cox, Kirsty Wark, Samantha Fox and Timmy Mallett.

[edit] Episodes

1. Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous - (10 November, 1998)
Jez MacAllister begins the painful process of becoming a rock star as he puts together a band.
2. Creating the Buzz - (17 November, 1998)
Fiona is recruited as the band's new member under two conditions; and one of them is to stop sleeping with Jez.
3. The A & R Men Cometh - (24 November, 1998)
With no sign of a record deal after three months of gigging, Art is forced to arrange a showcase.
4. Sign on the Line - (01 December, 1998)
The band arrive in London where they do a deal with Slick Sloan, then launch themselves on the capital's media scene.
5. Making Tracks - (08 December, 1998)
The band arrives at Big Noise studios to record at the farmhouse of rock legend Derek Trout.
6. Shifting the Units - (15 December, 1998)
The band's promotional schedule gathers pace and includes a chaotic appearance on a cult Friday-night TV show. Meanwhile, tensions within the band are exacerbated.

[edit] Cast

[edit] Crew

[edit] External links

Languages