“Making the Band” Season 3: Episode #9
What time is it?! Recap time!!!!
DISCLAIMER: Okay, here's the deal with the recaps. I use humor in them...the humor is just my opinion so I don't expect you to agree with everything I write. Remember that if you are going to be offended because I make fun of O-Town DO NOT READ MY RECAPS! There are plenty of sites that give just straight recaps. You have been warned so please don’t send reviews saying that you are offended. Thank you!! (In case you’re confused….Ash:Ashley, Jacko: Jacob (this is a reference to Michael Jackson, I’m NOT making fun of him! Well…nevermind) T-Rev: Trevor, E-Squared: Erik, and I call Dan, Dan.)
Yes!!! Finally an episode about the music. (Proceed to do the victory dance.) Here we go….
Okay, we start by seeing shots of the sights and sounds of New York City. Cut to the boys sitting in room being interviewed by Shirley Halperin from Hits magazine. She asks the boys how they felt when a critic from Variety magazine called their debut album “skin crawling horror” and an “abomination.” Dan says that it’s easy for critics to bash the guys and expect garbage because of their preconceived ideas about O-Town. Shirley says that critics may think that because it appears O-Town always has someone telling them what to do and it seems that they don’t think for themselves. She wants to know “Who is O-Town?” Jacko tells us that O-Town is a music group that writes songs. Shirley wants to know if the guys have ever played anything for Clive. Ash says no. (Huh? Jacko wrote “Take Me Under” so I’m assuming Clive has heard it.) Ash tells her that Clive has no reason to think they can write well. The guys want to change that opinion by writing their own songs. Ash believes he and the others are growing as writers.
After the interview….Jacko says he likes doing interviews. (Yeah freakin’ right. I was recently reading a magazine and the interviewer was asking about their “personal lives” and Jacko refused to answer any questions.) He feels it reminds the group of how they are still growing. Jacko wants to prove that O-Town is talented. Dan says he doesn’t care about what the critics say. He and T-Rev want to play music that they care about. T-Rev says he is scared about writing songs. Jacko says in order to prove their talent they have to write their own music. Their own music will mean much more than a song written by someone else.
Jacko and Dan are in the studio and Jacko is playing a song he wrote called “Meant for You.” The song was written for Janie. Jacko says he loves music and he loves Janie so when you put the two together it’s amazing. (Wait! Don’t girls get in the way of music? How can he combine them? Heehee…actually I kinda like this song.) While we hear the song we see a flashback to the episode where Janie read Jacko the love letters he wrote her. It goes on a bit longer this time.
The boys are in a conference room at J Records headquarters waiting to meet with Clive. To amuse themselves the guys slid across the table and then start sliding glasses back and forth. (Yeah, that’s professional.) Ash says Clive will think they’re easily amused or something. E-Squared informs us that the reason for the meeting is to talk about the songs for the next album. Clive walks in and T-Rev cries out “C-Diddy!” (What no Will Smith joke…you’re slipping T!) Clive shows the boys some list that tracks their album and single progress. Jacko and Ash both want “Love Should be a Crime” to be the next single. Clive says no. He said that testing was done and that song is not a good choice for a single. (Amen to that!) Jacko disagrees and gets all angsty. (Yea!) He says that since Clive is in the industry he should know good music and not rely on these “so-called tests.” (That comment makes me laugh…who told Jacko that “LSBAC” was good music?) Clive says that the last single needs to be a proven hit. Shot of Jacko swallowing really hard. E-Squared says that O-Town has always worked with top songwriters. Dan says he wants more hard hitting songs like “Girl” on the new album. (Danny! I love you to death, but please “Girl”?) Ash says he wants to write songs. (Anyone notice T-Rev stupid shirt? “It’s my duty to please that booty.” Oh please.) Clive says it’s hard to write a hit song. E-Squared starts comparing O-Town to other songwriters such as Diane Warren and Nelly. (Since when is Nelly an accomplished songwriter?) He says O-Town is nowhere near their level. Clive says he wants to instill a fear of failure in the boys so they will set the bar high when they write music. Jacko babbles for twenty years about how he wants his songs on the album and how he’s nervous to write songs. T-Rev tells us that this is his first time writing and it’s a long process for him. (Eww…he has on that stupid rag thing on his head that David from “The Real World” New Orleans used to wear. If he starts singing “Come on be my baby tonite” I’m walking out.) T-Rev says that songwriting is difficult because he’s bearing his inter-most thoughts. Basically it’s trial and error.
Ahhh…yes what I have been waiting all season for. Ash and Jacko are sitting in the studio at the compound not wearing shirts while Ash sings to Jacko. The song is called “I Know.” (I like this song.) Ash says that songwriting is something he is passionate about. It’s a release…it’s his everything. When the song is over Ash tells Jacko that “I Know” is his favorite song. Jacko says he likes the chorus. (Praise from the almighty one.) Dan is infatuated with songwriting. He is also new to writing. T-Rev listens while Dan plays guitar and sings “American Game” which he wrote with Jacko. (Okay, I am Dan’s number one fan, but I saw the lyrics to this song and it is beyond lame. I’m not saying I could do any better, but…I don’t know.) T-Rev tells Dan the song is nice. Dan says that it’s the first song he wrote with Jacko and that Billy helped him. (AHHHHH!!! I love Mr. Chapin!!!!) T-Rev is impressed that Dan only learned the song yesterday. T-Rev says that Dan is fearless when it comes to songwriting. Dan can write some good *bleep* Back to Jacko strumming his guitar and singing “Meant for You.” Writing this song is taking longer than he thought, but he feels you can’t rush the creative process. Jacko loves creative expression. Jacko is now outside on the phone talking to Janie. He wants her to come visit. Janie is Jacko’s inspiration, relief, and partner. Now we see the pair skateboarding and holding hands. Now they’re on a couch reading scriptures to each other. Jacko says he grew up with Janie and they share the same morals. Old pictures of Jacko and Janie are seen. Janie explains one of the passages to Jacko. (Wait…why does he need an explanation…wasn’t he there?) Now we’re in the studio and Jacko sings the song to Janie. She likes it. They discuss how Jacko is nervous about playing the song for Clive, but he will never know what may happen if he doesn’t try.
Now Jacko is chilling with Morin. (CHANGE YOUR CLOTHES MORIN!!) He tells Morin how it’s weird for him to have different musicals tastes then the record company. Morin tells Jacko that it is hard to change pop music the way the Beatles did. (What’s up with the all the Beatles comparisons?) Morin thinks O-Town will be able to make great contributions to the music world. Jacko has determination and passion and won’t leave Clive alone until he listens to him. (I’d just be like “Okay put the stupid song on the album and leave me alone!!!”) T-Rev is talking to Rich Cronin (Mike’s brother and a member of LFO.) about song concepts. Rich tells T-Rev he is a musical person and should submit his ideas so he won’t feel regret. Rich tells T-Rev to write from the heart. (This all said by a boy who wrote the song “Summer Girls.” ~Ica) T-Rev says that is easier said than done. T-Rev is fiddling with his guitar and wearing his “Drunk Girls Dig Me” shirt on his head. Jacko wants to hear what T-Rev is working on. T-Rev says he doesn’t want to show people. Jacko tells T-Rev he is not “people.” (Duh! He’s God.) Jacko’s all like “I know you’re not writing lullabies.” T-Rev relents and tells Jacko the song is about this guy who has been with this girl since he was like nine. (Ummm….) Now the guy is like twenty four and he is thinking about marriage and the future. He sings part of the song, it’s kinda cool. It’s very fast and reminds me of that song by Toya. Jacko thinks the song is cool and is shocked that T-Rev wrote it. He feels the concept is fresh. Then Jacko tells T-Rev that if he needs any songwriting help he should come talk to him. (I hate the way Jacko said that all condescending…like he’s the greatest songwriter ever or something.) T-Rev says he needs to get over his fear.
Jacko is going to play “Meant for You” for Clive. He plays the song all while head banging. (For those of you who didn’t hear the song…it’s a slow song…why is he head banging?) Jacko feels the song is reminiscent of “LSBAC.” (Why is everyone obsessed with that song?) He thinks the song is passionate and honest. Clive tells Jacko the song is pure pop and has no lyrical depth. (DENIED!) Jacko makes a sad face. Clive says the song could be an album cut but not a single. Jacko then tells us that testing, business, and profit are all bs. He gives a deep sigh.
T-Rev asks Jacko how he feels. Jacko is bummed by Clive’s reaction. They talk about how the song is a straight-forward love song. T-Rev tells Jacko that he should be happy that the song is going to be an album cut. Jacko says that he wants Janie to hear the song. T-Rev says that’s what they will do.
Now we’re at an O-Town concert in New York City. (I thought the tour was over.) Janie is backstage as Jacko sings the song. She is bawling her eyes out. More flashbacks of Jacko and Janie. Jacko says he sings countless love songs but this song is so much better because the song is about his girl for his girl. After the song is over Jacko and Janie kiss.
Next week…..
The boys meet with Clive and he basically tells them all their ideas for songs stink! The boys need songs that rock!!!
I heard there is only one more episode left for this season!! That suxs…now what will I do with all my Saturday nights? I just wanted to say…I don’t even know why I saying this but…Jacko kinda impressed me this week. It’s nice to see how devoted and in love he is with Janie. (*Shudder* I need to shower now.) Please read and review…I appreciate all feedback. Until next week….