California Dreams - S1:EP11 - "They Shoot Videos, Don't They?"

Sly enters Sharkey's wearing a wacky vest, and carrying a giant camcorder.  Remember those things?

Sly introduces the viewers to the Dreams.  He introduces Jenny as his future wife.  Jenny: I'll be your wife when Murphy Brown marries Dan Quayle.  Whoa, that's the 2nd Dan Quayle reference this season.  So timely!

Tony wants to say hello to some special ladies.  He begins listing them when Sly reminds him that it's only a 2 hour tape.

Sly walks over to Matt and Randy Jo (hey! she's back!)  "having a tender, private moment"  Matt tells Sly that he ruined said tender moment and shoves a hamburger bun at the camera.  Randy Jo wonders aloud if Sly is on some medication that he forgot to take.

Sly tells them that he wants to enter them in a video contest.  The winner gets $10,000.

Sly and Tony drool over a girl who walks by.   Tiffany hands Sly a tissue.  Randy Jo tells Matt that he's the best boyfriend ever because he didn't even look at the girl who walked by.  Matt tells her that he already has everything he wants to look at.   The audience reaction track "Awwwws"

Sly runs off to begin casting the video.  He approaches the girl from a few seconds ago and tells her he's going to make her a star.  She says that she's always wanted to be an astronaut.

Back at Casa de Garrison,   the family is eating dessert.  Mrs. Garrison says how much she likes the cheesecake.  She admits that it's not as good as the cake from hers and Mr. Garrison's honeymoon.  The kids finish the story for her.  They've heard this one before!

Dennis and Jenny joke about how mushy it is.  Matt thinks it's nice; he wants to be romantic when he's old!  Mrs Garrison: Thanks!  I think"

In the Garrison kitchen, Sly, Matt and Jenny are discussing plans for their video.  Sly's plan involved Matt kissing someone named Nikki Denteen.  Jenny tells him that Randy Jo will never go for it.  Sure enough...

Later that night at the movies, Matt and Randy Jo are arguing about it.  Matt insists that it's "just acting"  Randy Jo asks Matt how he'd feel about her kissing the football captain, and suddenly it clicks.

In the garage the next day, the gang is preparing to film their video.  Matt tells Sly that he's not going to kiss Nikki.  Sly tells him that he has to.   Matt tells him that he promised Randy Jo that he wouldn't kiss Nikki.  They argue for a bit, then Tiffany jumps in and gives Sly a pep talk about keeping promises.  Sly agrees to change the script.  He walks over to Nikki and whispers something to her.  She nods.

At that moment, Randy Jo runs into the garage and asks if she can watch them film.  They begin fliming, and Nikki kisses Matt anyway.  Randy Jo is pissed.  Sly calls "Cut!"  He tells Nikki and Matt how great it was.  Randy Jo goes up to Matt to give him an earful.  He insists that he didn't know it was going to happen.    She tells him that she'll never trust him again, and leaves.  Matt yells at Sly and leaves to go after Randy Jo.

At Sharkey's, everyone comments on how mad Matt is.  Tony says that Matt has a right to be mad and that Sly is a "no good, video-shooting, bimbo-casting, relationship-killing chump"  -- and that's on a good day!

Tiffany tells them that Sly really wants to help Matt fix things with Randy Jo.  Jenny says that Sly should stay out of it.  Right on cue, Sly runs into Sharkey's and approaches Randy Jo.  She says "back off, Sly!  I've got a fork and I know how to use it!"

Sly tells Randy Jo that Matt is really sick.   He can't eat or sleep, and his fever is so high, "you can fry bacon on his face!"  Randy Jo decides to go see if Matt is okay.  She gets up to leave, and Matt walks into Sharkey's  He's excited to see her, but she gets pissed again.  Matt goes to yell at Sly.  Sly tells him he was trying to help, but Matt says to stop "helping"

In Matt's room, Tony is trying to help Matt too.  He encourages him to try calling Randy Jo again.  Matt said that he's already  called 12 times.  Tony tells him to forget about girls, and leaves for his date with Jasmine.

Down in the kitchen, Tiffany is telling Jenny about a new guy she met.

In the garage, Mr and Mrs.  Garrison have just found their wedding cake topper with a copy of their wedding vows!

Poor Matt can't get away from all the relationship talk.

Also, it should be noted that their "vows" said" We met in the spring, and dated through the summer.  Without you in my life, fall is a bummer!"  Mrs. Garrison says: "and I married him anyway!"

Matt tells his parents that he's still upset about Randy Jo, and they leave him in the garage with his thoughts.  He laments being single while everyone else has someone.  I  know that feeling all too well, Matt!

He sits down at his keyboard and sings a song about being single.  Sly comes into the garage with the camcorder, and tells Matt that the song sounds good.  Matt is still mad and tells him to go away.

Sly has a new idea for the video; this time, he wants to get kissed.  Matt doesn't want to hear it.   He asks Sly again to leave him alone.  Sly gets really serious for a moment and apologizes to Matt.  He actually sounds sincere.  Matt accepts his apology and tells him that they can discuss everything later.  They shake hands, and Sly leaves.

Matt tries singing is new song again, and Sly sneaks back in with the camera.

Later, Sly comes into the kitchen, and sees Mr. and Mrs. Garrison leaving for their anniversary.  He congratulates them and they leave.  He asks Jenny what she thinks about getting the band together to practice.  She thinks it might help lift Matt's spirits, and agrees to call Tony and Tiffany.

When Jenny is out of the kitchen, Sly asks Dennis how he feels about being a "home video engineer"

Cut to the garage, Dennis is hiding in the trash barrel with the camcorder.  Dennis asks why he can't just tell them that he's filming them.  Sly says that he doesn't want them to think he's being insensitive and exploiting Matt's feelings.  Dennis is like "yeah, and?"  Sly tells Dennis to shut up and get in the garbage.

When everyone else enters the garage, Tony goes right for the barrel and is about to throw a cup away. Not wanting Dennis to get caught, Sly tells Tony that he'll take care of the cup.

Sly asks Matt if he can think of a song to play.  He wants something "depressing and not about being in love"  Matt is like "hey let's sing my new song"  Jenny is about to throw away her gum, and Sly takes that too.  Ew.

Tiffany comes into the garage and apologizes for being late.  She offers the gang the last of her milkshake.  When they decline, she throws it away before Sly can stop her.  From inside the trash, Dennis says "mmm! Chocolate!"

Later, (the next day?)  Everyone is wondering where Sly is.  Apparently he asked them to meet him  there.  When he arrives, he asks them if they remember the video contest.  Jenny is like "yup.  Not happening"  Sly is like "haha I entered you anyway!  He tells them that he filmed them when they were in the garage.  Everyone is really mad until they find out that it's going to be on TV.

Cut to some sort of local station, where they play the video.  It starts with everyone in the garage, then cuts to a montage of scenes that we've never seem before.

Everyone loves the video.  They find out that they didn't win, and are a little disappointed.  Sly apologies.  Matt says that it's okay; he just misses Randy Jo.  Sly has something that will cheer him up.  He sent Randy Jo the video, and she's waiting outside!

They make up, and leave to go talk.  Everyone is amazed that Sly did something nice.  Jenny is amazed that Dennis helped.  She wants to know how much Sly paid him.  Right on cue, Sly's date and a girl Dennis' age show up.  Dennis: Come on, Sly !  We can't keep the babes waiting!

California Dreams - S1:EP10 - "Romancing the Tube"

Tiffany joins the gang at Sharkey's.  Matt expresses is condolences that Tiffany broke up with Kevin.   Who is Kevin?  Why are we only hearing about him now?  Tiffany says that she's okay.  Jenny is impressed, as the last time she broke up with a guy, she locked herself in her room and watched thirtysomething reruns for a month.

Tiffany claims that they break up taught her some important lessons that will help her future relationships.  Speaking of Tiffany's future relationships, when do we get to season 2?  I want the Jake episodes!

Tony wants to know what the important lesson was.  Tiffany explains that Kevin couldn't swim, so now she only wants to date surfers.  Right on cue, Sly comes in with a surfboard.   Or, I should say, he TRIED to come in with a surfboard.   He actually ran into the door while holding the surfboard.  Once he makes it into Sharkey's, he ends up running into several people and nearly knocking them over with the board.

Like, McKayla Maroney, Tiffany is not impressed.

Tony explains that Sly doesn't actually like surfing, he just likes surfer girls.  Since they'd rather drown him than date him, his plan is to pretend to be a surfer.

At the next table, Sly is flirting with a group of girls.  He asks them "who wants to make some waves with Uncle Sly?"  One of the girls says "wipe out!" and they all dump their water on him.  An extra in the background makes a big deal out of laughing.

Tiffany tells Sly that surfing is serious business and he shouldn't exploit it.  Sly insists that he's not exploiting it.  He's using it for his own personal gain!  Tiffany offers him some surfing pointers.

Back at the garage, Tony and Matt show Jenny an ad for the "Garage Band Lighting System"  Apparently it's going to "blow away the competition with a pulsating extravaganza of color"  It sounds a lot like the fireworks that my aunt buys every 4th of July.

Turns out, it costs $300.  This will not end well.

Matt suggests asking their mother to hire them to do some work upstairs.  Jenny points out that this is counterproductive because then Mrs. Garrison would have to hire someone to do it right.

Mrs. Garrison comes into the garage.  Matt asks if they can paint the upstairs.  "We'll do it for only $300!"  Mrs Garrison says no pretty quickly.  Jenny points out that some cultures eat their first born. o_O

Matt begs Mrs. Garrison some more.  She's basically like "nice guilt trip, kid!"  and they get the job.  Matt asks to be paid in advance, and Mrs. Garrison agrees.

Everyone cheers.  Then Sly and Tiffany come in after Sly's surfing lesson.  They had a great time on the waves, and Tiffany tells Sly that he's a natural.  Jenny tells them that she, Tony and Matt will paint the room so the surfers can have more time on the waves.

Later, the gang is at Sharkey's.  Tiffany and Sly join them.  The others notice that Sly and Tiffany seem to be getting along well lately.  (Tiffany even gave Sly a surfer nickname - Splashy Nose or something equally silly/ridiculous.

Sly tells them that he and Tiffany are going to the movies together later that night.

Jenny tells Tiffany that she's nuts.  Tiffany says that no, she's not nuts.  Sly wants to be loved, and frolick in the waves like a happy porpoise. No, she really said that  I think I agree with Jenny.  Tiffany is nuts.

Later, at the movies, Tiffany and Sly keep sneaking glances at each other.  The movie ends, the lights come up, and Sly wipes away a tear.  Tiffany catches him.  Sly says that he's not crying about the movie; he's upset about paying $7.50 for "this garbage"!  Aww, remember when movies were cheap?  I remember paying $7.50 in the mid-nineties.  I think it was $4.50 for a matinee back then.  I can't remember what I paid last time I went to the movies.  I think it was over $11.

Tiffany tells Sly that she thinks it's beautiful when a man cries.  Sly tells her that he's glad she didn't see him when he watched Bambi.  Then this happens:

Then they have a conversation that mimics the last line of the movie they just watched.  They kiss, and the camera pans over to the gang watching in disgust.

The next day at Sharkey's, Tony and Matt join Sly, and ask him where Tiffany is.  He tells them that she's out "checking on the surf"  and that he misses her.  Tony and Matt congratulate Sly on his newfound happiness.

Just then, a girl comes over and tells Sly that his surfing impressed her and she wants him to join her for a couple waves.  He perks up for a second, then turns her down.

The girl leaves, and Sly turns back to the guys to talk about Tiffany some more.  Then another girl comes over to ask Sly to boogie with her, using the extra boogie board.  He turns her down too.

Yet another girl comes over and asks Sly to help her rub on some tanning lotion.  He looks at Matt who shakes his head.  Sly pouts and asks "just the shoulders?"

They girl offers to help him. She grabs his hand and puts it on her shoulder.  Sly says "I can't"  The girl says "Your loss!"  "I know" Sly whimpers.

Sly realizes that he misses chasing girls and decides that he needs to break up with Tiffany.

Back at the Garrison house, Matt and Jenny have begun the painting session.  They complain that Tony hasn't done anything yet. Sly comes in and they ask him if he broke up with Tiffany yet.  He confesses that he doesn't know how to dump a girl.  Tony points out that it's because Sly is usually the one getting dumped.  Sly decides that he's going to find a way to get Tiffany to dump him.  Jenny tells him not to play games with her.  Sly says that he's going to give Tiffany a list of rules to follow if she wants to keep dating him.  I don't see this ending well either.

Sly decides to test the rules out on Jenny.  After each one, she rolls paint onto him.

After Sly leaves, Tony, Jenny and Matt end up having a paint fight.  Dennis (I feel like we haven't seen him for a while!) comes in and tells them that Mrs. Garrison wants them to quit it.  They all surround Dennis and include him in the paint fight.

Back at Sharkey's, Sly gives Tiffany the list of rules.  She says that she'd love to commit to his rules.  Sly is quickly realizing that his plan isn't going the way he'd hoped.  Tiffany says that it's important to state your needs upfront.  In fact, she's going to make a list of her own!  After they compare lists, they'll celebrate their love with a "Soul Swapping Surfer Ceremony"  She explains that it's the customary way for Pacific Coast surfers to seal their eternal love.

Tiffany comes into the garage and Sly is there.  She acts surprised to see him at rehearsal.  (why wouldn't he be there?)  He lies that he couldn't stand to be apart from her.  He tells her that he wants to talk to her about the ceremony, and she says that it can wait because she wants to sing him a song.

She sings "Let Me Be the One" which I don't remember hearing more than once on the show.  I know there were a handful of repeats, but I think this is the only time that this song came up, which is fine, because it's, um, not very good.

After the song, everyone cheers.  Tiffany asks what Sly wanted to say about the ceremony.  He chickens out and tells her that he can't wait.  They run off to talk about the arrangements.

Just then, Dennis comes into the garage to tell them that they have mail.  It's their new lighting system!  They run into the kitchen to check it out.  Dennis tells Matt that he tipped the delivery man and wants to be reimbursed.  Matt tells him that it was nice of him, and hands him the money.  Matt leaves.  Dennis giggles and says "Sucker!"

Matt, Tony and Jenny go into the kitchen to open their package, and Matt pulls out.... a flashlight.  Tony wants to know what's up with the "bubble gum boy scout flashlight"

Matt says that they'll return it.  Jenny points out that it's non-refundable and complains that they got ripped off.  Matt says that the box includes colored gels,  He realizes that they did, indeed, get ripped off.

Mrs. Garrison comes into the kitchen to say that the upstairs room looks like a Guns and Roses motel room. Jenny apologizes and says that they threw in the towel.  Mrs. Garrison asks for her money back.  Matt explains that they already spent it on the lighting system.  Mrs. Garrison says that she'll confiscate it until they pay her back.  Oh well!

Next up is the Surfer Ceremony thing and it's ridiculous and I'm tired and can't recap it.  Let's just say that it  involves a lot of surfers hanging around Sharkey's, throwing around words like "Gnarly" and trumpeting out of conch shells.  Matt strums his guitar and sings softly.  The surfer dudes do the wave.

the guy in the middle is the Great Surfer Guru.  No, I'm serious

When the Surfer Guru tells them that the ceremony means they can't "scope other Betties and Tommies"  Tiffany realizes that she wants to be free to date other people.  They Sly gets all upset about it even though he's the one who wanted to break up with her. 

The Guru dismisses everyone to go out and surf.

Two girls come up to Sly and ask him to join them out on the waves.  He realizes that he'll be okay after all.

aaaaaand.... SCENE.  Man, this episode was a weird one.  No wonder it took me a week to finish,

California Dreams - S1:EP9 - "Mother and Child Reunion"

I just checked IMDB, and apparently, this episode aired 20 years ago this week.  We're old, you guys.

The gang walks into the garage, complaining to Sly that it's been a month since their last gig.  Jenny points out that it's actually been 32 days.  Sly says they need a new image.  Matt says they need to practice more.  Jenny suggests more dance songs.  Tony suggests a new manager.

Up in the kitchen, Mrs. Garrison is cooking when there's a knock at the door.  She opens the door, and a blonde woman excitedly greets her.  Mrs. Garrison smiles and nods while trying to figure out who this woman is.  She reveals herself to be Tiffany's estranged mother, Judy.

Back in the garage, Sly is still trying to come up with a gimmick for the band.  Tiffany leaves to go home and do laundry, explaining to the gang that her dad has been busy, so that just leaves her.  Oh, Tiffany, if only you knew what was to come.

Jenny and Matt come into the kitchen and see their mom and Tiffany's mom.  She excitedly greets them too, and Matt has basically the same reaction as his mother.  Jenny, however, knows exactly what's up.

They all ask if Tiffany  that she's back in town.  Judy admits that she tried going to the house, but no one was home.  Since she remembered Jenny, she decided to drop by.  Oh sure, showing up announced to your daughter's friend's house before seeing your daughter that you haven't seen in 10 years.  Seems reasonable.

Sly and Tony come into the kitchen, and Sly hits on Judy.  Shocking.

Judy asks the kids where she can find Tiffany.  Jenny explains that it might not be a good idea to surprise Tiffany like that.  She offers to break the news for her.  Everyone seems to think this is a good idea. Jenny tells Judy to leave everything to her, Matt and Tony.

At Tiffany's house, Tiffany is in her room cleaning her surfboard.    The gang comes into her room.  She's happy to see them.  Sly makes himself comfortable on Tiffany's bed with her stuffed animals.  Tiffany tells him to be careful of her "special stuffies"  Sly protests that stuffed animals are built to last, and demonstrates by accidentally yanking the head off of the bunny.

and he's even wearing a silly vest!

Tiffany tells them how happy she is that they came over.  Matt says that he hopes she still feels that way after they tell her what they have to tell her.  Tiffany is smiling brightly throughout the whole exchange.  Man, she's adorable.  Jenny tells her that it would help if she didn't smile.  Tiffany makes a straight face for like, 2 seconds, then giggles and says that her face is "naturally smiley."

Exasperated, Sly gets up and says that he'll take care of it.  This can't end well.  He starts by saying "all those whose mothers ran away 10 years ago, never to be heard from again, please raise your hand"  Tiffany is confused, but she raises her hand.  Sly puts her hand down and says "Not so fast, Smith!"  Everyone else: "Sly!"

Jenny gently tells Tiffany that her mother is back and wants to see her.  Tiffany is surprised and happy.   Sly is glad she's happy, and takes that opportunity to tell her about the beheading of her bunny.

At the Garrison house, Mrs. Garrison comes to get Tiffany in Matt's room where they're all hanging out.  She tells her that her mom is waiting downstairs.  Tiffany admits that she's nervous now. She's worried about saying something stupid.   Matt and Jenny give her a pep talk, and she decides to head downstairs.  She runs into Sly on the way, who says "Hey Tiff.  Going to see your mom?  Don't say anything stupid!"

Sly plugs in his smoke machine, "The Smoke-a-tron 2000"  The gang is skeptical.  Sly tells them to trust him, and turns on the machine.  In a matter of seconds, the room is filled with smoke.

In the kitchen, Mrs Garrison and Judy are talking.  Mrs. Garrison sees Tiffany and leaves the kitchen so they can have privacy.  Tiffany and Judy hug and cry.  The audience "awwwws"  They try to figure out what to talk about when they suddenly smell smoke.  Everyone else comes downstairs, followed by the cloud of smoke.  Matt tells Sly that he thought he knew how to use it.  Sly says "It's not my fault your room isn't a well ventilated area!"  Tony says "Someone should ventilate your head, you big Smokey the Bear lookin' chump!"

Sly says that it's just smoke, and it's not like anything is on fire.  Just then, they hear firetrucks on the way.  Tiffany and Judy leave to find somewhere quiet to talk.  

In the garage, the band is getting ready for practice.  Tiffany and Judy come in from surfing and tell the gang that rollerblading is next.  Sly thinks that the Dreams should rollerblade as part of their new image.

Tiffany says that she's not sure  about rollerblading, but that some bands have dances.  She suggests having her mother help them out with some dance moves.  They all keep crashing into each other, but Tiffany does well.  Judy tells her that she must get her talent from her, as her dad has two left feet.  Tiffany looks uncomfortable, and turns off the music.  Jenny asks Tiffany if she's okay, and she says that everything is fine.

They next day, Judy is sitting at the counter at Sharkey's.  Tiffany comes in and says that she got a message to come to Sharkey's and wants to know what's up.  Just then, the gang jumps out from behind the counter and surprises her.  It's her birthday.  I think it's weird that this is the first time in the whole episode that we're hearing about this.

Tiffany says that her birthday isn't until the next day.  Jenny says they did it early because she always has dinner with her father on her birthday.  Tiffany asks her mother if that's okay, and Judy tells her that she doesn't want to get in the way of her relationship with her father.  Everybody "awwws" again.

Sly comes in and yells "Surprise!"  and realizes that he's late.  Tony tells Sly that the "Tony Wicks Surprise party etiquette"  rule is very simple:  "Don't be late"  Sly explains that he was late because he was busy lining up an audition for the band.

Tiffany asks whose present she should open first.  Everyone thrusts theirs at her.  She opens her mother's first.  It's a plane ticket to New York.  Judy says that even though it was awkward, she talked to Tiffany's dad and he agreed that Tiffany could live with Judy for a year if she wants to.  Well, that's out of the blue.

Then Tiffany implodes.  It's about damn time!  Go, Tiff, GO!

Judy just sits there and watches Tiffany yell.  Then she leaves.  The rest of the gang looks concerned, but Judy just sits there.

Back in the Garrison kitchen, the band sits around talking.  Matt says that he's never seen Tiffany so angry.  He never knew she could get angry.

Tiffany joins them in the kitchen and tries to convince them all that she's fine.  Mrs. Garrison comes into the kitchen and tells her that her mom is leaving, and hands her Judy's address and phone number in case she changes her mind.    Tiffany says that Judy is doing what she does best - leaving.   She rips up the paper, and hands it back to Mrs. Garrison.

The band leaves for their audition.   

In the garage, they're in costumes that fit their new image, thanks to Sly.

Jenny asks if anyone else wants to "slamdance"   Tony says no, but he's pleased that he can dress like that and still look good.

Sly brings the club owner into the garage.  He introduces them as the "California Nightmares"

The club owner bops his head along with the music and gives Sly a thumbs up.  Jenny slamdances.  Everyone else jumps around the garage acting like maniacs.  At one point, Sly lands in the lap of the guy they're auditioning for.

The guy tells them that they're great, but he hates the image.  He wanted a "nice" band.  Everyone gets mad at Sly.  Sly says "I'm an idiot!"  and no one disagrees.

Tiffany gives Sly a pep talk about getting what you want, and realizes that she has to stop her mother.  Back at Tiffany's house, the phone rings. It's Jenny wondering how everything went.  Tiffany admits that she couldn't catch her mother because her spikes on her jacket set off the metal detector and she couldn't get past security.  20 years later, and you can't even get to  security without a boarding pass.

Tiffany hangs up, and goes into her closet.  Just as she closes the door, her mother enters the room and goes over to the bed and starts picking up all the stuffed animals.  Tiffany comes out of the closet and sees her mom.  Judy is pleased that she kept all of the "stuffies"  Tiffany tells her that she loves them because they remind her of Judy.

Judy asks what happened to the bunny (Hoppy Harry, is his name for those of you making the super hard trivia game), and they both say knowingly, "Sly!"

Judy asks what they should do now.  Tiffany says that they can't get back the time they lost, but they could try to be friends.  Judy agrees, and the episode ends.  Bye, Judy!  Too bad we'll never see you again!

and that's a wrap.  See you next time I have a free moment to recap!

California Dreams - S1:EP8 - "It's a Guy Thing"

Wow, so it's been a while since I've done a California Dreams post.  They're really time-consuming, and I've barely had time for the Flashback Friday entries.  I have some free time tonight as Tuesday is my day off, so I'm going to try to crank out an entry tonight... or at least start one.

I love this show, but I'm getting antsy waiting for Season 2.  I want to get to the Jake episodes!

The scene opens at Sharkey's.  Matt is sitting at the counter.  The rest of the gang comes in to join him and asks how is date with Julie went.  I know I ask this every time Matt has a date, but where is Randy Jo?

Matt complains that he bought flowers, held doors and still didn't get a kiss goodnight.  Sly suggests that next time, Matt should start with the kiss.  That way, if she likes it, he's in, otherwise, Matt can call off the date and save his money.  The rest of the gang groans.

Tiffany complains that guys are shallow and only care about how girls look.  Tony protests. Then he and Sly drool over a girl in a bikini, and Tiffany rolls her eyes.

The guys insist that bikini girl is their "type".  Jenny wants to know.  Tony name drops the title of the episode and says that "it's a guy thing"  He describes the "thing" as being like women's intuition, but more accurate.  Another reason why I can't wait for Season 2 is because Tony is so much nicer when he's with Sam.

Sly says he thinks she's pretty, and it's not like he's running to grovel at her feet.  Just then, bikini girl drops her towel, and Tony and Sly run to her side.  They each reach for her towel, and end up fighting over it.

Jenny tells Tiffany that she thinks it's time to teach the guys a lesson.

Back at the garage, Jenny puts on a red wig to pretend to be a new girl.  Tiffany thinks you have to be pretty gullible to believe that it's someone other than Jenny.  Just then, Matt walks in and asks who Tiffany's friend is.  Jenny turns around and Matt realizes that it's Jenny.  Matt wants to know what's going on. Tony walks in.  Jenny tells Matt that she'll explain later.

Tiffany and Jenny tell Tony that Jenny's old friend "Monique" is in town and is very lonely.  Matt says he doesn't remember Monique.   Jenny reminds him about the red hair, and he suddenly clues in.

Mrs Garrison walks in with a load of laundry.  Matt protests that the washing machine "interferes with the tunes"  Mrs. Garrison pretty much says "tough shit" and starts the load anyway.  The machine makes a horrible noise that shakes the whole room.  Mrs. Garrison admits defeat.

Back in the kitchen, Mrs. Garrison serves dessert.  Just as she's serving Mr. Garrison his piece of cake, Sly walks in and takes it.  Mr. Garrison is about to go watch the Dodgers game when Mrs. Garrison tells him that they have to talk about getting a new washing machine.  Mr. Garrison says that he, Matt and Dennis will fix it.  This won't end well.

Mr. Garrison tells Dennis to "go get the thing with the stuff in it"  Dennis: You mean the tool box?  Mr Garrison is like "yeah, that"

Jenny starts to tell Sly about "Monique".  Sly makes this face:

At Sharkey's the next day, Tiffany is sitting with Sly and Tony and tells them that they have to meet Monique together.  Jenny walks in dressed as Monique, and the guys go wild.  "Monique" runs into the bathroom.   Moments later, Jenny walks out and tells the guys that no such luck, they can't meet Monique after all.

Tiffany says that she can help.  She goes into the bathroom and comes out in the Monique costume, but runs out of the restaurant.  Sly smells a rat and asks what's going on.  Sly goes into the bathroom to ask Tiffany.  He gets chased out by an old lady who tells him that the only person she saw had on a red wig.

Back at the Garrison house, Matt and Mr. Garrison are making a mess in the kitchen.  Not having much luck with the washing machine, are we, boys?

Mrs. Garrison tries to get herself a glass of water.   No water comes out of the tap.  Matt explains that they borrowed a part from the sink to fix the washing machine.  Mrs. Garrison says that she doesn't want to know, and excuses herself to go upstairs to take a bath.

Just then, Dennis comes downstairs with another pipe.  Mr. Garrison congratulates his last born on his fine craftsmanship and asks where the pipe came from.  Dennis proudly announces that it's from the bathtub.  Well, Crap.  They all run upstairs to stop Mrs. Garrison.

Sly and Tony come in to yell at Matt for not warning them about the Monique joke.  Matt apologizes and says that Jenny and Tiffany made him promise not to tell. 

Later, at band practice, Sly and Tony start fighting over Monique.  Tiffany tries to stop them.  In a weird moment, Tony challenges Sly to a bocce match.  

The next day at Sharkey's, Matt, Tiffany and Jenny are hanging out and eating.  Tony and Sly arrive prepared for a fight.  Tiffany tries to talk Matt into stopping them.  Matt says that the girls started it by making up Monique.  Matt tells them that she's the reason for the "stupid fake fight"

Suddenly, Jenny and Tiffany realize that Sly and Tony were on to them.

Back at the Garrison house, Mrs. Garrison is about to use the dishwasher, when the door comes off in her hand.

Matt and Mr. Garrison come into the kitchen carrying random parts of household appliances.  Matt tells Mr. Garrison that they "should have listened to Mom"

Back in the garage, Tony and Sly are dressed and ready for a boxing match.  Tony wonders aloud why the girls haven't stopped them yet.

Sly insists that once the girls see them like that, they'll freak out and beg them to stop.  Dennis walks in with a crowd, and they guys wonder what's going on.  Dennis tells them that he sold tickets to the fight.  Tiffany and Jenny come into the garage and wish the guys luck.  Jenny apologizes that Monique couldn't make it, as she had to work.  Tiffany tells them that "Monique" is looking forward to dating whoever has the most teeth at the end of the fight.   Tony wonders what to do, because he thought the girls would have stopped them by now.  Sly says to follow his lead.  The guys run around the boxing ring throwing punches in the air and talking a bunch of nonsense while the crowd looks on and cheers.

Dennis rings a bell.  Tony wonders again what to do.  Tiffany yells that they want to see some punches.  The guys continue to throw punches in the air.  The crowd boos.

Matt comes in and Tony begs him to put a stop to all of the madness.  Matt is like "hahaha no."  He points towards the girls and they see Jenny in the red wig.  Tony and Sly try to make a run for the exit.  A big dude is like "I wanna see the fight, or else fight me!"  Tony and Sly shriek and run back to the ring.  They end up punching each other and the crowd cheers.

Back in the kitchen, the guys are holding ice packs.  They ask the girls why they let them go through with it.  Jenny tells them it was because they were acting like shallow pigs.  Tony agrees and decides that looks aren't everything.  Mrs. Garrison comes into the kitchen and tells Jenny that someone named Kimberly is waiting in the living room.  Tony's eyes bug out and he says that Kimberly sounds hot.  Sly and Tony make a run for the living room, apparently having learned nothing.

Jenny laments that the guys will never learn their lesson.  Mrs. Garrison looks at Matt and Mr. Garrison and asks if they're ready to admit that they can't fix the washing machine.  Mr. Garrison says that, actually, the washer is fixed.  Mrs. Garrison looks skeptical.  Mrs. Garrison apologizes to the guys, and at that moment, Dennis runs into the kitchen, yells "Run for your lives!", and this happens:

...and Scene!

It's really hard to get back into blogging after not having done it for a while, but I hope this was a sufficient first California Dreams entry after my unexpected hiatus.  I'm hoping to do more as I get used to my new schedule.

Flashback Friday... on a Saturday

I haven't even done any overtime yet and work is taking over my life.

Here's another mixtape.  I think this one was from 1998 or so

Side A:
Closing Time - Semisonic
Silent All These Years - Tori Amos
Lean on Me - Bill Withers
To Love You More - Celine Dion
Iris - Goo Goo Dolls
You're Still The One - Shania Twain
Time of Your Life - Green Day
I'll Be - Edwin McCain
Lean on Me (techno version) - Club Nouveau


Side B:
Summer of '69 - Bryan Adams
I Don't Want to Miss a Thing - Aerosmith
I Will Remember You - Sarah McLachlan
All My Life - K-Ci and Jo-jo
Angel of the Morning - The Pretenders
This Kiss - Faith Hill
Save Tonight - Eagle Eye Cherry

Flashback Friday... On Saturday

Once again, I fail at posting regularly.  I haven't done a California Dreams  recap in a while.  (Planning on doing on on Monday night after work if I'm not too burnt out!)

In the meantime, here's another Flashback Friday mix tape.  I hope it's not a repeat, but I can't be arsed to go back and look at each one.  Laziness.  gotta love it!

Based on the songs on this one, I think I know what theme I was going for.  If I'm right, this was made around late 2000-early 2001

Side A:
As Long as You're Loving Me - Vitamin C
I Hope You Dance - Leann Womack
What it Takes - Aerosmith
Breathless - The Corrs
Champagne High - Sister Hazel
Sleepwalker - The Wallflowers
I Don't Want to Miss a Thing - Aerosmith
Beautiful Day - U2

Side B:
Troubled Times - Fountains of Wayne
I Think I'm In Love With You - Jessica Simpson
Hanging By A Moment - Lifehouse
Thank You - Dido
Everything You Want - Vertical Horizon
Grey Sky Morning (Best I Ever Had) - Vertical Horizon
Your Winter - Sister Hazel
Picture Perfect - Angela Via
Either Way - Guster

Flashback Friday

I missed Flashback Friday last week.  Work has been crazy busy, and I basically just crash as soon as I get home and finish dinner.  But I'm back again with a regularly scheduled Flashback for you.

This one is labeled: "My Favorite Songs: January 1999", so this is from my freshman year in high school.

Side A:

At the Stars - Better than Ezra
Slide - Goo Goo Dolls
Friday,  I'm in Love - The Cure
Run - Collective Soul
To Be With You - Mr. Big
Iris - Goo Goo Dolls
Graduate - Third Eye Blind
Dammit - Blink 182
Angel - Sarah McLachlan
I Will Remember You - Sarah McLachlan
Jumper - Third Eye Blind
Building a Mystery - Sarah McLachlan
Inside Out - Eve 6

Side B:
Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) - Green Day
Pretty Fly (For a White Guy) - The Offspring
I Don't Want to Miss a Thing - Aerosmith
Kiss Me - Sixpence None the Richer
Desperately Wanting - Better than Ezra
Fast Car - Tracy Chapman
Stay - Lisa Loeb
(In this next spot, I actually have a question mark, and since I don't have a tape player, I can't find out what it is)
I'll Stand By You - The Pretenders
(Illegible) by 10,000 Maniacs
Do You Sleep? - Lisa Loeb
If You Could Only See - Tonic

Flashback Friday... two days late

Mix Tape #3 - Sometime in 2001

Side A:
One - U2
How's it Going to Be? - Third Eye Blind
Rain - Joey McIntire
There You'll Be - Faith Hill
Here's to the Night - Eve 6
The Way You Love Me- Faith Hill
Blessed - Christina Aguilera
Crazy - K-Ci & Jo-Jo
I'll Be - Edwin McCain

Side B:
Angel - Aerosmith
Satellite - Dave Matthews Band
I Will Remember You - Sarah McLachlan
Center of Attention - Guster
Redundant - Green Day
All My Life - K-Ci & Jo-jo
I'll Stand By You - The Pretenders
Amazed - Lonestar

California Dreams - S1:EP7 - "Guess Who's Coming to Brunch"

The scene opens with the gang at a party.  Sly asks them what they're doing.  They're waiting for Jenny to come back from the bathroom.

Jenny returns and complains about the rich folk having difficulty choosing the color of their Mercedes.  Sly tells her that it is, in fact, a difficult choice.

Man, when I picked out my car, I was like "woo hoo, it's the make and model I like, and I can sort of afford it!"  I didn't even pay attention to the color, but I do like it, so it all worked out in the end.

While they're all talking, a girl comes up to the table to get a cup.  She and Tony reach for it at the same time.  Their hands brush against each other, they smile, and awww, this is cute.

She's excited to learn that he's the drummer, and compliments the whole band on their performance.  She introduces herself.  Her name is Kimberly.

Tiffani "oohs"  Sly tells Tony to forget it.   Kimberly's dad is a millionaire, and she wouldn't even go out with Sly!  Tony says that Kimberly has good looks and good taste.

Tony gets on stage and tells Matt that he wants to play "Rain."  Matt protests that they never end a gig with "Rain."  Tony whines until Matt gives in.  Tony grabs the mic from Matt and dedicates the performance to Kimberly.

In the middle of the song, the amp blows out in Tony's ear.  Ow.

Kimberly runs up and offers to take Tony outside for some air.  

Later, at Sharkey's, the rest of the gang is trying to think up ways to buy a new amp.  They need $600 by the following Saturday.  Sly suggests having Matt write advertising jingles.  Matt says a quick "no" to that suggestion.

Jenny interjects that maybe Sly has a point (this time it isn't the top of his head!)  Matt gives in and asks what Sly has in mind.  He wants them to write a jingle for "Uncle Slappy's Root Beer"

Across the room, Tony and Kimberly return from their day at Disney World with a giant panda.

They talk about how much fun they had.  I can't stop staring at Kimberly's CRAZY shirt jacket thing.  Kimberly comments on how much Tony liked the haunted mansion.  Tony says that he liked holding her when she got scared.  Kimberly admits that she wasn't scared.  The audience-reaction track "oooohs" in approval.

Tony tells her that he's glad they met.  Kimberly says that they almost didn't meet.  She wanted to go to school in Paris, but her father wouldn't let her.  Tony wonders aloud what kind of parent wouldn't let their child go to Paris.  "When I meet that man, I'm going to say.... thank you very very much!"

Kimberly offers him a milkshake.  "Since you paid for Disneyland, it's on me!"  Oh yeah.  A milkshake for Disneyland.  Seems like an even trade.

Tony refuses, saying that one of the "Tony Wicks rules of Dating" is to "Always pay for your woman, even if it means working your butt to the bone"  (the other one is "Don't call your date by your ex's name")

Kimberly points out that another rule should be "If your date's dad is loaded, let her pay!"  Tony agrees to add that to the list, and accepts the offer.

Kimberly asks what the rule about kissing is.  Tony says the rule is "Do kiss"  They make out in the booth, and I'm left to wonder what happened to the milkshake.  WON'T SOMEBODY THINK OF THE MILKSHAKES?!?

Back at the garage, Sly wants to hear what Matt has for the jingle so far.

"If you're sweltering in the desert

tongue is bloated from thirst

Drink Uncle Slappy's Root Beer

because dying would be worse!"

Sly tells them that the idea is to make them want to drink it, not hurl.  Matt points out that the stuff is terrible. Tiffani says that it would be wrong to lie.  Sly tells them not to lie, "just... take the facts and twist them around a bit."  Tony tells Sly to write the song.  Sly agrees.  

Kimberly comes in.   She invites Tony to join her and her parents for brunch the following Sunday.  The gang "oohs"  Sly makes a bunch of jokes about Tony being nervous.  Tony says he's not.  

Next scene.  Kimberly and Tony arrive at the yacht club for brunch.  Tony says that he's nervous.

Kimberly tells him that all he needs to do is laugh at her father's jokes.  Uh-oh.  This can't end well.

Kimberly introduces Tony to her parents.  Her father says "Kimberly hasn't stopped talking about you for days!"  Tony laughs.  Kimberly tells him that it wasn't a joke.

She tells him to relax.  Tony agrees and says "We're all people.  We all put our pants on one leg at a time!"  Kimberly's father says "Oh, not me!  I jump right in both legs at a time!"  Tony stares.  Kimberly tells him that was a joke.

After brunch, Kimberly's mother excuses herself to go to the rest room.  Kimberly joins her so she can freshen up.  Kimberly's father says that's "Women's code for 'let's go talk about the guys!'"

While the ladies are gone, Kimberly's father tells Tony that Kimberly told him about the amp blowing up.  He says that he wants to help out.  He takes out his checkbook and asks, "Will $1000 cover it?"

After he gets over the shock, he says that it would be great, but asks why he's doing this.  He tells Tony that he wants a favor.  He wants him to stop dating Kimberly, because they're "from different worlds"  Tony asks if it's because he's black.  

Back in the Garrison kitchen, the Dreams and Mr. Garrison sit around talking about what Tony should do.  Mr. Garrison tells Tony that unfortunately, some people just aren't open-minded.  Tony asks if he would have a problem if he were dating Jenny.  Mr. Garrison says no, but if it were Sly...

Sly: Why? Because I'm Italian?

Mr. Garrison: No, because you're YOU!

They all tell Tony that he should talk to Kimberly about it.

Later, at Sharkey's.  Tony tells Kimberly about what her dad said.  Kimberly refuses to believe that her dad is prejudiced.

Back at the garage, the gang is making another attempt at writing a jingle.  Sly sings about fungus, and the gang vetoes that idea.

Tony comes in and tells the gang that Kimberly broke up with him.  They all tell him they're sorry, except for Sly.  Sly suggests that he date Kimberly next.  "Fathers always hate me!  Maybe he'll buy me a car!"

Mr. Garrison enters the garage with a delivery.  It's the amp from Kimberly's dad.  

In the next scene, Tony brings the amp to the yacht club where Kimberly is eating with her parents.  He puts it up on the chair, and tells Kimberly that her father tried to buy him off.  Kimberly and her mother are horrified.  In a crowning moment of awesome, Tony tells off Kimberly's dad, then leaves while a bunch of extras give Kimberly's dad dirty looks.  It would have been so much better if they had applauded Tony.

Back at the garage, the gang is still working on the root beer jingle.  Sly reads the lyrics and tells the gang that Uncle Slappy won't like the lyrics because he's a very serious businessman.  Oh yeah, with a name like Uncle Slappy, he sounds like a serious business man.

Matt, Jenny and Tiffany perform the jingle:

For Guys and Girls who want a drink

If you're short, tall, thin or fat

Drink Uncle Slappy's root beer

Because it tastes like THAT!

Uncle Slappy wants to know what "That" is.  Matt, Tiffany and Jenny explains that anyone can say their soda tastes great, but "that" sounds unique, so people will buy it to find out what "that" is.  Uncle Slappy totally buys their lie.  He ha  nds Sly the check and they're all about to leave to buy an amp.  

Tony comes in and tells the gang that he talked to Kimberly's dad, but it didn't really make him feel better.  Kimberly comes in behind him and tells him she followed him.   She apologizes for not believing him.  Tony tells her that she has to talk to her dad, and she agrees.  They hug and Tony says "now I feel better"

Later, at Sharkey's, Kimberly tells Tony that it didn't go well when she talked to her dad.  Tony says that they can work it out.  Kimberly says that unfortunately, they can't.  Her dad is sending her to Paris.  

Kimberly leaves, and Sly, Matt, Jenny and Tiffani come up to Tony and ask him if he's okay.  He vows to never accept prejudice and always try to teach people that "different" doesn't mean "bad."

Sly asks Tony if he's okay.  Tony says he'll be fine.  Sly: Good!  Please get on stage and make some money!

Matt asks Tony if he wants to start with "Rain."  Tony says he'd rather play "One World"

Flashback Fridays

Here's another mixtape.  I think this one was recorded around  1998 or 1999.

Side A:

It's All Been Done - Barenaked Ladies
Iris - Goo Goo Dolls
Big Big World - Emilia
Can't Get Enough of You, Baby - Smash Mouth
One Week - Barenaked Ladies
Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) - Green Day
This Kiss - Faith Hill
Back 2 Good - Matchbox 20
Jumper - Third Eye Blind

Side B:

I Don't Want to Miss a Thing - Aerosmith
The Old Apartment - Barenaked Ladies
Semi-Charmed Life - Third Eye Blind
Walking on the Sun  - Smash Mouth
These Are Days - 10000 Maniacs
Hands - Jewel
From This Moment On - Shania Twain
Stay the Same - Joey McIntyre

California Dreams - S1:EP6 - "Friends First"

I was supposed to post this yesterday, but I got sidetracked with going to a job fair, interviewing for a job, accepting an offer from said job, filling out paperwork, etc.  So, loyal readers (I know you're out there somewhere) here's Thursday's entry a day late.  I'll try to post an entry tomorrow as well, but it might take me a bit to get back on my Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday posting schedule.

Without further ado, onto episode 6.

Opening scene: Sharkey's.

Tony comes over to the table and serves cheeseburgers to the gang.  They all tell him that none of them actually ordered cheeseburgers.

Tony tells them to eat them anyway so Sharkey doesn't find out that he messed up yet another order.  Sly agrees, but only if he doesn't have to pay.  Tony doesn't go for it and takes the cheeseburgers back.  On the way back to the kitchen, Sharkey catches Tony with the tray of cheeseburgers and demands an explanation. Tony mumbles something about the kitchen staff making a mistake.  Sharkey reminds Tony to write orders down.

Back at the table, Sly plays a tape of the Dreams for Sharkey.  Sly wants the band to have a regular gig at Sharkey's.  Sharkey says that it will take away from the money he earns from the jukebox.  I remember a similar situation on Saved By the Bell.  Max was upset about the girls all listening to the song by fictional musician Beau Revere, because it took away from the jukebox.

Jenny and Matt talk about an old friend named Teddy coming to visit.  Apparently, he was a tad on the pudgy side, as they call him "Shamu."  Tiffani tells them not to make fun of someone's size.  Across the room, a guy enters.  It's Teddy (not Shamu-like at all)  Matt greets him, and comments that he didn't recognize him.  He greets everyone, and tells them that he goes by "Ted" now.  Tiffany and Jenny are smitten.

Matt leaves the table.  Jenny and Tiffani immediately start arguing about who's going to ask him out.  They finally agree that neither of them will.  Several years ago, a friend and I made that same promise about a guy. They're married now.

In Matt's room, he and Ted are going through old pictures and reminiscing.  Jenny comes in and starts flirting with Ted.   She tells him how great the restaurants in the area are.  They talk about Italian food, and she recommends a place with a "killer caesar salad"  Ted says he'll check it out.  Jenny, thinking she's found a loophole in the promise with Tiffany, asks him if he's asking her out.  They agree to go out the following Saturday.

Tiffani walks in and asks if Matt has seen Jenny.  She walks right past him to talk to Ted.  She talks to him about movies, then "accidentally" drops the newspaper, which just so happens  to have the current movie times listed.  She's even highlighted the movie that Ted wants to see.  They agree to go together.

Tiffani leaves.  Ted looks smug.  Matt: you just asked out 2 best friends, you idiot.

Back in the garage, Tiffany tells Tony to write down the orders at Sharkey's.  Tony thinks writing down orders is "uncool"  No Tony, you know what's uncool?  Getting Rocky Mountain Oysters when you want Fried Pickles.  That's uncool!  Write down your customers' orders!

Tony's two other "Rules of Cool" are: Don't wear hats with clapping hands, and don't listen to NKOTB.

Tiffani tells him that if he doesn't want to write down the orders, he should improve his memory by eating fish.  He won't do that either.

Sly joins the gang to announce that he's secured a gig at Sharkey's.  Everyone is happy.  They ask how much they're getting paid.  Sly admits that they're not getting paid, but they're getting burgers!

Tiffani and Jenny hug and talk about how excited they are.  Matt's like "aww, I'm so glad you're still friends even though you're going out with the same guy!"  Tiffany and Jenny look at each other, and Matt realizes that Ted hasn't talked to the girls about the fact that he's going on a date with both of them.

Tiffani and Jenny start fighting about trust.  Tony tells them to chill out.  Jenny tells him to butt out.  Both girls say that they're keeping the date.

Next scene.  At the move theatre, Jenny points to the front row, and hands something to the usher.  The usher goes to Tiffani and tells her that she has a phone call.  Tiffani gets up.  Jenny goes to join Ted.  He admits that he's there with Tiffani, and Jenny tells him a bunch of fake stories about Tiffany's dad being really overprotective.  She tells him that Tiffani's dad invented his own form of martial arts - Kung Pao Ow!

Tiffani comes back and says that no one was on the phone.  Ted says that he should get her home.  Tiffany protests that the movie hasn't started yet, but Ted insists.  They leave, and Jenny sits in the theatre looking pleased with herself.

The next day, Jenny and Ted are out to eat.  Jenny tells Ted that she used to have a crush on him.  He asks her about the names she used to call him.  She tells him they were just affectionate nicknames.  Ted: "Blubber Butt?  Blimpo the Wonder Boy?"

Tiffani comes in with Sly, and tells Jenny that her black-belt father says "Hi-Ya"  Sly comes over to greet them and realizes that he hasn't been formally introduced.  Tiffani asks, "Sly, HAVE YOU MET TED?"  and I laugh a bit.

Sly heckles Ted a bit, then insists on pulling both tables together.  Ted looks uncomfortable.

Next Scene: Band practice.  Tiffani comes in, and greets everyone but Jenny.  They're about to start practicing "If it Wasn't For You" but Tiffani and Jenny both have a problem with it. -- each other's parts.

They both quit.

Back in the kitchen, Tony, Matt and Sly are moping about the loss of two band members.  Jenny stomps down the stairs and slams cupboard doors.  They she shrieks, "Where's the peanut butter?!?!"

The boys look perplexed.  Tony and Sly leave.  Matt tries to talk to Jenny.  Tiffani comes through the kitchen with her bass, explaining that she's bringing it home since she's not in the band anymore.  Matt begs them to work it out, and they start to cave.  Then Ted walks in.

....aaaaand the claws come out again.

Matt begs Ted to choose one of them to stop the fighting.  Oh, THAT sounds like a good plan.  Ted believes that the girls are like potato chips and doesn't want just one.

He can't decide and tells them he'll make his choice by the next day.  

At Sharkey's.  Matt replaces the California Dreams poster on the bulletin board with a different California Dreams poster. On stage, Tiffani and Jenny continue fighting.

The girls realize that the poster that Matt put up was a picture from the first time the band played together.  They think that Matt is trying to get them to talk again.  They start reminiscing.  Matt's plan worked.

They apologize and hug.  Everyone is happy.

Tony is taking an order, but not writing it down.  Sharkey asks him what he's doing, and he says that he memorized the order.  Sharkey's all "I'm impressed, but you're not even on the schedule tonight."

On stage, they perform "If It Wasn't For You."  Ted walks in.  Tiffani and Jenny look at each other.  

Sharkey and Sly talk about the band.  Sharkey likes them and wants them to perform again the following week.  Sly asks to talk about payment.  Sharkey likes the current plan of Burgers and Fries as payment.  Sly is disappointed.  Sharkey says, "Well, it's not Sinatra, but I'll throw in some onion rings too!"

Ted goes over to Jenny and Tiffani.  He made his choice, and pulls 2 tickets to a Sting concert out of his pocket.  He's taking the "winner" with him.  Tiffani and Jenny decide that they don't want to know, and take the tickets for themselves.  

Ted doesn't know what happened.  Matt tells him that he was nicer when he was fat and offers to buy him a milkshake.

/end

California Dreams: S1:EP5 - "Dream Man"

The episode opens with Matt sitting at the counter in Sharkey's playing his guitar and writing.  He says "this is great!" over and over again, then "this is terrible"

Tony comes over, and Matt tells him that he's having trouble writing a song.  Sly joins the other two guys and   rambles about fire-breathing concerts and burning eyebrows... or something.

Jenny walks in with a friend of hers, and Tony and Sly stare.

The guys go over, and Tony tries to pick up the friend by saying, "Afternoon, Jasmine.  You are as fine as wine, and if I had a glass I would toast to your beauty."  Jasmine says, "You better take your smooth talking, wine drinking, desperate for a date behind and get out of my face." 

Sly tells Tony to "Watch a professional" and turns to Jenny, who tells him not to bother, as she only dates humans.  The guys give up, and Tiffani joins Jenny and Jasmine.  Tiffani says that her father is going away for the night and asks if she can stay at Jenny's.  Jenny says that it's fine and invites Jasmine to join them.  Jenny suggests inviting someone named Penny.  Tiffani is excited about the idea of having a slumber party.  Sly overhears, and he's also excited about the slumber party.

Next scene!  The girls are sitting in Jenny's room eating brownies.  This makes me reminisce about all the sleepovers my friends and I had in elementary and middle school.  We used to order pizza and watch movies and stay up late.  I had one friend who moved away in 4th grade, but she used to invite me to her parties with her new friends.  We played Dream Phone and Girl Talk and never slept.  Good Times!

Penny looks through Jenny's closet, and pulls out a dress.  She says, "Our tastes are SO similar!  Like, if I saw this dress in a store, I'd totally buy it!"  Jenny points out that the dress is  Penny's.  Jenny borrowed it from her.

Tiffani finds the diary that she gave to Jenny several years earlier.  Tiffani reads aloud, and finds an entry where Jenny talks about how happy Tiffani always is.  Tiffani's like "I used to be kinda perky, huh?"  and the other girls nod knowingly.

Down the hall, Matt is playing the piano in his room.  Tony comes into join him, hoping to get a little closer to Jasmine.  Sly joins them as well, dressed in all black, for some reason.

Matt asks if he was spying on the girls.  Sly says that he was until they pulled the shades down.  Tony tells Sly that he shouldn't spy through the windows, he should use a peephole!  Then he looks around Matt's room for one.  Matt's like "I don't spy on my sister, weirdo"

Sly pulls a stethoscope out of his duffel bag and suggests that they try to listen to the girls.  Matt kicks them out so he can concentrate, and Sly formulates another plan.  They're still driving Matt crazy, so he goes downstairs to practice.

Dennis comes into the room, and initially refuses to help the guys spy.  Sly offers him a quarter.  Dennis is like "HELLS NO!  Gimme $5" Sly agrees.

Next scene.  Back in Jenny's room, the girls are playing truth or dare.  Dennis comes in and tells Jenny that when he was in her room earlier, he lost Phil... his pet tarantula.  The girls all run out.  Sly comes in and hides under the bed.

Down in the kitchen, Matt finally has some peace and quiet.  Then the girls run down, still screaming.  Matt tells them that he's still trying to write the song, and Tiffani offers to help.

He tells her that the song is about a guy who moves to the beach from the midwest, and doesn't know how to surf or swim.  Tiffani says that if he can play volleyball, he'll fit in.  Matt looks at her like she's crazy, but is willing to give it a try.  He asks Tiffani to write some lyrics.

Tony joins the girls in the kitchen, and pretends to be surprised to see them.  Jasmine just looks annoyed.  Tony reads Jasmine a poem he wrote.

You're the one who I desire

My heart is burning, It's on Fire

That I feel this way is not surprising

When You're around, my temperature is rising

Back in Jenny's room, she says that she's surprised the Sly isn't there since he's always following her around. Unbeknownst to her, he's under the bed with a notebook!

Tiffani tells Jasmine that Tony really likes her.  Jasmine admits that she thinks he's cute, but also thinks that he tries too hard.  

The girls start talking about their dream guys.  Tiffani says that her dream man loves children, wears sweaters, and likes fish tanks and trolleys.  She pauses for a moment and realizes who she's just described.  

Jenny starts to describe her dream man, so Sly grabs a piece of paper and a pen from the basket under Jenny's bed.  He starts taking notes.  Her dream man is "handsome and honest, loves french food, fine art and foreign films."  The first time she sees him he'll be wearing an Italian suit and a silk tie.  He'll say something incredibly romantic. From under the bed, Sly decides he's up for the challenge.

The next day in the garage, Tiffani brings Matt the lyrics she wrote.  Matt starts to play guitar, while Tiffani sings:

Tommy came from the hills of Iowa-y

to live on the beach in sunny LA

He knew how to farm and how to breed cattle

But when it came to swimmin', he couldn't doggy paddle!

Tommy can't swim

Tommy can't surf

Tommy can't throw a frisbee

Tommy can't tan

Tommy can't clam

Tommy's allergic to sand fleas

At this point, Matt can't go any further, and just sits in awe.  Tiffani asks him why he stopped.  She has another whole verse about spiking the volleyball, goshdarnit!

Matt lies that he was moved by her song.  Poor Tiffani is so happy, that she suggests they play it at practice later.  Matt quickly says no, and takes the lyrics from her, suggesting that they "let it breathe"

Jenny and Tony come into the garage.  Tony complains that Jasmine turned him down again.  Sly comes in to the garage in a suit, carrying a bouquet of flowers.  He introduces himself as the "sensitive, honest Sylvester"  Everyone laughs, and he gives Jenny the flowers.  Jenny asks the others if it's a joke, but none of them know what's going on.  He tells Jenny that it's not a joke and excuses himself to drive his mother's church group to the Museum of Fine Arts.

Later, at Sharkey's, Jenny confesses to Tiffani that she "might like" Sly.  Sly comes over to sit with Jenny and Tiffani leaves.  Sly asks Jenny if she'd like to go to a French Bistro, then "catch a foreign film"  When I was in high school, "dates" consisted of hanging out in the center of town and eating at Papa Gino's.

Sly brings Jenny home after the date, and she happily dances around the kitchen.  Matt spits out his water when Jenny tells him that Sly might be the man of her dreams.  Dennis comes into the kitchen and asks Jenny where Sly is, because Sly hasn't paid him the $5 yet.  Jenny asks what the $5 is for, and Dennis spills the beans after Jenny offers him $10.  

The next day at Sharkey's, Matt is talking to Tony about Tiffani's lyrics.  Tony isn't listening.  He's still bummed about Jasmine turning him down.    Matt tells him that it's okay if one girl isn't into him.  Tony goes over to Jasmine to apologize for always bugging her.  She gives him a kiss, because it was the first time he didn't use a line on her.  Tony makes sure to let Matt know that he was wrong, then goes off with Jasmine.  

Later, at band practice, Sly arrives in another suit.  Jenny goes over to him and suggests a romantic dinner for later.  She has a plan.

Tiffani suggests that they start off the practice with the new song.  Matt is forced to tell Tiffani what he really thought of the lyrics.  Tiffani says that she's more hurt that he didn't trust their friendship enough the tell her the truth.  Matt looks at her and very seriously says "I know, you're right.  I'm sorry"  Tiffani smiles and says "Okay, I forgive you!"  That exchange reminded me so much of how my old co-worker and I were when we made up after an argument.  Maybe I was unintentionally channeling Tiffani that whole time?

Next scene!  Jenny is preparing dinner for her and Sly.  She "accidentally" pours their drinks on him

Jenny goes to get the soup, and pours that on Sly too.  When he finds out that dinner is shish-kabobs, he suggests skipping dinner and talking instead.  Jenny brings her journal into the kitchen, and leaves.  Sly snoops and finds out that she knew he was faking everything all along.  She chases him around the kitchen, and tells him that him using her private thoughts to manipulate her really hurt.  Sly apologizes and tells her that he's been hurt too.  Jenny doesn't believe him, until he tells the story of a crush he had when he was younger. He wrote her a love letter, and it made everyone laugh, even the teacher.  Jenny apologizes and offers to talk if he ever needs to.  He thanks her and asks for a kiss.  Jenny declines.