California Dreams - S1:EP12 - "The Time"

Greetings Loyal Readers!  I know you're out there somewhere.

It's been a long time.  Usually, when I get home from work, the last thing I want to do is sit in front of a computer screen.   I went out for drinks with a friend from work after work today, so that gave me a bit of a break from staring at a screen.

Now I'm back at home, wrapped up in a sweatshirt because it's unseasonably cold for late May, and I just poured myself a tall drink.  Let's see how drunk re-capping goes, shall we?

We open with the gang drinking milkshakes at Sharkey's.  A leather-clad kid named Eric walks in, and Tiffany comments that she's surprised that his girlfriend isn't with him.  Tony's like "nah, they broke up and I totes got some of that last night"  Matt says that he hates how he treats people, and offhandedly mentions that Jenny also dated him.

Sly runs in and interrupts the conversation by announcing that he got the band a $250 gig at a cafe in Santa Barbara.  Cheers, high-fives all around, and so on and so forth.

Matt points out that it's a two-hour drive and they don't have a way to get the equipment there.  Sly says that he'll take care of it.  Famous last words.

Circle wipe to...Sly showing off a 70's-esque falling apart VW bug.  Tony says that at least they don't have to worry about it getting stolen.

Sly defends the old van by saying that it has new windshield wipers and a new air freshener.  Tiffany goes around to the back and reads off all of the 60s-70s bumper stickers.  She says that you can really sense the history.  She pats the bumper and it falls off and hits Tony's foot.  Jenny finds an old Partridge Family 8-track.  Mrs. Garrison comes into the garage and tells Jenny that Eric is there to see her, and he's waiting in the living room.  Jenny leaves to talk to him.  Matt offers to go with her, but Mrs. Garrison asks him to stay and explain the van.

Matt explains that it's for the band, but Mrs. Garrison ain't having it.  She wants it out of the garage.  Sly goes to move it and to the surprise of exactly no one, it won't start.

Up in the kitchen, Jenny is rehearsing what she wants to say to Eric, and he comes in behind her and overhears the whole thing.

Mr. Garrison comes into the kitchen, and makes pseudo-polite chit chat with Eric.  It's kind of boring and not worth recapping.

Mr. Garrison sticks around the kitchen and tries to eavesdrop, despite Jenny trying to kick him out.  Mr. Garrison says to pretend he's not there, and goes about his business, getting a drink out of the refrigerator.  I just realized that the fridge in the Garrison's kitchen is the same one that my parents have.  I hate that fridge.  It's been on it's last legs FOREVER.  The freezer doesn't even freeze things anymore, which is by definition, THE POINT of a freezer.  Like, I didn't want Cherry Garcia SOUP, okay?  Ack!  Moving on...

Eric begs Jenny for another chance, adding that he still loves her.  From upstairs, Mr. Garrison screams, and a picture falls off the wall.  Wacky hijinks!

Jenny says that she needs to think, and asks Eric to leave. 

Later, Matt knock on Jenny's bedroom door and tries to get her to talk about it.  She doesn't want to, but thanks Matt anyway.  He tells her that if she changes her mind, she can get his attention by knocking on the wall, like when they were kids.  Aww. That was kind of sweet.

We fade into a black and white music montage. 

Back in Jenny's room, she picks up the phone.  "Hello, Eric... It's me", she says seductively, while biting her lip. 

In the garage, Sly is still trying to fix the van.  Jenny comes in with Eric, and asks the gang if they remember him.  They all say yes, and non-nonchalantly greet him.

Matt reminds Jenny that they have band practice that afternoon.  Jenny says that she knows and she'll be there.  Eric tells her that she promised to help him practice for the school play.  He got the lead in Phantom of the Opera.  Jenny tells them that she'll have to miss practice because Eric needs her.  They're not pleased.

At Sharkey's, Jenny and Eric are reading something gooey and romantic that definitely is not Phantom of the Opera.  It's something that Eric wrote, mostly to get a kiss from Jenny.  On the other side of the restaurant, the rest of the gang is watching them.   Matt thinks it's ridiculous, Tiffany thinks it's romantic.  Tony concedes that it's smooth and all, but "a real ladies man doesn't need a script"  He looks to Sly for some back up, but Sly is busy taking notes from Eric.

The band is practicing in Matt's room.  Mr. Garrison doesn't approve, because he has work to do and can't concentrate with the band upstairs.  Matt explains that they can't use the garage while the van is in there.  Mrs. Garrison joins everyone in Matt's room and says that it's time for the van to go.

The next few scenes revolve around Jenny blowing off the band to spend time with Eric.  Matt calls her on it, and she accuses him of not caring about her being happy.  Matt says that it's just the opposite, and he doesn't want to see her get hurt.

Next, in the kitchen, Matt, Tony, Tiffany and Sly announce that the van is okay and ready to go.  Mrs. Garrison wants to know what the problem was.  It turns out, there was no gas in the tank.  Really?  It took them that long to figure that out?  Tony reminds Sly that "E" does not stand for "Enough"

They're about set to go to the gig, but Tiffany doesn't want to go without Jenny.  She talks Matt into going to Eric's cast party to get her.  The cast party is at... where else?  Sharkey's!  Because, why visit another set?

Eric sees Jenny sitting by herself and asks what's wrong.  She tells him that she's disappointed about missing the gig.  Eric tells her that it's not a big deal, and drags her off to meet his friends who thought he was great in the play.

The rest of the band shows up at the party, but Jenny doesn't want to go to the gig with them.   They all leave, and Jenny returns to Eric.  She asks him if they can leave and take a walk.  Eric says that everyone is going to hang out on the beach later.  Jenny clarifies that she means right now, and just the two of them.  Eric says that he can't leave in the middle of "his" cast party.  He is the star of the show, after all.

Jenny tells him that she really needs to talk.  Eric says that it can wait, and that he'd never ask her to give up something important to her.  Jenny tells him that he already did and they break up.  Again.

Back in the garage, the guys are fighting over who's going to drive to the gig.  Tiffany ends the fight by saying that she'll drive.  Then the guys all fight over shotgun.   Jenny arrives just in time.  She tells them that she broke up with Eric, and Sly offers to beat him up.  Jenny says that she'll be okay, and apologizes to Matt.

Matt tells Jenny to sit up front, and they take off for their gig.  

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:EP3 - "Beat of His Own Dream"

The gang is hanging out at Sharkey's.  Tony tells Matt that he loves the new song and goes on to sing and dance around the restaurant.

A delivery man comes into Sharkey's to deliver flowers to Tiffani.  He keeps sneezing all over them.   I don't think it's normal to get deliveries while you're out to eat, but then again, these kids are always there, so it's basically their second home.

The delivery guy keeps sneezing, and Matt asks him if he's okay.  He explains that whenever he delivers flowers, he can't stop sneezing.  Jenny's like "Maybe you're allergic to flowers, idiot"  She didn't say the "idiot" part.  I embellished a bit.  Anyway, the sneezing flower delivery guy ponders this for a moment, then runs off.  (Presumably to reconsider his current career path)

The note with the flowers reveals that Tiffani has a secret admirer.  Tony, Jenny and Matt: "oooh"  Tiffani wonders aloud who it could have been.  Sly runs over and announces "Guys, I did it!"  Tiffani was like "aw hell, no!"  Sly: Why would I send you flowers?  You're not dead!"

Sly reveals that the "I did it!" refers to him convincing Sharkey to let them play at the restaurant.  He's even going to pay them $150.   Everyone is excited.  Tony runs off to tell his dad the good news.

Next scene:  Locker room.  Tony's father is writing on a blackboard.  Tony comes in.  He compliments his dad on the football team's recent win.  Wait, wasn't it still summer vacation in the last episode?  Did we skip over the school year starting?  Oh well.  90s sitcoms aren't exactly known for their continuity.  One of the football players comes in to talk to Tony's dad about football stuff.  Aw, poor Tony.  I think we can all guess where this is going.  Mr. Wicks sends the football player to do 20 laps.  If their track is the same size at the track of the high school I went to, that's a good 5 miles right there.  Running 5 miles seems a bit rough, but hey, I never played football in high school, so what do I know?

Tony tells his dad about the upcoming gig, and mentions that he has a solo.  Mr. Wicks tells him it's great, but he's not convincing me.  Tony invites him to come, and his dad basically tells him that football is more important than his son.  "Your rock and roll fantasy is not important"  Tony tries to explain that it's not a fantasy.  Dad: "Do something more practical, like playing football"

In the next scene, Matt and Tiffani are in the garage and Dennis is playing the drums.  Tiffani, always diplomatic, tells him that with some more practice he could be really good.  Dennis thanks her, and asks her if she'd be in his band.  She sweetly tells him that she's already pretty busy with the California Dreams.  Matt's like "what about your totally rad older brother"  Dennis tells him that he's not blonde and beautiful.  Aw.

Another delivery arrives for Tiffani.  This time it's a box of chocolates.  Wait, why is she getting deliveries at Matt's house?  It's the same delivery guy from before.  He explains that he quit the flower delivery job and got this one instead.  He tells her that she'll love the chocolate.  "You can't eat just one!"  She offers Matt and Jenny each a piece, and they open the box.  Turns out, the delivery guy couldn't eat just one either.  The box is empty.  There's another note from the secret admirer, but still no clues about who it is.

Tony walks in and tries to act excited.  Tiffani can see right through him and asks him what's wrong.  He explains that his father wants him to play football.  Tony is bummed because he loves music but wants his parents to be proud.  Matt and Jenny tell him that at their age, no parents are proud of their kids.  Right on cue, Mr. Garrison comes into the garage and tells them how happy he is about their upcoming gig.  Side note.  I really need to start calling Matt and Jenny's parents by their first names, because whenever I type Mr. Garrison, I think of this: 

worstprofessorever.com

He tells Tony and Tiffani that he's sure their families are proud of them too.  Everyone shifts uncomfortably.  Tony says that his dad will be proud as soon as he joins the football team.  He quits the band and leaves.  Jenny glares at her dad, and he's like "Did I do that?"

Next day:  Jenny, Matt, Sly and Tiffani are sitting around a table at Sharkey's (where else?) lamenting the loss of Tony.  Sly's like "I can't believe he quit.  He loves playing the drums!"  Tiffany is impressed that Sly is thinking of his friend's feelings.  Sly says that it's not Tony's feelings he's worried about.  He's blaming Tony for "ruining" the gig.

Tony comes in from football practice and did not have a good time.  Here's what I find weird.  I know his dad is the coach, but can he really just join the team after the season has already started?

They suggest that Tony come back to the band, but he says that his dad won't have it.  Sly says that being in the band is better because of "gorgeous groupies" and football is just "rolling around in the mud with Butch, Bruno and Bubba.  Tony said that it doesn't matter if he hates football.  It made his dad happy and that's what's important to him.   Mr. Wicks comes in to Sharkey's and Tony leaves the gang to go join his dad for "a couple of protein shakes"  If that's not a metaphor for "cruising for chicks" then I don't know what is.

Oh, so they really ARE having protein shakes.  Mr. Wicks compliments his son on a great practice, and tells him that he really impressed Butch, Bruno and Bubba.  

Back at the Garrison's, Mr. Garrison and Dennis are sitting at the kitchen table.  Mr. Garrison is looking over his credit card bill.  Matt, Jenny, Tiffani and Sly come into the kitchen.  He asks Matt and Jenny (and then Sly too) if any of them have used his credit card.  They all say that they haven't.  Dennis leaves the kitchen.  Apparently there were some credit card charges for flowers and candy.  Matt and Jenny eye each other knowingly.  Mr. Garrison suggests that Sly take a lie detector test.  Sly, by the way, is wearing another wacky vest.

Mr. Garrison leaves the kitchen, and everyone realizes that Dennis is Tiffani's Secret Admirer.  Jenny suggests that she let him down gently so he doesn't get turned off on relationships forever.  Tiffani relates this to a Sports Illustrated article about the Cleveland Indians being the "losingest team in baseball."  When Jenny asks what that has to do with Dennis, Tiffani says, "He's never going to get to first base!"  HA!  Jenny's reaction is priceless:

"What's it like in there?"

I forgot that they made Tiffani seem kind of ditzy in the first season.

Tony shows up and asks how the search for a new drummer is going.  They all beg him to come back.  Tony says that he can't because he's finally getting along with his dad.  Matt tells him that he should be honest with his dad about what he really wants.

In the next scene, Tony's dad leads him into the locker room after an injury.  Every time he moves, he shrieks.  He says that his arm hurts.  His dad looks at it for like, three seconds and goes "eh, it's just a sprain!"  (I sprained my wrist playing soccer once.  I wasn't the goalie.)  His dad pulls a sling out of nowhere, and sticks it on Tony's arm.  He tells him he'll have to miss the next game.  Tony's like "Well, darn!"  His dad leaves.  Tony takes off the sling and throws his helmet across the room.

In the next scene, the search for a new drummer continues.  So far THIS is all they've come up with:

this will not end well.

They talk about why he's not a good fit for the band, and Tiffani suggests that they save their comments, since the dude is sitting right there.  Sly says it doesn't matter because he's pretty spaced out from playing drums with his head.  "Right, Sheldon?"  The kid asks why Sly called him Sheldon.  Sly tells him that it's his name.  Drummer dude is like "I'm such a burnout I don't even know who I am."

Jenny comes into the garage and reminds Tiffani to tell Dennis that he doesn't have a snowball's chance in hell of getting with her.  Sly suggests that Matt write a "break up ditty" because "things always sound nicer with music!"  Jenny thinks Sly wasn't hugged enough as a baby.

Tony joins everyone in the garage, wearing the sling again, and complains some more about football.  Sly introduces him to Sheldon.  Upon hearing that Tony was the drummer, he thinks he's off the hook, and gets up to leave.  Sly explains that Tony used to be the drummer.  They still need a new drummer.  Sheldon pretty much says "oh, okay!"  to everything anyone says.  Tony refuses to let them replace him with Sheldon, calling him a "ratty-haired, heavy metal oatmeal brain"  (I love Tony's long-winded ways of explaining things)

Matt's like "You snooze, you lose, Tony" and they start practicing.  Matt tells Sheldon to start with the drum intro, and he basically just starts pounding on the cymbals and ends with a crazy drum solo.  Tony jumps up and starts flipping out.  Then he slowly walks over to Sheldon and takes his drum sticks back.  He sits at the drums and begins to play.  Sheldon is impressed.

Matt realizes that there's nothing wrong with Tony's arm.  Jenny tells him to stop lying.   Back at Tony's house, he's in his room drumming on... something.  There's a knock at his door.  Tony's dad comes in and greets his "no pain, no gain, give it all you got guy"  (Oh, so THAT'S where Tony gets it)  Tony tells his dad that he wants to talk.  Mr. Wicks is worried that Tony wants to have the birds and the bees chat.  Tony's like "no, I know all I need to know about that"  He tells his dad that he wants to quit the football team and admits that the injury was fake.  Then Mr. Wicks tells Tony that he's benching him.  Tony's like "you can't bench me, I quit!"  He tries to explain again that he doesn't like football.  He wants to be a musician!  His father tells him that his band is "a bunch of kids wasting time in a garage."  Then he says it's stupid.  I kid you not.  He actually says that.  Tony says that it's his choice to make.  His dad tells him to go do it in his room.  Tony leaves, then realizes he was already in his room.  

In the next scene, the gang is at Sharkey's getting ready for the gig.  They all welcome Tony back.  One of the cymbals on Tony's drum set is dented, thanks to Sheldon.  Mr. Garrison and Dennis walk in cheering.  Jenny tells him to go away because he's embarrassing them.  Hey, after what Tony went through, at least her dad cares!

Jenny asks Tiffani if she's ready to talk to Dennis.  She is, thanks to an article in Psychology Today about crushes and positive reinforcement.  Tiffani goes to talk to him, and he doesn't understand a word of what she's trying to tell him.  He finally gets it, and asks her for a kiss.  She obliges, and kisses him on the cheek.  It's actually pretty cute.  

The second favor he asks for is for $50 to pay his dad back for the credit card charges.  Mr. Garrison looks up and is like "WTF?"  Tiffani just laughs and goes to join the band.  Sly introduces them, and they play.  Everybody cheers, and then Mr. Wicks walks in!  He greets Mr. Garrison, and we cut back to the band.  This song, "Rain"  is set to a music video.   I wonder how long they kept up having videos along with the performances.  I'll have to investigate this as I go along.  Anyway, this video involves Tony and a ventriloquist dummy.  What?

The band finishes the song, and everyone cheers.  Even Mr. Wicks is cheering!  Mr. Garrison tells Mr. Wicks (whose name is apparently Darren) that he has a very talented son.  Darren is like "huh, I guess I do" Mr. Garrison is like "you're damn right, dumbass"  Tony goes over to talk to his dad, who actually apologizes to his son.  I noticed the random extra in the background wearing a Red Sox hat, so that's why I'm including this last screencap.

Tony and Darren hug, and Darren says that he's proud of his son.  Aw.