The Young Person's Guide To Becoming A Rock Star

infobox television
show_name = The Young Person's Guide To Becoming A Rock Star


caption = From left to right: Fiona Johnstone (Simone Lahbib), Wullie 'Bigot' Macboyne (Stephen McCole), Jez MacAllister (Ciarán McMenamin, Psycho MacPhail (Duncan Marwick) and Joe Nardone (Nicola Stapleton).
format = Comedy
runtime = 35 mins
creator = Bryan Elsley

starring = Ciarán McMenamin
Simone Lahbib
Nicola Stapleton
Stephen McCole
Duncan Marwick
Gerard Butler
Keith Allen
country = UK
network = Channel 4
first_aired = 10 November, 1998
last_aired = 15 December, 1998
num_episodes = 6
imdb_id = 0178167/|

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

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

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

Synopsis

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

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

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

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

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

The series inspired a Canadian version in 2002, My Guide to Becoming a Rock Star.

Episodes

;1. Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous - (10 November, 1998): Jez MacAllister begins the painful process of becoming a rock star as he puts together a band.

;2. Creating the Buzz - (17 November, 1998): Fiona is recruited as the band's new member under two conditions; and one of them is to stop sleeping with Jez.

;3. The A & R Men Cometh - (24 November, 1998): With no sign of a record deal after three months of gigging, Art is forced to arrange a showcase.

;4. Sign on the Line - (01 December, 1998): The band arrive in London where they do a deal with Slick Sloan, then launch themselves on the capital's media scene.

;5. Making Tracks - (08 December, 1998): The band arrives at Big Noise studios to record at the farmhouse of rock legend Derek Trout.

;6. Shifting the Units - (15 December, 1998): The band's promotional schedule gathers pace and includes a chaotic appearance on a cult Friday-night TV show. Meanwhile, tensions within the band are exacerbated.

Cast

*Frank Gallagher - Ossie MacAllister
*Simone Lahbib - Fiona Johnstone
*Duncan Marwick - Psycho MacPhail
*Forbes Masson - Art Stilton
*Stephen McCole - Wullie MacBoyne
*Ciarán McMenamin - Jeremy 'Jez' MacAllister
*Barbara Rafferty - Alice MacAllister
*Nicola Stapleton - Joe Nardone
*Eric Barlow - Kenny Dick
*Gerard Butler - Marty Claymore
*Ricky Callan - Simon
*Jason Sweeney - Walter Dick
*Keith Allen - Slick Sloan
*Kirsten Scott - Student
*Fish - Derek Trout

Crew

*Sheree Folkson - director
*Kieron J. Walsh - director
*Bryan Elsley - writer
*Suzan Harrison - executive producer
*Peter Norris - producer

External links

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