Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll

This article is about comedy television series. For the Ian Dury song, see Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll. For other uses, see Sex and drugs and rock and roll.
Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll
Genre Comedy
Created by Denis Leary
Starring
Opening theme "Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll" by Denis Leary
Country of origin United States
Original language(s) English
No. of seasons 1
No. of episodes 10 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s)
Camera setup Single-camera
Running time 22 minutes
Production company(s)
Release
Original network FX
Picture format 1080i (HDTV)
Original release July 16, 2015 – present
External links
Website

Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll is an American comedy television series created by and starring Denis Leary. A 10-episode first season was ordered by FX, which premiered on July 16, 2015.[1][2]

In September 2015, the network renewed the show for a 10-episode second season to begin airing June 30, 2016.[3]

Plot

Johnny Rock (Denis Leary), lead singer of The Heathens, a rising rock band from the late 80s/early 90s that broke up following the release of only one album, mainly due to his life of excess, struggles to make it in the music industry 25 years later. Rock is given a second chance when his estranged daughter Gigi (Elizabeth Gillies) moves to New York to try to make it as a musician. She comes up with a proposition: if her dad reforms the Heathens, she'll replace him as lead singer, the band will change their name to The Assassins, and in return he'll stay on board as lead songwriter for the band, as well as coach to Gigi. Rock experiences the challenges of an aging rock star in a music landscape fueled by hip-hop and pop, as well as caring for someone other than himself for once with his daughter back in his life.

Cast

Main

Recurring

Episodes
No. Title Directed by Written by Original air date U.S. viewers
(millions)
1"Don't Wanna Die Anonymous"Michael BliedenDenis LearyJuly 16, 2015 (2015-07-16)0.867[5]

Johnny sees a girl staring at him in a bar and walks up to kiss her, only to learn (after being slapped in the face and kneeled in the balls) that she is his daughter, Gigi. On the verge of being dropped by his agent, Johnny mulls over his last remaining options as a singer: the Bryan Adams tribute band "Summer of '69" or another tribute band called "Jon Non Jovi". But things take a different turn when Gigi, an aspiring singer, offers $200,000 for Johnny and his former Heathens' guitarist Flash to write some songs for her. The only problem is Johnny and Flash aren't on speaking terms, each blaming the other for breaking up the band back in 1990, whilst Flash also hints at attempting to sleep with Gigi. The group gets together at the end just to see if Gigi is as good as she says she is, or if she is just bluffing for their attention. The band plays their former hit song "Animal", and both Johnny and Flash are stunned by Gigi's singing as they realise the opportunity to get back into showbiz.

Songs featured: "Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll" (feat. Denis Leary); "Animal" (feat. Elizabeth Gillies)
2"Clean Rockin' Daddy"Michael BliedenDenis LearyJuly 23, 2015 (2015-07-23)0.701[6]

Johnny signs a contract with Gigi, stating that Gigi is the lead singer and he is a songwriter, agreeing to write five songs within the next two months. Rehab and Bam Bam have already signed the contract. Flash has also signed it, but says it's not for the money as he is already successful enough. After a night of drugs and drinking, which he spent in the studio before passing out, Johnny offers the basic riff and melody for a song. Flash adds a hook and helps with the lyrics. The test run with Gigi singing the new song "Die Tryin'" goes well, and the band starts rehearsing and recording the song. With one song down and four to go, Johnny is blindsided by a sort of intervention held by the band members while the band's agent reveals a clause in the contract that stipulates Johnny must be sober, no drinking and definitely no drugs for at least 30 days. Johnny argues that "all the great ones" wrote their best stuff while under the influence, but the group still tries to keep him clean. When the next song he writes is awful, the group allows him to go back to drinking and drugs..."but no cocaine".

Song featured: "Die Tryin'" by Elizabeth Gillies (feat. Denis Leary)
3"Lust for Life"Michael BliedenDenis LearyJuly 30, 2015 (2015-07-30)0.703[7]

Gigi and Johnny try to write a song together but she gives up, saying that she's not a songwriter. Gigi asks Johnny if he loves her and they get into a small argument when he hesitates to answer her question. A website publishes a story that Johnny died from choking on a chicken bone, so Ira and the band decide to let the rumors circulate for a little while, as it would be good for Gigi's career. While trying to come up with creative stories for how Johnny "died", Johnny suggests he was killed by his partner Flash, with Bam Bam saying "like an assassination". This leads Gigi to decide that The Assassins would be a good name for her band. Joan Jett makes an appearance wishing Gigi good luck on her first gig, while also shining some light on Johnny's story that he once slept with her. She says they were both drunk, and that "he couldn't quite...perform." Both fell asleep, and she only told him that she had a great time to get him out of her house. Gigi sings the song that she and her dad were writing at the beginning of the episode.

Song featured: "New York 2015" by Elizabeth Gillies
4"What You Like Is In The Limo"Michael BliedenDenis LearyAugust 6, 2015 (2015-08-06)0.701[8]

After the Johnny Rock death hoax, The Heathens have a massive surge of interest in Belgium, so Ira books one last Heathens gig there called "The Johnny Rock Resurrection Tour". The plan is for Gigi to sing three songs at the concert to introduce the Assassins. Gigi and Johnny have some father-daughter bonding time over music and being a rockstar. Flash and Gigi go out for lunch, where Flash proposes that the two should write music together and exclude Johnny, with the excuse that Johnny is holding Gigi back and will surely self-destruct at the gig. The group gets into a fight over the "rock star treatment" they want behind the scenes during the gig, making ridiculous requests. Gigi is upset by the stupidity of their requests, but the group still ends up with everything they want. During the gig, Johnny opens with "Die Tryin'", but halfway through the song, the drugs and booze kick in, he hallucinates a snake, and freaks out, leaving the stage empty and awkward. Gigi uses the moment to introduce The Assassins, continuing the song and taking over the gig. After the gig, the group sits in the limo where Flash and Ira attempt to drive Johnny out of "Team Assassins", but they are overruled in a power play by Gigi, leaving Flash shocked as he realizes that Gigi has just out-maneuvered him.

Song featured: "Die Tryin'" by Elizabeth Gillies (feat. Denis Leary)
5"Doctor Doctor"Denis LearyDenis LearyAugust 13, 2015 (2015-08-13)0.508[9]
Noting how dysfunctional the band is, Gigi urges all the band members to see a therapist (Griffin Dunne) who has worked with other bands, including Aerosmith and Kings of Leon. Although the group and individual sessions go horribly bad, it strangely becomes a bonding experience. At the end, Ava insists the band can't work as a democracy. It needs to be a dictatorship...with Gigi taking charge.
6"Tattoo You"Michael BliedenEvan ReillyAugust 20, 2015 (2015-08-20)0.426[10]
Gigi shows Johnny a tattoo on her arm that contains his name, and she suggests Johnny get one with her name to cement his love and commitment to her. Johnny initially refuses, saying he's always been afraid of getting a tattoo, but eventually goes through with it. Gigi's mother, Cat (Callie Thorne), shows up in town to visit and share a song she wrote. Cat, who also had a past romance with Flash, tries to convince him that she is more "his speed" than Gigi is. Just when Gigi starts to think that things won't work out with Flash, he drops his pants and reveals a tattoo he got of her name. Meanwhile, Gigi's tattoo of Johnny's name starts to run, revealing it was only henna, which angers Johnny.
7"Supercalifragilisticjuliefriggingandrews"Michael BliedenDenis LearyAugust 27, 2015 (2015-08-27)0.785[11]

Johnny's mother Elizabeth (Kelly Bishop), who has long insisted she would have won the lead role in Mary Poppins over Julie Andrews if she hadn't become pregnant with Johnny, guilt-trips him into having the band play at her wedding to Jeremy (Roger Bart), the gay producer of her upcoming off-Broadway musical. The band agrees to play at the wedding, as well as indulge Elizabeth's wish for a 1970s theme. As the band starts to play, however, Elizabeth tries to upstage them by singing songs from her own show.

Song featured: "Put It On Me" by Elizabeth Gillies and Denis Leary
8"Hard Out Here for a Pimp"Denis LearyDenis LearySeptember 3, 2015 (2015-09-03)0.573[12]
In an effort to steer Gigi away from Flash, Johnny sets her up with Ira's new client Jim, who has started a musical and fashion movement called "NormCore". But Jim turns out to be way too much like Johnny, so Johnny decides Flash is the lesser of two evils. Meanwhile, Rehab and Bam Bam are frustrated over the way the band's earnings are dispersed, and decide to start their own musical movement called "BeastCore".
9"Take My Picture by the Pool"Michael BliedenDenis Leary & Jack LearySeptember 10, 2015 (2015-09-10)0.383[13]

Ira interrupts a band rehearsal to announce that Sony Records wants to sign Gigi, and is offering a $250,000 advance on her first recordings. The bad news is they only want Gigi and not the band, which means the end of the Assassins. Sony wants to keep Johnny and Flash on board as songwriters, leaving Bam Bam and Rehab no choice but to pursue their BeastCore project and become EDM DJs. Johnny, Flash and Ava are initially seduced by the trappings of fame and fortune, while Gigi is forced to wear skimpy outfits for her first video, which is a remake of the Assassins song "What's My Name" in a hip-hop style. During the taping sessions for the video, the producer tells Gigi that she will have to learn dance moves and lip sync all her concerts, causing her and Johnny to pull the plug.

Song featured: "What's My Name?" by Elizabeth Gillies
10"Because We're Legion"Michael BliedenDenis LearySeptember 17, 2015 (2015-09-17)0.487[14]

Gigi breaks up with Flash, and contacts Greg Dulli, a producer whom Johnny hates. The rep sent by Dulli, a man named J.P. (Rob Morrow), wants to record some songs, forcing Johnny and Flash to meet with Bam Bam and Rehab about rejoining the band. They agree on one condition: that they can have the rights to the EDM version of "What's My Name" for use in a perfume commercial. Not taking it seriously, Johnny agrees. A conversation between Flash and Ava reveals they once slept together while she was with Johnny, and it's overheard by J.P. Manipulated by J.P., the band records an inspired version of the song "Complicated". Soon after, they see the commercial that features "What's My Name", and learn that it's for a feminine hygiene product, not perfume.

Song featured: "Complicated" by Elizabeth Gillies

Critical reception

The first season of Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll has received mixed reviews from critics. On the review aggregate website Rotten Tomatoes, it has a rating of 59%, based on 44 reviews, with an average rating 5.9/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "Denis Leary's Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll feels much like the aging rocker it is trying to portray -- a beloved star struggling to reach his former glory."[15] On Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating, the series has a score of 60 out of 100, based on 29 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[16]

References

  1. ↑ Pedersen, Erik (April 8, 2015). "FX Sets 'Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll' Premiere, Louis C.K. Special, Other Summer Bows". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved May 24, 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 Patten, Dominic (June 30, 2014). "FX Orders Denis Leary's 'Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll' To Series". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved October 11, 2014.
  3. ↑ Kondolojy, Amanda (September 23, 2015). "'Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll' Renewed by FX for Second Season". TV by the Numbers (Press release). Tribune Digital Ventures. Retrieved September 24, 2015.
  4. ↑ Rockin' Roles: ET native Hendrix takes on acting, singing in new series
  5. ↑ Kondolojy, Amanda (July 17, 2015). "Thursday Cable Ratings: 'Teen Mom II' Tops Night + 'Lip Sync Battle', 'Mountain Men', 'Braxton Family Values' & More". TV by the Numbers. Tribune Digital Ventures. Retrieved August 1, 2015.
  6. ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (July 24, 2015). "Showbuzz Daily’s Top 100 Thursday Cable Originals (& Network Update): 7.23.2015". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved August 1, 2015.
  7. ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (July 31, 2015). "Showbuzz Daily’s Top 100 Thursday Cable Originals (& Network Update): 7.30.2015". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved August 1, 2015.
  8. ↑ Bibel, Sara (August 7, 2015). "Thursday Cable Ratings: Republican Presidential Debate Wins Night, 'The Kelly File', 'The Daily Show', 'Teen Mom 2', 'Project Runway' & More". TV by the Numbers. Tribune Digital Ventures. Retrieved August 16, 2015.
  9. ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (August 14, 2015). "Showbuzz Daily’s Top 100 Thursday Cable Originals (& Network Update): 8.13.2015". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  10. ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (August 21, 2015). "Showbuzz Daily’s Top 100 Thursday Cable Originals (& Network Update): 8.20.2015". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
  11. ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (August 28, 2015). "Showbuzz Daily’s Top 100 Thursday Cable Originals (& Network Update): 8.27.2015". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved September 23, 2015.
  12. ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (September 4, 2015). "Showbuzz Daily’s Top 100 Thursday Cable Originals: 9.3.2015". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved September 23, 2015.
  13. ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (September 10, 2015). "Showbuzz Daily’s Top 100 Thursday Cable Originals: 9.10.2015". Showbuzz Daily.
  14. ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (September 17, 2015). "Showbuzz Daily’s Top 100 Thursday Cable Originals: 9.17.2015". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved September 19, 2015.
  15. ↑ "Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll, Season 1". rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved 2015-07-22.
  16. ↑ "Reviews for Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll, Season 1". metacritic.com.

External links

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