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Instant Star Transcripts

Instant Star

1x01: Even Better Than The Real Thing

Original Air Date: 9/15/2004



A stage with a round emblem of the words 'Instant Star' on it. A blonde girl (later found to be Eden) is performing in front of a large crowd. The crowd cheers on as she sings.

Eden (singing): If you want what you really want, keep your...

Cut to: Jamie, Jude Harrison's best friend, knocking on the door of a red bathroom stall. We hear muffled sounds from Eden's performance in the background.

Jamie: Jude?

Jude (from inside the stall): Yep?

Jamie: You still alive?

Screen cuts to: Jude sitting with her head in her hands. She's obviously nervous, or sick- perhaps both.

Jude (with the slightest hint of sarcasm): Yeah, no problem. I feel great.

Screen moves to centre on: Jamie standing by the bathroom stall with Jude's other best friend, Kat, in the background. A guy appears around the corner and taps his hand on one of the walls of one of the stalls.

Guy: She's on in two.

The guy disappears from the screen as it cuts to: Eden still performing. The camera moves to the crowd, including a panel of what appear to be judges. Two women and one man. Behind them stands Jude's family: Stuart and Victoria (Jude's dad and mom), and Sadie Harrison (Jude's sister).

Cut to: Two hands being washed in a sink. The camera pulls back to reveal that the hands belong to Jude. The hands bring water up to Jude's face.

Jude: If I don't win I'm going to look like such a dork at school tomorrow.

We see Jude's reflection in the mirror, Jamie is right beside her.

Jamie: On the plus side most people already think we're dorks.

We see Kat on screen now, near both Jude and Jamie. She gives a look as if pointing out the obvious. The screen moves to Jude and Jamie.

Jude: Thank you, Jamie.

Jamie: Just say the word, Jude, and we're out of here. I mean it.

Jude turns around, pulling her hair back with her hands as if deciding what to do. Then lets them fall, still not saying anything.

Screen cuts to: Eden still performing her act. It ends. Mr. Harrison and Mrs. Harrison clap with a feigned enthusiasm.

Announcer: All right, give it up for Eden Taylor everybody!

Cut back to: The Bathroom and close-up on Jude.

Jude: I have to do this.

The camera mirrors off of her best friends' reactions.

Jude: Wish me luck.

Kat smiles as Jude walks past her, turning around for a second as if for a last goodbye.

Announcer (In the background): Right now we're going to bring out the final performance for this evening. Let's hear a big round of applause for Jude Harrison.

Cut to: A long hallway, Jude is walking towards the camera.

Jude (Voiceover): I wrote my first song when I was six, got my first acoustic at ten and it has barely left my hands since.

Jude appears on stage, taking a deep breath and making her way to a chair in the centre of the stage.

Jude (Voiceover): Everything I am, everything I've worked for, has brought me to the stage tonight.

She stops and sits in the chair in front of the crowd.

Jude (Voiceover): Sometimes if you listen really hard, you can almost hear it, that moment your life changes.

Her arm moves, dramatically strumming the first chord.

Close-up on Jude's eyes opening.

Jude (Voiceover): Forever

Cut to: Announcer walking across the stage to Jude and Eden right beside her.

Announcer: Our first ever Instant Star is Jude Harrison.

Jude's head turns in shock, as the crowd roars. Confetti falls from the ceiling. The camera mirrors the crowd. Mr. Harrison is holding up a large sign with Jude's name on it while Mrs. Harrison happily leans over and kisses him on the cheek. Sadie is beside them, and claps but not quite as happily as you'd expect.. perhaps in jealously or boredom... her face shows both. The camera moves back to the stage where the confetti continues to fall, they are handing a bouquet of flowers and a contract to Jude. Eden looks on unhappily as Jude takes a bow.

Freeze on Jude's smiling face. The teaser/opening sequence begins with putting Jude's face in a CD cover. The case opens to show a CD labelled 'Instant Star Even Better Than the Real Thing'. We zoom in through the centre of the CD and rest on a television, which the words G-Major are on.

The camera scans downward to reveal Jude and Jamie, sitting on a couch beside each other as they wait. We presume that they are at G-Major. Jude sighs heavily, as they begin to talk.

Jamie: I always knew this would happen.

Jude (props her head up with her hand and elbow): What? That I'd win some cheesy TV Talent Search?

Jamie: No, that you'd be discovered somehow. You said it before sometimes I can be physic.

Jude (lifting her head up): Uh... No... I think I said sometimes you can be psychotic.

Jamie starts to laugh slightly, and Jude smiles, reaching over and playfully pushing him slightly.

Jude: Just joking.

Jamie moves closer, his tone changing to one with more seriousness.

Jamie: Don't let them change you. Okay?

Jude turns her head to look at him directly.

Jude: I'm not changing for them... I'm not changing for anyone.

Screen cuts to: Georgia and EJ- the "head personnel" at G-Major. They move through the studio... toward Jude and Jamie, but still out of sight... for the moment.

EJ: I'm telling you Georgia, she's too young, too green, too unpackaged. I just want my objections put on record.

Georgia: You can put them on MP3 for all I care, EJ, and get over it. Jude is our girl.

The camera cuts swiftly to Jude's face and we hear Georgia's voice as she appears around the corner.

Georgia: There she is. Our Instant Star.

Jude smiles and moves from the couch to stand up.

Jude: Hey...

Georgia, Jude and EJ come to a stop near each other.

Georgia: You travel light, Jude. Your parents couldn't make it?

Jude: Well, they could... I just... I kinda wanted to do this on my own.

Georgia: I understand.

Jude nods in appreciation.

EJ smiles... whether it's from being slightly impressed or just fake appreciation it's there.

Georgia: And who's this?

Jamie speaks up, and stands up offering his hand to Georgia.

Jamie: I'm Jamie. I'm her "people".

Georgia shakes Jamie's hand, laughing in a slow "ha-ha-ha" manner.

Georgia: Right.

EJ suddenly decides to speak up.

EJ: Jude. There were some artists in our contest- Eden for example- who are better positioned to become... (She thoughtfully pauses) ...a pop star.

Jude: Well... I'm, I'm not a pop star. I'm a songwriter.

Georgia: And that is why you won, Jude. Now I believe that your songs could move units, but I also believe that they could move people. And that's why we've teamed you with a writer/producer of real substance.

Jamie (cuts in): Billy Joel from Green Day?

Jude: Tim Armstrong from Rancid?

Georgia: We were thinking more Tom Quincy.

Georgia quirks her eyebrow, and the camera shows Jude's face. She doesn't look happy.

Jude: Little Tommy Q, from Boyz Attack?

Jamie laughs lightly, not taking it seriously. But he notices Georgia and EJ's facial expressions.

Jamie: Oh, uh, I'm sorry, I thought you were kidding.

The G-Major studio disappears, along with Jamie, EJ, and Georgia. Jude is now in front of a screen with five guys one of them is none other than Tom Quincy. Jude speaks to us; the scene is out of context, sort of an "information provider".

Jude: In the 90s Boyz Attack was it. Lil Tommy Q was the original boy band heartthrob.

Jude watches the younger form of Tom Quincy (Tommy) sing out a few notes and dance a little. A force breaks into Jude's thoughts. It's Georgia, and the camera now shows Georgia's face and we are back at G-Major.

Georgia: Jude? Jude?

Jude (snapping back to reality): Yeah, sorry.

Georgia: Look, I know his reputation and I know he's still in and out of the tabloids, but he has grown as an artist. And he's become a brilliant writer/producer.

Jamie: But he's pop and retro.

Jude: And really really lame. You can't be serious, little Tommy Q?

As the camera moves back we see a man standing up above where Jude is, holding onto a railing and listening to their conversation. It's Tommy himself. He interrupts an unhappy expression on his face.

Tommy: First, I'm here because Georgia is a friend. I could care less about you or your whack contest. Second, the name's Tom Quincy. Don't you ever call me little Tommy Q again.

Jude (looks slightly embarrassed): Sorry.

Tommy: Why don't you show me what you got?

The camera shows Georgia, then Jude and she nods just slightly.

Jude: Okay.

Screen cuts to: The recording studio. We see Jude sitting down in front of a microphone. She's playing a slower version of 24 Hours on her guitar.

Jude: At least I got my trusted friend.

We see Georgia and Tommy sitting down listening. Jamie is there and so is EJ. Tommy acts as if he is bored, or as if the song puts him in pain. Jude continues.

Jude: We're on the road alone again. I guess we're tired of giving in...

Tommy interrupts through the intercom.

Tommy: You wanna stop cause you're hurting my ears.

He stands up, and enters the small space that Jude is in.

Tommy: You won a contest... with that? You sing it like it's a funeral dirge. It's boring; you gotta pick up the tempo- straight quarters on the bottom. Watch.

EJ has moved up to the screen. Both she and Georgia are watching. Tommy begins to play the same song that Jude was playing... but faster.

Tommy: Sing.

Jude gives a look. A little frustrated... a little out of place.

Tommy: Sing.

This time Jude listens and begins to sing with the beat.

Jude: At least I got my trusted friend.

Tommy: Faster.

Jude (attempting to pick up the pace): We're on the road alone again.

Tommy stops playing.

Tommy: All right these lyrics. We're on the road; we're tired of giving in. We made it here. Whose we?

Jude (smiles and looks at Jamie): It's about me and my best friend.

Tommy: We don't care about your friend, Jude. (Jamie's smile disappears) We care about you. Your song's too bland, you gotta make it personal.

Jude (her tone offended): Well, I like it the way it is

Tommy: Your song... it served its purpose... it won you the contest. But it's not ready, I mean not until we rewrite the lyrics.

Jamie's had enough; he opens the door to the room.

Jamie (with an urgency in his voice): Uh, Jude, we gotta go to that, uh, thing?

Georgia and EJ look at each other with mixed expressions. Jamie cocks his head persistently. Georgia breaks in over the intercom.

Georgia: I think that's enough for today, Jude. You can go.

Jude (hushed tone): K... Okay (speaking to Tommy and moving to get up). See you later.

Tommy (a bit exasperated): See ya.

Screen cuts to: The front of Jude's school. And then inside, to the hallway, where Jamie is talking to a "friend".

Jamie: And then I said, she's not changing her song, Timberlake. So why don't you back off before I kick your well quaff ass.

Classmate: You said that?

Jamie doesn't answer, but smiles, stopping at his locker.

Classmate: You're the envy of the school, dude. Friends with the famous chick.

Jamie: She's not that famous, not yet anyway. Besides, I think Jude and I will soon be leaving the town of Friendsville. Next stop on the Jude/Jamie train is love. This is just a transitional phase.

Classmate (moving to leave): Good luck brother.

As Jamie closes his locker- Kat is revealed.

Kat: Huh, Transitional phase? You been watching Dr. Phil again?

Jamie: You see this expression? This is me ignoring you.

He turns to walk away, Kat follows.

Kat: Bad idea. Seeing as I am Jude's best friend, and I'm a girl, and unlike you I'm from planet Earth.

Jamie: I know having a point isn't your forte.

Kat: My point is you should talk to Jude before picking out china.

Jamie: I will, I know what I'm gonna say and everything... more or less.

Screen cuts to: Jude walking down the hall with some girl and her sister, Sadie. It seems people are influenced by her newfound "fame".

Random classmate: Hey Jude! (Faint voices are heard in the background)

Jude waves.

Girl: So, are you like rich now?

Sadie: Please.. Okay. She only got like some pathetic signing bonus. I mean if it were me I would've gotten way more cheddar before signing some three year contract.

Jude (almost smugly): Well, you didn't win, did ya, Sadie?

Sadie and the girl continue walking, Jude catches Jamie in the hall.

Jude: Hey..

Jamie: I see your sister's taking your winning with her usual dignity and grace.

Jude: Yeah, well at least she's talking to me in the halls. For years, she was telling everyone I was her second cousin.

They laugh lightly, as Jude catches Kat and puts her arms around her shoulders, playfully pushing Jamie away as they continue down the hall.

Screen cuts to: To show the front of a magazine. It reads 'Tommy "Q" caboodles with Hollywood Hottie'. The magazine box opens and a hand reaches in taking out one of them.

Kat: So you admit it! Tommy Q is hot.

The camera reveals that the hand was Jude's. She moves to show the cover to Kat.

Kat: It's not his fault the tabloids follow him around. I mean it's just the price of fame.

They push the doors open, heading from the school. We hear applause.

Kat: Talk about the price of fame.

Jude: Oh no.

The camera moves to show the cheerleaders outside along with various students... and the band that appears to be playing Jude's song. A man is also there... it isn't clear who exactly he is, but we can assume he's the principal... or someone from the media.

Man: Here she is! Our Instant Star!

Kat: Is that your song?

Jude (looking embarrassed, and slightly panicked): Kat, they're playing my song with tubas.

The man comes up and puts his arm around Jude.

Man: Come on everybody. Give us an Instant Star smile!

Jude manages a smile, as the man moves and shakes her hand while someone else takes their picture.

Man: Jude, congratulations we're really proud of you.

Jude: Thank you.

The man moves away from her as Jamie comes up behind Jude.

Jamie: I haven't seen anything this dorky since the chess club strawberry social.

Jude: Yeah.

Even though she agrees, she's now smiling. As the camera scans the "performers" We see Tommy, leaning against the side of his car. Jude sees him. Tommy waves just a little.

Jamie: Let's ditch this. There's something I want to talk to you about.

Jude: I, I have to go. Sorry.

Jamie: Jude?

Jude is gone, down the steps and already heading towards Tommy.

Jude: What are you doing here?

Tommy: Rescuing you.

Jude (a little confused): What?

Tommy: That was great by the way. Love the tubas.

Jude: ...Yeah

Tommy: Georgia scored you an appearance at the vinyl palace.

Jude (a small smile appearing): Seriously? The vinyl palace?

Tommy: Really. So that means just two days to work on your song.

Jude: Well, where are we gonna go?

Tommy: I was thinking somewhere you won't walk out on me this time. Get in.

He moves to get into the car; Jude gets into the other side. The car screeches off.

The camera moves to Jamie and Kat. Jamie unhappily barely waves.

Screen cuts to: Jude and Tommy. They're someplace new. It looks like they're near a port. Jude sits on a bench, strumming the guitar in attempts to do something about her song.

Jude: At least I... At least I got my trusted friend.

Tommy laughs, almost mockingly. Jude stops playing and looks at him.

Jude: What?

Tommy: That's your tenth cord variation but you still haven't touched the lyrics.

Jude: Well, I'm just trying to get it right.

Tommy: You wanna get it right? Or you wanna get it right now?

Jude (slightly sarcastic): That's funny.

Tommy: You do everything in such a hurry?

We see a car in the background.. The man inside is watching them.

Jude: Just my music. I'm on a timeline. Kurt Cobain made Never mind when he was 23, I'm 15. That leaves me only 8 years to create my masterpiece.

Tommy: I guess that leaves me just a year then. (He gets up to head to her) Right now your job is to get ready to kill at the Vinyl Palace.

He's behind her now.

Tommy: Look, the cords you want. They're in the guitar; they're hiding. They wanna come out but you keep scaring them back in. (He puts his arms around her and positioned his hands on the guitar, he strums a cord) You wanna coax them out, gently. (He strums the guitar softly a few more times)

We hear the sound of a picture being taken. We know it's media.. paparazzi in the car that was watching them. We even see the man with the large camera.

Screen cuts to: Jude comes downstairs, yelling out a question to all below. She stops however we she gets to the bottom- seeing her whole family. Mom, Dad, Sadie there.

Jude: What is this? An intervention?

Sadie (clears throat): Ex-boy band cutie gets up close and personal with prodigy Jude Harrison.

Sadie turns around the magazine to show Jude. Jude smiles, excited to even be in a magazine and ignoring what it really says.

Jude (grabs the magazine): What? I'm in Talk National? Are you kidding me? That's awesome.

She looks up from the magazine and notices the looks she's getting, realizing what they're thinking.

Jude: Oh, No, Come on, you know nothing happened.

Mr. Harrison: You see?

Sadie: I tried to tell them. I mean, why would Tommy Quincy be interested in someone like you?

Jude (dropping the magazine back on Sadie): Oh, that's so funny, Sadie you're hilarious.

Mrs. Harrison: So he didn't touch you?

Jude (sounding a little frustrated): No. Mom, gross.

Mrs. Harrison: Honey, we need to talk about this.

Mr. Harrison: Vic, she said nothing's going on, nothing's going on.

Mrs. Harrison (interrupting): Yet! I'm not taking any chances; I'm calling Georgia now.

Mr. Harrison (raising his voice): No, you're not. This is Jude's shot. I'm not going to let you blow it for her.

Mrs. Harrison: Blow it for Jude or for you.

Via their argument they don't notice Jude gather her things to leave.

Mr. Harrison: Oh come on!

Mrs. Harrison: I'm not too sure who this is more important for.

Mr. Harrison: It's for Jude!

The door slams. Jude's left. The dog barks and they both stop arguing and their heads turn towards the door.

Screen cuts to: Jude is at school. She looks around, people are reading magazines and laughing. There are even pictures of her and Tommy from the magazine plastered to her locker. She sighs, and moves her hand to rip them down.

Kat (appearing beside her): So, no truth to this story, right?

Jude: No I'd tell you.

Kat: Too bad cause you and Tommy look so cute together.

Jude (serious): Do you think so?

Kat: Oh my god.

Jude sighs.

Jude: Shut up.

Kat (more excitedly): Oh- my- god.

Jude: Kat, I can't like this guy. He's from a 90s boy band.

Kat: The man is like an Orlando Bloom sundae smothered in Johnny Depp sauce.

Jude: Yeah, I know. But it's more than that, Kat. I mean he teaches me stuff, I make great music with him, and at the lake... oh... at the lake, there was this moment. I don't know, maybe I just imagined it.

Kat: Yeah, but what if you didn't?

Jamie (breaking into their conversation): Hey!.. I was wondering if now.. would be a good time for us to talk?

Screen cuts to: Outside the school. Jude and Jamie come out together to talk.

Jamie: Famous for a few days and already in a tabloid.

Jude: Oh, um. Yeah, by the way, I have something for you.

She takes out a ticket.. handing it over to Jamie.

Jude: It's a ticket, for tonight, I'm singing at the Vinyl Palace. I haven't even been inside before.

Jamie: Wa.. Wow..

Jude: I know.

Jamie: Lil Tommy Q coming?

Jude: Yeah.

Jamie: Jude....

Jude: What?

Jamie: Don't tell me you rewrote the lyrics. Not with little Tommy Q.

Jude: Jamie, he's grown as an artist.

Jamie: He drives a Viper.

Jude (shrugging but smiling): Right... I know. But he's my producer. What can I do?

Jamie (smiling): Whatever. I got something for ya.

Jude: Do you?

Jamie (holding up a shiny black guitar pick on a necklace): I bought it off of e-bay. It's Joe Strummer's guitar pick.

Jude: This is Joe Strummer's? Are you serious? That's awesome! Thank you!

She hugs him, happily, before letting go to look at it.

Jude: I love it.

Jamie (acting as if getting up some courage): Jude.

Jude: Yeah?

Jamie: We've been friends a long time. But I wanted to talk about a... transition to something more.

Jude's expression changes, she looks shocked, like she doesn't know what to say. And not necessarily happy.

Jamie (his smile disappearing): But you don't, obviously. (He tries to laugh off his insecurity).

Jude: Don't be mad, Jamie.

Jamie: I'm not. I just can't believe you're letting that hack change our song.

Jude: It's not our song. It's my song.

Jamie: But those lyrics, they're about us.

Jude: Right and they don't work anymore. They have to go.

Jamie (upset): Yeah. Just like me.

He hurriedly turns quickly walking away.

Jude: Jamie...

She looks down regrettably as the screen cuts to: her in a room, backstage before her performance at the Vinyl Palace. She doesn't look happy, and she looks like she's been thinking of what happened earlier. She almost appears in tears, and messes with the guitar pick that he had given her earlier. Tommy appears in the doorway, shocking her out of her resolve.

Tommy: Can I have your autograph?

She sniffles and brings her hand up to her eye as if wiping away a tear. She ruffles through some papers, finding one specific.

Jude: Hey, um, I rewrote the lyrics, and there's a new hook and everything so...yeah.

Tommy moves to get the paper.

Tommy: So you took my advice huh?

Jude: Yeah.

Tommy (having read the lyrics): This... this is really good Jude.

Jude: Good.

He walks over near her.

Tommy: You know... you should be happy about this.

Jude: I am..

Tommy (not buying it): What's going on?

Jude: It's Jamie. He's not coming tonight.

Tommy: For what it's worth, back in the day, I went through the same thing with my best friend.

Jude: Really?

Tommy: It was brutal.

Jude (sighs): Yeah.

Tommy: Look, if ever need to talk. (He stands up putting his hand on Jude's shoulder) Anytime. About anything. I'm here for you, okay? Part of the job.

Jude: I know. Before I met you, I thought you were gonna suck huge.

She suddenly moves, as if making a decision and leans forward to press her lips to his in a soft kiss. But she pulls away realizing the lack of reaction.

Tommy: Jude.. (Jude's eyes are tearing up) You're 15.

Jude (trying not to cry and backing away): I'm such an idiot.

EJ (comes in quickly stating): Jude, come on. It's almost time. (and then she leaves)

Jude (the tears in her voice even): How can I even begin to like someone like you? You're everything I hate about music.

Tommy: Easy.

Jude: You made me change my song.

Tommy: Don't give me that. Cause your song is a thousand times better since we worked on it, and you know it.

Voice from off screen: Jude, We need you.

Jude (choking back her emotion): K...

She glances one more time at Tommy, before turning and grabbing her guitar to head to the stage. We hear the announcer in the background introduce her.

Screen cuts to The stage. The announcer is still in introductions. Kat and her family are in the audience. They clap and Kat yells 'Yeah, baby!'

Jude goes up to the mic, the music starts, and she begins to sing... the version of what we now know as '24 Hours'

Jude (singing): I've been sitting in the dirt. - For 24 Hours- I've forgotten my own worth. - For 24 Hours-. Said that you'd be here last night. I'm trying to shake you from my skin. - For 48 Hours-. Clean up this mess I've been up in - For 48 Hours. (The audience seems to be slowly getting into it and EJ And Georgia are also watching). I'm guessing you can't always win, I'm guessing you can't always win. I can't have anything I want, they say I'm just too young, but it's not my fault. (The audience is now into it, especially her friends and family, but Sadie just stand there) I'll make it on my own if I gotta. I'll make it all alone if I gotta.

Jude's voice continues in the background with the song as Georgia speaks to EJ: I'm not so trustful with my friends. I'm on the road alone again.

Georgia: So, still think she's not our girl?

EJ smiles at her.

Jude (still singing): Why do I feel you everywhere? Why do I feel this everywhere? Yeah... I can't have anything I want they say I'm just too young, but it's not my fault. (Jamie enters the room, he smiles at Jude up on stage). I'll find my own home if I gotta. (Tommy is heading over to Jamie) I'm making it all alone if I gotta....

Tommy (while Jude continues to sing): Couldn't stay away could you? I mean look at her man she was born for this.

The camera shows Jude.

Jude: ...Let the time go by... I think I'd rather die... And I don't gotta a plan.

Jamie: Back when you were shaking your butt to your little boy band. Jude and I were locked in her bedroom listening to Sonic Youth and writing songs that could change the world. So save it.

Tommy: Does that look like her bedroom out there?

Jude: ...I can't have anything I want. They say I'm just too young but it's not my fault. I'll find my own way home if I gotta. I'll make it all alone..... 24 Hours.

The crowd cheers and claps- even Sadie claps. Jude takes her guitar off her shoulder and bounds down the stage, towards Tommy.

Tommy: Jude, that was awesome. I mean you tore the roof off.

Jude: Thanks (She presses her guitar to him, handing it to him) But I quit.

Tommy and Jude exchange a look before she turns to leave.

Tommy: Jude...

Screen cuts to: Jude sitting on her front steps watching the stars.

Tommy's car pulls up and he emerges.

Jude: Hey...

Tommy: Jude... If I lead you on...

Jude: Let's just skip this.

Tommy: Cool.

Jude: Cool.

Tommy: Look, working on a song. It's like falling in love. At first it's a rush, but then it gets painful. And sometimes you gotta walk away. But sometimes you come out of it with something beautiful. Like that song. I mean, change can be good, Jude. You want proof? Just listen. (He takes out a copy of her performance and holds it out to her) Don't quit. Cause you're it, girl. You're the real thing... You're even better.

Jude smiles and Tommy turns away before turning to walk away. But he turns back once.

Tommy: 9:00. Monday. Be at the studio.

Jude sighs, as Tommy walks to his car, she looks up at the sky...



The screen fades to black.