The Young Person's Guide to Becoming a Rock Star

5.8

1998•35m

The Young Person's Guide to Becoming a Rock Star is a British comedy series, which aired on Channel 4 in 1998. It was a six-part satirical take on the music industry, written by Skins creator 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. It was remade as My Guide to Becoming a Rock Star, a short-lived American/Canadian series that starred Oliver Hudson and was made for the now defunct The WB Television Network.

Production

Seasons

6 Episodes • Premiered 1998

1. Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous

The satirical comedy/drama about a rock band from Glasgow begins and we're introduced to Jez and his bandmates known as Jocks Wa Hey. Jez's meeting Fiona, a DSS officer/musician, along with the band's first gig leads to something unexpected.

2. Creating the Buzz

After a wild night together, involving the band's gig and nude guitar playing, Jez decides to ask Fiona to join Jocks Wa Hey.

3. The A&R Men Cometh

Three months have passed, the band has been gigging non-stop without a sniff from a record company. Fiona and Jez confront Art who agrees to put on an industry showcase at Glasgow Barrowlands. All they have to do now is sell 500 tickets in six days, prepare for the A & R onslaught and sign a deal ... with Slick Sloan from Massive Mix Records.

4. Sign on the Line

In London, the band readies to make a deal with Slick Sloan. A deal which could turn them into London's next big thing.

5. Making Tracks

Musician Fish guest stars as Derek Trout, a rock star whose house is being used to record Jocks Wa Hey's first big album.

6. Shifting the Units

Promoting a rock band is not always easy as the band soon finds out when they realize that they have to perform on a childrens' TV show. To make matters worse, Jocks Wa Hey seems to be growing apart due to rising tensions between the band members.