KATY KEENE: PILOT {SERIES PREMIERE} (TV)
Summary
The first in this musical drama series, a spin-off of the Archie Comics drama "Riverdale," about an aspiring fashion designer living with her friends in New York City.
In this episode, Katy heads to work at luxury department store Lacy's and is elated when her imperious boss, Gloria Grandbilt, selects her to assist with a VIP client, socialite Alexandra Cabot. Later, Katy nervously asks about being promoted to personal shopper, assuring Gloria that her interest in fashion design is "just for her" and won't be a distraction; Gloria agrees to give her a trial run with another big client, European prince Errol Swoon. Veronica Lodge's friend, aspiring singer Josie McCoy, then arrives in NYC and moves in with Katy and her Broadway-bound roomie Jorge. Katy later introduces her to friend Pepper Smith, the "most connected person" in the city, and Katy's own boyfriend K.O. Kelly, a boxer-in-training. The girls dance the night away as Jorge performs in his drag persona, "Ginger Lopez," and Katy and K.O. celebrate their anniversary at Coney Island.
Josie roams the city in search of a job as Katy carefully prepares for Prince Errol's arrival, observed by jealous co-worker Amanda. When Josie sings with a busking musician in Washington Square Park, she is "discovered" by music producer Alexander Cabot. Jorge auditions for a musical version of "Mannequin" and is annoyed to learn that he's not "tough" enough for the show. Gloria is flustered when Errol arrives with an unannounced guest, "commoner" Patricia Klein. Katy, also hailing from humble Lower East Side beginnings, bonds with Patricia and offers her a dress of her own design. Errol ends up spending a small fortune at Lacy's, much to everyone's delight. Back at home, everyone is shocked to hear of Josie's serendipitous run-in with the famous Cabot, and Katy accompanies her to Alexander's studio as her "manager." Alexander is awed by Josie's talents and vows to make her a star; the two bond as she describes her early days with the Pussycats.
K.O. surprises Katy by suggesting that they move to Philadelphia if she doesn't land the promotion, so that he might train at Joe Frazier's famous gym. Josie is crushed when the Cabot Entertainment board members, including Alexandra, reject her from their label, finding her talent to be less than "undeniable." Katy, too, is shocked when Amanda receives the personal shopper promotion and she is demoted to stockroom duties, with Gloria coldly explaining that she broke store policy by promoting her own designs. Jorge takes Katy's advice and auditions for "Mannequin" again in his Ginger persona, but the director isn't fooled. Jorge stands up for himself, declaring that he will make it in show biz no matter what. When Amanda smugly denounces Katy as an unworthy "gutter girl," Katy decides to quit Lacy's and pursue her true dreams. She and her friends sneak into the store after hours for some glamorous dress-up, though they are caught by friendly window designer François. Katy, inspired by her seamstress mother Katherine's own aspirations, helps him design a whole new window. Gloria is annoyed when everyone praises Katy's work, and François invites her to join his department as she works her way up to a fashion design career. Prince Errol sends Katy some thank-you flowers, and Josie shakes off her disappointment as she sings onstage at Molly's Crisis cabaret. Later, Katy tells K.O. that, despite her setbacks, she wishes to remain in NYC – and he proposes to her on the spot. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: CW, The
- DATE: November 30, 1999 8:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:43:17
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: 137870
- GENRE: Drama
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama; Music; New York City; Fashion designers; LGBTQ+ Collection - Drama
- SERIES RUN: The CW - TV series, 2020
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Michael Grassi … Executive Producer, Developed by, Writer
- Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa … Executive Producer, Developed by, Writer
- Jon Goldwater … Executive Producer
- Sarah Schechter … Executive Producer
- Greg Berlanti … Executive Producer
- Siobhan Bachman … Executive Producer
- Jennifer Lence … Producer
- Caroline Baron … Producer
- Amy Myrold … Co-Producer
- Carl Ogawa … Co-Producer
- Sean Fogel … Co-Producer
- Maggie Kiley … Director
- Bill Woggon … Based on the comics created by
- James S. Levine … Music by
- Kelly Devine … Choreographer
- Lucy Hale … Cast, Katy Keene
- Ashleigh Murray … Cast, Josie McCoy
- Katherine LaNasa … Cast, Gloria Grandbilt
- Julia Chan … Cast, Pepper Smith
- Jonny Beauchamp … Cast, Jorge / Ginger Lopez
- Zane Holtz … Cast, K.O. Kelly
- Lucien Laviscount … Cast, Alexander Cabot
- Camille Hyde … Cast, Alexandra Cabot
- Nathan Lee Graham … Cast, François
- Heléne Yorke … Cast, Amanda
- Mary Beth Peil … Cast, Mrs. Lacy
- Saamer Usmani … Cast, Prince Eroll
- Erica Pappas … Cast, Patricia Klein
- Samantha Smart … Cast, Katherine Keene
- Pacific Blain … Cast, Young Katy Keene
- James Georgiades … Cast, Ray
- Tonya Pinkins … Cast, Busker
- Marc Geller … Cast, Director
- Bravita Threatt … Cast, Dance Captain
- Peter Maloney … Cast, Board Member #1
- Chuck Nice … Cast, Board Member #2
- Lawrence Ballard … Cast, Board Member #3