ABC PREMIERE EVENT: THE BEACH BOYS: AN AMERICAN FAMILY {PART 1 OF 2} (TV)
Summary
Part one in this two-part miniseries about the early years of legendary American music group The Beach Boys. The program begins in Hawthorne, California, in 1960 as Carl Wilson returns home to find his brother Brian playing piano as their father Murry and mother Audree offer input. Meanwhile, other brother Dennis sneaks away to go surfing with friend and cousin Mike Love. That night, Murry beats Dennis with a belt for taking his car. Later, at the dinner table, Murry bullies his sons, then yells at them for being "mollycoddled." That evening, Mike tells Brian that they should start a music group. Then, while on a date with fiancee Judy, Brian runs into pal Al Jardine and they discuss getting together musically. Afterward, Judy breaks off her engagement with Brian, who returns home and begins writing a song. The next day, Brian brings Al by the house and Audree encourages her son to add Dennis to the group. Eventually, Brian, Carl, Al, and Mike are practicing as a group. On Christmas, the Wilsons visit the Loves' house and finally enlist Dennis as the vocalist for an a cappella holiday song. Later, Murry tells the boys that he has set them up with some recording time. Then, at the Electro-Vox recording studios in Hollywood, the five boys cut a track and are told to come up with a more unique sound. Brian is encouraged by the others to write some pop surf songs to get them launched. Mike especially needs money after getting girlfriend Amy pregnant. His parents throw him out of their house, forcing him into marriage. Later, Brian writes "Surfin.'" Then, with some emergency funds Murry gave Brian, the boys purchase some instruments. At the same time, neighbor David Marks tries to get into the band, but Brian rejects him. When Murry returns, he is furious to see that his boys bought instruments with the money he gave them. However, he is so impressed by the music they are making that he allows The Pendletones -- which they now call themselves -- to keep them. Later dubbed by the studio manager as The Beach Boys, "Surfin'" quickly finds its way on the radio. However, now Murry thinks he should be their producer and begins work with them on tracks such as "Surfin' Safari." Later, Murry approaches Nick Venet at Capitol Records and a deal is soon made. Brian and Murry agree to co-own the songs and soon enough the boys are making a little cash. Meanwhile, Al decides to leave the band to go back to college and study dentistry again. Thus, The Beach Boys are forced to finally add David to the band. Soon enough, Murry is beginning his promotional plans for The Beach Boys, photographing them and setting them up to perform at sock hops. Murry continues his micromanaging, scrapping The Beach Boys' Pendletone shirts in favor of striped JC Penney shirts to complement their "outfit" of chinos, white socks, and penny loafers. Then, Brian writes "Surfin' USA" which instantly becomes a big hit. Murry also sets up a system of fines if the boys misbehave. That night, Dennis returns home late with a girl and gets into a fight with Murry, who penalizes him by forfeiting his share of their tour's profits. Next, at Western Studios in Hollywood in 1963, Brian records "Surf City" with Jan & Dean. Afterward, they introduce Brian to The Wrecking Crew and producer Phil Spector as he works on "Be My Baby." The music icon reacts coldly toward Brian. However, Brian is inspired to produce and create his own music, informing both Murry and Nick of his aspirations. Meanwhile, Mike visits with his father, who's fallen on tough economic times due to a surfeit of debts and creditors. Later, during a show at Pandora's Box, the group performs "Surfer Girl," after which Brian meets Marilyn Rovell of "The Honeys" and quickly falls for her. Marilyn and her sister Diane bring Brian home to meet their parents. There, he plays "In My Room" for the girls. Soon, Brian is dating Marilyn, explaining to her why his relationship with Judy went sour and how he is inspired to write songs. Next, The Beach Boys record "Be True to Your School" with The Honeys providing backup. Murry comes to the session and tries to take over the producing duties despite Brian's wishes to be in control. Afterward, Mike tells Brian he needs to stop Murry from interfering with them. The two discuss getting Al back in the band, with Al subsequently agreeing. Later, at a show playing "Little Deuce Coupe," Brian has a spell on stage in which he nearly passes out, after which Murry causes David to quit the band. Then, around the time the Beatles first arrive in America, Murry asks Nick why The Beach Boys aren't being promoted as aggressively. Brian gets in a fight with Murry and soon finds himself living with Marilyn's family. Meanwhile, Mike and Amy break up while Dennis starts getting serious about Deborah Jameson. Then, Brian and Mike compose "I Get Around" and try to record it without Murry's input. The Beach Boys ultimately fire Murry, who takes the news badly. Next, in December of 1964, Brian weds Marilyn but Murry refuses to attend the ceremony. Later, The Beach Boys work on "Don't Worry Baby" as Brian's stress continues mounting. Marilyn insists to Nick that Brian needs a break, though her request falls on deaf ears. At the same time, Brian meets musician Tommy Schaeffer, who introduces him to lyricist Van Dyke Parks as well as marijuana. Marilyn immediately speaks out against Brian's new friends. Later, Brian gets ill aboard a plane with his brothers and begins freaking out. Carl calls Audree to report that Brian is sick. She soon picks up her son and brings him to the family's former home, where he recalls childhood memories and wonders if he will ever be happy. Brian decides that he is tired of performing on stage and simply wants to write, causing the rest of the group to wonder if it's the end for them. Includes commercials.
Details
- NETWORK: ABC
- DATE: February 27, 2000 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:56:02
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:59886
- GENRE: Drama
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama
- SERIES RUN: ABC - TV, 2000
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercials - "Erin Brockovich" motion picture
- TV - Commercials - "The Beach Boys Greatest Hits, Volumes 1 & 2"
- TV - Commercials - 1-800-38-BE-SMART Education Excellence Partnership
- TV - Commercials - Acuvue contact lenses
- TV - Commercials - America Online internet services
- TV - Commercials - Buick automobiles
- TV - Commercials - Cadillac automobiles
- TV - Commercials - Canon printers
- TV - Commercials - Chevrolet automobiles
- TV - Commercials - Children First National Mentoring Partnership
- TV - Commercials - ColdwellBanker.com realtors
- TV - Commercials - E-Trade online investing
- TV - Commercials - Fa body wash
- TV - Commercials - Fritos chili and chips
- TV - Commercials - GMC automobiles
- TV - Commercials - GM automobiles
- TV - Commercials - H&R Block tax consultants
- TV - Commercials - Halls lozenges
- TV - Commercials - K-Mart stores
- TV - Commercials - Kleenex tissues
- TV - Commercials - MSN.com Microsoft website
- TV - Commercials - MasterCard credit cards
- TV - Commercials - Meridia weight loss medication
- TV - Commercials - Neutrogena skin cream
- TV - Commercials - Office of National Drug Control Policy/Partnership for a Drug-Free America
- TV - Commercials - OnStar navigations system/auto maintenance
- TV - Commercials - Red Lobster restaurants
- TV - Commercials - The Home Depot stores
- TV - Commercials - The Steel Alliance
- TV - Commercials - Tic Tac breath mints
- TV - Commercials - Van de Kamp's fish sticks
- TV - Commercials - Vioxx arthritis medication
- TV - Commercials - Welch's grape juice
- TV - Commercials - Wendy's restaurants
- TV - Commercials - freeinternet.com
- TV - Promos - "20/20"
- TV - Promos - "Dharma & Greg"
- TV - Promos - "Good Morning America"
- TV - Promos - "NYPD Blue"
- TV - Promos - "Norm"
- TV - Promos - "Once and Again"
- TV - Promos - "Sports Night"
- TV - Promos - "The Drew Carey Show"
- TV - Promos - "The Practice"
- TV - Promos - "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire"
- TV - Promos - The Oscars
CREDITS
- John Stamos … Executive Producer
- Craig Zadan … Executive Producer
- Neil Meron … Executive Producer
- Jeff Bleckner … Co-Executive Producer, Director
- John Whitman … Producer
- Alan Boyd … Co-Producer
- David Mace … Co-Producer
- Lawrence E. Neiman … Associate Producer
- Kirk Ellis … Writer
- Gary Griffin … Music by
- Frederick Weller … Cast, Brian Wilson
- Matt Letscher … Cast, Mike Love
- Nick Stabile … Cast, Dennis Wilson
- Ned Vaughn … Cast, Al Jardine
- Ryan Northcott … Cast, Carl Wilson
- Dublin James … Cast, David Marks
- Amy Van Horne … Cast, Marilyn Rovell
- Jad Mager … Cast, Nick Venet
- Wendy Phillips … Cast, Mike Love's Mom
- Kurt Fuller … Cast, Mike Love's Dad
- Alley Mills … Cast, Audree Wilson
- Kevin Dunn … Cast, Murry Wilson
- Raegan Kotz … Cast, Deborah Jameson
- Vanessa Dorman … Cast, Amy
- Eric Matheny … Cast, Chuck Britz
- Clay Wilcox … Cast, Tommy Schaeffer
- Anthony Rapp … Cast, Van Dyke Parks
- Claire Rankin … Cast, Diane Rovell
- David Spielberg … Cast, Irving Rovell
- Annie Abbott … Cast, May Rovell
- Tamara Fay … Cast, Ginger Blake
- Andrea Laflere … Cast, Maureen Love
- Shane Sweet … Cast, Stephen Love
- Janet Rotblatt … Cast, Grandma Edith Wilson
- Harrison Young … Cast, Buddy Wilson
- Trevor St. John … Cast, Jan Berry
- Jacob Young … Cast, Dean Torrence
- David Polcyn … Cast, Phil Spector
- Nectar Rose … Cast, Judy Bowles
- Fred Sanders … Cast, Hite Morgan
- Suanne Spoke … Cast, Dorinda Morgan
- Kenya Jimenez … Cast, Dennis' Beach Girl
- Lesley Tesh … Cast, Mike's Beach Girl
- James Intveld … Cast, Hal Blaine
- Tera Hendrickson … Cast, Carol Kaye
- Harris Laskawy … Cast, Voyle Gilmore
- Kristopher Logan … Cast, Spector's Mixer
- Denise Faye … Cast, Nick's Secretary
- Gibby Brand … Cast, Judge
- Lauren Letherer … Cast, Waitress
- Morgan Schultz … Cast, Corn Fed Blonde
- The Beatles