Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00:00From heaven's all-gracious King,
00:00:06The world in solemn stillness lay
00:00:12To hear the angels sing.
00:00:23Thank you all so much for coming out tonight.
00:00:26Christmas is such a special time
00:00:28and it's a time to spend with your loved ones,
00:00:30which is why I'm so grateful that you chose
00:00:32to spend it here with me tonight
00:00:34at a very Darcy Christmas.
00:00:36I've got one more song for you.
00:00:38Play Sugar Rush!
00:00:44And again, I just want to say
00:00:46how grateful I am that you are all here.
00:00:48And I hope that you will sing along with this one.
00:00:53Sugar rush, sugar rush
00:00:57With every kiss
00:00:59It's like licorice
00:01:01Strawberry candy kiss
00:01:03You got me looking for a sugar fix, sugar fix
00:01:07It's like bubblegum
00:01:09And I gotta get me some
00:01:11I'm so addicted, I just can't resist
00:01:14And every time you go away
00:01:18Your candy kiss
00:01:21Oh, thank you for coming. Thanks so much.
00:01:24Hey, younger fans. That's what we like to see.
00:01:27Oh, Darcy, I'm such a huge fan.
00:01:29Would you mind?
00:01:31One is for me and the other is for my friend.
00:01:34We went to the first ever very Darcy Christmas
00:01:37back when we were kids.
00:01:41Did you enjoy the show?
00:01:45Tell you what, I'm going to give you this for free
00:01:48as long as you promise to play it for your friends. Deal?
00:01:51Amazing. Is Sugar Rush on there?
00:01:53No, it's all new songs.
00:01:55Still so great. Thank you.
00:01:57Merry Christmas.
00:01:59I didn't know they still made CDs.
00:02:09Sugar rush, sugar rush
00:02:11Hi, what you doing?
00:02:13Hey, sis. I just did very Darcy Christmas.
00:02:17Doesn't your agent usually book that a little closer to, you know, Christmas?
00:02:22If I still had an agent, maybe they would have.
00:02:26Oh, sorry. I didn't know.
00:02:29It's okay. It happens around the time when...
00:02:33Well, it happened around March.
00:02:38I don't think I would have cared much about your agent problems in March.
00:02:46Still there?
00:02:48Yeah, so I was calling
00:02:51because Megan is trying out for the Herald Angels.
00:02:54My Herald Angels? For the Christmas Carol competition?
00:02:57Still perform every year.
00:02:59Still win almost every year, too.
00:03:01They lost some of their strongest singers.
00:03:03A couple of them moved out of town,
00:03:05so they're looking for a few last-minute replacements,
00:03:08and Megan's giving it a go.
00:03:10That's really exciting.
00:03:12Well, you could always come and see for yourself.
00:03:15Gretchen, come on. I know you like to keep busy this time of year,
00:03:18but don't you miss all the fun stuff we used to do as kids at Christmas,
00:03:22like hanging stockings and making gingerbread houses?
00:03:27I think I would have a really good time.
00:03:29I think that you might, too.
00:03:31Things have been crazy at the law firm,
00:03:34and after the year that Megan and I have had,
00:03:36I just think we could use them.
00:03:38It would be really great to have you come.
00:03:42And I could also use help with the decorating.
00:03:49You know what? Let's do it.
00:03:52I could use the break.
00:03:54I'll come in this weekend,
00:03:56and it'll be really nice after spending a decade of Christmases apart.
00:04:00A decade and a half, actually.
00:04:03You know, I can still change my mind.
00:04:05Hanging out before you can.
00:04:07I love you.
00:04:08I love you.
00:04:11I love you.
00:04:41I love you.
00:04:43I love you.
00:04:47I love you.
00:04:50I love you.
00:04:53...Christmas before you made it big.
00:04:55I do not miss the matching pajamas.
00:04:57Oh, you are so getting some.
00:05:03Oh, God.
00:05:05I'm sorry, Gretch.
00:05:07I'm sorry that I haven't been back since the funeral.
00:05:09I know it must have been tough, but I also know that Greg wouldn't want you crying on Christmas.
00:05:14I have a couple weeks before Christmas, I just have to get it out of my system.
00:05:20I'm really glad you're here. Anything I can do to help, just let me know.
00:05:25Okay.
00:05:26Oh, Megan, I have a little something for you from my hometown.
00:05:31Your second hometown because your first hometown date.
00:05:40An official New York City snow globe.
00:05:42Thanks, Aunt Darcy.
00:05:44Oh, and don't think that I forgot about you.
00:05:47What is it?
00:05:48New York bagels!
00:05:51These aren't day olds, are they?
00:05:53What am I, a monster?
00:05:54Couldn't you just get some from the store?
00:05:56Oh, okay, the best things about New York City are your aunt and bagels.
00:06:02I have a surprise for you later also.
00:06:04Oh, yay!
00:06:09Is that tuna nuna casserole?
00:06:12Tuna nuna?
00:06:13This is your grandmother's famous tuna noodle casserole.
00:06:16When Aunt Darcy was little, she used to call it tuna nuna.
00:06:20Why?
00:06:22Because I was adorable.
00:06:23Like...
00:06:28I haven't had a casserole in forever.
00:06:30Well, welcome to Ohio.
00:06:40You don't like your tuna nuna?
00:06:42She's nervous about tomorrow.
00:06:44I heard you can sing.
00:06:46I'm really not that good.
00:06:48She's really good.
00:06:50Mom, what?
00:06:52It's not like your shower is soundproof, okay?
00:06:54You sound really great.
00:06:56What are you singing tomorrow?
00:06:57Can I hear a little preview?
00:06:59Uh, I'm stressing my voice.
00:07:02Oh, yeah.
00:07:04Vocal rest.
00:07:05That's smart.
00:07:07Actually, I think I'm gonna go to bed if that's right.
00:07:10Good night, Aunt Darcy.
00:07:12Good night, Megan.
00:07:15Good night, Megan.
00:07:18I always used to know what to say to her.
00:07:20I feel like every time I'm trying to build her up,
00:07:22she just gets annoyed at me.
00:07:24You're her mom.
00:07:25She's legally required to find you annoying.
00:07:29And isn't it normal for girls her age to struggle with confidence?
00:07:33Yeah.
00:07:34I mean, you never struggle with confidence, right?
00:07:37Me?
00:07:39Come on.
00:07:41Hey, you've reached Darcy. Sorry, I missed you.
00:07:44Darcy, Matt Colabreeze here from Goldbold Records.
00:07:47Hey, I heard your demo, and I have so much respect
00:07:50for any artist out there hustling, trying to get herself back to the top.
00:07:54But the marketing team doesn't think it's quite right for us.
00:07:58But hey, keep fighting and keep writing.
00:08:00I know you'll have another sugar rush in no time,
00:08:02so stay in touch.
00:08:03Oh, and Merry Christmas.
00:08:24Hi, Sunshine.
00:08:25I just realized that we are out of coffee.
00:08:27Is there any chance I could bribe you to go on a coffee run?
00:08:30Sure, I can go to the coffee place.
00:08:32Thank you.
00:08:35Hey, love you, bye!
00:08:36Bye!
00:08:42What is this?
00:08:43A minty Christmas Mega Mint Latte.
00:08:45The official beverage of Christmas.
00:08:47We drink our coffee black.
00:08:48Adam, sometimes to keep the defense honest,
00:08:51your offense has to run the option.
00:08:53It's too early in the morning for football metaphors.
00:08:55You can't always do things the same.
00:08:57You gotta switch things up from time to time.
00:08:59We come to this coffee shop every morning.
00:09:01Because the coffee at school is terrible.
00:09:03Look, we are officially out of high school football season.
00:09:08And into Christmas season.
00:09:11If that doesn't call for a mug of sugary minty freshness,
00:09:15I don't know what does.
00:09:16There's no way that this tastes good.
00:09:18Well, how about we arm wrestle?
00:09:19If I win, you have to try the coffee.
00:09:22You will rip my arm off.
00:09:23Then you might as well try the coffee and spare yourself the pain.
00:09:32That's the best coffee I've ever had in my life.
00:09:37Sometimes, you gotta run the option.
00:09:41Wow.
00:09:43You will never guess who just walked in.
00:09:49That's Darcy.
00:09:50What, you think I can get a selfie?
00:09:51You want to get a selfie with her?
00:09:53Why wouldn't I?
00:09:54She's one of the great pop vocalists of her generation.
00:09:57Gosh.
00:09:58Come on, Henry, let her get her coffee.
00:10:00Come on, Henry, let her get her coffee in peace.
00:10:02Oh, she's looking right at us.
00:10:06Don't, don't do that.
00:10:08She weighs right back.
00:10:11Now she's looking.
00:10:13And she's smiling.
00:10:18Ah.
00:10:22Thank you.
00:10:23Of course.
00:10:25Sure.
00:10:26Cheers.
00:10:27To you.
00:10:28She's in the zone.
00:10:30Any idea what she's singing?
00:10:32Nope.
00:10:33Any idea how much she's rehearsed?
00:10:35No.
00:10:36You know I can hear you guys, right?
00:10:38Oh.
00:10:39Okay.
00:10:41Hey, I have to run some errands today.
00:10:44Figured I would swing by the school, see the old stomping grounds,
00:10:46say hi to any of the ancient teachers who may remember who I am.
00:10:50You are a pop star. Everyone knows who you are.
00:10:53I'm going to ignore the use of the word were there.
00:10:56Bit of a burn.
00:10:57It's just, yeah.
00:10:58Yeah.
00:11:00Why don't I pick you up right after auditions?
00:11:02We can start the celebration right away.
00:11:04Sure.
00:11:05I gotta go.
00:11:06I'm late for work.
00:11:07Thank you.
00:11:09Good luck.
00:11:12Have a good day.
00:11:13Thank you. Bye, people.
00:11:14Bye.
00:11:15Bye.
00:11:17Oh.
00:11:26Oh, Principal Dixon.
00:11:27Darcy.
00:11:28Hi.
00:11:29My goodness, how lovely to see you.
00:11:31What brings you here?
00:11:32Oh, I'm picking up my niece, Megan.
00:11:34Of course.
00:11:36We've been so proud of your success, Darcy.
00:11:38Any guess what we play at prom every year?
00:11:40Who Let the Dogs Out?
00:11:42Sugar Rush, of course.
00:11:43And some of the kids don't know it's done by an alum,
00:11:45but the chaperones love it.
00:11:47Oh, that's wonderful.
00:11:49Um, well, I have to go, but it was so great to see you.
00:11:52Of course, of course.
00:11:53Merry Christmas.
00:11:54Hey, and if you ever want to do anything for the school,
00:11:56an assembly, class, concert, whatever,
00:12:00my office door's always open.
00:12:01Oh, good to see you.
00:12:08Megan?
00:12:10What happened?
00:12:12I got cut.
00:12:15Oh, God.
00:12:16I am so sorry.
00:12:19I just, I really wanted to sing.
00:12:23And I got afraid, you know?
00:12:26I know. Believe me, I know.
00:12:30Did you at least get any good feedback from your teacher?
00:12:34No, I didn't even get to finish.
00:12:37He cut me off before the chorus.
00:12:40He cut you off?
00:12:43He didn't even let you finish?
00:12:46Who is this guy?
00:12:59Of course.
00:13:01Darcy.
00:13:02The prodigal child returns.
00:13:04Adam, was that you I saw this morning
00:13:06ignoring me at the coffee place?
00:13:08Not hiding, just enjoying a peaceful morning.
00:13:10You didn't want to say hi to an old friend?
00:13:12If I had seen an old friend, then I would have.
00:13:15Wait, you two know each other?
00:13:17We were in Herald Angels together.
00:13:19We had what some might call a friendly rivalry.
00:13:22Except rivalry implies that I had competition.
00:13:25Oh!
00:13:26Why didn't you let Megan finish her audition?
00:13:31Okay.
00:13:33I would think, as a professional musician,
00:13:36you would understand how difficult auditions can be.
00:13:39And I would think, as a professional teacher,
00:13:42you would understand that these are kids.
00:13:44Herald Angels have high standards.
00:13:46It's nothing personal.
00:13:48It's about winning.
00:13:49It's about having fun.
00:13:50And there's nothing more fun than winning.
00:13:54Wow.
00:13:55After two decades, you are still such a piece of work.
00:13:58Megan, you didn't do anything wrong.
00:14:01You are a hard worker and a good student.
00:14:04You just...
00:14:05You lacked some of the confidence that the others had.
00:14:09I didn't want to waste your time.
00:14:11Okay?
00:14:14You know, when I was your age,
00:14:16I lost all of the top solos to your aunt.
00:14:19But I then graduated top of my class,
00:14:22studied music at Indiana,
00:14:24and now I am the head of a music department
00:14:27that has six consecutive wins at the carol competition.
00:14:31Slow and steady might not get you a pop album number one,
00:14:36but it does win the race.
00:14:40So, I encourage you to keep working hard.
00:14:44Okay?
00:14:46Darcy, this has been an absolute pleasure.
00:14:49Maybe we could do it again in 20 years?
00:15:01That wasn't good.
00:15:03She didn't even eat the chili.
00:15:06Well, I'm serious if she didn't want the chili.
00:15:08I can get a plaintiff to confess to perjury,
00:15:10but I can't even get my own daughter to talk about her feelings.
00:15:15You want to give it a try?
00:15:20Sure.
00:15:23Megan?
00:15:25It's your super cool aunt.
00:15:28Come in.
00:15:32Hi.
00:15:38Do you want advice or silent support?
00:15:41I don't know. I'm just...
00:15:44I'm mad at myself for blowing it.
00:15:46You didn't blow it.
00:15:49Okay, I know he is your teacher,
00:15:51but if he cut you off,
00:15:53then he doesn't know what he's doing.
00:15:55That's not true. They win every year.
00:15:58It's Dayton, Ohio.
00:16:00I could win this competition with three decent singers and a chimpan.
00:16:07Do you have any of those at your school?
00:16:09Chimps?
00:16:11Singers.
00:16:12How many people auditioned and didn't make it?
00:16:15I don't know. Four or five.
00:16:17Are any of them any good?
00:16:19Yeah, I think so.
00:16:27I'm not kidding. It happened every time.
00:16:29No way.
00:16:30Jim, you wanted to see me?
00:16:31Adam, look who's here.
00:16:33Darcy was just asking about the competition.
00:16:36Of course she was.
00:16:38Principal Dixon, you asked if I wanted to get more involved in the school, right?
00:16:42Of course. We'd be thrilled.
00:16:43Oh, awesome.
00:16:45I'm starting a caroling group
00:16:47for everyone who didn't get into the Herald Angels.
00:16:51That's really nice.
00:16:52But only one group per school is allowed to enter the county competition.
00:16:57Oh, I actually looked it up last night,
00:16:59and the rules clearly state that if a school has two or more groups,
00:17:03they're allowed to decide who competes with a sing-off.
00:17:06A sing-off?
00:17:08Wonderful!
00:17:09Right.
00:17:11You can't be serious.
00:17:12Two weeks from now, in the auditorium,
00:17:14the winning group will sing at the county competition.
00:17:17Okay.
00:17:18Jim, Jim, Jim.
00:17:20Jimbo.
00:17:21I've won this competition six years running.
00:17:25Surely you can't possibly be entertaining this.
00:17:29It's an insane idea.
00:17:30A local celebrity involved with the school?
00:17:33Sounds like a great idea.
00:17:36Okay, fine.
00:17:38It's a sing-off.
00:17:39Great.
00:17:43Okay.
00:17:56Was talking to Megan on the way home.
00:17:58Somebody's aunt of the year.
00:18:01Well, you said you wanted me to be more involved with the family.
00:18:03Yeah, I wanted you to, like, help hang ornaments on the tree,
00:18:06or play charades.
00:18:08You didn't see her sitting there that day, crying.
00:18:11She cried five times a week, and that was before we lost Craig.
00:18:15She cries at songs, movies, baby animals on Instagram.
00:18:18She's a sensitive soul.
00:18:20Well, so am I.
00:18:21People have made me cry plenty in auditions.
00:18:24It'll be nice to turn the tables on them for once.
00:18:27Are you looking for a win for her, or are you looking for a win for you?
00:18:31Why can't it be both?
00:18:34Don't bite off more than you can chew, Darcy.
00:18:37What if I'm really hungry?
00:18:42Hey, team!
00:18:43I'm Darcy, Megan's aunt.
00:18:46Who here is ready to win?
00:18:48Not the level of enthusiasm I was hoping for, but...
00:18:51You can work with it!
00:18:54Okay, everyone, uh, follow me.
00:19:00There you go.
00:19:02There you go.
00:19:22Do you hear the angels' voices, Darcy?
00:19:26We need a rehearsal space.
00:19:28We need a rehearsal space.
00:19:31Sorry, I couldn't hear you over the award-winning harmonies.
00:19:35We need a rehearsal space.
00:19:37Right.
00:19:38Did I mention that we have won six years in a row?
00:19:42Oh my goodness, you haven't told me that yet today.
00:19:46I hope my classroom suits you.
00:19:48Thank you.
00:19:59Up on the housetop, reindeer paws
00:20:02Out comes good old Santa Claus
00:20:05Angels we have heard
00:20:08Deck the halls with boughs of holly
00:20:13Heaven and nature sing
00:20:15And heaven and nature sing
00:20:23Singing sweetly over flames
00:20:28Deck the halls with boughs of holly
00:20:33And heaven and heaven and nature sing
00:20:38Okay, thank you guys for doing that.
00:20:41You really sang those songs.
00:20:44Okay, so does everybody know Joy to the World?
00:20:47All right, I just want to see how you all sound together.
00:20:50Just a simple classic.
00:20:52Here is your starting note.
00:20:55Okay.
00:20:57And three, four.
00:21:00Joy to the world
00:21:03The Lord has come
00:21:07Let earth receive her king
00:21:14Ah!
00:21:16Yay.
00:21:25Oh, sorry. I didn't realize you were still here.
00:21:28I figured I would stay late and work on some arrangements.
00:21:31Am I in your way?
00:21:33In so many ways.
00:21:35I'm just trying to be a good aunt.
00:21:37No, I know. I respect that. I do.
00:21:40I also know that you heard them sing.
00:21:42Yeah, I did.
00:21:43And I know that you know where I was coming from.
00:21:46Okay, when I was their age, and I was a little girl,
00:21:49I was a little girl.
00:21:51I know where I was coming from.
00:21:53Okay, when I was their age, and I was auditioning
00:21:55for scary record labels and executives,
00:21:58I was just like them.
00:22:00Difference is, you were good.
00:22:02No, the difference is, somebody gave me a chance.
00:22:05Kids need to be built up.
00:22:07Where you see kids that aren't ready,
00:22:09I see untapped potential.
00:22:12I see myself.
00:22:14You really see yourself in those kids?
00:22:16Yeah, I do.
00:22:18And if you had given them a chance
00:22:20and let them finish their auditions,
00:22:23maybe you would have seen it, too.
00:22:29For the record,
00:22:31I'm sorry that I cut them off early.
00:22:34I thought I was preventing false hope,
00:22:36but maybe that wasn't the right decision.
00:22:39You have some great kids in your group.
00:22:40Some of them take my class.
00:22:42And I hope you know what you're doing,
00:22:43because I'd like to see them succeed.
00:22:47Me, too.
00:22:48I don't want them to beat me, of course.
00:22:50Obviously.
00:22:51But I would like to see them succeed
00:22:53in 99% of the ventures in their life.
00:22:55That's a high percentage.
00:22:56I'm a nice guy.
00:23:09You started without me?
00:23:10So hardly.
00:23:12Grab some, join in the fun.
00:23:14Maybe with your help, we'll be done before the sun sets.
00:23:19How was rehearsal?
00:23:21Remember when I brought home that report card
00:23:23with the straight Cs,
00:23:24and I thought Mom was gonna kill me?
00:23:26But she just looked at it and smiled and said,
00:23:30I see an opportunity for impressive growth.
00:23:33This group has quite an opportunity.
00:23:36Believe me.
00:23:40Can you toss me another strand?
00:23:42Yeah, how many do you need?
00:23:43I don't know.
00:23:44Craig always used to do this,
00:23:46and I don't know what I'm doing.
00:23:47I don't know how to lay these things out.
00:23:49I'm just trying different things
00:23:51and hoping that it works out.
00:23:54I'd say you're on the right track.
00:23:58Silent night
00:24:02Holy night
00:24:06All is calm
00:24:09Okay, okay, okay.
00:24:10If you guys sing any quieter,
00:24:12it will be a literal silent night.
00:24:15Do you know why I moved to New York?
00:24:18Because it's not Ohio?
00:24:20Because I never would have known if I had what it took
00:24:22if I hadn't jumped feet first into the deep end.
00:24:26And that's what I need you guys to do.
00:24:29What are you worried about?
00:24:32Losing.
00:24:34Well, if you worry about losing,
00:24:36you know what'll happen?
00:24:37You'll lose.
00:24:38Great.
00:24:39Now I'm worried about being worried about losing.
00:24:41There is this thing called self-fulfilling prophecy.
00:24:44If you picture something bad happening,
00:24:46if you picture losing,
00:24:48then you are basically guaranteed to lose.
00:24:52But it also works the other way.
00:24:56So your homework for tonight is to go home
00:24:59and dream about what it would be like to win.
00:25:05Do you dream about winning, Percy?
00:25:08Every single night.
00:25:10It's why I sleep like a baby.
00:25:23Joy to the world, the Lord is come.
00:25:28Let earth receive her King.
00:25:33Let every heart prepare Him room.
00:25:38Let heaven and nature sing.
00:25:40Let heaven and nature sing.
00:25:43Let heaven and nature sing.
00:25:47Sing?
00:25:48You scared me.
00:25:49What were you doing in there?
00:25:51Showering.
00:25:52The song.
00:25:53You were singing.
00:25:55Yeah, I guess.
00:25:57You can sing.
00:25:59Like, you can sing sing.
00:26:02Like, you're a singer.
00:26:05Why don't you sing like that at school?
00:26:08It's just different.
00:26:11I mean, all those people and all the pressure.
00:26:14And if you mess up, I mean, everyone can make fun of you.
00:26:19It's just easier here.
00:26:22Wow.
00:26:26Okay, I want to try something.
00:26:28I think you get in your head when you have to sing in front of people.
00:26:31So, I want you to sing like you're alone.
00:26:34Okay, we are all going to leave.
00:26:39And then I just want you to sing by yourself.
00:26:42By myself?
00:26:43By yourself.
00:26:44I want you to turn around, face the wall, and just sing.
00:26:48Get loose, get confident, okay?
00:27:01Okay.
00:27:08Joy to the world.
00:27:11Joy to the world.
00:27:14The Lord is come.
00:27:17Let earth receive her King.
00:27:22Let every heart prepare Him room.
00:27:28Let heaven and nature sing.
00:27:31Let heaven and nature sing.
00:27:34Let heaven and nature sing.
00:27:46I have an idea.
00:27:47Hey, big game Cincinnati Sunday.
00:27:50We're going.
00:27:51Bengals need us.
00:27:52Yeah, I don't think I can.
00:27:53I have to work.
00:27:54Oh, sing off, right?
00:27:57I'm not worried.
00:28:12Why are you telling me this?
00:28:13No matter how hard I push myself,
00:28:15I was never going to sing like Celine.
00:28:17And no matter how hard she pushed herself,
00:28:20Celine Dion would never have been able to flatten me
00:28:23and sack my quarterback.
00:28:27You get what you do, man.
00:28:28Accept it.
00:28:29And give yourself the grace to enjoy yourself
00:28:31at the big game this Sunday.
00:28:35You bought me a ticket before asking, didn't you?
00:28:38Yes, I did.
00:28:44OK.
00:28:45I want you guys to just get in the middle of the stage,
00:28:47all right?
00:28:49OK.
00:28:51So I want you guys to feel the spotlight, OK?
00:28:59OK.
00:29:00The only way that is going to feel good and right
00:29:03is if you really believe in yourselves.
00:29:06Do you guys like to sing?
00:29:08Yeah.
00:29:09Yeah.
00:29:10Do you like being on stage?
00:29:13Yeah.
00:29:14Do you like the feeling of that spotlight?
00:29:16Yeah.
00:29:17Do you believe in yourselves?
00:29:20Yes.
00:29:21OK.
00:29:22One more time.
00:29:23Do you believe in yourselves?
00:29:25Yes.
00:29:26OK.
00:29:27Great.
00:29:28OK.
00:29:29Joy to the world right now.
00:29:30Here's your starting note.
00:29:31Joy to the world, the Lord is come.
00:29:34That's incredible.
00:29:35And I would receive a king.
00:29:39Let every heart prepare Him room.
00:29:44And heaven and nature sing.
00:29:46And heaven and nature sing.
00:29:48And heaven and heaven and nature sing.
00:29:53You guys, did you feel that?
00:29:56Yeah.
00:30:01You know what?
00:30:02I am so excited that I am taking you all to Elmo's tonight.
00:30:05Dinner is on me.
00:30:06So meet me there at 7 o'clock tonight.
00:30:08Let's go.
00:30:09Hey, Megan, will you text your mom and tell her to meet us there?
00:30:18So, well, they're having such fun.
00:30:21Is this what it's like in rehearsal?
00:30:23Well, they usually start out pretty quiet and nervous, but then once they get comfortable, they're home.
00:30:29Oh, no.
00:30:30What's that face?
00:30:32I just had an idea.
00:30:33No, that can't be good.
00:30:35Hey, guys.
00:30:36Guys.
00:30:38How would you feel about singing one of our songs here?
00:30:43Right now?
00:30:44Aunt Darcy, I don't know.
00:30:46We're having fun.
00:30:47We're in the Christmas spirit.
00:30:48So why not spread some joy and entertain some people?
00:30:53Okay, let's do Joy to the World.
00:30:55And, Megan, I want you to sing lead.
00:30:57Me?
00:30:58I don't think.
00:30:59I can't.
00:31:00No, you can.
00:31:03I'm not saying this as your aunt.
00:31:05I'm saying this as someone who does this for a living.
00:31:08Megan, you can sing.
00:31:11And I believe in you.
00:31:13And your group believes in you.
00:31:17And, hey, we've got to have a first performance sometime, right?
00:31:20So why not get up there and show them what you've got?
00:31:24Okay, we're all done.
00:31:27Hi, everyone.
00:31:28Could I just get your attention for a second?
00:31:31I am the coach to a group of very special singers.
00:31:35And we have a very important competition coming up.
00:31:37And we would love to do one of our songs for you.
00:31:41How does that sound?
00:31:46Great.
00:31:47All right, get up there.
00:31:48Do your thing.
00:31:49Hey, you got this.
00:31:55Joy to the world, the Lord is come.
00:31:59Let earth receive her King, her King.
00:32:04Let every heart prepare Him room.
00:32:09And heaven and nature sing.
00:32:11And heaven and nature sing.
00:32:13And heaven and heaven and nature sing.
00:32:23Thank you all so much.
00:32:25We're going to be performing on Friday night at McIntosh High.
00:32:28So please come out and lend your support.
00:32:30Have a great night.
00:32:34Hey.
00:32:35Hey.
00:32:36You were really good.
00:32:37Thanks.
00:32:38Like, really good.
00:32:40Thanks.
00:32:54I just can't stop thinking about how great she was.
00:32:57She is a really incredible kid, you know?
00:32:59Yeah.
00:33:00Hey, is it cool if I hang out with everyone?
00:33:03I'll get a ride home.
00:33:04Sure.
00:33:05Just be back by curfew.
00:33:06Oh, scouting out the competition, are we?
00:33:09Night in, Darcy.
00:33:13Jesus Christ.
00:33:28Working hard, I see.
00:33:31Only kind of work I know how to do.
00:33:34What are you doing here?
00:33:36Same as you.
00:33:37Just going to tinker with some of the arrangements.
00:33:40I, uh...
00:33:42I heard that your group wowed everyone at Elmo's.
00:33:47They're coming along.
00:33:48A week ago, they were a disaster.
00:33:50And now they're great.
00:33:52Well, at least I'm not alone.
00:33:54And now they're great.
00:33:56Well, I wouldn't say great.
00:33:58You know, what's it like?
00:33:59Having everything that you touch just work right away.
00:34:03When I was 18, I was cooking fries at the diner,
00:34:06headphones in, humming scales to myself,
00:34:08trying to keep it down so that my boss wouldn't hear.
00:34:10Age 18, you were on a jet to Paris to play Sugar Rush
00:34:16for a stadium full of screaming fans.
00:34:19I...
00:34:22I envy your talent.
00:34:24There is no question about that.
00:34:27In just one week, you took those kids
00:34:30and you made them great.
00:34:33You make it seem so effortless.
00:34:35Effortless?
00:34:37If everything was effortless,
00:34:38you know I wouldn't be here, right?
00:34:42I haven't had a record deal in years.
00:34:45And yet I am working harder than I have ever worked
00:34:48and frankly, I think I'm a better artist than I have ever been.
00:34:52I have new songs that I think are great.
00:34:55But it seems like everyone is more interested in who I was
00:34:58than who I am.
00:35:01So yeah, maybe things were effortless for 18-year-old Darcy.
00:35:06But that was a long time ago.
00:35:08Can you hear one of the new songs?
00:35:10Absolutely not.
00:35:11You said that you're tired of people asking to hear Sugar Rush.
00:35:14And believe me, I don't need to hear that song ever again.
00:35:18So come on, let me hear one of the new ones.
00:35:21Yeah.
00:35:22Oh, just come on.
00:35:23Just give me another reason to wallow in my self-pity
00:35:26of how wonderfully talented my competition is.
00:35:30Do you promise to wallow in self-pity afterwards?
00:35:32Oh, cross my heart. Yeah.
00:35:34Okay.
00:35:45I try being wise
00:35:49I let myself down
00:35:53I run around in circles
00:35:55I do what I do
00:35:57And I find myself lost
00:36:00Will you hold my hand
00:36:04And take me where you've been
00:36:08I'm trying hard to find
00:36:10A little peace of mind
00:36:12So please just take me there
00:36:16Take me to a place where truth is free
00:36:20Show me how to let myself be worth it
00:36:24Every day I feel this war get harder
00:36:27I do, I do
00:36:31Somewhere in this life we'll all be loved
00:36:35If one day we could see that we're all worth it
00:36:39Let me know there's hope when there's none to see
00:36:44Mmm, mmm, mmm
00:36:55If you're not anymore
00:36:58it's only a matter of time before you're a star again.
00:37:02Which makes me happy because then I'll be rid of you
00:37:05and everything will be back to normal.
00:37:07Well, I hope that happens for both of us.
00:37:13Mmm.
00:37:24What's going on?
00:37:26They're coming.
00:37:31This is very West Side Story right now.
00:37:33What is happening?
00:37:34What do you mean? My group said that you wanted to meet.
00:37:37We wanted to meet.
00:37:38Both of our groups.
00:37:39Together.
00:37:40We don't want to do the school competition anymore.
00:37:43That's great.
00:37:44I didn't know that you were conceding.
00:37:46We're not conceding. Are you conceding?
00:37:48No one's conceding.
00:37:50We think everyone should go to the county competition.
00:37:53Together.
00:37:54We want to join forces.
00:37:55Their group is doing some really cool things, Mr. M.
00:37:58I think they'd liven us up.
00:38:00Make us sound fresh.
00:38:02And with your talent and experience,
00:38:05our group could learn a lot.
00:38:07So if you and Darcy could just not work together.
00:38:10Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
00:38:12Yeah, I don't really need an assistant coach.
00:38:15It's hilarious that you think I'd be the assistant.
00:38:17We'd both be in charge.
00:38:19Co-head coaches.
00:38:20We've less than two weeks until the competition.
00:38:23It's what we all want.
00:38:25Unless you two really can't work together.
00:38:30Which wouldn't be setting a very good example for us impressionable teenagers.
00:38:35And wouldn't exactly be in the Christmas spirit.
00:38:39Okay, I'm in.
00:38:44Mr. McDowell.
00:38:49Yeah, okay.
00:39:00After you.
00:39:05Think this will work?
00:39:06It's what they want.
00:39:08Think your kids can come along quickly enough?
00:39:10I think so.
00:39:12Good, okay.
00:39:13So you know, we get three songs for the show.
00:39:15So we can do one of my songs,
00:39:17then we can do one of your songs.
00:39:18Sounds fair.
00:39:21And then we just need a third song.
00:39:24Right.
00:39:29Well, we don't need to decide right now.
00:39:31We're getting along.
00:39:32Same team.
00:39:33Right.
00:39:34Same team.
00:39:36This'll be fine.
00:39:38It'll be fine.
00:39:41There.
00:39:42Okay, let's get focused here.
00:39:44We're about to start.
00:39:45Okay, let's have some fun, guys.
00:39:46Let's warm up.
00:39:47Start shaking it out.
00:39:49Just shake it out.
00:39:50Okay.
00:39:54Shake it out.
00:39:55I did.
00:39:56I'm sure.
00:40:01Well, that's new.
00:40:03That's new.
00:40:12Hey.
00:40:14Hi.
00:40:16How'd it go?
00:40:17Great.
00:40:19You knew about their scheme?
00:40:20Of course.
00:40:21I'm the one who told them to hold the meeting outside.
00:40:23You always establish a neutral location for mediation.
00:40:27So, you're just in time.
00:40:29I'm doing the stockings.
00:40:31I'm the reindeer.
00:40:32I'm the penguin.
00:40:33And now I just need to choose one for you.
00:40:35We have lots of options.
00:40:37We have this.
00:40:38Your stocking for when you were a child.
00:40:40Okay.
00:40:41We have this collector's item.
00:40:44Oh, no.
00:40:45Burn it with fire.
00:40:46Okay.
00:40:48Let's see.
00:40:49What about this one?
00:40:52Oh, um...
00:40:55That was Craig's, but if you want to use it, that's fine.
00:40:58No, no.
00:40:59I, um...
00:41:02I'll tell you what.
00:41:03Why don't I use this one?
00:41:06But if it's okay with you guys, I think we should hang this one, too.
00:41:12It'd be nice to have it there on Christmas.
00:41:15Yeah.
00:41:16I'd like that.
00:41:19You okay with that?
00:41:20Yeah.
00:41:22I think that would be nice.
00:41:29Okay.
00:41:30Great rehearsal, you guys.
00:41:31Nice work.
00:41:32Done for the night.
00:41:37We're going to go hang out.
00:41:39Work on our parts.
00:41:40I'll get a ride home.
00:41:42Freddie, are you a good driver?
00:41:43Yes, ma'am.
00:41:44Please don't call me ma'am.
00:41:45It makes me feel old.
00:41:46Yes, ma'am.
00:41:47Miss, I...
00:41:49I'll just go.
00:41:50Yeah, okay.
00:41:52Don't do anything I would do.
00:41:53Yeah.
00:42:02So, what are your plans for tonight?
00:42:04Oh, I thought I would reheat some pasta,
00:42:06watch Home Alone for the first of twelve times this week with Gretchen,
00:42:10stare at my phone waiting for a record label to call.
00:42:14That sounds like a busy night.
00:42:15Never a dull moment.
00:42:17Let's go get a beer.
00:42:20Hmm.
00:42:21That sounds much better than reheated pasta.
00:42:27Oh, I get so many points.
00:42:29What do you use your points for?
00:42:31Bullfish.
00:42:36Oh, I'm liking the Christmas spirit in here.
00:42:40Oh, yeah, this place is a lot of fun around the holidays.
00:42:42Everyone's in costume for Halloween,
00:42:44everyone dresses up as Cupid for Valentine's Day,
00:42:47and everyone looks depressed for the Fourth of July.
00:42:49Why depressed?
00:42:50It's a British pub.
00:42:51Makes sense.
00:42:53Can we get two beers so we can go to the patio?
00:42:55Thank you.
00:42:56Thank you.
00:43:02You are so great with the kids.
00:43:03It pains me to say it,
00:43:05kills me to say it,
00:43:07but you are a natural.
00:43:09Oh, yeah.
00:43:10I've been doing music for so long on my own,
00:43:12I forgot how much fun it is to be part of a team.
00:43:15You know, even in high school, before the Herald Angels,
00:43:17I used to love going out caroling with my friends.
00:43:20My mom used to push us to go out and spread some joy.
00:43:25That's nice.
00:43:27My parents were never hard.
00:43:31Pushing me.
00:43:32Especially my dad.
00:43:34So I grew up feeling that I had to be the best at everything,
00:43:39and, man, you were so good at everything.
00:43:45It was a really hard time for me to see someone so clearly headed to the top,
00:43:49and I had to work so hard just to stay out of the bottom.
00:43:52I had no idea you felt that way.
00:43:54I didn't think I could say anything.
00:43:55I was 16. I was insecure.
00:43:57Well, maybe I should have tried to get to know you better.
00:44:01But I thought that you didn't like me, so why would I try?
00:44:05Why would you have cared if I liked you?
00:44:07I was 16. I was insecure.
00:44:10Well, I'm glad I wasn't alone.
00:44:13And for the record, I didn't not like you.
00:44:17Well, I didn't not like you either.
00:44:21And I still don't not like you.
00:44:23So we both don't not like each other.
00:44:28Does that mean that we like each other?
00:44:30Ooh, let's not get ahead of ourselves.
00:44:37Megan?
00:44:39No, it's me, your other daughter.
00:44:41Oh, where have you been?
00:44:43With Adam.
00:44:45Kind of late for a school night.
00:44:47Wait, is Megan still out with her friends? Isn't this past her curfew?
00:44:50Ah, whatever.
00:44:51Now she's got, like, friends, and I never had to enforce a curfew.
00:44:54Now she wants to do things, and it's just insanely cool.
00:44:59Sounds like cool girl just got home.
00:45:01Come on.
00:45:05Okay.
00:45:06Freddie gave her a ride home.
00:45:08They've been spending a lot of time together at rehearsal.
00:45:12I bet he kisses her tonight.
00:45:14No way.
00:45:15Five bucks.
00:45:16You're on.
00:45:18Oh, come on.
00:45:19That's the awkward front seat hug.
00:45:21Awkward front seat hug.
00:45:23Just great.
00:45:25Come on, Freddie.
00:45:26Pull it together.
00:45:30Hey, Mom.
00:45:31Aunt Darcy.
00:45:32Oh, hi. We didn't realize you were home.
00:45:34No.
00:45:35How was your ride home with the cute boy?
00:45:36Not that I saw that you were with a cute boy. I didn't.
00:45:39Mom, it's Freddie.
00:45:40We were just working on our carol arrangement.
00:45:43Can we show that to the group next week?
00:45:45Of course.
00:45:47Is this carol a solo or a duet?
00:45:51Good night, Mom.
00:45:54You guys got, like, a Danny and Sandy vibe going?
00:45:57I don't know what you're referencing.
00:45:59The kids today don't know the process.
00:46:01They don't know.
00:46:02You owe me $25.
00:46:03Okay.
00:46:05Can't even wait till tomorrow.
00:46:08Yeah, front seat hug.
00:46:18Hi.
00:46:27Hey, so, um...
00:46:29So, Megan told me that she and some of the others
00:46:32were working on a new arrangement.
00:46:34I know it's kind of late to learn something new,
00:46:37but I told her she could teach the others today.
00:46:40Is that okay?
00:46:41Yes, absolutely.
00:46:44Okay.
00:46:46Yep, yeah.
00:46:48Oh, I gotta take this. I'll be right back.
00:46:51Uh, everyone.
00:46:52Hello?
00:46:53Darcy, John Arnett, Cypress Records.
00:46:55I heard your demo.
00:46:56The new stuff, I gotta say, it's great.
00:47:00You know, I remember you from the Sugar Rush days, of course,
00:47:03but this new sound, I love it.
00:47:07You were a star then, still a star now.
00:47:10Maybe people just don't realize it yet.
00:47:12Oh, thank you very much.
00:47:13It's very kind of you to say.
00:47:15This is usually the part where you say,
00:47:17but, and break my heart.
00:47:19The CEO does like to see his artist in person
00:47:22before he makes a final decision,
00:47:24so I am gonna see to it personally
00:47:26that I get you in the room with him,
00:47:28because I know exactly what to do with you,
00:47:30how to sell your records.
00:47:31Do you have three new songs ready to perform live?
00:47:34Uh, yeah.
00:47:35I would sing a dozen if it helps me get signed.
00:47:38I love it. You got the hunger, just like me.
00:47:41Listen, make sure you're ready,
00:47:43because you're gonna have a shot to join the Cypress family.
00:47:46Thank you, John, thank you so much.
00:47:50Merry Christmas.
00:47:51Thank you, and Merry Christmas, Darcy.
00:47:55Okay, learn that for tomorrow.
00:47:57This is for the third song.
00:47:59All right, they're ready.
00:48:00Oh, okay.
00:48:02So remember, no matter what, positive energy.
00:48:04Yes, nothing but positivity and encouragement,
00:48:06and they'll get better.
00:48:07Thank you.
00:48:08Thank you.
00:48:09Thank you.
00:48:10Thank you.
00:48:11Thank you.
00:48:12Thank you.
00:48:13Thank you.
00:48:14Thank you.
00:48:15Thank you.
00:48:16Thank you.
00:48:17Thank you.
00:48:18Thank you.
00:48:19Thank you.
00:48:20Thank you.
00:48:21Thank you.
00:48:22Thank you.
00:48:23Thank you.
00:48:24Thank you.
00:48:25Thank you.
00:48:26Thank you.
00:48:27Thank you.
00:48:28Thank you.
00:48:29Thank you.
00:48:30Thank you.
00:48:31Thank you.
00:48:32Thank you.
00:48:33Thank you.
00:48:34Thank you.
00:48:35Thank you.
00:48:36Thank you.
00:48:37Thank you.
00:48:38Thank you.
00:48:39Thank you.
00:48:40Thank you.
00:48:41Thank you.
00:48:42Thank you.
00:48:43Thank you.
00:48:44Thank you.
00:48:45Thank you.
00:48:46Thank you.
00:48:47Thank you.
00:48:48Thank you.
00:48:49Thank you.
00:48:50Thank you.
00:48:51Thank you.
00:48:52Thank you.
00:48:53Thank you.
00:48:54Thank you.
00:48:55Thank you.
00:48:56Thank you.
00:48:57Thank you.
00:48:58Thank you.
00:48:59Thank you.
00:49:00Thank you.
00:49:01Thank you.
00:49:02Thank you.
00:49:03Thank you.
00:49:04Thank you.
00:49:05Thank you.
00:49:06Thank you.
00:49:07Thank you.
00:49:08Thank you.
00:49:09Thank you.
00:49:10Thank you.
00:49:11Thank you.
00:49:12Thank you.
00:49:13Thank you.
00:49:14Thank you.
00:49:15Thank you.
00:49:16Thank you.
00:49:17Thank you.
00:49:18Thank you.
00:49:19Thank you.
00:49:20Thank you.
00:49:21Thank you.
00:49:22Thank you.
00:49:23Thank you.
00:49:24Thank you.
00:49:25Thank you.
00:49:26Thank you.
00:49:27Thank you.
00:49:28Thank you.
00:49:29Thank you.
00:49:30Thank you.
00:49:31Thank you.
00:49:32Thank you.
00:49:33Thank you.
00:49:34Thank you.
00:49:35Thank you.
00:49:36Thank you.
00:49:37Thank you.
00:49:38Thank you.
00:49:39Thank you.
00:49:40Thank you.
00:49:41Thank you.
00:49:42Thank you.
00:49:43Thank you.
00:49:44Thank you.
00:49:45Thank you.
00:49:46Thank you.
00:49:47Thank you.
00:49:48Thank you.
00:49:49Thank you.
00:49:50Welcome home.
00:49:51We've never been this relaxed this close to competition, right, Hammer?
00:49:54That includes when he was a student, mind you.
00:49:57Oh, we have a great group of kids.
00:50:00I'm not talking about the kids.
00:50:02You've had this impact on him.
00:50:03Well, I'm sure he's just grateful for the help.
00:50:05We've had other teachers try to help him in the past.
00:50:08They always want to strangle him by day two.
00:50:11I've had that fantasy a few times myself.
00:50:13You keep up the good work.
00:50:15Thank you.
00:50:16Looking forward to the show.
00:50:18Yeah.
00:50:19That might be the best week of rehearsal they've ever had.
00:50:23They were in the zone.
00:50:25You look happy.
00:50:27I am happy.
00:50:29Strange.
00:50:31All right, well, I should be going. Gretchen is making meatloaf tonight.
00:50:34That sounds delicious.
00:50:37Oh, no. She should be arrested for serving it.
00:50:39Assault with a deadly weapon.
00:50:41Ouch.
00:50:42Well, um, have a good weekend, and I'll see you Monday?
00:50:47What would you think about us, you know, getting together this weekend?
00:50:51Like, for a rehearsal?
00:50:54I was thinking for a date.
00:50:59I would be amenable to that.
00:51:05How does Saturday sound?
00:51:07What did you have in mind?
00:51:09I thought we could go into town, and then maybe head over to Jensen's.
00:51:12Jensen's?
00:51:14I'll pick you up at 7, and try not to let the meatloaf kill you.
00:51:18Our date will be far less fun if you're dead.
00:51:22Okay. See you then.
00:51:29Your cheeks are bright red.
00:51:31They are?
00:51:41Hey, this is stupid. Why am I bothering?
00:51:43Why are you wearing a hat?
00:51:44Why are you wearing a hat?
00:51:46It's 35 degrees outside. My ears are going to turn to ice cubes.
00:51:49Oh, my gosh. You will be inside for most of the time.
00:51:52Your ears will survive.
00:51:54Are you sure it's all right?
00:51:56I feel bad not spending the night with you and Megan.
00:51:58Of course. We're just going to be watching Home Alone.
00:52:01I love Home Alone.
00:52:02Drinking cocoa.
00:52:03I love cocoa.
00:52:04We're going to eat leftover meatloaf.
00:52:06This is where you say, I love your famous meatloaf.
00:52:10I love your famous meatloaf.
00:52:12Thank you for lying.
00:52:14You're welcome.
00:52:15Gosh, did I change? I don't like what I'm wearing all of a sudden.
00:52:17Oh, my gosh, woman.
00:52:19Two weeks ago, all you could do was complain about the guy,
00:52:21and now you have jitters like it's prom night.
00:52:23I don't have jitters.
00:52:25I'm shivering. It's cold in here.
00:52:29He's not who I thought he was.
00:52:32He's actually nice.
00:52:35And good with the kids.
00:52:37And dorky, but in a weirdly attractive way.
00:52:40When I'm with Adam, just hanging out with him,
00:52:45it just feels good.
00:52:48Oh, my gosh.
00:52:50I have not seen you this gaga over a guy since Eddie Cronauer in eighth grade.
00:52:55I am not gaga.
00:52:57And please, nobody compares with Eddie Cronauer.
00:53:00Oh, what a hunk.
00:53:01He was so dreamy.
00:53:02Oh, you too.
00:53:03Every class has one.
00:53:05You look beautiful.
00:53:08You would even stop Eddie Cronauer dead in his tracks.
00:53:11Do you mean that?
00:53:13Because that is an incredible compliment.
00:53:15Yes, I do.
00:53:25Hey.
00:53:27You're Darcy's sister.
00:53:29Gretchen.
00:53:30Hello.
00:53:32I like your hair.
00:53:34I like your everything.
00:53:38That was a weird thing to say. I'm sorry.
00:53:40You have her back by curfew, okay?
00:53:42Yes, ma'am.
00:53:44Okay.
00:53:45Bye.
00:53:47What are you being weird about?
00:53:49Bye.
00:54:02Here you go.
00:54:08Good fan?
00:54:10Great fan.
00:54:12She said, I love your work.
00:54:14Not, I loved your work.
00:54:16Not, you were my favorite.
00:54:18Love.
00:54:20Oh, gosh.
00:54:22A present tense verb from a fan is a real gift.
00:54:25Come on, that must happen all the time.
00:54:27Fans coming up, singing your praises.
00:54:29I know what happens to me, but I am the six-time repeat champion.
00:54:33Are we still doing that?
00:54:35Okay, I'll stop.
00:54:37Adam, I cannot emphasize enough just how little that happens to me in New York.
00:54:41Well, there's not many famous celebrities in Dayton.
00:54:43There's the Wright brothers, Martin Sheen, and...
00:54:51And it's not like I want it to be like it was when I first met you.
00:54:55And it's not like I want it to be like it was when I was 20, you know,
00:54:58and I couldn't even go to the mall, but...
00:55:01Every couple of months, a random person coming up, excited to see you?
00:55:05Yeah, just someone coming up and saying,
00:55:08hey, I like your work, keep going.
00:55:11We should start doing that.
00:55:12Just random strangers on the street.
00:55:14Just random attacks of encouragement.
00:55:16Wouldn't that be nice?
00:55:17Yeah, young me could use that.
00:55:20Who am I kidding? Old me could use that.
00:55:24Well, I've got news for you, Adam.
00:55:26I love what you're doing. Keep going.
00:55:29And I love your work, and you should definitely keep going.
00:55:34Look at us.
00:55:35From high school rivals to adults on a date.
00:55:39I'd call that progress.
00:55:41Not rivals.
00:55:43Rivalry implies competition.
00:55:54Why is food this good hiding and dating?
00:55:57This should be on the French Riviera,
00:55:59or at the top of an expensive tower in Abu Dhabi or something.
00:56:03You know, I've never been to any of those places, but yeah, I agree.
00:56:06So after Sugar Rush, I went on a world tour.
00:56:09Paris, Buenos Aires, Rome, Seoul.
00:56:12Honestly, all it did was make me very lonely.
00:56:16From 18 to 25, I didn't date.
00:56:19I was too busy.
00:56:21Wait, didn't you date a Backstreet Boy?
00:56:23Publicity stunt.
00:56:25Oh, I feel betrayed.
00:56:27So yeah, for those formative years,
00:56:29when I was single and chipping out, having fun,
00:56:32I never learned how to date.
00:56:35Thank God. I never learned how to date.
00:56:38I was terrified that you'd be able to tell.
00:56:40You didn't date? I don't believe that. Look at you.
00:56:43Okay, first of all, flattery received and appreciated,
00:56:46but I just dated the same person for so long
00:56:49that I never had to meet a woman at a bar or a party
00:56:52or anything like that.
00:56:54We dated in college and then through grad school
00:56:57and for a little while after that...
00:56:59What was her name?
00:57:01Anastasia.
00:57:03Ooh, Anastasia.
00:57:05Terrific ex-girlfriend name.
00:57:07The best, right?
00:57:09But we were just both headed in different directions.
00:57:12We denied it for a while, but we knew.
00:57:15So we ended it, and it was hard, but necessary.
00:57:22And after that, I just didn't date anyone for a while.
00:57:26I mean, my dating pool is not really big.
00:57:28It's mostly moms of students,
00:57:30and I'm just not really comfortable with that.
00:57:33But you feel comfortable dating the aunt of a student.
00:57:37Oh, absolutely. It's always been a dream of mine.
00:57:41I'm sorry.
00:57:45Now, if you're here for New Year's Eve,
00:57:48this place does the tasting that gets us out of this world.
00:57:52Yeah.
00:57:54Yeah, if I'm here, absolutely.
00:58:04So, did I get you back in time for curfew?
00:58:07Ooh, by the skin of our teeth.
00:58:11Look at that.
00:58:13That's so beautiful.
00:58:21Um, I...
00:58:23Oh, I'm sorry.
00:58:25No, I just, um...
00:58:28No, I'm being, uh...
00:58:30I'm being presumptuous.
00:58:32No, no, you're not.
00:58:34I...
00:58:36It's not that I don't...
00:58:38want what's happening here.
00:58:42I like you.
00:58:44I really like you.
00:58:49Really is good. I like really.
00:58:53But I am going back to New York after the holidays,
00:58:57and I'm afraid that I...
00:59:00I don't want to get too attached.
00:59:02I think you are amazing, honestly.
00:59:06I'm just...
00:59:08trying to protect myself.
00:59:11I hope that's...
00:59:12No, no, I know.
00:59:14It's completely understandable.
00:59:17I had the best time tonight.
00:59:20So have I.
00:59:26Yeah, okay, well...
00:59:28Good night, Darcy.
00:59:30I will see you Monday?
00:59:32Yeah.
00:59:33Good night, Adam.
00:59:36Yeah.
01:00:07Do I smell gingerbread?
01:00:09We are making houses.
01:00:17So, if you live in New York,
01:00:19shouldn't you have made, like,
01:00:20a teeny-tiny gingerbread apartment
01:00:22with little gingerbread cockroaches?
01:00:25That is insulting.
01:00:26I don't have cockroaches in my building.
01:00:30The rats scare them away.
01:00:32I'm sure Christmas in New York is magical.
01:00:35Yeah, I'm usually working, to be honest.
01:00:39Doing my Christmas show,
01:00:41writing to Santa for a record contract.
01:00:43I'm sure he'll bring you one this year.
01:00:45Actually, uh,
01:00:47Cypress Records reached out a couple of days ago.
01:00:50What?
01:00:51And, Darcy, that's amazing.
01:00:52Nothing is official.
01:00:53I don't want to jinx it.
01:00:55Every time I get close,
01:00:56I feel like the rug is yanked out from under me.
01:00:58All I want is just to be back in New York
01:01:01recording music full-time again.
01:01:03Okay, I feel compelled in this moment to point out
01:01:05there are also recording studios outside of New York City.
01:01:10I love being here.
01:01:12But it's also scary.
01:01:16Because I don't want to be yet another former musician
01:01:19who leaves New York, moves home,
01:01:21and gives up on her dream.
01:01:22Okay, whether you are in Dayton or New York,
01:01:25you will never be a former musician.
01:01:27I would not let you do that.
01:01:29I would pay to have you do concerts
01:01:31right here in the living room if I had to.
01:01:34I wouldn't perform in here.
01:01:36The acoustics in the bathroom are so much better.
01:01:39Diva pop stars, am I right?
01:01:41The demands.
01:01:44I think it's time.
01:01:46Ah, yay!
01:01:50When you're at night records,
01:01:53when your aunt and I were little kids,
01:01:55we would always put gingerbread versions of ourselves
01:01:58outside of our house because
01:02:00a gingerbread person makes a gingerbread house,
01:02:04a gingerbread home.
01:02:11Who's that?
01:02:13Mr. McDowell Gingerbread.
01:02:15In case gingerbread you gets lonely.
01:02:22♪♪
01:02:32♪♪
01:02:42Okay, so Megan's mom, my sister,
01:02:45is going to host a big bric-a-leg dinner
01:02:48the night before the show.
01:02:49Just a little last get-together
01:02:51before we knock them dead at the competition.
01:02:53Does everyone think they can make it?
01:02:54Yes.
01:02:55Great.
01:02:56All right, so let's get started and we can...
01:02:59Everyone who's been here knows that we always do
01:03:01Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.
01:03:03It's our opener.
01:03:04Every year we do it, and every year it works.
01:03:07But this isn't every year.
01:03:08I want to change up our arrangement.
01:03:10Make it unique.
01:03:12Just have fun with it, and I need your input.
01:03:16You want to change it up?
01:03:18I think that we should.
01:03:20What do you guys think?
01:03:21Yeah.
01:03:22Okay, get up on your feet.
01:03:23All right.
01:03:24Okay?
01:03:25Great.
01:03:26Sasha, give us one of those beats.
01:03:28♪♪
01:03:33Yeah, just like that.
01:03:34Good.
01:03:36Ready to dance?
01:03:37♪♪
01:03:41Megan, put down the TikTok.
01:03:42That's not going to stir itself.
01:03:44Are you ready for your last rehearsal today?
01:03:46No, Mom's holding me hostage.
01:03:47Oh, don't be so dramatic.
01:03:48Okay, give me the spoon.
01:03:50Thank goodness.
01:03:51Oh, I, uh, I have to take this.
01:03:56No, can't it wait?
01:03:58Two minutes.
01:03:59Mashed potatoes wait for no one, Darcy.
01:04:04Hello?
01:04:08Darcy.
01:04:09John Arnett, Cypress Records.
01:04:12Are you ready for an early Christmas present?
01:04:16The CEO wants to sign you.
01:04:18He's bringing you in.
01:04:20You just have to sing a couple songs,
01:04:21impress the suits, and you're in.
01:04:23What do you think?
01:04:24You think you can do that?
01:04:25Of course, John.
01:04:27I-I just, I don't know what to say.
01:04:30Thank you.
01:04:31Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you.
01:04:33Please, thank you?
01:04:35You know how many lousy demos I have to listen to every day?
01:04:38I mean, I should be thanking you more.
01:04:40Listen, uh, our CEO likes to announce
01:04:43all his new artists right at the start of the year, you know?
01:04:46Big splash, tons of press.
01:04:48But our CEO has, uh, his holiday trip to the Maldives.
01:04:51He's leaving tomorrow night.
01:04:53So he'd love to see you tomorrow, around lunch if possible, you know,
01:04:57so we can hit the ground running as soon as he gets back.
01:04:59This is in New York?
01:05:00Yeah, Upper West Side.
01:05:02You should see this guy's office.
01:05:03It's, it's unreal.
01:05:04Yeah, uh, the thing is, um, I'm not in town at the moment,
01:05:08uh, so it might be tough for me to get back.
01:05:11Where are you?
01:05:12Uh, in Dayton, with my sister and my niece.
01:05:14We have Christmas plans, and...
01:05:16Okay, okay, Nate, no problem.
01:05:18Listen, uh, how about we, uh, fly you in tonight,
01:05:21or first thing tomorrow morning, we'll see you in the afternoon,
01:05:24and have you back in Ohio for Christmas Eve?
01:05:26Yeah, uh, that's a thought.
01:05:29Um, it's just, my niece has this show tomorrow evening, and...
01:05:35It's bedtime. I get it.
01:05:37Uh, and I can't imagine how much time you had to spend
01:05:42away from your family and friends over the years.
01:05:45But, if you make this flight, and you sing for them this one time,
01:05:50we're gonna get you everything you ever wanted.
01:05:57I'm so sorry, Gretchen.
01:05:59What can I say to make this better?
01:06:02I don't know, Darcy, you put me in this impossible position.
01:06:05If I tell you not to go, it's like I'm telling you
01:06:08not to take the thing that you've been fighting for,
01:06:11and I can't do that.
01:06:12And I will come right back.
01:06:14I'm gonna miss the concert, which stinks,
01:06:16but I'll be back for Christmas morning, I think.
01:06:19Darcy. Darcy.
01:06:23It has been so great having you here.
01:06:25Not one foot in the door here, but really, here, here.
01:06:30And look at all the good things that you've done in the last two weeks.
01:06:33Megan is like a whole brand new person.
01:06:36And all those kids, and Adam, and me.
01:06:40When in the last two weeks have you walked into a room and found me crying?
01:06:44Never.
01:06:46That's progress.
01:06:48And that's thanks to you.
01:06:53Sometimes I wonder what it would be like if you stayed here.
01:07:01I wonder the same thing.
01:07:03Wow.
01:07:09Wow.
01:07:10If you're gonna stand around and silently debate your internal conflict,
01:07:14you might as well help me chop some chives while you're doing it.
01:07:16Come on.
01:07:18Pass me that grater.
01:07:35Why is the football coach here?
01:07:37It's Freddy's dad.
01:07:39What?
01:07:40Yeah.
01:07:41Hey.
01:07:43I haven't had a chance to introduce myself.
01:07:45I'm Frederick Sr. Folks around here call me Rick.
01:07:48I've gotta tell you, I love your music.
01:07:52Let me guess. Sugar Rush.
01:07:54I was gonna say your last album four years ago.
01:07:57It's an absolute touchdown.
01:08:00I've never heard a more thoughtful meditation on what it means to be a contemporary woman in today's society.
01:08:13Thank you, Rick.
01:08:14Well, I should be thanking you for helping my son the way you have and my buddy Adam here.
01:08:21Come on.
01:08:23Yeah.
01:08:24Okay.
01:08:25There it is.
01:08:45Thank you.
01:08:57Here you go. It's for my sister.
01:09:00You too.
01:09:01Thank you.
01:09:02Say, Herald Angels!
01:09:04Herald Angels!
01:09:07Can I get you anything else?
01:09:08Oh, no. I'm good, thanks.
01:09:10Hey, I know that you're worried, but don't worry. Tomorrow's gonna go great.
01:09:16No, it's not that.
01:09:21Excuse me just a minute.
01:09:27If I could just get everyone's attention for a minute.
01:09:29I have a bit of an announcement to make.
01:09:33I was gonna wait till after the meal, but I don't think I should wait that long.
01:09:38So, I got word this morning that I have the opportunity to sign with a major record label.
01:09:47Thank you. Thanks.
01:09:49But unfortunately, it's a bit of a good news, bad news situation.
01:09:55Because in order to sign with this label, I need to perform for them in person.
01:10:03Tomorrow.
01:10:07I need you guys to know how proud I am of every single one of you.
01:10:15You guys united the groups. You united us.
01:10:20You inspire me. Truly.
01:10:24I never thought that I would be singing in New York, but wishing I was hanging out with high school kids in Dayton.
01:10:30Please, please know that I am going to get tons of videos from Megan's mom. Dozens and dozens of videos.
01:10:36All the videos. I don't have enough storage space for all the videos that she's gonna send me.
01:10:42I am so, so sorry.
01:10:47I feel like I'm letting you down.
01:10:49No.
01:11:07Hey.
01:11:08Hey.
01:11:11Everyone go home?
01:11:14People were wondering where you went.
01:11:18Well, they could see me every day.
01:11:20It's your night. I didn't want to get in the way.
01:11:24Sorry I didn't tell you earlier.
01:11:26No, it's okay.
01:11:28I'm excited for you, really.
01:11:30I just thought that we had a couple more days.
01:11:33That's all.
01:11:39Do you need a ride to the airport tomorrow?
01:11:41Oh, my flight is early morning. I wouldn't ask that of you.
01:11:47Darcy.
01:11:49You can ask me anything that you want.
01:11:52I'm sorry.
01:11:54I'm sorry.
01:11:56I'm sorry.
01:11:58You can ask me anything that you want.
01:12:03I know that your life is about to change.
01:12:05Again.
01:12:06In a really big way.
01:12:10And when you're traveling around the world.
01:12:13Again.
01:12:14To Paris, Buenos Aires, Rome.
01:12:22You get lonely.
01:12:24Like you did before.
01:12:28And just the phone call away.
01:12:34I know.
01:12:57I love you.
01:13:27Well, that's it, exactly.
01:13:28Yeah, I think if we just...
01:13:31Can you hold on a moment?
01:13:34Is she here?
01:13:35Yes.
01:13:36Great. Send her in.
01:13:38Hey, I'm going to have to get back to you.
01:13:40No problem.
01:13:41Alright, fantastic. Merry Christmas.
01:13:44Darcy! Come in!
01:13:46Hi there.
01:13:47Oh, so great to finally meet you!
01:13:49Nice to meet you, too.
01:13:50How was the flight? Everything good?
01:13:52Yeah, yeah. The plane was delayed at the gate, so I came right here.
01:13:56Oh, sorry to hear that. You must be thirsty. Let me get you some water.
01:13:58Oh, yeah, that would be great.
01:13:59Is that alright?
01:14:00Yeah. And if there's anywhere that I can...
01:14:04So sorry. Anywhere you can...
01:14:07Anywhere you want.
01:14:34Two minutes here, ladies.
01:14:37Everyone, come here. Paddle up.
01:14:42Every year, I give a speech with specific instructions on what everyone needs to do for us to win.
01:14:46This year is no different.
01:14:50I'm sorry.
01:14:51It's okay.
01:14:52It's okay.
01:14:53It's okay.
01:14:54It's okay.
01:14:55It's okay.
01:14:56It's okay.
01:14:57It's okay.
01:14:58It's okay.
01:14:59It's okay.
01:15:00It's okay.
01:15:01It's okay.
01:15:03Have fun.
01:15:06Have fun.
01:15:08Have fun.
01:15:09Have fun.
01:15:10Have fun.
01:15:11I am so proud of all of you, and I know you're going to crush it.
01:15:15Go get them.
01:15:24Have you talked to Aunt Darcy yet?
01:15:26I'm sure she's really busy.
01:15:28She really likes you.
01:15:29You should probably text her.
01:15:31She's gone, Megan.
01:15:33And that's okay.
01:15:34That's what she wants.
01:15:35I heard her talking about you.
01:15:38What'd she say?
01:15:39Well, she said,
01:15:40Harold Angels, you're dead.
01:15:51Let's hear it one more time for Rebels Without Claws and Sammy Miles.
01:16:02Surprise.
01:16:05You're here.
01:16:06What happened?
01:16:07Oh, God.
01:16:08The label loved me.
01:16:09They wanted me to stay and meet some more people, but I told them no.
01:16:13I told them that I could not miss my niece's Christmas concert.
01:16:16Darcy, your career.
01:16:18This is Christmas with the people that I love.
01:16:21And I realized that while it would be amazing to sign with the label again,
01:16:25it's just not enough anymore.
01:16:27It's just not enough anymore.
01:16:29And so I told them that while I know I would be spending a lot of time on the road,
01:16:34I'm going to be making Dayton my home again.
01:16:37And I am never going to miss a Christmas with you and Megan ever again.
01:16:42What did they say?
01:16:44They supported my decision.
01:16:46Oh, and they signed me.
01:16:48Oh, yeah, of course. Obviously.
01:16:50Have you heard me sing? I'm amazing.
01:16:53Hello.
01:16:54I heard you sing with broken ribs.
01:16:56Oh, ribs are overrated.
01:16:59Okay, I am actually, I'm going to go backstage and go say hi to the audience.
01:17:02No, no, no, you're too late. They're coming out now.
01:17:04Ladies and gentlemen,
01:17:07the Herald Angels!
01:17:13Hark!
01:17:15Hark! Hark!
01:17:18Hark!
01:17:19Hark the Herald
01:17:21Angels sing
01:17:23Glory to the newborn King
01:17:27Peace on earth
01:17:29And mercy mild
01:17:31God and sinners reconciled
01:17:35Joyful all ye
01:17:37Nations rise
01:17:39Join the triumph
01:17:41Of the skies
01:17:43With angelic hosts proclaim
01:17:46Christ is born
01:17:48Christ is born
01:17:50Christ is born in Bethlehem
01:17:54Hark the Herald Angels sing
01:17:57Glory to the new
01:17:59Glory to the new
01:18:01Glory to the new
01:18:03To the newborn King
01:18:08Yay!
01:18:09Yay!
01:18:10Yay!
01:18:11Yay!
01:18:12Yay!
01:18:13Yay!
01:18:14Yay!
01:18:15Yay!
01:18:16Yay!
01:18:17Yay!
01:18:18Yay!
01:18:19Where's Adam?
01:18:20He's backstage.
01:18:21I'm going to go find him.
01:18:22I heard the bells on Christmas Day
01:18:29Their old familiar carols play
01:18:36Nope.
01:18:37No stage.
01:18:38Okay.
01:18:39Okay.
01:18:40Hello.
01:18:41Merry Christmas.
01:18:42Okay.
01:18:43Oh.
01:18:44Nope.
01:18:45Creepy basement.
01:18:46Uh, here we go.
01:18:55You're back.
01:18:56I couldn't let my rival accept all the credit, could I?
01:18:59I've re-implaced competition.
01:19:06Wow.
01:19:09Was that unexpected?
01:19:11Oh no, I definitely expected that to happen.
01:19:14I liked your gift.
01:19:16Random attack on encouragement.
01:19:18You get used to that.
01:19:22You want to watch the kids sing?
01:19:24Absolutely.
01:19:26The wrong shall fail
01:19:28The right prevail
01:19:30With peace on earth
01:19:32Good will to men
01:19:44When I was a sinner
01:19:48I prayed both night and day
01:19:53I asked the Lord to help me
01:19:58And he showed me the way
01:20:07Go tell it on the mountains
01:20:10Over the hills and everywhere
01:20:14Go tell it on the mountains
01:20:17That Jesus Christ is born
01:20:19Go and tell it on the
01:20:21Go tell it on the mountains
01:20:24Over the hills and everywhere
01:20:27Go tell it on the
01:20:29Go tell it on the mountains
01:20:31Jesus Christ
01:20:32That Jesus Christ
01:20:34That Jesus Christ is born
01:20:37Go, go
01:20:39Go tell it on the
01:20:41Go tell it on the mountains
01:20:43Over the hills and everywhere
01:20:46Go tell it on the
01:20:48Go tell it on the mountains
01:20:50Jesus Christ
01:20:51That Jesus Christ
01:20:52That Jesus Christ is born