Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll (SDRR)
Season 1 Episode 2: “Clean Rockin Daddy”
Created by Denis Leary
Directed by Michael Blieden
Written by Denis Leary
Starring Denis Leary, John Corbett, Elizabeth Gillies, John Ales, Robert Kelly, Elaine Hendrix
FOX
Air Date: Thursday, July 23rd, 2015, 10:00pm

Last week on Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll (SDRR) we met Johnny Rock (Denis Leary), an aging rocker in a downward spiral, considering a gig as a frontman for a Bon Jovi cover band. Until his talented daughter Gigi (Liz Gillies) walks into his life (after he creepily hits on her). She’s got money, she wants to be a star, and she wants her daddy’s old band, The Heathens, to get back together. But first, Dad has to apologize to his old guitarist Flash (John Corbett) for the last few decades. Robert Kelly as drummer Bam Bam, John Ales as bassist Rehab, and Elaine Hendrix as Ava, backup singer and Johnny’s girlfriend finish the lineup.

SDRR 1.2 “Clean Rockin Daddy” review: Johnny signs a contract, which of course he didn’t read. Gigi is now the singer, and Johnny is the songwriter. He’s gotta write 5 songs. He proceeds to get wrecked, and when Flash and Gigi find him, he has written an awesome riff, that he cannot remember writing. That ends up being “Die Trying.” The official music video for that is below.

However, there’s one more little thing in the contract… Johnny has to stay sober for 30 days for him to write 5 songs, or he can be fired. Gigi seems genuinely concerned for his health. Maybe Bam Bam too. The others? They want the songs and no f***ups.

Johnny makes a great case for being high to make music.

Johnny: “Name one great band or rock star that doesn’t get high.”
Bam Bam: “Coldplay”
Gigi: “Morrisey”
Rehab: “Radiohead?”
Johnny: “I rest my case.”

Can Johnny Rock do it? Not so sure, but it’s fun to watch him make the attempt, and his interaction with each character about this.

Again the episode is short and sweet. What was so great, is that it almost became too emotionally soft, then swept the rug out from under us in a “thank god” moment. We are not really emotionaly connected to these characters, because like Johnny Rock, they hold us at bay. And yet it is still enjoyable. Can they keep it up?

I certainly hope so.

Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll airs Thursday nights at 10pm ET on FX.

Image Gallery

Videos

Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll (SDRR) – Teaser: Clean Rockin’ Daddy

Gigi and the band want Johnny to write songs without using drugs or alcohol.

Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll (SDRR) – Die Trying: OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO featuring Denis Leary and Liz Gillies

Take the stage with the stars of Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll. Watch the first official music video from FX’s new series.