"Complimentary Colors" is the 7th episode of the fifth season of Pepper Ann. It aired on November 4, 2000.
Synopsis
Pepper Ann runs for student office against Alice Kane.
Plot
The students are annoyed at the fact that their textbooks have not been updated in years. As they are all called to an assembly, Principal Hickey tries to inform the students how important it is that they take their elections seriously after the last one was a travesty. He invites Congresswoman Barbara Reed to come and speak and she actually seems to get through to the kids. At home, Lydia tries to convince Pepper Ann that voting is important, despite the fact that she failed to vote last time, and claims that her vote "probably didn't matter". Pepper Ann challenges this and decides that she will take elections seriously.
At school, the only names running are Mark Hamill and Clowny Appleseed. Pepper Ann suggests that Nicky run, but she explains that student presidents hold no power and thus has no reason to. Pepper Ann confronts Hickey on this and after offering some ideas for the school, Hickey agrees to listen to her, but only if she actually wins. With no other option, Pepper Ann decides to run. Nicky and Milo are proud of her decision and decide to be her campaign staff. They help her decide her issues and have her talk to the students. However, Pepper Ann learns that Alice Kane is also running against her with less poignant issues. Nicky suggests a debate that will decide the public's perception.
Pepper Ann decides to listen to Nicky's advice and stick to the topics at hand. However, during the debate, Alice proceeds to toss shade at Pepper Ann by pointing out minor issues with her that leave her tongue tied. Alice proceeds to print unflattering ads against Pepper Ann. She tries to have similar ones made about Alice, but Nicky stops her; telling her to stick to the issues as people will listen to those. Pepper Ann decides to make a television ad and have it aired on public access television. The filming goes great, but when they air the ad, it turns into a smear campaign against Alice. Nicky, upset at her friends for the betrayal, quits being part of the team.
On the final day of the tally, Hickey announces that the winner was Mark Hamill. Nicky laughs at the irony, revealing that she voted for Hamill as an act of defiance against the two for stooping so low with their campaigns. To make it even stranger, Hamill shows up to accept the win, only to learn that it was not an award show (he was simply happy that he won something). Pepper Ann apologizes to Nicky for her behavior and she tells her that she can still do her part to improve the school. With Hamill as the school president, Pepper Ann gives the bake sale a try and they manage to accrue new textbooks, however Nicky is flummoxed that they now mention Clowny Appleseed.
Cast
- Kathleen Wilhoite as Pepper Ann Pearson
- Jeff Bennett as Dieter Liederhosen, Pink-Eye Pete
- Danny Cooksey as Milo Kamalani
- Clea Lewis as Nicky Little
- Pamela Adlon as Moose Pearson
- April Winchell as Lydia Pearson, Abriola Stark, Gerta Liederhosen
- Don Lake as Sherman Finky
- Don Adams as Principal Hickey
- Susan Tolsky as Janie Diggety
- Glenne Headly as Becky Little
- Lauren Tom as Alice Kane
- Mark Hamill as Himself, Waiter
- Shari Belafonte as Congresswoman Barbara Reed
Desk Gag
"...A gold tooth!"
Trivia
- This is Mark Hamill's second appearance on the series.
