"Greensleeves" is the second segment of the seventeenth episode of Pepper Ann. It aired on October 3, 1998.
Synopsis[]
Pepper Ann wants to become a piano virtuoso, but her skills are terrible, so she uses a light-up keyboard to pretend to be talented.
Plot[]
Pepper Ann is amazed by Nicky's ability to play the violin and suggests that she is already good enough to play at the Rialto. She asks her if she can be as good as her and Nicky says she can if she is dedicated. Pepper Ann begs Lydia that she take piano lessons, despite her having taken other lessons and quitting, and she reluctantly allows her to. Pepper Ann hastily wants to be a good player, but the instructor Mr. Clapper, clearly sees her as being ill-equipped to play. Wanting to get better fast, Pepper Ann buys the PianoBrite 2000, a keyboard with light up notes that only seems to play "Greensleeves".
Pepper Ann shows off her "skills" in music class and is immediately hailed as a musical prodigy. This confuses Nicky who is further suspicious when Pepper Ann only seems capable of playing the one song. Nevertheless, word spreads of Pepper Ann's ability to play the piano and she gets adoration and attention from everyone in town. Despite her reflection telling her to be honest, Pepper Ann continues the ruse. Nicky visibly becomes jealous when Pepper Ann gets a spot at the Rialto, but Milo tells her that she needs to be supportive of her as she was the one who got her to play. Nicky apologizes to Pepper Ann for her behavior and decides to support her.
On the day of the concert, Pepper Ann is shocked to learn that everyone expects her to play on a real piano and she breaks down to Nicky by revealing that she faked her talents with the keyboard. While obviously angry, Nicky agrees to help Pepper Ann by setting up a second piano and playing behind the curtain. However, Pepper Ann stops and reveals to everyone attending that she lied about her abilities and that everyone should instead listen to Nicky who comes out with her violin. As a tribute to her friend, Nicky plays "Greensleeves", though one person in the audience admits he is tired of hearing the song.
Cast[]
- Kathleen Wilhoite as Pepper Ann Pearson
- Jeff Bennett as Dieter Liederhosen, Music Store Salesman, Newsstand Owner*, Surfer Boy*, Bob*
- Danny Cooksey as Milo Kamalani
- Clea Lewis as Nicky Little
- Pamela Segall as Moose Pearson
- April Winchell as Lydia Pearson, Sherie Spleen*, Additional voices
* Marks an uncredited voice role
Additional voices[]
- James Avery as Owen Clapper
Other appearances[]
- Dieter Liederhosen (no lines)
- Shelf McClain (does not speak)
- JavaNutt Guy (does not speak)
- Milicent the Militant (does not speak)
- Yassir (does not speak)
- Janie Diggity (cameo)
- JoJo Diggity (cameo)
- Ned Diggity (cameo)
- Trinket St. Blair (cameo)
- Cissy Rooney (cameo)
- Tessa and Vanessa James (cameo)
- Craig Bean (cameo)
- Alf (cameo)
- Blind Lady (cameo)
- Biker Hottie (cameo)
- Caricature Girl (cameo)
- Constance Goldman (cameo)
- Croquet Man (cameo)
- Crying Girl (cameo)
- Debbie (cameo)
- Dieter's Friends (cameo)
- Dirk (cameo)
- Distressed Mother & Son (cameo)
- A Gaggle of Nuns (cameo)
- Geezer (cameo)
- Gladys (cameo)
- Gwen Mezzrow (cameo)
- Hush (cameo)
- Jan (cameo)
- Librarian (cameo)
- Lillian Lilly (cameo)
- Mama Tried Guy (cameo)
- Margot LeSandre (cameo)
- Mitch (cameo)
- Mrs. Innocenzi (cameo)
- Mr. Little (cameo)
- Mrs. Little (cameo)
- Myrna (cameo)
- Pink-Eye Pete (cameo)
- Pizza Pit Manager (cameo)
- Sean LeSandre (cameo)
- Sketch (cameo)
- Son of the Soil (cameo)
- Tommy (cameo)
- Aunt Fanny (not seen)
- Chuck Pearson (indirectly mentioned)
Trivia[]
General[]
- The end credits play the keyboard rendition of "Greensleeves" instead of the usual end credits music.
- On the stand seen outside of JavaNutt in the episode' opening, it reads "Performing One Night Only: The Amazing Nicky Little! Thanks a Latte for Coming."
- As seen during band practice, the kids can be seen playing these instruments:
- Keyboard: Pepper Ann
- Violin: Nicky, Trinket, Gwen, Cossie Van Tuttie, Bennie, Surfer Boy
- Triangle: Milo
- Drums: Noah
- Cymbals: Lamar Abu-Dabe
- Saxophone: Timid Boy
- Flute: Cissy
- Students can also be seen playing tubas, trombones, trumpets, and bugles.
Continuity[]
- This episode marks the first appearance of JavaNutt, after being mentioned in "Quiz Bowl".
- The phrase "The Amazing Nicky Little" (referencing a line from "Quiz Bowl") will be played upon in future episodes.
- The Music Store salesman is also one of the retail workers for Veronica's Treasures.
- Nicky's fury at PA for getting a gig at the Rialto ignores that she had previously done an autoharp concert there in a previous episode.
- Nicky's line of wanting to perform there since she was "pre-natal" is also ironic, as a later episode reveals Pepper Ann performed at the Rialto as a baby with her grandmother.
- Following this episode, "Greensleeves" becomes a running joke.
Allusions[]
- In Pepper Ann's piano fantasy, she is dressed up to look like Elton John.
- As Pepper Ann walks past the PianoBrite 2000, Alter Ego namedrops "teen sensation" Taylor Hanson of the band Hanson.
