Christmas Song (2012) - full transcript

♪

(chatter)

(car alarm chirps)

Morning.

(woman)
So, Jessica.

Just to be clear...

Given the merger, there are now
going to be two music programs?

For now.

Can you reach this hook?

You're taller than me.

Already decorating for
Christmas, huh?



My therapist told me
to find things

to keep
my mind off the merger.

Something less stressful,
like Christmas.

Less stressful.

Like Christmas.
Right.

I know you hate it Diana,

but just give me this,
hang this for me.

Oh, I'm feeling
better already.

Merger's going
that badly, huh?

Merging an all-girls school
with an all-boys school.

Are you kidding?

There are so many
issues to resolve.

(wolf whistling)

Get your hands off her!



Making sure that proper
behavior is observed.

Having to make sure that
the existing facilities

are co-educational.

(Jessica Gedler)
Attention, please.

The boys are reminded to please
lower the toilet seats

after using the washrooms.

Hello, boys.

You know, even the
little things like

merging our
athletic program.

But the thing I hate
most of all,

eliminating unnecessary...

duplication.

Okay, now I'm stressed out.

(bell ringing)

I'm gonna go
set up for class.

Composers have been
arguing for years

about what feeling
certain keys convey.

For example...
(loud music begins
playing throughout)

C major is usually thought of
as bright and sunny.

But...

Composer Hector Berlioz,
1803-1869 called C major

serious, deaf, and dull.

(chatter)

One, two, three, four...

B minor is about
accepting one's fate.
(music continues)

It's usually referred to
as the key of patience.

(chatter)

Okay, I can't take this anymore.

I'll be back in a minute, just
shout quietly amongst yourselves

in the meantime.

One, two, three,
four, one, two...

Yeah!

One...

two, three, four.

One, two, three, four.

Other side.

One, two... ah!
Three, four.

One, two, three, four.

One, two,
three, four.

One, two, three, four.

Can I talk to you
for a minute?

Can I talk to
you for a minute?

I can't hear you.

Can I talk to
you for a minute?!

Okay, okay.
I hear you.

Whoa, whoa-whoa, whoa.

Stop, stop,
stop, stop, stop.

Excellent, I love it.
Five minutes I'll be right back.

(chatter, laughter)

What was that all about?

What?

That...

noise?

It's called rhythm, you know?

As in, I got...

Really? 'Cause I call it
pounding, as in, headache.

I'm trying to teach a music
class right next door.

What do you
think I'm doing?

Well, pounding everything in
sight isn't exactly music.

It's self-expression.

Yeah, well, so are facial
tattoos, but I don't think

we should be encouraging those.

Okay, well, you can't
make music without a beat.

And if you'll excuse me,
I got students waiting.

(sighs) Can you...

Oh, wow.

(chatter)

Hi.
Sorry about that, sorry.

(music resumes)

(scoffs)

I can't hear myself think.
I don't know how I'm
supposed to teach music

if I can't even teach
the basics of rhythm.

Well, there are things
called textbooks.

You can't teach music
from a book.

Really? What do you
think I've been doing?

Don't you know either?
Oh, very funny.

Look, I am just trying to teach
my students

the fundamentals
and history of music,

I think that's
pretty important.
Okay, that's fine.

I mean, really--
And all I'm trying to do
is teach these kids

to find the music
within themselves.

Enough!
It's--

Now, please stop arguing about
who is teaching the right way.

Just be thankful
you've got jobs.

Are you trying to
tell us something?

Nothing specific, no, it's just
that we're under budgetary

pressures and as usual, the very
first things to get trimmed are

the arts, and here we are with
two music teachers who cannot

agree on what to teach.

It's just that without--
You have to get through
to these kids that they...

All I'm saying is
that they need to--
have the music within them...

It's important for them--
No, this, this
is exactly what I mean.

Now, look, we all agree that
music is a vital part of

education, but eventually,
I am
going to have to face the board,

who are gonna sit there
behind their ledgers,

and they're gonna want proof.

I don't know how you prove
something like that, I mean...

With public support.

If you can get the alumni
and the parents to protect

the program, then
you've got a chance at keeping

the program alive.

We could organize a recital.

Again, recitals.
The only people

who come to recitals
are the ones who like

the music program already.

No. No, we need--
we need a bigger tent.

Now, have a look at that.

Christmas song contest.

That could
be interesting.

Forget interesting.

This is going to be televised.

That is the kind
of exposure we need.

Yeah.

Gee, if I may,
it just seems like

we may be exploiting
the students.

I'll do it.

Good.

How about you, Ken?
In or out?

Kasdan and Cresswell
can submit two entries?

Well, it says,
it says right here,

one entry per music program,

now, since we have two separate
music programs still,

I don't see why
you both can't enter.

You realize, don't you,
that eventually,

your positions
will be merged.

The board will have
to choose one of you

as the sole music director.

Well, would winning
this contest help?

It certainly couldn't hurt.

Then I'm in.

Me too.

Good.

Well, then may the best
music director win.

Give 'em a call.

♪

So, we've got a judge
with a musical background.

We'll be relying
on her opinion,

but also the phone
and text votes

for each competitor.

This makes me look pasty.

Excuse me?
Uh, sorry,

I was thinking
about something else.

Anyhoo, we're looking for teams.

So duos are preferred,

but we will take a trio.

Absolutely not.

Oh, we-- we weren't planning
on doing a trio.

Yeah.

What?
No, no, no, no.

When I said absolutely not,
I meant a tie.

I was talking about a tie.

Right, right, what about a tie?

What happens
in the case of a tie?

The right one makes my eyes pop.

I'm sorry, I'm not following.
What?

Look, it's--
It's very simple.

Any Christmas carol,

any arrangement.

Could be a classic,
could be contemporary.

Mm-hmm, classic.
Contemporary.

Like I said, it's your call.

Publicity from this
thing is fantastic.

So is the $10,000 prize.

Sounds good.
I'll be signing up.

Yeah, me too.

Perfect.

(singing poorly)
♪ Jingle all
the way-ay-yay... ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

I forget the rest.

Do you know, don't even worry
about it, thank you.

(boy, singing poorly)
♪ Deck the halls
with boughs of jolly ♪

♪ Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la

♪ 'Tis the season
to be jolly ♪

♪ Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la

Great.
Thank you.

Thank you.

Hey, I know her.
She's in my fourth period class.

Well, I hope she's better in
history than she is at singing.

Oh, come on, of all the girls
you've heard, there has to be at

least two you can work with.

The only one I like
is Liz Strait.

You've got to be kidding.

The girl voted
most likely to.

What's that supposed to mean?

Hello, boys.

I'm-- You're right, I shouldn't
say that, but she's kind of

the original party girl.

(Liz)
♪ Silent night

♪ Holy night

♪ All is calm

♪ All is bright

♪ Round yon virgin
mother and child ♪

♪ Holy infant

♪ So tender
and mild ♪

♪ Sleep in heavenly peace

♪ Sleep in
heavenly peace ♪

She has a good voice, I mean,
she's a little untrained.

Yeah, no kidding
she's untrained.

She's too busy
having a good time.

You know, I think this
could be different.

I mean, she's obviously
got a healthy ego.

Obviously.
And this, this is a chance
to showcase herself,

you know, and if she
doesn't put the work in,

then she's the one who
comes across looking bad.

Yeah, maybe.

Hey.
What about Amy Barnes?

She didn't audition.

Oh, that's too bad.

She babysits for me
sometimes and she sings

when she puts Harry down.

She has a beautiful voice.

Really?
Yeah.

I don't think I've ever
heard her say anything.

I know, she's kind of shy.

Well, that could be a problem
for a television appearance.

I mean, no matter how
good her voice is.

Yeah, but you know,
it could also help

bring her out of her shell.

Well, with all due respect, I've
got bigger things to worry about

than bringing Amy
out of her shell.

Gedler as much as told me that
this could mean my job.

Wow. And you're relying
on Liz Strait to keep it?

♪

What's, uh...
What's up with the singers?

You have your
two singers yet?

Singers, yes.

Yes, I do.
Talk to me.

This one kid, Billy Warren.

♪ God rest ye merry gentlemen

♪ Let nothing you dismay

♪ Remember Christ our savior was
born on Christmas day ♪

♪ To save us all
from Satan's power... ♪

(Ken)
Billy, he's like
the golden boy of the place.

He's good looking,
he's an athlete,

his parents are loaded,

and it turns out he's
got a great singing voice.

♪ Comfort

♪ And joy

Of course, I'm taking a chance
using the kid, you know, he's

arrogant and disruptive in
class, you know the type.

Well, every class
has got one, right?

What about the other one?

He's also a surprise.

New kid, Carlo.

♪ O Christmas tree

♪ O Christmas tree

♪ Thy leaves are so unchanging

♪ Not only green
when summer's here... ♪

(Ken)
Carlo, he's as smart
as they come.

I think he's had
a hard time fitting in.

♪ O Christmas tree

Maybe the contest will
help break the ice.

He's got a great voice, too.

♪ Thy leaves are so unchanging

(chatter)

Amy.

Yes, Miss Thiessen?

Can I speak to you for a minute?

I was sort of hoping
you were gonna turn out
for the auditions last week.

Oh.

I'm not comfortable singing

in front of
a crowd of people.

Well, Miss Hammond's heard you
and she said you're very good.

She's just being nice.

Would you consider singing
for me and letting me decide?

Now?

But everyone
would hear me.

Come here.

Come on.

It's just the two of us.

You could sing just
a couple of bars a capella.

I-- I'll even turn around.

You can just pretend you're
singing a baby to sleep.

Any Christmas
carol you'd like.

I'll turn around.

♪ The holly and the ivy

♪ When they are both
full grown ♪

♪ Of all the trees
that are in the wood ♪

♪ The holly bears the crown

♪ O the rising of the sun

♪ And the running of the deer

♪ The playing
of the merry organ ♪

♪ Sweet singing in the choir ♪

Oh.

Amy...

I really want you
in this contest.

I can't sing
in front of people.

But you'd be ready and
rehearsed, and you wouldn't

be up there alone.

I think this could be a really
good experience for you.

I'll think about it.

Think you could let me
know by the end of today?

Amy.

I just-- I just want you to know
that no matter what you decide,

you are very, very good.

Thanks.

♪

(chatter)

Hi.

Good lunch?

I'm guessing you want
to tell me something.

Ask, actually.

I need a huge favor.

Do you think you could possibly
substitute as a chaperone for me

at the winter formal
this Saturday?

I agreed to do it, but out
of nowhere, Scott proposed

this big romantic weekend
in the mountains, so.

Fun.
Yeah.

But, I mean,
if you're busy, you know.

Me? No, no,
I've got nothing on.

Go have fun
with your husband.
Ah, okay.

Thank you, I promise
I'll make it up to you.
Oh, don't even sweat it.

Like I said, I've got
nothing happening Saturday.

Okay, well, that's
what I kind of fi--

Um... I didn't, actually.

It's okay.
I was hoping.

Well, that's not
much better, either.

That's fine, no,
it's fine.

I'm so sorry.

I shouldn't have presumed.

Look, we're friends.

You know how my
weekends are, it's fine.

I do know what
your weekends are like.

We need to change that.

Agreed.

But, I guess after
the winter formal.

Yeah. If you're
all right with that.

Yeah, that's fine.
Thank you.

(chuckles)

(rock music playing)

Hello.

I was assigned to keep an eye
on the parking lot with you.

Oh, hi.

Oh, I didn't know
it was gonna be you.

Yeah, I know, I was just
a last-minute replacement

filling in for Jill.

A-ha.

(laughs)
It's a little early for
the winter formal, isn't it?

Yeah.

Coach Willis doesn't like
interfering with basketball

practice in the winter, so.

Ah, right, of course,
I should have known.

Everything revolves
around sports.
Yeah.

Why let a silly thing
like the seasons mess you up?

No.

You kids can't be out here.

No... hi, hi.

It's-- We're--
It's Ken and--

Diana, hi.
Diana.

Thought you
were a couple.

(laughing)

I guess I better get that
laser eye surgery, huh?

Yeah.
Well, I'm glad to see you two

finally getting along.

See you inside.

Okay.
Okay.

(sighs)

Hmm. They must consider this
a pretty important post,

getting two people
to patrol it like this, huh?

Are you kidding?

Parking lot of
a high school dance?

Number-one action spot.

Don't you remember?

No, I was more likely
to be in the band

than on the dance floor,
to tell you the truth.

And our family vehicle was
actually a hearse.

You're kidding.
No, no.

My stepdad was a--

Was an undertaker.

He didn't see any reason to buy
a new vehicle when we had

a perfectly good 1972
death master in the garage.

(laughs)

Well, we had an AMC pacer that
was not only the ugliest car

ever built, but it was
completely glass,

so you could see through it.

My dad knew exactly
what he was doing

when he bought that car.

I'll bet.

(car rocking)
Look at this.

(knocking)

Hey.

Come on, guys.

You know better than this.
Inside.

You can't hang out
out here.

Inside.

So you were
in a band, huh?

Uh, yeah, yeah,
yeah, I was.

You any good?

We thought we were,
but we really weren't.

Oh, you were probably better
than you think.

We weren't.

(both laugh)

What'd your parents
think about that?

Oh, God, my mom hated,
hated
the idea

that I wanted
to become a musician.

Totally fought me
every step of the way.

So she was overjoyed
when I eventually

got my education degree.

What about you?
You a performer?

Um, obligatory piano recitals,
that sort of thing,

but no real performing.

You sure that's not you tickling
the ivories to Billy Joel's

lesser-known
"Turnstiles" album?

No, I sort of tend more
to a Chopin polonaise.

Right, right.
Well, you're very good.

I've heard you play
for your class.

Thank you.
Yeah.

Good enough for a high school
class, but not quite

good enough to perform.
No, don't sell yourself short.

I've heard professional
keyboardists who aren't

half as good as you are.

Oh, yeah, but that's pop.

That's not as demanding.

What, popular music
isn't demanding?

Uh, no.

Not really, not if you
want me to be honest.

So anyone can do it?
Well, no, I mean, but it's,

you know, usually three
or four chords

played over and over again
and not really much of a melody.

Yeah, but you have
to feel it, though.
See, that's the difference.

You can't hide
behind technique.

You don't just rely on
technique, but you do require

skill to learn it,
and discipline.

It's got to come
from the heart.

There's no reason the brain
can't get involved, though.

Oh, so pop music
is mindless?

I didn't say that.
Why are you putting
words in my mouth?

I didn't say that.
No, no. No, I'm not putting
words in your mouth.

I'm just repeating
what I'm hearing here.

It's not...

Let's just stop arguing
about this, it's silly.

Who's arguing?
We're not arguing,

we're just talking
about what we think.

Well, you wanna
know what I think?

I think I'm gonna beat
you in this contest.

(laughs)
Okay.

Well, maybe if all
the judges are over 80,

you might have a chance.

Okay, wow.

Well, we'll see.
Yeah.

Yes, we will.

(bell ringing)

You made the right choice,
I promise.

Christmas carols
can be a lot of fun.

We don't really celebrate
Christmas at my house.

Don't celebrate Christmas?
Who doesn't celebrate Christmas?

My mom thinks consumerism has
corrupted the message.

Well, you don't have
to celebrate Christmas

to enjoy the music,

take it from me.

Liz, Amy, Amy, Liz.

Hey.
Hey.

So can I just tell you,
I am, like, crazy excited.

I've never been
on television before.

Well, except on YouTube.

You're on YouTube?

Someone posted a clip of me
at a party one time.

I didn't find out
until a week later.

By that time,
it already had 300 likes.

Okay, you know, let's...

Let's get started.

I want you to take this home
and work on it on your own

before we start
putting it together.

What song did you pick?

Here you go.

"Angels We Have
Heard on High."

In two-part harmony.

(huffs)

What's the matter?

My mother sings this.

In church.

It's totally lame.

Well, then it'll be up
to us to make it exciting.

We'll sound like old bags
singing this.

It's all in the arrangement,
I promise.

Let's at least try it.

I mean, yeah, it's really
old-fashioned, but it's got

a basic melody that
we could really embellish.

Embellish?

It means, you know,
decorate.

I know what it means.
I've just--

I've never heard anyone use it
in a conversation before.

Just try it.

If the arrangement
is too complicated,
I could help you with it.

I think I can figure it out
for myself, thanks.

See ya.
Bye, Liz.

Don't worry about her.

She'll be fine when she starts
working on the material.

You just...

learn your part.

You can be the good example.

Right, Miss Thiessen.

(chuckles)

Diana?

I'm glad I got you
before I left.

Do you have plans for next
Saturday night?

Um, not that
I'm aware of, no.

Well, then I apologize for the
late invitation, but I am hoping

you can join me for Christmas
dinner practice.

Christmas dinner practice?
Yeah.

It's part of my
stress-reduction program.

I have always been concerned
about Christmas dinner

being perfect.

No longer.

Okay.

I'm having a trial run.

You're making
Christmas dinner twice.

Right.

And that's gonna
be less stressful?

Well, this way, I can get
reviews for the food

before I serve it
to the real guests.

Oh, not that you're
not a real guest.

So it--
It wouldn't just be me?

Oh, no, no, no.
I need more
than one opinion.

(singsong)
My nephew will be coming.

(laughs)

He has just come out of
a very serious relationship

and I would like him to meet
somebody special.

He is a great guy.

I think you two would
really hit it off.

So, will I see you then?

Well, if it's gonna help
relieve your stress, why not?

Oh!

Shall we say...
5:00 for drinkies?

5:00 for drinkies it is.

And thank you.

No.

Thank you.

(long exhale)

How do you do?

My name is Diana.

(doorbell rings)

Hi, I'm Diana.

You can call me Dee Dee.

(quietly)
Dee Dee?
Who calls me Dee Dee?

Hi, I'm Diana.

You can call me anytime.

Hello?
Hi.

(laughing)

Hi.
Oh, Diana, don't
you look lovely?

Oh, thank you.

I got you a bottle of pinot.
Oh, thank you.

Now, unfortunately, my nephew
won't be able to join us

'cause his car broke down,
but it's all right.
Oh.

I've invited somebody
else from school.

Come.

Hey.

Hey.

(Diana)
Uh-huh. (laughs)

(dishes clank)

Great.
Mm-mmm.

So...
So, how is the stuffing?

Oh, it's--
Excellent.

Do you like the tarragon?

Did you taste it?
Tarragon, yeah.

Mm-hmm.
I think so, yeah.

Is there enough onion?

I thought so, yeah.
I don't know if
this is spicy enough.

I know some people say
a spice rub,

but I say wrong, wrong, wrong.

A spice rub is okay for the
skin, but to get down deep

into the meat,
nothing beats deep brining.

That is what my dad
always used to say.

Every Christmas, we would brine
the turkey together.

Brining.

No, deep brining.

Of course.

Well, even better.

Well.
Oh.

Well, then, I'll clear
the table for dessert.

I'll get--
I'll get that.
Oh, hey, let me do that.

Oh, no.

I got it.
No. No, no, no, no, no...

I'll get this,
I'll get it.

No, no, no, no, no, no, no.

I've got a system,
you'll just be in the way.

Are you sure?

Oh.
Okay.

I think I'm gonna get
a little fresh air,

counteract the tryptophan.

Hey.
I'll-- I'll join you.

Do you know what
would be fabulous?

I'm already done decorating
the front yard, but I haven't

finished the backyard yet.

You decorate
the backyard, too?

Well, it's the little things
that make the holiday perfect.

The devil is
in the details.

Right.
Like deep brining.

You see, he gets it,
he gets it.

He's been around the block
more than a few times.

I think you're
wonderful, Ken.

Oh.

Okay.
Thank you.

That's--
I--

Well, this wonderful person's
gonna help you put up some

Christmas lights
in the backyard.

How about that?

Okay!
Okay.

Okay.
Oh, I see you got--

Well, then.

Here--
Oh, my goodness.
Whoops.

Could you give me
a hand with this?
Okay, yeah, sure.

I got that.

Now.
Thank you.

All right, but no shop talk,
all right?

Let's just forget about school
this weekend, all right?

We'll do our best.

(laughing)
Okay, have fun.

Hey, let me get this.

(clearing throat)

(Ken laughing)

She hasn't finished
decorating the backyard?

Wow.

(laughs)

Hey, listen, I'm actually glad
we got this time alone together

because I just
wanted to apologize.

You know, there's
no need for us to argue.

It's ridiculous.

I mean, we're mature,
responsible adults.

And we're acting like
third-graders, right?

Truce?

(laughs)
Truce.

♪

You know, this used
to be my favorite part

of the Christmas meal.

Not the eating 'til you're
stuffed, but the conversation

afterwards, you know?

It's different
than the talking before?

Oh, yeah, sure, absolutely.

You know, before it's all
catching up and, you know,

what's going on in your life,
blah, blah, blah, but after,

when everybody's just sort of
skirting on the edge of falling

asleep and people tend to,

you know, talk a bit
slower and let their guard down,

and it's less about
just socializing than it

is really communicating.

You know what I mean?

I never thought about it like
that before.

Yeah, well.

I have my moments.

Ooh.

Colder than
I thought out here.

I'm gonna go get
my other coat.

No, no, here, take mine.

Oh, no, you'll
catch a cold.

No, don't be silly.

I insist.
I'm hot-blooded.

I'm never cold.

It's true.
Are you sure?

Yes, absolutely, I insist.

Okay.

So...

Now what? (laughs)

You know, I'm glad Jessica
invited me over tonight,

because I was actually planning
on cleaning out my cupboards.

Ooh, that's depressing.

I like to do mine
at Christmas.

What?
Christmas?

(chuckles)
How dare you?

Christmas is supposed
to be all, you know,

music and parties and lights

and mistletoe and biting
the head off of delicious

gingerbread men, right?

Well, at least we've got the
contest to look forward to.

You're not really looking
forward to it, are you?

Of course, aren't you?

Not-- No.

Not at all.

I can't wait for it
to be over.

You really like
things like that?

Well.

Can't win if
you don't compete.

Wow, you're the second person
that's told me that this week.

Oh, you're gonna be fine.

You'll be fine.

(laughs)

Thank you, yeah, I'm--

I'm sure I will, too.

(laughs)
Well, then.

Let the best coach win.

(Gedler vocalizing)

Wow.

Hello!

Who's ready for some
croquembouche de Noel?

Huh?

(chatter, laughter)

Hey.

(music playing)

Nice.

Ah.
Whoa.

There he is.

Sorry.
Lost track of time.

It's okay.

But just please, please,

in the future,
try to be on time, okay?

Uh, Billy, Carlo,
Carlo, Billy.
You know each other?

Uh, no.
Hi.

Hey.

He's the other singer?

Yes, he is, yeah.

He's fantastic,
he gave a great audition.

You both did, we're gonna win
this thing.

Cool.
So what are we singing?

Uh, I haven't decided yet,

but I will let you
know as soon as I do

and I'll have a rehearsal
schedule posted as well.

I'm available pretty much
whenever, so.

Perfect.

I have to work around
wrestling practice.

Billy.
I told you at the audition,
if you were chosen,

this is gonna have to take
priority, right?

Yeah, but I'm the captain
of the team now.

I kind of have to show up.

Don't worry, I'll figure
something out.

See ya.

Come ready to work.

You got it.

♪ Angels we have
heard on high ♪

♪ On high

♪ Sweetly singing
o'er the plains ♪

♪ And the mountains
in reply ♪

♪ Echoing their
joyous strains ♪

Liz, you're singing
behind the beat.

I always sing
behind the beat.

Well, you can't when
you have a partner, though.

That's what
the notes are for.

Let's just-- Let's try
it one more time, okay?

♪ Angels we have heard on high

♪ Sweetly singing
o'er the plains ♪

♪ And the mountains in reply

♪ Echoing their
joyous strains ♪

That was good, perfectly
together, pitch is great,

but Amy, you're
partners
with Liz, okay?

Not backup.
So just...

just raise your voice a bit.

While we've stopped,
have we thought about

how we want to stage this?

Stage it?

Yeah, I was thinking just
simple, you know?

We just play to camera.

So say that's you.

♪ Angels we have heard on high

♪ Sweetly singing
o'er the plains ♪

I don't think
I can do that.
Liz, no.

The camera will love it.

Yeah, it's--

It's a Christmas
carol, though.

That doesn't mean
we can't sell it.

Let's just rely on our mastery
of the material, okay?

You wanna win?

You use every trick
you've got up your sleeve.

All right, this time, let's just
sing every single word

exactly together, okay?

That's what the beat's for.

Okay.

♪

♪ Angels we have heard on high

♪ Sweetly singing
o'er the plains ♪

♪ And the mountains in reply

♪ Echoing their joyous strains

Diana.

A word?

I've just learned that Estelle
Barlowe is judging the contest.

Who's she?

She is an alumna
of this school.

Oh... Wouldn't that be
a conflict of interest?

I mean, the TV station might
disqualify her.

I don't think so.

She owns the TV station.

Then that's great
for us, isn't it?

I don't know.

She may hold you to
a higher standard

to appear unbiased, you know?

Is she a musician?

Well... let's just say
that she is--

She's very
enthusiastic about
the arts, but she doesn't--

Doesn't really know
anything about them.

So how's she gonna judge?

Well, she's gonna really very
heavily on the phone-in vote.

Well, if she's insecure, I mean,
she might just go for the tried

and true, sort of classical
sort of Christmas carol.

That's true, or, you know, she
may want to push the envelope

and award the prize to
something, I don't know,

new and exciting.

You two cannot second
guess this too much.

Just make sure that your teams
are good, because she will be

watching you
especially closely.

We'll be ready.

Mm.

Oh, we're gonna knock 'em dead.

Hey.

Sorry, guys.

Wrestling ran over.

We did talk
about this, correct?

Right?
Yeah.

There's only a few weeks left
before the contest.

Yeah, but it's one song.

I mean, how long
could it take?

That's up to you.

But it's got to be perfect.

Okay.

So what are we singing?

You're singing
"The First Noel."

You're kidding, right?

No.
You know it?

Well, yeah.
Everyone does.

It's the same old...

(humming)

song, right?

I mean, it's really boring.

Not necessarily.

Well, yeah, sure, the basic
motif is simple, but we can go

in a lot of directions with it.

Like what?

Okay.
Well, for example,

think of it as a boogie-woogie.

You know, that same repeating
bass line.

You can do anything with it,
like a doo wop or an uptempo.

You could even do
a disco beat if you want.
(laughing)

Absolutely.
He's right, Billy.

I got a lot of ideas for you,
just trust me,
it will not be boring.

Well, I guess I'm outvoted
anyway, so...

Hey, let's just
give it a try.

Fine, fine.

Let's--
Let's do it.

♪ The first Noel

♪ The angels did say

♪ Was to certain
poor shepherds... ♪

Okay, okay, good, good, good.
Don't rush it.

Listen to the words, right?
It's not just a tune.

Just think about what
you're singing here, okay?

Yeah, okay.

And Carlo, hold that note.
Noel, right?

To match, Billy, there.

Okay, yeah.
Yeah, drag that out.

Good, good, good.
And...

Billy, maybe try a few runs.
What do you think?

Yeah, sure.
Yeah, okay?

And let's go up
a tone.

Maybe try it in B,
it might be better, yeah?

Yeah, yeah.
Okay.

♪ The first Noel

♪ The angels did say

♪ Was to certain poor shepherds
in fields as they lay ♪

♪ In fields where they lay
keeping their sheep ♪

♪ On a cold winter's
night that was so deep ♪

♪ Noel Noel

♪ Oh Noel Noel

♪ Born is the king of Israel

♪ Yeah

Okay, okay, good
good, good.

Carlo, it sounds good, okay?

Let me hear you.
Yeah?

Yes, absolutely.
Okay.

Trust it.
Billy, sounding good, too,

but maybe we'll just pull back
a little bit, right?

It's a duet, right?
Oh, yeah, right.

So let's think about singing
together, guys, okay?

It's good, guys, it's sounding
good, it's getting there.

(distant)
♪ The first Noel

♪ The angels did sing...

Miss Thiessen?

Hi.

I'm Amy's mother.

She told me this morning about
the singing contest.

Oh, she didn't tell you before?

No, because she knew
what I would say.

I wish you had asked my
permission before casting her.

I don't want her competing.

But Amy has such a gorgeous
voice and she's so excited

about the contest--
I know all that.

But Amy can't
handle the stress.

Things build up inside her.

She... She can't
sleep or eat

and finally,
she's a nervous wreck.

With all due respect,
Mrs. Barnes,

I think you're
underestimating your daughter.

I think Amy can handle
more than you think she can.

And what better way to prepare
for life than to take on things

that challenge and scare us?

With all due respect to you,
Miss Thiessen,

my husband and I have
gone to great lengths

to teach our daughter
the true values of Christmas.

Giving, love, togetherness.

We've done missions in Mexico
just to get away from the very

commercialism and consumerism
Christmas has become, and now

you want to put her on
a television show sponsored

by the very consumerism
we loathe so that she can

sing like some kind
of trick animal?

Oh...

I don't think so.

Your job is to teach,
Miss Thiessen.

I'll do the parenting.

I would never, ever allow
your daughter to be treated

like some
sort of trick animal.

I mean, I really--

I truly believe this has been
great for Amy and ever since

she's been singing, she's...

She has come
alive in class.

She participates.

She raises her hand,
she's involved.

She's really starting
to come out of her shell.

I genuinely think
this is good for her.

Would you please reconsider?

If I can see that it's too much
for her, I'm pulling her out.

Agreed.

And thank you.

Thank you so much.

Wow, who hates
Christmas that much?

Do you know, I don't even
think it has anything

to do with Christmas.

I think she is a mother so
afraid of her child getting hurt

that she'll do anything to
protect her, which, of course,

just ends up hurting the child
more in the long run.

Obviously, I can't
tell her that.

Yeah, no, obviously.

What's that strange little
inflection in your voice?

Nothing.
Uh...

I'm a person who makes
my living using my ears.

I know a strange
inflection when I hear one.

It's just kind of funny
listening to you talk about

somebody else sabotaging.

What's that
supposed to mean?

Nothing.
Forget it.

What do you think I'm
sabotaging?

Come on, Diana.

You've been talking
about how you haven't had

a personal life A.D.

A.D.?

After Dave.

Oh, come on.

I don't have
time for that.

Time for that, I know.

You know how I know?

'Cause you've been
saying the same thing

for the last four years.

You were just saying at lunch
how you're gonna spend

another Christmas alone.

I mean, come on,
Christmas is just a day.

Yeah.

No, it's not.

And you know it's not.

It's meant to be spent
with the people you care about

who care about you.

Come on, girl, get off your
butt, go find somebody.

Ugh, I just hate
the bar scene

and I can't even
imagine going to one

of those ridiculous
singles clubs.

It's just not my thing.

Wow, you are so
far behind the time.

Let me bring
you up to speed.

We have this nifty little tool
now called the Internet

where you can go on it
and there are tons of sites

where you can meet men.

Ugh, I just don't think--
I don't know.

I just can't do that.

Why? You just look at it like
a screening process, you know,

you-- you find somebody, you
have a drink, go for dinner.

If there's no spark, who cares?

You just start over.

Maybe.

It would be nice
to meet someone.
Yes.

Right now, I gotta concentrate
on winning this contest.

Yeah.

Hey, did you hear that
this Estelle Barlowe

is one of the judges?
Yeah.

She's on the board
of governors.

You knew that, right?
I just found out.

It's starting to feel less
like a Christmas concert

and more like
a job interview.

This is crazy.
I can't believe

that you're gonna
lose your job

if you lose the contest.

I can.

More and more every day.

Well, you know what?

You gotta win.

I'm working on it.

See you tomorrow.
Bye.

Hi, Liz.

Not now.
I have a major tweet to send.

What's up?

I just heard Miss Thiessen say
that she may lose her job

if we don't win
this carol contest.

That doesn't seem fair.

What if Mr. Stoddard loses?

He'd be out of a job.

There.

Lucky for Miss Thiessen, she's
always been nice to me, huh?

Hey.
Hey.

Liz just tweeted whatever
teacher wins the contest
gets to keep their job.

Oh, dude, please don't
tell me you subscribed

to Liz Strait's
Twitter account.

Are you really interested every
time she gets a triple-shot

six-pump soy vanilla latte?
No.

But I want to find out
what the competition is up to.

Good for you.

It's about time.
I thought you forgot
this is a contest.

No.
So we have to win or
Mr. Stoddard gets axed, huh?

That's what it sounds like.

There's got to be ways
we can get an advantage.

(bell ringing)

Great.

(chatter, laughter)

Good morning.

Hey.

Hey.

Why are you so happy
on a cold Monday morning?

I took your advice and signed up
for an online dating site

and they sent me a match.

Are you serious?

That is so exciting.

(gasps) What's his name?

They don't give out
names or addresses.

It's a security thing, so you go
out with them and then you

decide if you want to give them
your number, but judging from

the answers on his personality
quiz, he seems perfect.
Yeah?

Oh, wow.

So when do you
get to meet him?

Uh, day after tomorrow.

We're having dinner.

Ooh!

I want to hear
all the details.

I'm serious, don't leave
anything out.

Hey, I will, I promise,
but keep it down,

I don't want the
whole school knowing.

Don't worry, I won't say
anything, I promise.

I have got a great
feeling about this.

Really?
Yeah.

(instrumental Christmas
music playing)

(chatter)

It's gonna be good, it's gonna
be fine, it's gonna be--

Sorry, just thinking out loud.

Hi, I think
you're number 29--

What are you doing here?

I have a horrible feeling
the same thing that you are.

Well, there must
be some kind of mistake.

Yeah, I'm--

I'm sure there is,
but I am 29-82.

Yeah.
Wow.

Um...
Hmm.

Well, I guess there's
no reason to stay.
No, no, wait, wait, wait.

I mean, since you're here
already and you obviously spent

a lot of time getting ready.

Not a lot.

Well, you look great.
Thank you.

Beautiful, actually.

Oh.

Thanks again.

Do you want to sit down and have
a glass of wine and we can

figure out how
all this happened?

Yeah. (laughs)

Oh, thank you.
(clearing throat)

So why did you say your
favorite music was classical.

Ah, because it is.

What I teach in class doesn't
necessarily reflect

what I listen
to at home, you know?

Like Brahms?

Yeah, yeah.
Absolutely.

I can barely get through his
horn trio without crying.

(laughs)

I played the piano part
in recital once.

It was one of the most
incredible moments of my life.

To, uh...

Yeah.

So do you have
classical training?

Me?
Oh, no, no.

I'm, uh...

more of a pop kinda guy
when it comes to performing.

Oh, you don't
like pop, I forgot.

That's not true.

No, no, it's enjoyable.

It's not important.

Well, important like
Beethoven or Brahms?

No, I don't think it is.

So what's your
definition of important?

Will people 100 years from
today be performing it?

Do we live 100 years
from today, though?

You know, I--

Popular music is important to
people who live today.

That's fine, but I just want to
show people that there's more

available than what
they hear on the top 100.

I mean, there are over 300 years
of some of the most incredible

sounds man has ever created
just waiting for them.

Sure, but you can't force people
to like classical music

by putting down
what they like.

I'm not putting it down.

Mm.

You know what?
This isn't gonna work.

What do I owe you
for the wine?

Don't be silly.
No, I insist.

No, really, I invited you,
I'll pay for the night.

Fine.

Thank you for the short
but lovely night.

Enjoy your dinner.

So she thinks my music
is simplistic and my class

is a bunch of imbeciles.
She said that?

Okay, yeah.
She said that?

Well, I mean, some reading
between the lines here,

but basically.
Man, that's tough.
That's--

Well, on the lighter side, at
least you know the next date's

gonna go better.
Oh, no. There's not gonna
be a next date.

Trust me.
What are you talking about?
What are you talking about?

You gotta get back in the saddle
when you're thrown off.

Yeah, that's assuming one
wants to ride again, okay?

I'm giving up, I'm--
I'm done.

You can't do that.
Why not?

You can't--
You can't do that.

Why not?
So I'm alone.

Big deal.
It's easier that way.

Easier?
Yeah.

Who said anything about
life being easy?

Life is complicated.
That's what makes
it interesting.

Oh, Gary, honestly, don't...
No, no, listen to me.

Listen to me.

You can't
just settle, dude.

You know what's settled?

What?
The sludge.

The sludge at the bottom
that nobody wants.

You gotta figure out what
you want from life, man,

and you gotta fight for it.

Give it another chance.

Oh, God...
Give me the--
give me the--

the printout with your
answers on it.

Why?
I got an idea.

I got an idea,
hear me out.

Okay.

We are gonna write
in the opposite answers

of what you put in
the first time.

Uh, what is it,
favorite food.

What's your favorite food?

Italian.
Italian.

All right, Italian.

Now it's Thai.

Why? Why are
you bothering?

Because this way, we're
guaranteed to find someone

completely opposite
of what you got tonight.

That's what
you want, isn't it?

Yeah.

Yeah, that's exactly
what I want.

Okay, so Thai it is.

Yeah, but you can't
just give up.

I'm no good at it, okay?

Romance just
isn't my game.

(laughing)

Well, now,
that's interesting.

What?

How you just
described romance.

Please, no amateur
psychoanalysis.

Okay.

Because it meant nothing.
Okay.

It's just a figure of speech.

Okay.

Would you please stop saying
"okay" like that?

Let me ask you a question.

You competitive.

Yeah, I'm competitive.
Okay.

And every time you
get involved in a game,

what do you
want to do?

I want to beat my opponent.

Diana.

In romance, when you wind up
in first place, you don't win.

You only win
when you both win.

♪

(chatter)

That's great, guys.

Whoa.

Another one.

Fantastic.
(bell ringing)

Oh, morning, Liz.

Seriously?

These are terrible.

It's not your fault.

It's certainly
not my fault.

Amy.

They're terrific, really.

But she wants to try something
and I wanted to try something.

What?

This will make
your eyes pop, okay?

Uhn.
Come here.

Stay still.

(Billy)
They're using glamour shots.

It isn't fair,
they know we can't compete.

Ugh, guys, get this down.

You, you two.

Guys, get this down,
this looks terrible.

Carlo, I'm gonna have to think
of something.

Something good.

♪ Angels we have heard on high

♪ Sweetly singing
o'er the plains ♪

(chatter)

Whoa.
Ooh,

(sighs)

Sorry.

Thanks.

Hey.

Oh, beautiful.

♪ The first Noel

♪ The angels did say

♪ Was to certain poor shepherds
in fields as they lay ♪

Carlo, louder.

♪ In fields where they

♪ Lay keeping
their sheep... ♪
Yeah!

(laughter)

Christmas has always been
a source of inspiration

for composers,
so just--

Over the next week, while you're
on holiday,

listen out for
the music you're hearing.

So, like, "Jingle Bell Rock."

(laughter)

Well, I was thinking a little
bit more along the lines

of the music you might
hear at, you know, church.

(drum beating)

Uh, church bulletins are usually
really good about listing

the names of composers,
but if you-- you can't--

(sighs)

If you can't hear it.

Hear it?
Can't hear myself.

Ha ha, that's it.
You know what?

You want loud?
I'm gonna give you loud.

Girls, I have a very special
Christmas treat for you.

Now, Tchaikovsky wrote this to
commemorate the defeated

Napoleon when he invaded Russia.

It juxtaposes two melodies.

"God save the Czar"
and "La Marseillaise,"

and it's always, always meant
to be played really loudly.

(music blaring)

Ha ha!

Can you hear that, boys?!

Feel that?

Come up here, come up here,
girls, come up here.

Come up here, everybody,
everybody!

He used actual cannons
while recording this.

What is going on in here?

(music stops abruptly)

You, you, in my office.

Now!

(chatter)

Call me old-fashioned,
but I expect my teachers to be

a little bit more mature
than their students.

He started it.

Not what I want
to hear, Diana.

Look, I don't think either of us
was in their right mind today.

And I-- I'm as much
to blame as Diana is here.

It's the contest.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Yeah, it is, you know?

It's supposed to be a
celebration of Christmas and...

It's bringing out
the worst in everybody.

Myself included.

Look.

I'm sorry for the way things
have turned out

and I'll try
to reign my team in.

Me too.

Well, it's a little
late for that.

The whole school's
in an uproar.

And for the record, I never
encouraged them to act that way.

Nor did I.

And I promise to stop at the
rhythm section, too, I'm...

You know what?
It's fine.

At least you're getting your
kids interested in music.

I mean, maybe--
Maybe my approach
is a little dry.

No, don't be silly, it's--

You're teaching facts.

It's a school, that's what
you're supposed to be doing.

Do what you can and let's just
be thankful this whole thing

will be over in two days.

Yeah.

♪

I'm meeting a friend.

(clearing throat)

Excuse me, hi.

What are you doing here?
I'm meeting somebody.

(sighs)
Me.

Yeah, you're-- you're about
to meet me, you're wearing

a blue dress, you're supposed
to be meeting me.

Oh, my--
26-19?

Yes.

Do you really hate me
this much?

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.

Excuse me?
You think I did
this on purpose?

How else?
No, no, no, no,
let me tell you something.

I did everything in my power
to have it
not be you, okay?

You know the questionnaire?
I changed all my answers
to the exact opposite to be--

So did I.

Which is why the computer
matched us up again.

It makes perfect sense.

Wow.

Yeah.

I'm starving, should we--

Do you want to just eat?

Should we have a meal?

We both know that the computer
messed up twice,

which is amazing to me.

But no pressure.

A meal between colleagues.

As long as I can pay half.

You don't--
No, please, I know
what teachers make.

(laughs)
Let's go.

(Ken)
You know, I figure if I make the
most of the time I'm living now,

I'll be ready for
whatever the future brings.

Have you always been
this practical?

Mm. (laughs)

Well, my father lived in
the future, which kind of made

the present
a little difficult.

You know, hard to feed
a family on a tip jar, right?

Tip jar?

I thought your father
was an undertaker.

Mm.

My stepfather.

My biological dad pretty much
lived on the road,

playing honky-tonks and bars.

Yeah.

He was the original piano man.

Except he played
the trumpet.

That's where you get
your love of music.

Yeah.

Were you close?

Um, he passed when I was 17.

I didn't really know him.

I mean, I knew him, he was
charming and funny

and everything,
but more legend than father.

That must have been hard.

Yeah.

You know, I tried hating him
for years, I did, but I just--

I couldn't, you know?

And every time I missed him,
I could just put on his old

records and he was
right there with me.

Hank Williams, Dean Martin.

God, Elvis.

Yeah.

The music kind
of kept us together.

That's beautiful.

Yeah, I played his "Elvis Live
in Memphis" album so many times,

it had so many scratches,
I actually had to throw it out.

(laughs)

There is such a thing as
downloading, you know?

No.

Something about vinyl.

I'm telling you.

It's funny, 'cause you know,
my dad,

it was always his dream

to perform live
on television, right?

He never did.

And now here I am with this
contest, on TV, and the only

thing I might get
is a chance to keep my job.

God, it's...

Pathetic, isn't it?

Pathetic?

(chuckles)
You want pathetic?

I married my
high school sweetheart.

We were in love.

Everything was going right
until, of course, it wasn't.

It was Christmas Eve and we were
having a Christmas party.

He would later say he was
innocently getting eggnog

from the spare fridge in the
basement, but I went down there

and there he was,
my husband.

Kissing another woman.

I replayed that moment over
and over and over again.

Where did we go wrong,
you know?

Was there something
I could have done?

To this day, I haven't
cleaned out that refrigerator.

Now, that's pathetic.

No.

No, it's not.

It's not.

I'm sorry.

Don't be.
It wasn't meant to be.

Well, I guess

we just have to make the most
of the time we're in.

(phone dialing)

(line ringing)

You're-- you're kidding.

Yeah, yeah, yeah,
I'll deal with it.

Thanks, buddy, I owe you one.

♪

(sighing)

(laughs)

Hey, oh!
You're not
gonna believe this.

Miss Thiessen and
Mr. Stoddard are an item.

You're right,
I don't believe it.

Some guy posted a tweet
about it last night.

Apparently, they were
staring lovingly

into each other's eyes
for hours.

You're kidding.

Yeah, that's what I said.

But he said they
were there for hours.

This is a problem.

What happens when
one of them gets fired?

Yeah.

Wow, that's harsh.

I don't want her
to get fired.

But if she keeps her job
and he doesn't, he'll dump her.

Why?

Because she's
undermining our team.

He's gonna stop
wanting to win.

How do you know?

Amy.

Because I know men.

Oh, come on, man.
Adults aren't like that.

Are you serious?
Carlo, read your history.

Caesar and Cleopatra,
ring any bells?

Well, I guess there's nothing
we can do about it.

It's just not fair.

I mean, for Ms. Thiessen
to find someone at her age?

And then lose him?

Or lose her job.

Do you think we should
take a dive?

Deliberately lose?
Uh, no.

We should just try our best and
hope that everything works out.

He's gonna stop wanting to win
and we have to fight back.

Oh, Billy, Carlo, the studio
just called to remind us

of the technical
rehearsal on the 23rd.

4:30, right?
Yes.

Billy, do not be late.

Yeah, I'm on it.
No, I'm serious.

No-shows are disqualified.

No, Mr. Stoddard,
got it on my calendar,

we're good.
Okay.

See ya.
See ya.

Oh.
Hi,
Hi.

Hi, Miss Thiessen.
Hi.

Hey, you.

Hey.
How are you?

Just want to come by and say
thank you for last night.

Oh, yeah, great,
no, thank you.

It was fun.

So are your guys ready?

Uh, you know,
I think so, you know.

What about your girls?

Well, if you asked them,
they'd probably say no,

but they're ready.

Listen, Diana...
Ken, I...

(laughs)

Sorry.
No, no, no, no.

Go, you go first, please.

Um, I just--

I just wanted to say,
no matter what happens,

it's just a job, you know,

and I-- I just wanted
you to know that.

And I'd really like
to see you again.

That's--
That's great.

I was about to say
the exact same thing.

Really?
Yeah, I'm-- I'm serious.

I have this, like, overwhelming
desire to sit and listen

to old records with you.

Are you asking me over
to listen to old records?

I know, I know.

It sounds incredibly
high school,

but I don't have
an MP3 player, okay?

Okay.

But I think
it could be fun.

Definitely.

After the contest, I'll
definitely take you up on that.

Great.

Good luck.

Yeah, hey, you too.

You too.

Hi.

Oh.

Hello.

Can I sit here?
Um.

Yeah, sure,
no one's using it.

(distant chatter, laughter)

I knew I'd find you here.

I hate the cafeteria.

You drop a bunch of boys
into an all-girls school,

you're bound to get
a food fight or two.

(laughing)

I wanted a chance
to talk to you.

I-- I want to wish you
good luck in the contest.

Yeah, right.

No, really.

I've overheard you
rehearsing a few times

and you're really good.

Thanks.

Of course, I think
we're really good, too.

But I guess that's up
to the judges to decide.

(sighing)

I...

I just wish this was over.

Oh, so do I.

Yeah, I just thought
we were gonna rehearse

and go out and sing.

Who thought it would
get this involved?

I mean, half the school is
cheering me on and the other

half wants me to drop dead.

Billy loves it.

It's like one of his
sports to him, you know,

he's gonna win
no matter what.

Liz is exactly the same.

She can't think
about anything else.

(laughs)

(laughs)

♪

You know, this is usually my
favorite time of the year,

but it doesn't even
feel like Christmas to me.

I mean, I thought this contest
was about who could sing

the best Christmas carol.

How did this end up
becoming so mean?

I've been wanting
to drop out,

but it would prove
my mother right.

About what?

She thinks I can't
handle the stress.

I'm gonna show
her she's wrong.

I think she is wrong.

Uh, four more days.

Four more days.

♪

(device beeps, beeping)

(bell ringing)

(girls giggling)

Careful!

You're gonna get
your shoes wet.

They're not gonna
be seen on camera.

It doesn't matter.

If they feel uncomfortable,
then you'll feel uncomfortable,

and that'll show up
on camera.

See you at the rehearsal, girls.

We can't wait any longer.

I'm sure they're gonna
be here any minute.
But you did tell them

that rehearsal started
at 4:30, right?

Yes, of course, I mean, they
said they were coming right

after their rehearsal.

Something must have happened.

Hey, this is Liz,
can't come to the phone,

but I'm dying to hear
what you have to say.

(beep)

Liz, where are you?

We're here at the studio,
we're waiting for you.

Please, please, call me back
as soon as you get this.

(phone beeping)

Come on, give me
at least one bar.

Why didn't you check
the gas before we left?

Because, my father always
takes care of it, okay?

I don't even think about it.

Obviously.

Oh, don't start.

This has never
happened before.

They're gonna kick us
out of the contest.

You know what, Amy?

It's not our fault, okay?

No, it's not
our
fault.

Running out of gas
is your fault.

Great idea.
Let's fight,

because that's
what we need right now.

(sighs)

We need to hitch a ride.

Hitch hiking's dangerous.

We're not asking someone
to take us to Hollywood,

just the television station.

Shut it down.
(alarm buzzing)

Shut it down.

Look, it's 12 past.

I gotta disqualify your team.

I'm sure they'll
be here any minute.

(phone ringing)

Liz, where are you?

We ran out of gas, I couldn't
get my cell phone to work,

so this nice lady picked us up.

We should be there
in about 20 minutes.

They ran out of gas,
they'll be here in 20 minutes.

Yeah, but my crew's
on overtime already.

I gotta say no.

(sighs)

We're disqualified.

What?
They can't do that.

Yes, they can.

Look, I'll meet you outside
the station to pick up your car

with some gas, okay?

Look, I'm-- I'm sorry,
but we did publish the rules.

No, I know, it's not your fault,
it's just-- it's rotten luck.

Thanks anyway.

(sighs)

Oh, they nailed it.

Yeah, both of them, it was--

One second.
I wanna talk to you.

Looks like you got
one less competitor.

I'll call you back.
What, what?

The girls ran out of gas.

They missed the deadline,
so they're out of the contest.

Oh, no.

Well, it looks like
you're a shoe-in.

I'm-- I don't wanna
win like that.

Oh, you probably
would have won anyway.

Your team sounds amazing.

They're really good.

You're a good coach.

Thank you.

I'm-- I am so sorry.

That's...

Thanks.

Do you wanna get out of here?
Can I buy you a coffee
or something?

That's really sweet, but I'm
gonna go, just bring the girls

back to their car and...

Okay.

I'm just gonna go to sleep.
I think it's...

It's been a long day. (sobs)

Hey, hey, come here,
come here.

If there's anything at
all I can do, just--

just let me know,
okay?

(sighs)

Just stand here for a minute.

(chatter)

Liz' father filled up the gas
tank just the day before.

There's no way
she ran out of gas.

Maybe he had the wrong date.

He didn't.
He had the receipt

and Amy told me
she only drove

to school that morning.

Somebody drained that tank.

Come on, you don't
seriously think that--

What am I supposed to think?

You know what?
I knew it, I knew it.

It's always the quiet ones,
the ones that say they don't

care about winning, it's all
about playing the game.

Okay.
So you're telling me
that you think that Ken

drained the gas tank.

Oh, maybe not him,
but he probably put

one of the boys up to it.

What else am
I supposed to think?

I don't know, Diana,
why don't you ask him?

Because I am never
gonna talk to him again.

Okay, well, you can't do that,
that's impossible,

he teaches right
next door to you.

Just talk to him.
You know what?

He's probably
in there right now

gloating and laughing.

Diana...
But do you know what the most
infuriating part is?

The most infuriating part
is that I fell for it.

That's the thing that
slays me, I fell for it.

Okay, well, for what it's worth,
I think he's innocent

and I think you
think so, too.

What?

I think you like him
and I think that scares you

and I think you are
finding every reason

to just push him
out of the way.

That is so stupid.

Oh, really?

If it were anybody
else in the world,

you would not be jumping to
these conclusions.

But you are so afraid of getting
hurt that you are protecting

yourself before it happens.

Look, I thought we had
something, you know?

I thought...

I thought for the
first time in years,

I actually
connected with a man.

You did, honey, and that's
what's driving you crazy.

You've been through the fun
part, this is the scary part,

'cause now you have to
trust him and it's tough,

I know, but it's worth it.

He's a good guy,
just talk to him,

give him the benefit
of the doubt.

(drum pounding)

Hey.

Hey.

So how's it feel
to be a winner?

There's still other
teams to beat.

Yeah, we're the best
and you know it.

Especially after I took
care of the competition.

No need to thank me,
just admire my genius.

Oh, yeah?
What are you talking about?

Well, you know how
they use sexy posters?

I used my own methods.

What did you do
to their car?

It's fine.

I just borrowed one of those
cell phone blockers from one of

the computer geeks and taped it
to the inside of their bumper.

Oh, yeah.

And I drained most
of their gas out.

Billy, you're an idiot, man.

What?
They could have gotten
into an accident.

Yeah, but they
didn't, they're fine.

No, look, you have
to tell Mr. Stoddard.

Are you kidding?

I don't win by cheating.

So you're gonna go crying
to Mr. Stoddard about it

and tell him
the truth like a little baby?

No.
You are.

Make me.

All right.

Oh, what?

You think I can't
because I'm in this chair?

Look, I'll tell you what.

You win and I keep quiet.

I win and you tell
Mr. Stoddard.

Come on, Carlo.

I'm the captain
of the wrestling team.

Yeah, so what?

I move more weight with
my arms every day

than you do
in a month.

What, are you scared?

Come on, you little chicken,
put up or shut up.

Or are you scared of
a kid in a wheelchair?

Count of three.

One.

Two.

Three.

(Billy grunts)

Call the station.

The number's already
in my phone.

Hello.

Yeah, hi.

Can I speak to
whoever's in charge

of the Christmas
carol contest?

(Ken)
What are you doing here?

I got a call from Estelle
Barlowe telling me to come

as soon as possible.
Yeah, same.

Mrs. Thiessen, Mr. Stoddard,
walk with me.

Is there some
sort of problem?

Oh, yes, as a matter of fact,
a rather large one.

I had a phone call
from one of your boys,

Mr. Stoddard, confessing
that he had drained

the gasoline
from the girls' car

and that's why they
missed rehearsal.

I should have known.

Maybe you did.

Excuse me?

No, no, no,
no, no, please,

I have a more
pressing problem.

This telecast starts
in a few hours.

Now, how am I to deal
with this revelation?

Well, I totally understand
if you disqualify my team.

Ah, but I understand that
it was just one boy

who was responsible.

I have a pretty
good idea which one.

It's not fair to punish
the other boy as well.

Let me think about
this for a minute.

(Estelle)
Hmm.

Ooh, ooh, ooh,
I have an idea.

I am judging this contest on a
point system of my own devising.

Now, I am counting phone-in
response, texting response and

of course, my own assessment
of song choice, uniqueness

of arrangement, performance
and appearance.

It was a very nasty trick for
your boys to play on the girls,

and so I am going to allow
the girls to perform.

And I'm going to give the boys,
your team, a five-point

disadvantage going
into the contest.

Does that strike you as fair?

Absolutely.

Can you get the girls
here in an hour?

Yes, yes.

Yes, yes.

Good luck, both of you.

Thank you,
thank you so much.

Thanks, great.

Uh, hey, hey, listen.

I didn't know anything
about that, okay? I don't--

You know what?
I don't have time to talk
about this right now.

(door knocking)

What are you doing?

Miss Thiessen just called.

They're gonna let us
compete after all.

Amy.
No.

Mom, I'm going to do this.

I have to.

You cried yourself to sleep last
night over this stupid contest.

I told you it was a mistake and
now you're gonna set yourself up

to fail again.

I'm not gonna fail.

And last night was different.

Amy, no.

You're not going.

Yes.

I am.

Mom, I know you only want what's
best for me, but what I want,

what I want is to do this.

I know I can,
I just need the chance.

Honey...

This is breaking my heart.

I'm just trying to keep you
from getting hurt.

But the only way to never get
hurt is to never do anything.

I don't want a life like that.

And I don't want some
contest deciding whether

you're a winner or not.

That's not Christmas.

But don't you see?

I'm not doing this contest
to win, but to give.

To give to myself, and Miss
Thiessen, and if that's not

the meaning of Christmas,
then I don't know what is.

There's one more thing.

Can I have an early
Christmas present?

Could you be in the studio
audience when I sing tonight?

Mom.

Let me get dressed.

Thanks!

(squeals)

(humming)

♪ Deck the halls
with boughs of holly ♪

♪ Fa-la-la-la-la la-la-la-la

♪ 'Tis the season to be jolly

♪ Fa-la-la-la-la la-la-la-la

(team practicing "Jingle Bells")

You guys look great.

Now all you gotta do is
sound as good as you look.

Just, Liz, remember, just
remember the beat, okay?

Stay on the beat.

And Amy,
you've got a gorgeous voice.

Yeah, she has.

So make sure the audience
hears it, all right?

Don't let Ethel Merman
over here drown you out.

She'll be great.

Where are you
gonna be sitting?

Oh, oh, they stuck me
next to Mr. Stoddard,

but that's all right,
it's just for an hour or so.

Listen, don't look for me,
all right?

You just focus on your song,

you're gonna be great.

(host)
All right, that's time.
Could all the stage moms,

all the coaches please find
their seats in the audience?

Thank you.

Good luck!

Did you hear that?
Yeah, don't look for her
in the audience.

No, the part about her getting
stuck next to Mr. Stoddard.

Guess that romance
fizzled, huh?

No, I think she blames him
for what Billy did.

Harsh.

Look at me.
Forget everybody else, okay?

They don't matter, you're not
in competition with them.

You're competing
against yourselves.

That's it.

You know the material, you've
got the technique, you've got

everything you need, okay?

Now, just get out
there and just--

hit your personal best,
all right?

You can do it,
you guys are great.

Okay, Mr. Stoddard,
I just want to say how sorry
I am for everything.

Yeah, it's fine, we'll talk
about it after.

It was such a stupid thing to
do, and I just feel terrible--

Agreed.
It was.

But just concentrate
on the song,

we'll talk about
it after, okay?

You guys are gonna be great.
Trust it.

(host)
All right, last call.
If you're not performing,

you don't belong backstage.

Please, find your seats.

Okay.

(chatter)

(host)
How are y'all doing tonight?
You ready for some singing?

Now, obviously, you're gonna
want to cheer

for each and every
act tonight,

that's a good thing,
but what we don't want

is for you to heckle

either any of the
performers or your host.

(cell phone ringing)
All right, we have
a few rules we've got

to get to first.
First up...
Hello?

It's Amy.
(Diana)
We're not supposed to
be talking right now,

the contest is about
to start.

I had something to tell you,
I just remembered.

The day we were
late for rehearsal,

we were walking toward
Liz' car and Mr. Stoddard

asked if we needed a ride.

He did?
If he knew our car was
going to run out of gas,

he wouldn't have
offered us a ride.

(host)
Please, take a moment and find
the one closest to you.

You're right.

Now is the time
for you to turn off

all electronic
devices and cell phones.

I've been totally wrong
about everything.

I said now's the time to give
your cell phones a rest.

Oh, I gotta go.

Thank you.

(man)
Okay, folks, here we go,
we're ready in five, four...

I need to talk to you.
Great timing.

(cheering and applause)

(host)
Ladies and gentlemen,
welcome to the fifth annual

Christmas carol singoff.

You're in for a night of
incredible music

and Christmas cheer.

But first, a round of applause
for the owner

of this station and our very
special judge tonight,

Miss Estelle Barlowe!

(cheering and applause)

And now, please give it up
for the dynamic duo

from Zbigniew Brzezinski High.

(cheering and applause)

Are you crazy?
Look, they're in love.

It's this contest
that's driving them apart.

Yeah, but all
contests do that.

But maybe this one
doesn't have to.

Okay, I was thinking...

(whispering)

I-- I can't.

It has to wait.

Amy, that's a great idea.

Yeah.

All right, I'll send
a note to the judge,

and here, turn around.

Let's hope she lets us do it.

♪ In a one-horse open sleigh

(cheering and applause)

Incredible.
Congratulations.

Just fantastic.

Well, we were supposed
to have two more teams

competing tonight.

Instead, we have one
special surprise.

Estelle?

Until a few months ago, Kasdan
and Creswell were two different

schools with two very
different ideas
on how to teach music.

When they merged last summer,
they kept
both music programs,

and so we agreed to allow two
separate vocal duos

to compete tonight.

But I learned just
before the program

that the teams want to

merge just as
their schools merged,

and so...

Our final contestant
is the double duo

of Kasdan-Creswell!

(cheering and applause)

♪

♪ The first Noel

♪ The angels did say

♪ Was to certain poor shepherds
in fields as they lay ♪

♪ In fields where they

♪ Lay keeping their sheep

♪ On a cold winter's night
that was so deep ♪

♪ Angels we have heard on high

♪ Sweetly singing
o'er the plains ♪

♪ Noel Noel

♪ And the mountains in reply

♪ Noel Noel
♪ Echoing their joyous strains

♪

♪ Noel Noel

♪ Noel
Noel ♪

♪ Born is the king of Israel

♪ Noel Noel

♪ Noel
Noel ♪

♪ Born is the king of Israel

♪ Noel

(trumpet playing)
♪ Noel Noel
♪ Angels we have

♪ Heard on high
♪ Noel Noel

♪ Sweetly singing
o'er the plains ♪
♪ Born is the king of Israel

♪ And the mountains in reply
♪ Noel Noel Noel Noel

♪ Echoing their
joyous strains ♪
♪ Born is the king of Israel

♪ Born is the king
of Israel ♪

(cheering and applause)

(laughs)

Wow.

Yay!

Well, the votes appear
to be flooding in

with Kasdan-Creswell

taking and early
and commanding lead.

I've got to say, it's neck
and neck between the boys

and the girls' duos.

It looks like it's gonna be
a photo finish, I just--

I don't know how we're gonna
be able to predict the--

Um...

I think the computer crashed.

I don't-- I don't think
that it could handle

the volume of calls.

Oh, for heaven's sakes, forget
all those computer-doodles.

Get that silly thing out.

I know who the winner is.

Yes.

All right, here we go.

And the winner is...

Kasdan-Cresswell!

Woo!
(cheering and applause)

Bravo!

Woo!
Woohoo!

Diana.
Ken.

Congratulations.

Oh, you must
be so proud.

I was just talking to Estelle,
who was obviously very impressed

with what she saw tonight.

And we both agreed
that there's just--

It's just a tragedy when
any excellent teacher

is made redundant.

Well, I can't argue that.

Now, you know that she
is a very close friend

of many of the school's donors,

and she knows...

Well, now, how did she put it?

She knows just what
buttons to press

and where all the
skeletons are hidden,

so I have a feeling
that they will be able

to come up with the funding
for at least one more year

of the program.

Oh, that's amazing.

Yeah, isn't that great?

That's fantastic.

You were both
so wonderful tonight.

Oh, thank you, yeah.

Merry, Merry Christmas
to you both.

Merry Christmas.
Thank you.
Yeah, Merry Christmas to you.

That's great.
Wow.

Wow.

Hey, Miss Thiessen!

Um...

(muttering)

Yeah.

Merry Christmas.

It's--
It's not much.

Are--
Are you kidding me?

It's not much?

"Elvis Live in Memphis"?

Wow. Um...

This is incredible.
Where did you even find this?

Well, contrary to what
our students think,

the Internet is good for things
other than downloading music.

eBay.

Wow.

Diana, I--

I didn't get you
anything at all.

Oh, don't be silly.

This has been

the most
amazing Christmas.

Really.

I just wanted to say...

Your father would have been
really proud of you tonight.

You played beautifully
and from the heart.

Thank you.

Yeah.

Hey, uh...

You got any plans
for Christmas?

As a matter of fact, I do.

Oh, really?

What are they?

I am gonna live
every single moment.

♪

(laughing)

♪