Alex & Co.
 | This article may require copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone, or spelling. (February 2016) |
| Alex & Co. | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Situation comedy Teen comedy |
| Created by |
|
| Starring |
|
| Opening theme | "Music Speaks" performed by the cast and write by Enrico Sibilla |
| Country of origin | Italy |
| Original language | Italian |
| No. of seasons | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 31 (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
|
| Producer | Piero Crispino |
| Camera setup | |
| Running time | 22 minutes |
| Production companies | The Walt Disney Company Italy, 3Zero2 |
| Original release | |
| Network | Disney Channel Italy |
| Release | May 11, 2015 |
Alex & Co. is a 2015 Italian situation comedy, broadcast on Disney Channel Italy, and directed by Claudio Norza. The series tells the story of five friends who start their first year of high school.
The series was broadcast in Italy on May 11, 2015, and ended on May 27 of that year. On 22 May 2015 a second season was announced, through the promo aired on Disney Channel Italy, the production of the second season debuted on September 27 of that year and ended in November.
Summary
Season 1
The series tells the story of Alex, a smart guy, brave and vivacious, who starts school full of hopes and good intentions with his childhood friends Nicole and Christian. Nicole is sensitive and secretly in love with Alex. Christian is into sports and very successful with girls. The group is also immediately joined by the students Sam, who is shy, and the beautiful girl Emma. Alex starts liking Emma right away. The group became great friends, while making the acquaintance of Linda and his group of friends: Samantha, Rebecca, and Tom Barto. Before the start of school, Alex had imagined that the high school is a party, but it turns out that he was wrong, because the headmaster Ferrari wants the institution to retain its lead in the ranking of schools, leaving behind activities such as music, singing and acting. Fortunately for the boys, Professor Belli, literature teacher, encourages them to follow their dreams. Thanks to him, the boys discover a secret place in the basement of the school where they decided to form a band: Sound Alound. In the following days, the group decided to upload a music video to become famous. With the success from the video, the boys are discovered by Mr. Smith, record producer, who offers them an opportunity to record an album, only if Sam does not take part in it. Headmaster Ferrari, Emma's father, does not want his daughter to sing. Nicole takes the place of Emma and decides to sing a duet with Alex, they sing the song they wrote. After the festival, the two like each other, but can not be together because Alex is in a relationship with Emma and he will not ruin their friendship. At the end of the year, Institute Melsher wins the academic school race, so the principal decides to organize a year-end concert to raise money for Sam's scholarship. Shortly before the concert, Alex and Nicole finally leave, so Sam and Nicole can finally be together. Headmaster Ferrari announces that in addition to the sum raised by Belli, the next year will have spaces to practice music and drama. The concert is a success . At the end of the concert, Christian realizes he has fallen in love with Emma while Alex Belli's parents announce that they will move to the United States soon.
Season 2
Summer is over and Alex's parents announce that he will have to move to the United States. Alex is not happy, and together with Joe and his friends tries to stay. Some time passes, Alex understands that he has to move, because the mother is not well. He decides to accompany her, but discovers that his mother is pregnant. Meanwhile the Melsher Institute starts a new year and the boys can not wait to spend another year together. This season will change many things: Rebecca Sam realize that they love each other and become a couple. The boys participate in The Talent, a talent show where they will have the chance to win a recording contract and a European tour. The guys decide to change the name of the band to Alex & Co. At The Talent show Alex & Co. is not the only band to perform. Linda and her friends formed a band called The Lindas. Linda's mother wants her daughter to win, so she buys a song from Mr. Smith. Sam discovers the deception and the group will tell the whole truth to the creator of The Talent. In the second season there is a lot of tension in the group of Alex & Co: Alex and Nicole break up and then get back together. Emma and Christian date for a while, but Linda will make them break up by telling a lie. Rebecca helps the two to see through Linda's lie and get back together as an official couple. Alex & Co. separate for a while. Alex decides not to sign a contract with Campbel, and returns to her friends. During the last episode, while Alex & Co. are ready to go on stage, Joe calls Alex to tell him that his mother is in the hospital, where she has given birth to a baby girl. After meeting his new little sister for the first time, he goes on to perform with the talent of We Are One, and together they reveal the deception of the Lindas. Alex & Co. win, but Nicole understands that this is not the way. She faces a tough decision: leave the band or Alex?
Episodes
| Series | Episodes | Originally aired | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First aired | Last aired | |||
| 1 | 13 | 11 May 2015 | 27 May 2015 | |
| 2 | 18 | 27 September 2015 | 29 November 2015 | |
| 3 | 20 | 10 | 24 September 2016 | 22 October 2016 |
| 10 | 21 January 2017 | 18 February 2017 | ||
| Specials | 4 | 26 June 2017 | 29 June 2017 | |
Theme song
The theme song of the series is Music Speaks, sung by the cast, written by Enrico Sibilla and composed by Federica Camba and Daniel Coro. In the first season the theme song is the tune, while in the second season, the cast also sings. Changes in the second season, which appear in the scenes in which we see the protagonists.
Cast and characters
Main characters
- Alex Leoni, played by Leonardo Cecchi.
He is fifteen years old, he is a good guy, nice, intelligent, and he always defends those who need him. He tries to be helpful to everyone around him. In the first days of school he falls in love with Emma, a young and beautiful classmate, who reciprocates the feelings for him. At the end of the school, Alex realizes he lost the feelings for Emma, and builds a strong relationship with Nicole instead. Beyond friendship. In fact at the end Alex and Nicole get together.
- Emma Ferrari, played by Beatrice Vendramin.
She's a nice girl. She is loved by all for being beautiful, and she is aware of it. On the surface, she seems courageous and self-confident, but deep down inside she is not, she needs constant approval from her friends. She hides a big secret: she is the daughter of the headmaster Ferrari. She likes music, and, at the beginning she is in love with Alex, but then she's unsure of her feelings for him. Her great passion is singing: she likes the idea of forming a band with Alex and the others. In the second season she falls in love with Christian and the two date. - Nicole De Ponte, played by Eleonora Gaggero.
For many years, she is the best friend of Alex, she is generous. She takes things very seriously and always try to change what does not go well. She has a talent for singing, but ashamed to sing in public, although during the series she will overcome this fear. During the summer she realized that she likes Alex more than a friend. After a difficult political battle with Linda, Nicole becomes the student president, the only person not to fear Linda. She gets frustrated when she sees Emma and Alex together, but in the end they end up together. - "Sam" Samuele Costa, played by Federico Russo.
He is a hardworking student, responsible, but shy. He often gets high marks, and dreams of being admitted into one of the best universities, but does not have the financial resources, therefore works at the part-time jobs. During the season his character evolves to be more courageous. In the last episode to raise funds for his scholarship he organizes a concert. In the second series he discovers the identity of Math Girl, but understands that they are not made for each other. Also, during the second season he falls in love with Rebecca, and she reciprocates the feelings for him. - Christian Alessi, played by Saul Nanni.
He is the best friend of Alex since they were children. He is always cheerful, friendly and very nice but not a cocky guy. For a certain period of time he is replaced by Tom in the role of team captain, due to a leg injury, caused by Tom himself. He is admired by all the girls, especially Linda, but he does not want her as a girlfriend. He always gives advice on love. In the last episode of season, Christian writes a love song dedicated to Emma called "impossible". In the second season the two end up together.
Recurring characters
- Linda Rossetti, played by Lucrezia Roberta Di Michele.
It is considered the queen of the high school, and is engaged to the former captain of the football team Tom, but she is in love with Christian, who does not return her feelings. She is always accompanied by Rebecca and Samantha and is feared by all. She always tries to sabotage Alex and his friends. In the second season she forms a band, which will be called "The Lindas". - Tom, played by Daniel Rampello.
Although it is only in his second year, he is already the leader and former captain of the football team. He is the nemesis of Alex and his friends, and, helped by Barto and Linda, tries to get rid of them in every way possible. Christian hates him so much, especially after he won the captain's armband on the soccer team and after seeing that he kissed Linda. When he realizes that his love for Linda is not reciprocated, he leaves her. - Rebecca, played by Giulia Guerrini.
It is Linda's best friend and is the second most popular girl. She responds " Absolutely" to every statement made by Linda. In the second season she finds that she can sing very well and she falls in love with Sam, who tutors her to help her with her marks. He writes a song about the love story shared by her and Sam, and they end up performing it together. Sam tells Rebecca that The Lindas are buying a song from Mr. Smith in order to win The Talent competition. - Samantha, played by Asia Corvino.
Samantha is pretty, but stupid and not at all clever. She loves pink and shoes. No one understands why she hangs out with Linda and the group of her friends, always trying to imitate them. She always agrees with Linda, always responding "Of course" to all her statements. - Barto, played by Anis Romdhane.
He is the school bully, best friends with Tom. He is not interested in studying and prefers to use violence and threats. His sole purpose is to satisfy his 'boss', Tom. He ends up being in the same class as Alex and his friends. Barto conceives a plan to make Emma fall in love with him and leave her current boyfriend Christian because Tom and Linda asked him to do so. He eventually falls in love with Emma but it is not mutual. - David, played by James Coleschi.
David appears in the second season and is the assistant teacher of the new course at the afternoon school. He falls for Nicole. They end up almost kissing. - Jody, the host of "The Talent" played by Jody Cecchetto.
Jody appears in the second season and is the host of The Talent talent show, in which the characters compete.
Teachers
- Dean Augusto Ferrari, played by Roberto Citran.
He is the dean of the Institute Melsher and father of Emma. He is very strict and does not accept that in her school are conducted other activities in addition to the study. He gets very upset when he learns that when his daughter is in a band. At the end of the first season, however, he understands the importance of music and is proud of his daughter. - Nina, played by Debora Villa.
She is the caretaker of the school. She behaves quite like a girl, but despite assumes responsibilities. She always helps the boys in sensitive issues, and includes them in their tastes and ways of doing things. - Professor "Scorpion" Strozzi, played by Nicholas Stravalaci.
He is one of the professors of the Institute Melsher. He is very strict and demanding. He is nicknames "Scorpio" by his students. He is destined to become the new principal, but in the end this does not happen. - Professor Giovanni Belli, played by Michele Cesari.
He is the professor of literature at Melsher Institute, as well a former student of the same institute. He is different from other professors. He is much more fun, understands the students, and loves music. The principal thinks that his teaching methods are too "alternative", but the boys understand his lessons well. In the second season it turns out that he had a relationship with Linda's mother and he fears that he might be her father.
Alex's Family
- Mom of Alex (Elena Leoni), played by Elena Lietti.
She is demanding and caring, warm and supportive of Alex. At first she does not understand the importance of the musical career for her son. In fact, after a meeting with a record company she finally realizes how important music is for Alex. In the second season she finds herself pregnant. - Dad of Alex (Mr. Leoni), played by Massimiliano Magrini.
Just like his wife, he is very demanding of Alex. Although he initially did not understand the importance of his son's band and would much rather prefer that his son ends up being the first child in the family to attend college, he later understands that music means a lot to Alex and is proud of his son. - Joe Leoni, played by Henry Oetiker.
He is Alex's older brother, he is 20 years old. He is attending college and receiving many awards. He has a special relationship with his brother, always helping and supporting him. In the second season Alex will help him get engaged to Lara, his fellow graduate student, played by Diletta Innocenti Fagni.
Nicole's Family
- Mom of Nicole (Mrs. De Ponte), played by Sara Ricci.
- Dad of Nicole (Mr. De Ponte), played by Riccardo Festa.
Christian's Family
- Mom of Christian (Ms. Alessi), played by Linda Collini.
- Dad of Christian (Mr. Alessi), played by Jgor Barbazza.
Sam's Family
- Grandma of Sam, played by Gabriella Franchini.
She loves her grandson and is proud of him when she realizes that he is part of a band, which means he is becoming more confident and less shy. She follows him in everything he does, supporting him in the best way.
Linda's Family
- Victoria Williams (mother of Linda), played by Chiara Iezzi Cohen.
Appears in the second season and will be the new owner of the school. She had an affair with Belli, professor of Melsher Institute, 15 years prior.
Song
The series boasts of nine songs in total (two songs in the first season and seven in the second).
Season 1
- Music Speaks (theme song of the series), sung by Sound Aloud (who will become the Alex & Co. in the second season)
- All The While, sung by Leonardo Cecchi and Eleonora Gaggero (Alex and Nicole)
Season 2
- We Are One, sung by Alex & Co.
- Likewise, sung by Giulia Guerrini and by Federico Russo (Rebecca and Sam)
- Unbelievable, sung by Alex & Co.
- Oh my gloss, sung by Lindas (Lucrezia Di Michele, Giulia Guerrini and Asia Corvino)
- Truth or dare, sung by Alex & Co.
- Music Speaks (special version) sung by Carola Campagna
- We Are One (special version) sung by Carola Campagna
Original broadcast
In Italy the first promo of the series was released on February 2, 2015. The second was broadcast on February 23 of that year. Every Monday of the month of March were released two promos at a time, except for a promo broadcast Monday, April 20, announcing the debut of the series on 11 May 2015. The first season was broadcast until May 27, 2015, when, after the end of the last episode of the first season, it was sent a promo announcing the second season.
The second season began, always in Italy, September 27, 2015 and ended November 29, 2015.
In America, the series is not transmitted.
Audience
Since the series debuted in Italy, 11 May 2015, he has got a boom of plays. The final episode of the first season aired May 27, 2015, has reached peaks of 250,000 viewers, of which 150,000 children aged 4 to 16 years, and 120,000 girls aged 8 to 16 years[1]