The Blanks
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (May 2011) |
The Blanks | |
|---|---|
 Clockwise from top left: Sam Lloyd, George Miserlis, Philip McNiven, and Paul F. Perry. | |
| Background information | |
| Genres | A cappella |
| Labels | Parody Records |
| Website | www.theblankswebsite.com |
The Blanks are an a cappella group. Most notably, they appeared in the TV series Scrubs in a recurring guest role, under various names such as Ted's Band and The Worthless Peons. They have released two albums; Riding the Wave and 'Worth The Weight'.
The group maintains that all of their tracks feature only their four voices, and they do not use any traditional musical instruments (except for, as their pledge states, "talking toys, hand claps, finger snaps and thigh slaps". However, in the Scrubs episode "My Best Friend's Wedding", the members appear to take up instruments to play the Beatles song "Eight Days a Week". This is actually a recording by The Butties, a Beatles cover band including Blanks members Sam Lloyd and Paul Perry. Also, in "My Way Home", Paul F. Perry plays a ukulele while the group sings "Over The Rainbow". (This song would be exempt from the pledge as it was not contained on the album but was released separately as a single.) In the same way, the cover of Outkast's "Hey Ya!" performed by Sam Lloyd on the acoustic guitar was released as a single in 2010.
Members
History
Sam Lloyd and George Miserlis met Paul Perry while studying at Syracuse University. Some time later they met Philip McNiven while living in Los Angeles and formed the group.
Performances on Scrubs
The band began to appear in Scrubs after performing at the show's Christmas party (actor Sam Lloyd already had a recurring role on the show), impressing the show's producer, Bill Lawrence, who decided to write them into the show.
They have appeared as the singing group in the following episodes:
- Episode 1.23, "My Hero": cartoon theme songs: "Speed Racer" and "Underdog"
- Episode 2.02, "My Nightingale": prime time theme songs: "The Facts of Life", "The Six Million Dollar Man", and "Charles in Charge"
- Episode 2.14, "My Brother, My Keeper": "Hello! Ma Baby"
- Episode 2.19, "My Kingdom": commercial jingles for Folgers Coffee, Mennen, and McDonald's
- Episode 3.22, "My Best Friend's Wedding": "Hava Nagila", "Bridal Chorus" and "Eight Days a Week"
- Episode 4.13, "My Ocardial Infarction": "No, Not Much" sung in an a cappella battle with Janitor's fake band, "Hibbleton" (who sang "Barbara Ann")
- Episode 5.07, "My Way Home": songs from classic movies: "Maniac" from Flashdance, "We're Off to See the Wizard" and "Over the Rainbow" from The Wizard of Oz; the arrangement they performed of the latter song was made famous by Israel Kamakawiwoʻole
- Episode 5.21, "My Fallen Idol": "Put on a Happy Face"
- Episode 5.24, "My Transition": "Baby Back Ribs", (the Chili's jingle) sung as a method of torture by repeating "Baby Back" over and over without ever saying "ribs"
- Episode 6.04, "My House": the chorus of "Lollipop" when Elliot is trying to tempt Kelso into speaking to her
- Episode 6.06, "My Musical": they appear with what appears to be most of the hospital, to sing to Carla.
- Episode 6.16, "My Words of Wisdom": they appear at Nurse Laverne Roberts' funeral, but do not sing. Ted just compares his band to the choir singing.
- Episode 7.04, "My Identity Crisis": they sing The Who's "Who Are You" in preparation for an a cappella competition
- Episode 8.08, "My Lawyer's In Love": they sing Blue Öyster Cult's "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" in preparation of impressing Dr. Cox to let the group sing at the Pediatric ward, and later sing Kansas' "Carry On Wayward Son" in a jam with character Stephanie Gooch, played by Kate Micucci.
- Episode 8.15, "My Soul On Fire, Part 2": Ted sings Outkast's "Hey Ya!" (as performed by Mat Weddle) as the Janitor and Lady finish their wedding vows.
- Episode 8.18, "My Finale": The band performs the show's theme song, "Superman".
Though their names are not mentioned in any episodes, their characters' names are listed in the credits of certain episodes as Crispin (Miserlis), Randall (Perry), and Roy (McNiven).
The Blanks also provide the theme song for the web-only series Scrubs: Interns.
References
- ^ Riding the Wave by the Blanks (Parody Records, 2004)
