Last week on Roadies Reg Whitehead proved he was a lot more savvy than Kelly Ann thought (with his WWPD tee’s) but in The Bryce Newman Letter” the annoying Brit gets it very wrong. After music blogger Newman writes an acidic attack on Staton-House Band, based on YouTube video of a recent concert, the crew become apoplectic with rage and Reg tries to sugar coat the situation.
Instructing the crew to “lead with sugar” Reg invites Bryce to the Atlanta show and plans to do some serious “arse” kissing. Wes, however, completely misreads Whitehead’s instructions and sends the music critic on an acid trip to end all trips. Reg is furious.
(Note: It may have been mentioned elsewhere, but let us talk about the sometimes obsequious and pushy busybody Reg and his last name. In England a whitehead is a spot, aka a zit, aka a pimple. In other words, Reg’s surname means a clogged up bit of pore or, in other words a bit of irritated skin. Mistake? Oh no. A bit of clever writing from someone. A clear indication that Reg is a clogged up irritant.)
Back to the episode. Roadies this brings on Lindsey Buckingham (former member of Fleetwood Mac and the artist that some would say was instrumental in the success of the band) who sings “Big Love” and then leaves.
“The Bryce Newman Letter” sees the return of the fabulous Natalie Shin, stalker and band junkie (she is not a groupie as such since she has a restraining order). Shin arrives in time to help Newman get in and then helps the crew set the blowhard up for some punishment.
Bill has stopped trying to fill Phil’s shoes (sorry) and is adapting his own style and choosing “Phil-isms” where needed. He still has a taste for the younger woman but loses his “once a year” love interest when she grows up. Shelli tells Donna how to have a long distance relationship though phone sex.
She tells Mancini that Bill does not know otherwise he would feel the need to act jealous. Kelly Ann is taking an online self improvement course to make her seem less serious. She spends most of the episode trying to crack jokes and failing to get a laugh.
Shin sets Newman up for a big fall by making him believe they will have sex and then stealing all his clothes. Left with just a robe, that he has on backwards, Bryce begins roaming the arena looking for his “dark elf.”
The vast majority of the show sees Newman making an arse of himself while under the influence. He speaks to a sign for Mexican food and a giant cactus. The blogging critic stands in front of the audience and admits that he is a fraud. Bryce also throws off the backwards robe and cavorts across the stage in his 52 year old birthday suit.
Newman finally walks off the stage front and injures himself.
Rather interestingly, Reg and Bill figuratively butt heads in this episode. Bill actually threatens the Englishman twice. Whitehead, reacts the second time and takes his jacket off before they all realize that the captured Newman has gotten on stage.
This episode of Roadies was good fun and it revealed a nastier side to Reg, aka Double D. He was all too ready to fire Wes, who only misunderstood his directions. He also went on to say that Kelly Ann should go as well. He obviously still believes she tried to have him fired and this was meant to be a bit of pay back. Tsk tsk, Reg.
Kelly Ann helps Bill generate a great memory of Cassie (Taylor Frey) and he says, “Thanks Cyrano.” The ever hopeful Kelly Ann murmurs that she would love that for a nickname.
Roadies airs Sundays on Showtime. Before the next episode, take a moment to take our Poll. The squaring off between Reg and Bill prompted us to ask: “Who would win if the two actually came to blows?” Tell us what you think.
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MAIN CAST:
- Luke Wilson – Bill
- Imogen Poots – Kelly Ann
- Rafe Spall – Reg Whitehead
- Carla Gugino – Shelli
- Keisha Castle-Hughes – Donna Mancini
- Peter Cambor – Milo
- Machine Gun Kelly – Wes
- Tank Sade – Christopher House
Guest Stars: Rainn Wilson as Bryce Newman, Jacqueline Byers as Natalie Shin, Brian Benben as Preston.
Musical Guest: Lindsey Buckingham
In the time since Stitchers first season ended with Cameron dead and not being revived (while Kirsten yells his name over and over…) there are only so many places to watch old episodes. Hulu has two whole episodes, be still my beating heart (Sorry Cam.).
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