How to Rock
How to Rock is an American teen sitcom television series that aired on Nickelodeon from February 4, 2012, to December 8, 2012.[1] The show, loosely based on the young adult novel How to Rock Braces and Glasses by Meg Haston, follows Kacey Simon (played by Cymphonique Miller), a stylish high school student who is ousted from her popular clique, known as the "Perfs," after getting braces and glasses, leading her to join forces with a group of quirky misfits to form the rock band Gravity 5 and challenge her former friends in a battle for social supremacy.[2] Featuring original music and performances, the series explores themes of self-acceptance, friendship, and embracing one's unique identity through comedic high school scenarios.[3] Developed by television writer Jim O'Doherty, known for works such as Grounded for Life and 3rd Rock from the Sun, How to Rock was officially greenlit by Nickelodeon on May 23, 2011, with an initial production order of 20 episodes that was later expanded to 26 half-hour installments.[4][5] Produced in association with Alloy Entertainment, the series was filmed in Los Angeles and emphasized live musical numbers integrated into the storyline, drawing inspiration from the book's focus on navigating social hierarchies and personal transformation.[3] It premiered as part of Nickelodeon's Saturday night lineup, targeting a young audience with its blend of humor, drama, and rock-themed adventures. The ensemble cast delivered energetic performances that highlighted the show's musical elements, with Cymphonique Miller leading as the ambitious Kacey, alongside Lulu Antariksa as the tomboyish drummer Stevie Baskara, Max Schneider as the charismatic guitarist Zander Robbins, Noah Crawford as the tech-savvy Nelson Baxter, and Chris O'Neal as the kind-hearted bassist Kevin Reed.[6] The rival "Perfs" group was portrayed by Samantha Boscarino as the scheming leader Molly Garfunkel and Halston Sage as the bubbly Grace King.[6] Several cast members, including Miller and Schneider, contributed vocals to the show's soundtrack, which included promotional singles like "Only You Can Be You."[7] Despite its short run, How to Rock garnered a mixed reception, earning an average rating of 5.3 out of 10 on IMDb based on over 1,600 user votes, with praise for its catchy tunes and relatable coming-of-age story but criticism for formulaic plots and uneven humor.[2] The series concluded after one season, aligning with Nickelodeon's shift away from music-oriented programming at the time, though it remains available for streaming on platforms like Paramount+.[1]Series Overview
Premise
How to Rock is an American teen sitcom that follows Kacey Simon, a popular high school student who suddenly loses her status among the elite "Perfs" group after acquiring braces and glasses.[8] This change propels her to join Gravity 5, a garage band composed of fellow school outcasts, where she becomes the lead singer and helps elevate the group's profile through music.[2] The series, based on Meg Haston's 2011 book How to Rock Braces and Glasses published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, explores Kacey's journey of self-acceptance as she navigates rivalries and forms new alliances.[1] Set at Brewster High School in a suburban environment, the show highlights the intricacies of teenage social hierarchies, blending everyday high school challenges with musical pursuits.[9] Central themes include the value of authentic friendship, the pressures of popularity, personal identity, and how music serves as a tool for overcoming insecurities and bullying.[8] Kacey's experiences underscore the empowerment derived from embracing one's true self amid peer pressures.[2] Each episode typically centers on Kacey's dual life in the band and school, addressing conflicts with the Perfs through humor and collaboration, often culminating in a musical performance that resolves the central dilemma.[10] This structure emphasizes the transformative role of creativity in teen development.[9]Main Characters
Kacey Simon, portrayed by Cymphonique Miller, is the ambitious protagonist and former popular girl who loses her status in the elite group known as the Perfs after getting braces and glasses, prompting her to join the garage band Gravity 5 as its lead singer and drive the group's ambitions.[11] Stevie Baskara, played by Lulu Antariksa, is the sarcastic tomboy and primary songwriter for Gravity 5, contributing her sharp wit and musical talent while navigating band dynamics with a protective edge, particularly toward her bandmate Zander.[11] Zander Robbins, portrayed by Max Schneider, serves as the charming yet lazy lead guitarist of Gravity 5, often relying on his charisma to coast through responsibilities while forming key interpersonal bonds within the band.[11] Kevin Reed, played by Chris O'Neal, is the laid-back and kind-hearted drummer of Gravity 5, bringing a relaxed energy and unwavering support to the group despite his occasional lack of drive.[11] Nelson Baxter, played by Noah Crawford, is the tech-savvy keyboardist and DJ of Gravity 5, often providing gadgets and electronic elements to the band's music.[6] Molly Garfunkel, portrayed by Samantha Boscarino, acts as Kacey's primary rival and the confident leader of the Perfs, the school's popular clique, fueling ongoing conflicts over social status and band supremacy.Recurring Characters
Grace King, played by Halston Sage, is the shy and more reserved member of the Perfs, often caught between the group's mean-spirited antics and her own milder demeanor. Dean Hollis, portrayed by Jacob Artist, is a senior student at Brewster High School who serves as a romantic interest for Kacey and occasionally influences school events as a peer authority figure.[12] The characters' interpersonal dynamics, such as Kacey's transition from the Perfs to Gravity 5, her rivalry with Molly, and Stevie's protectiveness over Zander, underscore the series' exploration of social status, friendship, and self-acceptance through band formation and rivalries.[11]Production
Development
The series How to Rock originated from the young adult novel How to Rock Braces and Glasses by Meg Haston, published on October 24, 2011, by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers in association with Alloy Entertainment.[13] The book follows a popular middle school girl who loses her social status after getting braces and glasses, prompting her to form a rock band with outcasts as a path to empowerment.[14] How to Rock was produced by Nickelodeon Productions in association with Alloy Entertainment. Developed by David M. Israel and created by Jim O'Doherty, the project was greenlit by Nickelodeon in May 2011 as a live-action teen sitcom infused with original music to target tweens with stories of self-confidence and friendship.[15][16] Nickelodeon initially ordered 20 episodes, positioning the series as a Saturday night staple to capitalize on the network's growing emphasis on musical comedies. The creative team, including executive producers Israel, Leslie Morgenstein, and Gina Girolamo, along with co-executive producers Bill Martin and Mike Schiff, prioritized scripts that merged humor with musical numbers addressing relatable adolescent challenges like bullying and peer pressure.[15] The pilot episode, "How to Rock Braces and Glasses," directly adapted the book's central premise, introducing protagonist Kacey Simon's fall from popularity and her alliance with a garage band, which set the tone for the series' blend of comedy and performance.[13] Production expanded the episode order to 26 following the pilot's completion, allowing for deeper exploration of band dynamics and teen empowerment arcs.[5] While influenced by the musical integration in Glee, How to Rock distinguished itself through live-action depictions of tween band rehearsals and performances, emphasizing accessible rock music over ensemble singing to suit its younger demographic.[15] Development also aligned with casting requirements for performers skilled in both acting and music to authentically portray the band's energy.[15]Casting
Cymphonique Miller was selected as the lead Kacey Simon in May 2011, following an audition where she showcased her singing, dancing, and acting abilities; producers were particularly impressed by a video of her performing a mature-sounding song at age 12, highlighting her established background as a singer who had toured with artists like Demi Lovato and performed in church choirs since age two.[4][17][18] Max Schneider was announced alongside her as Zander Robbins, drawn from a pool of thousands of auditionees for his extensive musical theater experience starting at age five, proficiency on instruments including guitar, piano, and ukulele, and his history of writing and performing original music, which fit the character's role in the band.[4][18] Samantha Boscarino joined as Molly Garfunkel later in the process through open casting calls, bringing her prior acting experience from projects like the Disney series Jonas to the role of the popular antagonist.[19][18] Supporting roles were filled with emerging young actors emphasizing performance skills to support the series' musical comedy format, including Lulu Antariksa as Stevie Baskara, Halston Sage as Grace King, Noah Crawford as Nelson, and Chris O'Neal as Kevin; these selections contributed to an ensemble capable of live performances and original songs integrated into episodes.[19][15] Guest spots featured child actors such as Jacob Bertrand and others in recurring or one-off roles, adding variety to the high school setting without significant disruptions to the core lineup.[6] The casting process prioritized actors with innate musical talents, such as singing and instrumentation, to align with the premise of a teen band navigating social dynamics through performance, though some cast members underwent additional vocal coaching during production to refine their contributions.[18][3] Announcements began in May 2011 with the series order and initial leads, with the full principal cast revealed by late November 2011 ahead of production starting in early 2012; no major recasts occurred during the single-season run, though some recurring guest roles were filled mid-production to accommodate episode-specific storylines.[4][19] The ensemble was intentionally multicultural, featuring actors of African American, Latina, Indonesian-American, and Caucasian descent among others, to mirror the diverse tween audience Nickelodeon targeted.[15]Episodes
Season Overview
How to Rock consists of a single season comprising 26 episodes, which aired on Nickelodeon from February 4, 2012, to December 8, 2012. The series was initially ordered for 20 episodes on May 23, 2011, before the production order was expanded to 26 episodes mid-development. Two of these episodes were merged into a single special, resulting in 25 episodes broadcast, though the full 26 were produced.[1] The narrative arc begins with protagonist Kacey Simon's sudden loss of social status upon getting braces and glasses, leading her to form the band Gravity 5 with a group of misfits.[20] It progresses through ongoing rivalries with her former popular clique, the Perfs, various school events, and the band's gradual development, emphasizing themes of friendship and self-acceptance.[20] The season concludes without a cliffhanger, focusing on the resolution of personal growth arcs for the main characters.[21] Production took place in Los Angeles, California, beginning on August 15, 2011, and extending through spring 2012 to complete filming.[22] Episodes were scripted in batches to align with the series' musical elements, which were incorporated from the early stages of writing to ensure seamless integration of comedy and songs. Each episode follows a standard format with a runtime of approximately 22-24 minutes, centering on a primary conflict—often related to school life or band dynamics—that is resolved through humorous situations and original musical performances.[1] The additional six episodes were developed and added during the mid-run production phase to extend the season's exploration of the core premise. Nickelodeon ultimately decided against renewing the series for a second season, citing network programming choices.Episode List
The first and only season of How to Rock comprises 26 half-hour episodes, which aired on Nickelodeon from February 4 to December 8, 2012. The episodes follow the production order closely, with all airing as produced; the double-length special "How to Rock Cee Lo" (production codes 123/124) counts as episodes 16 and 17 in the overall tally. Below is a complete list of episodes, including titles, original air dates, production codes, and brief plot synopses.| No. | Title | Original air date | Prod. code | Brief synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | How to Rock Braces and Glasses | February 4, 2012 | 101 | Kacey Simon gets braces and glasses, loses her status with the popular "Perfs," and joins the band Gravity 5 as lead singer, igniting a rivalry. |
| 2 | How to Rock a Messy Bet | February 4, 2012 | 105 | The members of Gravity 5 make a bet to give up their favorite habits for a week; Kacey wins and claims a date with her crush Tony, whom she invites to the band's gig. |
| 3 | How to Rock a Guest List | February 11, 2012 | 106 | Kacey tries to make Gravity 5 seem cool to get invited to a popular party hosted by the Perfs, but ultimately learns to embrace her friends as they are. |
| 4 | How to Rock a Statue | February 18, 2012 | 107 | After breaking Zander's sculpture for an art class, Kacey poses as its replacement and overhears the Perfs insulting her. |
| 5 | How to Rock a Music Video | February 25, 2012 | 104 | Kacey pushes Gravity 5 to create a music video to compete with the Perfs' viral hit, but band tensions arise before they reconcile. |
| 6 | How to Rock an Election | March 3, 2012 | 114 | After the Perfs dominate school elections, Kacey and her brother Kevin run for class president in separate campaigns; Kacey promises a performance by guest stars Big Time Rush. |
| 7 | How to Rock a Newscast | March 17, 2012 | 112 | Kacey competes with Molly for the head reporter position on the school news team, leading to a fabricated story that causes school-wide panic. |
| 8 | How to Rock a Prank | March 24, 2012 | 108 | Molly pranks Kacey on a date with her crush; Gravity 5 attempts revenge, but it backfires and glues Kacey and Zander together. |
| 9 | How to Rock a Secret Agent | March 31, 2012 | 103 | Stevie goes undercover as a Perf to sabotage them from within; meanwhile, Kacey and Molly end up wearing matching dresses to a school dance, as does Zander. |
| 10 | How to Rock a Lunch Table | April 7, 2012 | 102 | Kacey schemes to reclaim her old lunch table from the Perfs; separately, Kevin and Nelson lead a protest against the school's poor cafeteria food. |
| 11 | How to Rock a Birthday Party | April 14, 2012 | 111 | Kacey reluctantly shares her birthday party with Nelson but ignores his suggestions, straining their friendship until she makes amends. |
| 12 | How to Rock a Part-Time Job | April 21, 2012 | 109 | Kacey and Stevie take jobs at Danny Mangos smoothie shop and get fired after giving away free drinks; the boys attempt various mall jobs with little success. |
| 13 | How to Rock Halloween | April 28, 2012 | 116 | In a dream sequence on Halloween, Kacey envisions the Perfs as vampires and Gravity 5 as werewolves, forcing her to choose sides in her identity crisis. |
| 14 | How to Rock a Basketball Team | May 5, 2012 | 113 | Kacey joins Stevie's girls' basketball team and excels, but her intense competitiveness causes friction in their friendship. |
| 15 | How to Rock a Love Song | June 30, 2012 | 115 | Kacey and Stevie suspect Zander's new love song is about one of them and snoop on his notebook, only to discover it's dedicated to his dog. |
| 16–17 | How to Rock Cee Lo | August 18, 2012 | 123/124 | (One-hour special) Gravity 5 sneaks backstage at a Cee Lo Green concert (with guest star Cee Lo Green); he invites Kacey to join his tour, leaving the band without a singer and prompting a decision. |
| 18 | How to Rock a Singing Telegram | September 22, 2012 | 125 | Stevie is too shy to ask her crush to a school dance, so Kacey sends a singing telegram on her behalf, which backfires; the boys' telegrams cause similar mishaps. |
| 19 | How to Rock a Yearbook | September 29, 2012 | 118 | Gravity 5 aims to get their own page in the school yearbook, but the Perfs sabotage their photo shoot, exposing Zander's hidden talent. |
| 20 | How to Rock High School Sensation | October 13, 2012 | 119 | Gravity 5 and the Perfs temporarily team up for an audition on a TV talent show; Kevin's error nearly derails it, but he fixes the mistake with the host. |
| 21 | How to Rock a Good Deed | October 20, 2012 | 120 | Kacey fakes a foot injury to gain sympathy and attention from her friends, who discover the ruse and plan elaborate revenge. |
| 22 | How to Rock Camping | October 27, 2012 | 121 | During a school camping trip, Grace unexpectedly takes charge of Gravity 5 and the Perfs to complete an assignment, outshining Kacey and Molly's leadership attempts. |
| 23 | How to Rock a Fashion Victim | November 3, 2012 | 122 | Kacey enters a fashion design competition for an internship but struggles with her designs; meanwhile, Kevin launches a mobile bistro with the boys. |
| 24 | How to Rock a Uniform | November 10, 2012 | 117 | Kacey's rivalry with Molly escalates into a school-wide incident that prompts a uniform policy; they must collaborate to overturn it. |
| 25 | How to Rock a Tennis Ball | December 1, 2012 | 126 | Kacey accidentally loses her teacher Mr. March's prized tennis ball during a school event and scrambles to replace it without getting caught. |
| 26 | How to Rock Christmas | December 8, 2012 | 110 | On Christmas Eve, Gravity 5 gets trapped overnight at Danny Mangos mall store, where they encounter the Perfs and must team up to escape and celebrate the holiday. |