The Blanks
Encyclopedia
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 an album, Riding the Wave
.
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.
. Some time later they met Philip McNiven while living in Los Angeles
and formed the group.
, who decided to write them into the show.
They have appeared as the singing group in the following episodes:
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
.
A cappella
A cappella music is specifically solo or group singing without instrumental sound, or a piece intended to be performed in this way. It is the opposite of cantata, which is accompanied singing. A cappella was originally intended to differentiate between Renaissance polyphony and Baroque concertato...
group. Most notably, they appeared in the TV series Scrubs
Scrubs (TV series)
Scrubs is an American medical comedy-drama television series created in 2001 by Bill Lawrence and produced by ABC Studios. The show follows the lives of several employees of the fictional Sacred Heart, a teaching hospital. It features fast-paced screenplay, slapstick, and surreal vignettes...
in a recurring guest role, under various names such as Ted's Band and The Worthless Peons. They have released an album, Riding the Wave
Riding the Wave
Riding the Wave is a 2004 album by The Blanks. It features both original songs by the band and cover versions of other songs, most of which were performed on the TV series Scrubs. It also features candid recordings of the cast and production team of Scrubs . Sam Lloyd was written into the script...
.
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
Scrubs (TV series)
Scrubs is an American medical comedy-drama television series created in 2001 by Bill Lawrence and produced by ABC Studios. The show follows the lives of several employees of the fictional Sacred Heart, a teaching hospital. It features fast-paced screenplay, slapstick, and surreal vignettes...
episode "My Best Friend's Wedding", the members appear to take up instruments to play the Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
song "Eight Days a Week
Eight Days a Week (song)
"Eight Days a Week" is a song written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, based on Paul's original idea, recorded by The Beatles and released on their December 1964 album Beatles for Sale.-Inspiration:...
". This is actually a recording by The Butties
The Butties
The Butties are a Beatles cover band that formed at Syracuse University in 1983, best known for their Christmas album "12 Greatest Carols." Their version of "Joy to the World" -- done in the style of The Beatles' "Please Please Me" has been featured on NBC's Scrubs and the motion picture soundtrack...
, a Beatles cover band including Blanks members Sam Lloyd
Sam Lloyd (actor)
Samuel "Sam" Lloyd, Jr. is an American actor and musician, perhaps best known for his portrayal of beaten down lawyer Ted Buckland on the American comedy-drama Scrubs....
and Paul Perry. Also, in "My Way Home
My Way Home
"My Way Home" is the 7th episode of season five and the 100th episode of the American comedy-drama Scrubs. It originally aired on January 24, 2006 on NBC....
", Paul F. Perry plays a ukulele
Ukulele
The ukulele, ; from ; it is a subset of the guitar family of instruments, generally with four nylon or gut strings or four courses of strings....
while the group sings "Over The Rainbow
Over the Rainbow
"Over the Rainbow" is a classic Academy Award-winning ballad song with music by Harold Arlen and lyrics by E.Y. Harburg. It was written for the movie The Wizard of Oz, and was sung by Judy Garland in the movie...
". (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
OutKast
Outkast is an American hip hop duo based in East Point, Georgia, consisting of Atlanta native André "André 3000" Benjamin and Savannah, Georgia-born Antwan "Big Boi" Patton. They were originally known as Two Shades Deep but later changed the group's name to OutKast...
's "Hey Ya!
Hey Ya!
"Hey Ya!" is a song written and produced by André 3000 for his 2003 album The Love Below, part of the hip hop duo OutKast's double album Speakerboxxx/The Love Below. The song takes influence from funk and rock music...
" performed by Sam Lloyd on the acoustic guitar was released as a single in 2010.
Members
- Sam LloydSam Lloyd (actor)Samuel "Sam" Lloyd, Jr. is an American actor and musician, perhaps best known for his portrayal of beaten down lawyer Ted Buckland on the American comedy-drama Scrubs....
– baritone - Philip McNiven – tenor
- George Miserlis – baritone
- Paul F. Perry – bass
History
Sam Lloyd and George Miserlis met Paul Perry while studying at Syracuse UniversitySyracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
. Some time later they met Philip McNiven while living in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
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 LawrenceBill Lawrence (producer)
William Van Duzer Lawrence IV is an American screenwriter, producer, and director best known as the creator of Scrubs and co-creator of Cougar Town. Lawrence is married to the actress Christa Miller whom he cast in both television series; they have three children together...
, who decided to write them into the show.
They have appeared as the singing group in the following episodes:
- Episode 1.23, "My HeroMy Hero (Scrubs)"My Hero" is the 23rd episode of the American sitcom Scrubs. It originally aired on May 14, 2002 on NBC.-Synopsis:Ben takes his leukemia diagnosis pretty well, much better than Jordan and J.D. Dr. Cox tells Ben, Jordan and J.D. that they can beat the cancer, earning J.D.'s hero worship. Later, Dr...
": cartoon theme songs: "Speed RacerSpeed RacerSpeed Racer is an English adaptation name of the Japanese manga and anime, which centered on automobile racing. Mach GoGoGo was originally serialized in print form in Shueisha's 1958 Shōnen Book, and was released in tankōbon book form by Sun Wide Comics, re-released in Japan by Fusosha...
" and "Underdog" - Episode 2.02, "My Nightingale": prime time theme songs: "The Facts of LifeThe Facts of Life (TV series)The Facts of Life is an American sitcom that originally ran on the NBC television network from August 24, 1979 to May 7, 1988. A spin-off of the sitcom Diff'rent Strokes, the series' premise focused on Edna Garrett as she becomes a housemother at the fictional Eastland School, a prestigious...
", "The Six Million Dollar ManThe Six Million Dollar ManThe Six Million Dollar Man is an American television series about a former astronaut with bionic implants working for the OSI...
", and "Charles in ChargeCharles in ChargeCharles in Charge is an American sitcom series which starred Scott Baio as Charles, a 19-year-old student at the fictional Copeland College in New Jersey, who worked as a live-in babysitter in exchange for room and board...
" - Episode 2.14, "My Brother, My Keeper": "Hello! Ma BabyHello! Ma Baby"Hello! Ma Baby" is a Tin Pan Alley song written in 1899 by the team of Joseph E. Howard and Ida Emerson . Its subject is a man who has a girlfriend he knows only through the telephone...
" - Episode 2.19, "My Kingdom": commercial jingleJingleA jingle is a short tune used in advertising and for other commercial uses. The jingle contains one or more hooks and lyrics that explicitly promote the product being advertised, usually through the use of one or more advertising slogans. Ad buyers use jingles in radio and television...
s for Folgers Coffee, MennenMennenMennen is a brand owned in most parts of the world by the Colgate-Palmolive Company. Its most notable product, Mennen Speed Stick, with its fougère perfume and green wide stick, was the market leader among deodorants and antiperspirants for men for many years...
, and McDonald'sMcDonald'sMcDonald's Corporation is the world's largest chain of hamburger fast food restaurants, serving around 64 million customers daily in 119 countries. Headquartered in the United States, the company began in 1940 as a barbecue restaurant operated by the eponymous Richard and Maurice McDonald; in 1948... - Episode 3.22, "My Best Friend's Wedding": "Hava NagilaHava Nagila"Hava Nagila" is a Hebrew folk song that has become a staple of band performers at Jewish weddings and Bar/Bat Mitzvahs.-History:...
", "Bridal ChorusBridal ChorusThe "Bridal Chorus" "Treulich geführt", from the 1850 opera Lohengrin, by German composer Richard Wagner, is a march played for the bride's entrance at many formal weddings throughout the Western world...
" and "Eight Days a WeekEight Days a Week (song)"Eight Days a Week" is a song written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, based on Paul's original idea, recorded by The Beatles and released on their December 1964 album Beatles for Sale.-Inspiration:...
" - Episode 4.13, "My Ocardial Infarction": "No, Not MuchNo, Not Much"No, Not Much" is a popular song published in 1955. The music was written by Robert Allen, the lyrics by Al Stillman.This song is an example of being rejected from the lover, stating that the lover does not get the pleasure, the thrills, and the satisfaction from his mate, stating that this was...
" sung in an a cappella battle with Janitor'sJanitor (Scrubs)The Janitor is a fictional character, played by actor Neil Flynn in the American comedy-drama Scrubs.Neil Flynn was originally billed as a recurring guest star throughout Season 1, although he appeared in all 24 episodes of that season. He was promoted to a series regular beginning with Season 2...
fake band, "Hibbleton" (who sang "Barbara AnnBarbara Ann"Barbara Ann" is a song written by Fred Fassert and performed by The Regents in 1961. The recording reached a peak position of #13 on the Billboard Hot 100 record chart....
") - Episode 5.07, "My Way HomeMy Way Home"My Way Home" is the 7th episode of season five and the 100th episode of the American comedy-drama Scrubs. It originally aired on January 24, 2006 on NBC....
": songs from classic movies: "ManiacManiac (song)"Maniac" is a synthpop song performed by Michael Sembello. The song was used in the 1983 film Flashdance and was inspired by the 1980 horror film Maniac.The film Maniac was about a serial killer who stalks his victims in New York City...
" from FlashdanceFlashdanceAnother song used in the film, "Maniac", was also nominated for an Academy Award. It was written by Michael Sembello and Dennis Matkosky, and was inspired by the 1980 horror film Maniac. The lyrics about a killer on the loose were rewritten so that it could be used in Flashdance...
, "We're Off to See the WizardWe're Off to See the Wizard"We're Off to See the Wizard" is one of the classic and most memorable songs from the Academy Award-winning film The Wizard of Oz. Composer Harold Arlen described it, along with "The Merry Old Land of Oz" and "Ding-Dong! The Witch is Dead", as one of the "lemon drop" songs of the film.The melody's...
" and "Over the RainbowOver the Rainbow"Over the Rainbow" is a classic Academy Award-winning ballad song with music by Harold Arlen and lyrics by E.Y. Harburg. It was written for the movie The Wizard of Oz, and was sung by Judy Garland in the movie...
" from The Wizard of OzThe Wizard of Oz (1939 film)The Wizard of Oz is a 1939 American musical fantasy film produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. It was directed primarily by Victor Fleming. Noel Langley, Florence Ryerson and Edgar Allan Woolf received credit for the screenplay, but there were uncredited contributions by others. The lyrics for the songs...
; the version they sang is a cover by Israel Kamakawiwoʻole - Episode 5.21, "My Fallen Idol": "Put on a Happy Face"
- Episode 5.24, "My Transition": "Baby Back Ribs", (the Chili'sChili'sChili's Grill & Bar is a restaurant chain founded by Larry Lavine. The chain has more than 1400 casual dining restaurants, mostly located in the United States and Canada...
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 MusicalMy Musical"My Musical" is a musical episode from the American comedy-drama television series Scrubs. It follows the story of Patti Miller, played by guest star Stephanie D'Abruzzo of Avenue Q fame, a woman who mysteriously starts hearing everyone's speech as singing.The episode was written by Deb Fordham,...
": 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 CrisisMy Identity Crisis"My Identity Crisis" is the fourth episode of season seven and 143rd episode of the American sitcom Scrubs. It aired on November 15, 2007 on NBC.-Plot:...
": they sing The WhoThe WhoThe Who are an English rock band formed in 1964 by Roger Daltrey , Pete Townshend , John Entwistle and Keith Moon . They became known for energetic live performances which often included instrument destruction...
's "Who Are YouWho Are You (song)"Who Are You", composed by Pete Townshend, is the title track on The Who's 1978 release, Who Are You, the last album released before drummer Keith Moon's death in September 1978. It was released as a double-A sided single with the John Entwistle composition "Had Enough", also featured on the album...
" in preparation for an a cappella competition - Episode 8.08, "My Lawyer's In Love": they sing Blue Öyster CultBlue Öyster CultBlue Öyster Cult, often abbreviated BÖC, is an American rock band, most of whose members first came together in Long Island, NY in 1967 as the band Soft White Underbelly...
's "(Don't Fear) The Reaper(Don't Fear) The Reaper" The Reaper" is a song by the rock band Blue Öyster Cult from their 1976 album, Agents of Fortune. It was written and sung by the band's lead guitarist, Donald "Buck Dharma" Roeser and was produced by David Lucas, Murray Krugman, and Sandy Pearlman. It is built around Dharma's guitar riff that...
" in preparation of impressing Dr. CoxDr. CoxPercival "Perry" Ulysses Cox, M.D. , is a fictional character played by John C. McGinley on the American television comedy-drama Scrubs....
to let the group sing at the Pediatric ward, and later sing Kansas'Kansas (band)Kansas is an American rock band that became popular in the 1970s initially on Album-Oriented Rock charts, and later with hit singles such as "Carry On Wayward Son" and "Dust in the Wind"...
"Carry On Wayward SonCarry On Wayward Son"Carry on Wayward Son" is a progressive rock single recorded by Kansas and written by Kerry Livgren for their 1976 album Leftoverture. In 1977, the song peaked at No. 11 on the Billboard pop singles chart, becoming their first Top 40 hit....
" in a jam with character Stephanie Gooch, played by Kate MicucciKate MicucciKate Micucci born March 31, 1980) is an American actress, comedian and singer-songwriter, whose first major television exposure was as Stephanie Gooch in Scrubs, and later as Shelly in Raising Hope...
. - Episode 8.15, "My Soul On Fire, Part 2": Ted sings OutkastOutKastOutkast is an American hip hop duo based in East Point, Georgia, consisting of Atlanta native André "André 3000" Benjamin and Savannah, Georgia-born Antwan "Big Boi" Patton. They were originally known as Two Shades Deep but later changed the group's name to OutKast...
's "Hey Ya!Hey Ya!"Hey Ya!" is a song written and produced by André 3000 for his 2003 album The Love Below, part of the hip hop duo OutKast's double album Speakerboxxx/The Love Below. The song takes influence from funk and rock music...
" (as performed by Mat Weddle) as the Janitor and Lady finish their wedding vows. - Episode 8.18 "My FinaleMy Finale"My Finale" is the hour-long season finale for season eight of the American sitcom Scrubs. It was originally broadcast as episode 18 of season eight on May 6, 2009, and was intended to be the series finale. However, the show unexpectedly returned for a ninth season...
": The band performs the show's theme song, "SupermanSuperman (Lazlo Bane song)“Superman” is a song by the American band Lazlo Bane, from their album All the Time in the World. It was written by Lazlo Bane and Pondy Doorcan. It is most noted for being the theme song to the American TV series Scrubs...
".
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
Scrubs: Interns
Scrubs: Interns is a webisode series from ABC based on the comedy-drama series Scrubs in its eighth season, which originally aired premiered on ABC.com, the day of a new Scrubs episode aired...
.