Original subtitles

Tim got me this sweet job at the community center teaching dance.

Of course it would be sweeter if they paid me.

But you know what?

Volunteering is kind of fun.

The girls are talented, and they can't wait to get to class to see what new

moves I've come up with.

Hey, even Judith Jamison had her bad days.

concentrate, okay?

And you, Mac baby, when I asked you to video the class, I meant the whole

Play, hater.

Girls, we have to get it together.

The competition is just two weeks away.

And you know what?

I don't want to lose.

Because Mitchells never lose.

Well, I'm a Johnson.

Oh, but you're on the Mitchell team now.

Y 'all just dance.

Five, six, seven, eight.

Up.

Stay with me, girl.

What are

you

doing here?

Oh, see, I was in my acting class.

Doing the thing out of waiting till it fell. You know the one with Angela

Bassett where she started the BMW bonfire?

Girl, what's that smell?

Oh, that's lighter fluid. I'm a method actress.

Anyway, there's a director looking for dancers to be in a commercial.

So why don't I just slide in your class for a sec, hotwire my career, and steal

Denzel? Girl, quick, show me the moves.

How about we show you the door?

Kim, this class is for kids.

Okay, but when I win my image award, don't look for no shout -outs.

Wow, we might get discovered today.

Hey, we might get discovered tonight.

Well, if y 'all want to get discovered, you got to know the steps.

Miles, why don't we get up here and show them the routine we worked out?

represents you. Hi, I'm Moesha Mitchell. May I help you? No, dear. It's how I

can help you.

I'm Frances Howie, director.

I'm looking for dancers for my new commercial.

Oh! Calm down, Swindy.

Now, I've been in this business for 30 years.

Oh, 35?

Oh.

Anywho, this little hoofer's really got it going.

little brother, Miles, but he isn't a part of this class, but these lovely

ladies... Ah, they're cute.

Anyhoo, is there someplace we can talk about making this little fellow a star?

Sure,

step into my office.

This isn't fair.

she was supposed to come and see us dance, not him.

He's just a camera boy.

More like Banshee's boy toy.

Mm -hmm.

Miles, I'm glad she likes you.

Break a leg.

I got it.

Hey, honey.

Hey, baby.

How was your day?

Oh, terrible.

I thought that with those radio spots, we'd be swamped.

Well, I guess most potential Saturn buyers are asleep at 3 a .m.

Yeah, especially the ones with good credit.

Where did you get by the bank?

I sure did.

Thank you.

$50? Well, Frank, things are a little tight around here. We have to cut back.

When did we decide to cut back to $50?

Okay, I made a decision because we decided that I would handle the

Right, after you check with me.

Frank, are you saying that I am incapable of making a decision without

consulting you, me who is bringing in the bulk of the money?

Oh, oh, oh, so now I'm Stedman.

Frank, you know that is not fair.

Honey, I'm trying to manage things around here. I mean, you've got the

dealership to worry about and things. Well, Dee, what am I supposed to do if I

need more money? Well, all you have to do is ask. Ask?

Woman, I am asking nobody nothing. Evening, motherfucker.

Hey, y 'all, guess what? Mal's going to be in a TV commercial.

A commercial? Yeah. Yeah, it's for Koi Boy Shoes. Yeah, that's right. Little

is on his way to becoming the next Todd Bridges.

I don't think that's such a good idea.

Oh, come on, Dee.

See? I told you she'd say no. No, no, no, no. Before anybody says no, I would

like to know a little more about it.

Frank, honey, I do know what I'm talking about. After all, I used to be a studio

teacher. These kids, they work long hours. They don't spend a lot of time

other kids. And if they're not lucky enough to get a teacher like me, they

get a very good education.

Honey, I just don't think it's a very good idea. Well, I would like to know a

little more about it. Well, how much more would you like to know? Well, if I

were to tell somebody... Uh, excuse me.

Shouldn't somebody send me to my room?

Yeah, I mean, shouldn't somebody send me home?

Go home!

Okay.

Mom, this commercial, does it shoot on a school day? No, they shoot next

Saturday. Oh, well, I guess one Saturday won't keep him from getting a good

education. Frank, there's more to it than that. These kids are under a great

deal of pressure.

Excuse me.

Miles, what do you think about it? Would you like to do it?

I think it'll be cool.

Well, then it's settled.

Not really, because I'm busy on Saturday, and you...

I'm working. Hey, don't worry about a thing. I will take care of Miles. It'll

only cost you gas money and him 25%. I thought it was 22.

Okay, you got me.

Him, him.

You cannot be up in here bothering folks. Girl, I'm trying to get my career

What, by talking to a caterer? Shoot, she cooked for all the big stars.

Marlon Brando, Louis Anderson, Delta Burke.

problem? Oh, well, quite the contrary.

Miles is a natural, and I'm going to make him the lead. The lead?

Do you mean on the star?

Oh, that's right.

Cool. Then we need to talk about renegotiating his contract.

How about I pay him union minimum, or we get someone else?

It's a deal.

I thought so.

All right.

Miles, dear, we have the lines. Now let's get ready for rehearsal.

straight to Burbank. I have an audition.

You know, Texaco is looking for a black spokesperson.

Yeah, one to count the jelly beans.

My goodness, Miles is going to be the star of the commercial. I just

renegotiated his contract. You did? Yes, girl. I just closed the deal.

Can you be my agent? Send me the photo.

Never mind.

Mrs. Howie, can we talk now?

Sweetie, don't jock me.

McMahon won a day.

Oh, he is good.

Koi boy.

Mark.

Hey, guys.

Have you missed Miles' commercial?

No, no, no. Come on in.

Miles doesn't hurry back from the park. He's going to miss his own debut.

Great. All my peeps are here. You guys ready for the competition?

Now, what are you talking about? You know we have to watch Miles' commercial.

You and Daddy are coming to the show, right? Come on, Pumpkin. We can't just

up and leave. Baby, we have company.

Well, come on, Kim. Girl, I can't miss my commercial.

But you're not even in the commercial.

Oh, yes, I am. I cast my shadow during one of the scenes, and I want to see if

made a cut.

So you're going to have two more weeks of winning. What about you, Indiana?

Oh, I'm sorry, boo. I'm just... I'll be there, Mo. Thank you, Dee.

Daddy, I can't believe you're not coming.

Come on. Come on, Pumpkin, this is Mal's big day.

Whatever.

Mal!

Oh, somebody bombed him! What happened?

It's nothing.

It's nothing. I just got into a little fight. Did you win? Oh, Hakeem, of

he did.

Frank, tell us what happened. Some kids on the playground kept saying, I thought

I was all that just because I was in a commercial.

But I went to see what the goal was.

Somebody went Jackie Chan on you.

There it was.

Guess you guys missed it. Give me time to get to my competition.

Pumpkin, we got to stay here until it comes on again.

That's right, because I ain't going nowhere until I see my shadow.

So anyway, girl, we won the first round of the competition. The finals are this

weekend, and this time I expect all my homies to be there.

Girl, they're only having one. You know we're here for you.

Boy, boy, before.

Come on.

Uh,

Moe, I'm gonna have to ask you to move. I have to be by Miles.

Boy, you better pull up a chair or something.

Hakeem, get out of the way.

Miles, you didn't return my calls.

I've been busy.

I know. I saw your commercial a thousand times.

I thought you did really good.

It came on that many times?

I taped it.

Thanks, Vanity. I just got another one. I know. For goodness candy.

You're filming it next Saturday.

I know everything about you.

This is from the girls who love Mal's fan club.

Why do you guys have a fan club?

Because you're wonderful. We love you.

I see.

The blue's getting close.

Excuse me, Mom. I need a little space.

Miles, it'll be an honor if you help me promote the den. All I need is a picture

of you sucking on a smoothie. Oh, no pictures. No pictures.

Hey, baby.

Hey, honey. How was your day?

Oh, pretty good. Pretty good.

So, did you pick up a weekly stipend from the bank?

Yes, I did. And here you are.

$80?

Ooh, either I was a good boy this week or you hit the numbers.

Our financial situation has not changed around here. But since it was my idea to

cut back, I figured that I would bear the brunt of the belt tightening, so

just take the 20. Oh, no, I'm not going for that, Dick. See, 20 dealerships from

now, I'll still be hearing about this.

Uh -uh. No, no way.

You take the 80, I'll take the 20.

You know, I don't understand you, Frank.

Last week, I thought we were in need of marriage counseling. This week, I think

you're in need of psychiatric care.

Oh, look, Miles got some mail.

Frank, you're invading his privacy.

What? Dee, it's a window envelope. They want you to look.

Besides, it could be an arrest warrant or a subpoena or a... Whoa, a fat check.

Ooh, Dee, the Lord may not come when you call him, but he's always on time.

Miles made $1 ,800.

$1 ,800 and 63 cents.

Dee, our allowance just went up.

No, your integrity just went down.

Frank can't take Miles' money.

Dee, he won't even know.

And besides, it's not like we're taking his money. It's just more like he's

investing in his family.

Kids can divorce their parents, you know.

So we can get half.

Not if he has my attorneys.

Oh, here, Dee, relax.

What attorneys?

It ain't Jacoby and Myers.

Yeah, well, I know one thing.

From now on, I'll be taking a lot more interest in Miles' career.

In fact, I'm going to go with him to that commercial on Saturday.

Hey, baby.

Hi. You know what? I can't wait till you guys see my girls on Saturday. How many

tickets are they going to need for the competition?

I'll be there, won't you?

Pumpkin, this is going to be real tough, baby, because that's the same day that

Miles tapes his commercial.

You know, Frank, why don't I just go with Miles and you can go with Moe? Oh,

no, no, Dee. I thought that you might want to go with Moe, considering how

you love cultural competition.

And I'll go and see my little boy do his thing.

Why don't you both go with Miles?

Nope.

You see, Frank? You see, you're taking this thing much too far, honey. Now, one

of us has got to go to Moe's competition.

Yeah, you're right, dear.

We'll flip.

Whoops. You win. You go with Moe. Take lots of pictures.

Frank, Frank, that's not fair. I did not call it. Yeah, but I did.

Did you know that you're...

son has enough talent to be as big as Gary Coleman or Webster or Michael J.

As long as he doesn't get big.

Know what I mean?

Do you think that this could happen?

Oh, sure.

Just be careful what you feed him.

Got a situation, boss.

Excuse me.

Hakeem, would you stop calling me that?

Yeah, right, Chief.

I had a cold and ran on miles.

Follow me.

Miles, what's the matter?

I don't feel good.

I found a dozen empty Goodens boxes in his dressing room.

I know only eight seven.

Miles, where does it hurt? Your stomach?

No, my head and my feet.

You know, that sounds serious, son. You might need a dose of castor oil.

That was to my uncle.

Casserole works for that, too.

Well, what doesn't it work for? Because that's what I have.

All right.

Why don't you tell me what this is really about?

Dad, I don't want to do this anymore.

Why? I don't like the way people are treating me.

What are they doing, son?

Acting weird.

You took your Saturday off to bring me here.

I have to fight while we're out of school every day.

And there's this crazy girl stalking me.

Okay, Miles, we have a commercial to shoot.

Stop acting like a kid.

Excuse me, he is a kid.

So, what are you saying?

I'm saying I need a couple of minutes with my son.

Dad, it's not fun anymore.

Are you sure, Miles?

I mean, this is a great opportunity, son.

Dad, I want to go home.

That's all I needed to hear.

Are you done with your Hallmark moment?

Oh, you don't know how done we are.

We're out of here.

What do you mean by that?

That means we quit, right, Dad? That's right, son. Yep. You don't even see us

right now. We're already in the limo.

their children.

Oh, come on, Pumpkin. You know I wouldn't miss this for the world.

Thank you, Daddy.

Besides, I'm tired of show business.

I quit.

Wouldn't miss this for the world, huh?

Daddy, you're not right.

No, you're all the ones who aren't right. I come down here trying to do the

right thing. I just wanted to surprise you.

Oh, please, Frank. You are not fooling anybody.

No, I don't have to fool, baby. I'm here because I want to be.

Save your stories for your customers.

I don't have to tell no stories, baby. I don't even have to open my mouth.

Everybody knows Saturn sell themselves.

Yeah, how come we don't go out to eat anymore?

Because I only get $20 a week.

Frank, you told me to take the $80. I did not say that you had to take the

Hey, sometimes the Mitchell family gets a little crazy.

You know what?

I wouldn't praise them or their craziness for anything in the world.

Besides, what can I get for them?