Instant Star

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  • 2004
  • 4 Seasons
  • 7.4  (2,569)

Instant Star is a Canadian television series that aired on CTV from 2004 to 2008. It was produced by Tom Lynch Company and created by James Hurst. It tells the story of Jude Harrison (Alexz Johnson), an aspiring young musician who wins a singing competition, which launches her into the spotlight and forces her to navigate the ups and downs of the music industry as she strives to find her own voice.

The show was originally intended to be a teen drama that followed the lives of several young musicians as they competed in a talent show, but it quickly evolved into a character-driven series that delved into the challenges and complexities of fame, ambition, and the music industry. It featured a talented and diverse cast of characters, each with their own unique struggles and aspirations, and explored themes of love, family, friendship, and personal growth.

At the heart of the show was Jude, a talented and determined young singer-songwriter who eventually becomes a rising star in the industry. Along the way, she faces numerous obstacles and setbacks, including difficult producers, rival musicians, and personal struggles with love and identity. However, she perseveres and learns to find her own voice through a combination of hard work, talent, and personal growth.

One of the most interesting aspects of Instant Star is its focus on the music industry and the challenges that young musicians face in achieving success. Throughout the series, we see the various machinations of the industry, from the manipulative producers who exploit new talent to the intense competition between artists vying for record deals and airtime. However, the show also explores the creative process of making music, from the struggles of songwriting to the exhilaration of performing live.

Another strength of the show is its well-drawn and relatable characters. Aside from Jude, there's her manager and mentor, Tommy Quincy (Tim Rozon), a former musician who takes Jude under his wing and helps her navigate the industry. There's also the other members of Jude's band, including the moody guitarist Spiederman (Tyler Kyte) and the fiercely loyal drummer Jamie (Kristopher Turner). Additionally, there are Jude's friends and family, including her overprotective mother Sadie (Jane Sowerby), her free-spirited sister Sadie (Laura Vandervoort), and her love interests, including the brooding musician Jamie Andrews (Craig Ashby) and the charming record executive Shay Mills (Wes Williams).

Overall, Instant Star is a engaging and heartfelt series that explores the highs and lows of the music industry through the eyes of a talented young artist. While the show certainly has its share of drama and romance, it also has a strong focus on character development and personal growth, making it much more than just a standard teen soap opera. With a talented cast, great music, and compelling storylines, it's definitely worth checking out.

Instant Star is a series that is currently running and has 4 seasons (52 episodes). The series first aired on September 15, 2004.

Instant Star
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Seasons
London Calling
13. London Calling
August 31, 2008
All Jude Harrison ever wanted was to be a normal girl. Well, as normal as a rock star could possibly be. Reporters and fans have swarmed her home. Bodyguards are attached at the hip. Restaurants close and clear so she may eat in peace. With this much fame...can Jude be normal ever again? And there are choices. And decisions. Most notably, Jude is offered a once-in-a-lifetime recording contract in London, England. At the same time, Jude and Tommy are falling for each other all over again. Tommy offers to move to England with her and make their relationship legit. Like 'legit' legit? She will announce her ultimate decision at the concert.... Meanwhile, Karma and Speed shoot the scripted season finale for their reality series. But Thurman has manipulated their lives for the last time. Karma just can't sell out her Speedy. Thurman gets fired and Karma and Speed shoot a genuine, warm, reconciliation for the cameras...right before they rip every last one out of the loft.
Gimme Gimme Shock Treatment
12. Gimme Gimme Shock Treatment
August 24, 2008
Thanks to her Japanese commercial, Jude has the money she needs to remix her album but Darius isn't interested in giving it back. Luckily, Jude seems to be forging a new, mature friendship with Tommy. She convinces him that if he's truly her friend, he'll hit up Darius for the remix rights at the upcoming G Major spa retreat. In an effort to build company morale, Darius whisks his G Major top guns off to the spa. Kwest, Sadie, Karma - and bringing up the rear, Tommy - are all on board for a day of team-building exercises, pampering, and catharsis. Each of them, however, is distracted by their own agendas. With everyone out of town, Jude is left to deal with a very territorial Megan, who is not just over-protective - she's full-blown disturbed.
She Walks on Me
11. She Walks on Me
August 17, 2008
Jude's latest album has come and gone from the charts in a flash. Bummed but not beaten, Jude's determined to remix the album and re-release all the songs as they should have been done. Problem is, it'll cost heaps of cash to pay for it all - cash Darius certainly won't cough up. So to come up with the money, Jude bites the bullet and accepts a lucrative job acting in a wacky Japanese commercial. But Megan, who has helped Jude through some hard times and thinks she knows best, is dead-set against this "selling out". When Megan pulls out all the stops in a bid to sabotage the commercial, Jude must decide if their friendship is healthy for either of them.
Every Breath You Take
10. Every Breath You Take
August 10, 2008
Karma couldn't be happier and her head couldn't be huger. But when the show airs, she is mortified. Karma has been reduced to the role of harpy, the villain of her on-screen life.
Possession
9. Possession
August 3, 2008
Tommy's back but makes no attempt to see Jude and to take her mind off her Tommy troubles, new friend and break-up survivor Megan comes to the rescue with her Five Steps To Achieving Total Closure.
Brillant Mistake
8. Brillant Mistake
July 27, 2008
It's the big day: Jude's third album is hitting the shelves! Completing the thing nearly destroyed her, and she's eager to see it become the hit she knows it'll be.
Not an Addict
7. Not an Addict
July 20, 2008
After the break-up, Jude keeps the info to herself and throws herself into making her third album the best ever as she spirals into a musical obsession that threatens her career, her relationships and her health.
My Hometown
6. My Hometown
July 13, 2008
Weeks have passed since Tommy left for New Brunswick. Communication has been sporadic and frustrating. What's a lovestruck girl to do...but surprise her guy by arriving unannounced on his doorstep.
We Belong
5. We Belong
July 6, 2008
Darius announces that Tommy and Jude will be judges in the fourth Instant Star competition... without telling them first. But, after receiving a mysterious phone call during the audition, Tommy checks out.
Us and Them
4. Us and Them
June 29, 2008
Jude's happy and in love! And, she's bursting to tell her fans about her relationship with Tommy. When she gets the opportunity to do so on television, her enthusiasm fuels some ill-advised couch-jumping antics. Jude is tossed into a downward spiral when the paparazzi make Jude look so bad that she questions her own emotional and mental stability. Will she keep it together, or will the spotlight finally prove too bright for our young hero? Meanwhile, Jamie and Paegan are surprised when the teenage music keener Lynn pops up in Nana's basement eager to start working for their record label as an intern. Lynn's eagerness soon has Jamie worried, though, and he starts to suspect that she's hiding some stalker-like impulses.... is she a harmless kook, or should Paegan be watching his back?
Changes
3. Changes
June 22, 2008
Jude's stung when it turns out she's just about the only one who hasn't been invited to Jamie and Paegan's party but she won't give up her best friend without a fight. Sadie, meanwhile, still hasn't drummed up the courage to tell her sister that Kwest has moved in with them. Karma's TV career looks like it's about to tank after everyone responds to some preview footage by stiffening up whenever the cameras are rolling. Not realizing he's on hidden "Karma camera", Speed cuts loose at a house party and -- much to Karma's dismay -- acts like a complete jackass. Can Karma reign Speed in, or will she let herself be drawn into the tomfoolery?
She Drives Me Crazy
2. She Drives Me Crazy
June 15, 2008
For better or worse, everyone is getting sucked into the vortex of Karma and Speed's upcoming, on-camera wedding extravaganza. Thanks to the ever-present reality TV crew, Speed starts learning things about Karma he never knew. They find a spot in their apartment hidden from the cameras and start confessing secrets to each other. Desire for fame overwhelms and Karma begins laying into everyone, including Speed with enough Karma-tude that she's in danger of sabotaging both the lavish wedding and the entire relationship.
Your Time Is Gonna Come
1. Your Time Is Gonna Come
June 2, 2008
Jude's finally chosen Tommy as the guy she wants to be with, but her dreams of first-time sex-on-the-beach are dashed when Darius wrangles Jude and Tommy back into the studio of G Major. And to make matters worse, she's sideswiped by one reminder after another that Tommy's been around the block. Meanwhile, newlyweds Karma and Spiederman find themselves stars of their own reality show, prepping a lavish redo of their wedding vows for the cameras.
Description
Where to Watch Instant Star
Instant Star is available for streaming on the Echo Bridge Entertainment website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Instant Star on demand at Amazon Prime, Amazon and Pluto TV.
  • Premiere Date
    September 15, 2004
  • IMDB Rating
    7.4  (2,569)