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For the character, see Jem.
For other uses, see Jem (disambiguation).
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Jem is an American animated television series that ran from 1985 to 1988 in U.S. first-run syndication. The show is about music company owner Jerrica Benton, her singer alter-ego Jem, her band The Holograms, and their adventures.

The series was a joint collaboration by Hasbro, Marvel Productions and Sunbow Productions, the same team responsible for G.I. Joe and Transformers. The creator of the series was Christy Marx, who also had been a staff writer for the aforementioned programs. The animation was provided by the Japanese animation studio Toei Doga (now Toei Animation).

Jem began airing on The Hub in the United States, causing a significant increase in the ratings for the channel, although it was eventually removed from the lineup. In mid-2013, Hub Network brought Jem back for morning lineups, but removed again by the end of 2015.

Premise[]

The series revolves around the titular character, Jem, and her band The Holograms. The show follows their daily adventures making music, working at the Starlight Foundation, and outsmarting rival band The Misfits, whose regular schemes to beat them often involve various forms of sabotage cooked up by their manager, Eric Raymond.

Regular themes seen throughout the show involve Jem's relationship with her sister Kimber and the other band members, her love triangle between her real identity, her Jem persona and her boyfriend, Rio Pacheco, and the various acts of charity and entertainment her band provides to the foundation and many other causes. This is often in direct contrast to The Misfits, who consistently display malicious acts of destruction and mean-spiritedness in their constant bid to top the music charts, often putting other people's lives in danger just to get their way. Occasionally, different musicians and bands would show up as well, keeping the music styles diverse and fresh.

The show was designed to cater primarily to girls, having a huge focus on fashions, music and pop culture elements popular in the 1980s. However, the show did have more action-oriented scenes to keep boys interested in the show as well. This show also had an abundance of complex characters and sophisticated writing, which added realism to the show when the characters would interact with each other.

Episodes[]

Season 1 (1985-87)[]

No. Production code Image Title Written by Original air date
01 5205-08 Jem - S1E01 - 01 "The Beginning" Christy Marx October 6, 1985
Starlight Music's Jerrica Benton confronts co-owner Eric Raymond over a rigged band contest to promote The Misfits. Posing as singer Jem, she steals the show. Eric challenges her to a new contest where winner takes all plus a movie deal.
02 5205-09 Jem - S1E02 - 01 "Disaster" Christy Marx October 27, 1985
Fire caused by Eric drives Jerrica's family into Howard Sands' mansion, a contest prize. Both Eric and The Misfits then make more mischief. Later, at a Misfit-raided yacht party, Anthony Julian offers to direct a Jem music video in Paris.
03 5205-10 Jem - S1E03 - 01 "Kimber's Rebellion" Christy Marx November 17, 1985
Jem and The Holograms are heading to Paris to film their first music video. Kimber's not having much fun, though, since she thinks Jem is getting too much attention. Eric Raymond recognizes this upon her return and makes Kimber an offer to pursue a solo career. One of the Starlight Girls, Ashley, allies herself with The Misfits, while Rio continues to struggle with his feelings for Jem and Jerrica.
04 5205-11 Jem - S1E04 - 01 "Frame Up" Christy Marx December 8, 1985
Ashley's odd behavior is finally brought to Jerrica's attention. She doesn't have time to deal with her, though, since she's just signed a contract for Jem and The Holograms to headline a show at a Las Vegas casino. The Misfits are not happy when they learn that they're opening for their arch-rivals. But Pizzazz comes up with a plan to steal the spotlight - a plan which puts Ashley on the spot.
05 5205-12 Jem - S1E05 - 01 "The Battle of the Bands" Christy Marx December 29, 1985
The Holograms rush to save Synergy from being discovered by Eric Raymond. By the night of the Battle of the Bands, Raymond and The Misfits are desperate for some way to ensure victory over their rivals. A golden opportunity presents itself when Ashley tries to end her dealings with them. Can The Holograms save Jem and Ashley in time to win the contest?
06 5205-01 Jem - S1E06 - 01 "Starbright (Part 1): Falling Star" Christy Marx July 5, 1986
It's time for Jem and The Holograms to begin shooting Starbright, the movie that was part of their Battle of the Bands winnings. Pizzazz has some nasty surprises in store for them: her father has bought the movie studio that produces Starbright, The Misfits are the new costars and Eric Raymond is running the studio! Jem and The Holograms are determined not to lose their movie to their arch-rivals, but tempers quickly heat up as production gets underway. Meanwhile, Jerrica learns that one of her Starlight Girls, Ba Nee, may be having trouble with her eyes.
07 5205-02 Jem - S1E07 - 01 "Starbright (Part 2): Colliding Stars" Christy Marx July 12, 1986
Ba Nee will go blind if she doesn't undergo expensive eye surgery within the next few weeks. Unfortunately, Jerrica's financial options are limited after she learns that Eric Raymond used the money from Starlight Music to promote The Misfits. Her only option is for Jem and The Holograms to finish making Starbright. But that won't be easy now that The Misfits are in complete control over the production.
08 5205-03 Jem - S1E08 - 01 "Starbright (Part 3): Rising Star" Christy Marx July 19, 1986
Jem, Rio, The Holograms and most of the movie crew quit the film after Kimber and Jeff's close call in the explosions. Unfazed, The Misfits decide to start the movie from scratch, doubling its budget in the process. As for The Holograms, they resume work on the original Starbright script with the hope that the film's profits will cover the costs of Ba Nee's operation. Which movie will be a success?
09 5205-04 Jem - S1E09 - 01 "The World Hunger Shindig" Mary Skrenes July 26, 1986
Jem and The Holograms are invited to perform at a concert benefiting the victims of world hunger. When The Misfits learn of the concert, they try to horn in. Sally Brand, the woman behind the World Hunger Shindig, tells them they can perform, but can't be on the live album unless another group backs out. Eric Raymond schemes to keep The Holograms away from the concert and to make a tidy sum of money for himself in the process.
10 5205-05 Jem - S1E10 - 01 "Adventure in China" Beth Bornstein August 23, 1986
Rio, Jem and The Holograms are flying to China at the request of the Chinese government. The band has a huge fanbase in China and they have the honor of performing a concert tour that includes the Great Wall itself. At the airport, Eric Raymond and The Misfits notice how reluctant Jem is to part with her earrings. They decide to steal the earrings, make copies to wear, and then lead them on a chase around the city.
11 5205-06 Jem - S1E11 - 01 "Last Resorts" Roger Slifer August 30, 1986
Jem and The Holograms take a much needed vacation to the Colorado mountains. There they meet Rick Franklin, owner of a ski resort. The girls find out that Rick's resort is being threatened by a rival ski resort owned by none other then Eric Raymond. To settle the dispute over which resort controls the mountain, Jem and The Holograms challenge The Misfits to a ski race.
12 5205-07 Jem - S1E12 - 01 "In Stitches" Mary Skrenes September 6, 1986
Both Jem and The Holograms and The Misfits have been invited to compete in a rock fashion show in Venice Italy. Shana, The Holograms' designer, is nervous about competing against professional designers, but determined to seize this opportunity. As for The Misfits, they suffer a major setback when their designer falls ill before producing their costumes. But they have a backup plan: steal Shana's designs before the big night!
13 5205-13 Jem - S1E13 - 01 "The Music Awards (Part 1)" Christy Marx September 13, 1986
The Holograms and The Misfits are totally focused on beating each other at the annual Music Awards. During all of this, three of the Starlight Girls run away because they feel neglected by Jerrica and the others. Meanwhile, Video introduces the band to Danse, a talented dancer who has a special request for them. And Eric hires a new secret weapon to make trouble for his rivals.
14 5205-14 Jem - S1E14 - 01 "The Music Awards (Part 2)" Christy Marx September 20, 1986
The Music Awards are fast approaching and Eric and The Misfits are still campaigning for the award. Jerrica and The Holograms no longer care at this point - they just want Deirdre, Krissie and Ba Nee to come home. Hopefully, the Haven House benefit will bring them back before a social worker closes Starlight House. But the runaways are busy trying to help a new friend who's mixed up with some criminals. Eventually, they meet up with Danse who reunites them with The Holograms.
15 5205-15 Jem - S1E15 - 01 "The Rock Fashion Book" Rick Merwin September 27, 1986
A book publisher hears about Jem and The Holograms winning a fashion show and signs them up to make a rock fashion book. The Misfits send Clash out to spy while they try to make their own rock fashion book. Their book is rejected. Pizzazz's father buys the rights to The Holograms' book, where they use their new control to make The Holograms look ridiculous. The photographer has proof that Clash and The Misfits are responsible for accidents.
16 5205-16 Jem - S1E16 - 01 "Broadway Magic" Marv Wolfman October 4, 1986
When The Holograms and The Misfits are in New York auditioning for roles in a Broadway show, Eric announces a cash reward to anyone who can publicly reveal Jem's secret identity.
17 5205-17 Jem - S1E17 - 01 "In Search of the Stolen Album" Rick Merwin October 11, 1986
The Misfits steal Jem's latest album to record it as their own. Meanwhile, they embark Jem and The Holograms on a treasure hunt to recover their missing tapes.
18 5205-18 Jem - S1E18 - 01 "Hot Time in Hawaii" Beth Bornstein October 18, 1986
The Misfits and The Holograms are both invited to compete in the "Battle of the Music Stars", a Battle of the Network Stars type event in Honolulu. Eric's hired thug, Zipper, supplies The Misfits with rigged sports equipment to give them the edge in the competition. Later on, Kimber is kidnapped, and The Holograms have to find her in time to compete in the final event.
19 5205-19 Jem - S1E19 - 01 "The Princess and the Singer" Christy Marx & Ellen Guon November 1, 1986
The girls visit Slavic country Morvania to perform for the future queen, Princess Adriana. Kimber's royal dreams become reality when she bumps into Princess Adriana, who looks just like her, and is kidnapped for a coup.
20 5205-20 Jem - S1E20 - 01 "Island of Deception" Mary Skrenes November 8, 1986
During a cruise, The Misfits play a trick on Jem and The Holograms that backfires and they all fall overboard. Stranded on a deserted island, both rock bands must learn to survive together.
21 5205-21 Jem - S1E21 - 01 "Old Meets New" Sandy Fries November 15, 1986
Jem and The Holograms record a new album inspired by legendary '50s rock 'n roll performer, Bobby Bailey. When Eric and The Misfits threaten to tear down Bobby's former recording studios' building, the band teams up to save the place.
22 5205-22 Jem - S1E22 - 01 "Intrigue at the Indy 500" Roger Slifer February 1, 1987
Jem and The Holograms and The Misfits compete at the Indy 500 car race.
23 5205-23 Jem - S1E23 - 01 "The Jem Jam (Part 1)" Christy Marx February 8, 1987
Jem and The Holograms are planning the musical event of the year, the Jem Jam, featuring legendary stars of rock 'n roll. During their stay at Starlight Mansion, until the concert, Ba Nee believes one of the guests is her lost father.
24 5205-24 Jem - S1E24 - 01 "The Jem Jam (Part 2)" Christy Marx February 15, 1987
The Misfits try to ruin Jem's concert using Techrat new "UFO style" device. Meanwhile, at Starlight Mansion, Krissie tries to see beyond Dominic's bad behavior and Ba Nee puts herself in danger to uncover her real father.
25 5205-25 Jem - S1E25 - 01 "Culture Clash" David Wise February 22, 1987
Jem and The Holograms come to New York to shoot their new video clip with an eccentric art director.
26 5205-26 Jem - S1E26 - 01 "Glitter and Gold" Christy Marx March 15, 1987
Jem and The Holograms are pitted against The Misfits once again. The first group to sell 500,000 records wins the contest, the Glitter 'n Gold Roadster and the glory.

Season 2 (1987-88)[]

No. Production code Image Title Written by Original air date
01 5205-30 Jem - S2E01 - 01 "The Talent Search (Part 1)" Christy Marx September 21, 1987
When Shana decides to leave the band to pursue her designer career, Jem has to find a new drummer, and decides to hold a contest.
02 5205-31 Jem - S2E02 - 01 "The Talent Search (Part 2)" Christy Marx September 22, 1987
As The Holograms deliberate over which semi-finalist will be their new drummer, Eric Raymond tries to bribe one of them to reveal Jem's secret identity.
03 5205-28 Jem - S2E03 - 01 "Scandal" Mary Skrenes September 23, 1987
When Jetta finds Kimber's diary, The Misfits start a scandal to try to ruin The Holograms.
04 5205-38 Jem - S2E04 - 01 "One Jem Too Many" Buzz Dixon September 24, 1987
Jem throws a temper tantrum at a restaurant with Rio. And when The Holograms find Jem throwing their albums out of a record store, they are convinced Jerrica has worked too hard lately, until they along with Jerrica see "Jem" live on TV.
05 5205-34 Jem - S2E05 - 01 "The Bands Break Up" Marv Wolfman & Cheri Wilkerson September 28, 1987
Kimber and Stormer both feel that they aren't being taken seriously as musicians in their bands, so they break off on their own and become a duo.
06 5205-36 Jem - S2E06 - 01 "The Fan" Beth Bornstein September 29, 1987
A millionaire, Prescott, an extreme fan of Jem, places an ad to find out Jem's real identity. The Misfits confront Prescott and convince him to let them work along with him. Although he is adamant that he does not want to upset or hurt her, he goes along. They stage a fake Starlight Mansion, and hold a birthday celebration for Jem with everyone (Holograms, Starlight Girls, Lindsey and Rio) in the hopes to get her to reveal her identity. Hidden cameras with The Misfits watching. Will Jem crack under pressure?
07 5205-40 Jem - S2E07 - 01 "Father's Day" Roger Slifer October 1, 1987
Jem and The Holograms commit to help Video create a special gift for her father and prepare to perform at a benefit banquet. Pizzazz and The Misfits disbelieve Clash's claim that she is beloved by her father and decide to come to the banquet too. Meanwhile, Kimber is surly and uncooperative.
08 5205-32 Jem - S2E08 - 01 "Treasure Hunt" Christy Marx & Ellen Guon October 5, 1987
When the Starlight Girls are invited to join a "treasure hunt", Pizzazz finds a group of girls to compete against them. But the Misfit Girls have no intention of playing fair.
09 5205-45 Jem - S2E09 - 01 "Aztec Enchantment" Misty Stewart-Taggart October 7, 1987
Video (Vivien Montgomery) is filming Jem and The Hologram's new music video to enter the International Rock Festival (the only award she hasn't won). Jem has to keep the location secret as no two videos can be the same... guarantee The Misfits will cause trouble and try to stop Video from winning.
10 5205-39 Jem - S2E10 - 01 "Music is Magic" Paul Dini October 14, 1987
The Holograms are the musical guests at a magic show. When strange things start happening and people start to disappear, The Holograms have to team up with the magicians and The Misfits to solve the mysteries before it's too late.
11 5205-41 Jem - S2E11 - 01 "The Jazz Player" Michael Reaves October 15, 1987
Jem and The Holograms try to get jazz Taps Tucker Band from the '40s to reunite their members and have an album deal with Mark Rockwell. However, if The Holograms don't find the quartet and reunite them in time, the deal defaults to Eric Raymond.
12 5205-35 Jem - S2E12 - 01 "Danse Time" George Arthur Bloom October 19, 1987
Mr. Xanthos runs a competition for music artists to create a music video, which must contain the themes of friendship and goodwill. The winning video will win $250,000. Jerrica Benton puts forward Jem and The Holograms, while Eric Raymond enters The Misfits.
13 5205-44 Jem - S2E13 - 01 "Roxy Rumbles" Jina Bacarr October 20, 1987
Jem and The Holograms are touring to promote literacy. Meanwhile, Roxy has a secret she's determined to keep... even if she has to leave The Misfits!
14 5205-49 Jem - S2E14 - 01 "Alone Again" Sandy Fries October 23, 1987
A new Starlight Girl named Laura Holloway is shy and feels like nobody understands her. When a boy named Bobby offers her some pills, she hallucinates, but when the feeling wears off, she does anything to get more pills.
15 5205-46 Jem - S2E15 - 01 "KJEM" Christy Marx October 29, 1987
The radio station KMEL is about to be put out of business by a bigger station, KBST. But some teenagers who have been working there for their communications course try to help save it. They have until the last sign off the air that night to find someone to pay the bills.
16 5205-33 Jem - S2E16 - 01 "Trick or Techrat" Misty Stewart-Taggart October 30, 1987
The Holograms try to fix up the old Opera House in order to keep it from being shut down. But when scary things start happening, they wonder if it's a battle they can win.
17 5205-29 Jem - S2E17 - 01 "The Presidential Dilemma" Beth Bornstein November 2, 1987
Scheduled to play for the President, Jem and The Holograms run into trouble when Synergy is stolen!
18 5205-42 Jem - S2E18 - 01 "Rock n' Roll Express" Steve Mitchell & Barbara Petty November 3, 1987
Taking a cross country train tour raising funds for the Starlight Foundation, Jem and The Holograms are confounded by The Misfits and thievery!
19 5205-50 Jem - S2E19 - 01 "Mardi Gras" Mary Skrenes November 4, 1987
Jem and The Holograms are performing at the Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, where they will wear jewelries that haven't been seen for centuries. Shana finds out they were chosen because she resembles the legendary singer, Lily LaRose.
20 5205-43 Jem - S2E20 - 01 "The Middle of Nowhere" Chris Pelzer November 5, 1987
Eric plans to by an island and open a refinery near the Alaskan pipeline, and use the oil to make cheap records. Jem and The Holograms are on tour in Alaska, and Ba Nee comes along to visit her pen pal, whose family lives on the same island.
21 5205-48 Jem - S2E21 - 01 "Renaissance Woman" David Wise November 16, 1987
Jem and The Holograms are performing for Reginald, who will become the Lord of Carfax county on his 21st birthday by the end of the weekend. Danse meets Robin Goodfellow, who is determined to prove that Reginald is not the rightful heir.
22 5205-37 Jem - S2E22 - 01 "Journey to Shangri-La" Richard Merwin November 24, 1987
Jem and The Holograms travel to Tibet in search of a place called Shangri-La, which is said to be the keepers of all the music, art and poetry the world has ever known. The Misfits follow them to find out what they're up to.
23 5205-52 Jem - S2E23 - 01 "Journey Through Time" Eric Early January 6, 1988
Jem and The Holograms are participating in the "World History of Music" concert. But Eric plans to send Jem and The Holograms back in time with a time machine Techrat invented and have The Misfits replace them.
24 5205-54 Jem - S2E24 - 01 "Britrock" Christy Marx January 7, 1988
The Misfits travel to the UK to meet Jetta's family. Jem and The Holograms are in London for a club opening, where Aja reunites with Craig Phillips, Stormer's brother.
25 5205-55 Jem - S2E25 - 01 "Out of the Past" Michael Charles Hill January 8, 1988
Jerrica finds her father's diary, and learns more about their past and Synergy, like the master tapes of their mother Jacqui's unreleased music, which Eric now owns. Eric offers a trade for a million dollars or for Starlight Music.
26 5205-56 Jem - S2E26 - 01 "Hollywood Jem (Part 1): For Your Consideration" Roger Slifer January 11, 1988
Jem is nominated to an Academy Award, and is then offered the lead in Howard Sands' new movie. Kimber meets Sean again, who has a part in the movie, as well as his stuntman, Jeff, and both find themselves ready to propose to Kimber.
27 5205-57 Jem - S2E27 - 01 "Hollywood Jem (Part 2): And the Winner Is..." Roger Slifer January 12, 1988
The Holograms are finding a bridal gown for Kimber. Sean is brought to the hospital after he tries his own stunts to impress Kimber. And the Academy Awards are approaching, where Jem is competing for best actress in a leading role.

Season 3 (1988)[]

No. Production code Image Title Written by Original air date
01 5205-58 Jem - S3E01 - 01 "The Stingers Hit Town (Part 1)" Christy Marx February 2, 1988
Eric leaves Misfits Music, determined to return as the boss or not at all. Lindsey Pierce tips Jerrica about a new group, The Stingers, who are looking to sign with a US record label. Jerrica and Kimber go to watch them play at Le Klub Kool, and so does Eric.
02 5205-59 Jem - S3E02 - 01 "The Stingers Hit Town (Part 2)" Christy Marx February 3, 1988
While The Stingers decide what record label to sign with, they are invited by Eric to stay at the Gabor estate. Pizzazz isn't happy about the news, until she meets Riot.
03 5205-47 Jem - S3E03 - 01 "Video Wars" Cary Bates & Greg Weisman February 4, 1988
Clash, disguised as a film student named Sarah, tries to get even with The Holograms by making a bad video of them to replace Video's. While spending time with them, Clash becomes friends with The Holograms, and she loses track of where her loyalties lie.
04 5205-53 Jem - S3E04 - 01 "Beauty and the Rock Promoter" Clare Noto February 5, 1988
Red Johnny Mac owes a lot of people money and decides to produce a rock opera in London of Beauty and the Beast. Jem and The Holograms accept the roles. Much to Rio's objection, Jem is getting obsessed with her mysterious co-star.
05 5205-51 Jem - S3E05 - 01 "Homeland, Heartland" Carla Conway February 8, 1988
Video is filming a Jem and The Holograms' music video with Danse at the Zagreb Ballet in Yugoslavia. Victor Krosach, the artistic director of the ballet, realizes Danse is the daughter of Nadia, his former star, and he plans to have Danse stay at the Ballet forever.
06 5205-60 Jem - S3E06 - 01 "Midsummer Night's Madness" Evelyn A.R. Gabai February 9, 1988
Jem and The Holograms and The Stingers are performing in Athens, Greece. When Jerrica and Rio break up, Riot thinks Rio will go after Jem, so Riot seduces Jerrica so that Rio will try to win her back. An oracle suggests that Jerrica creates a whole new identity.
07 5205-61 Jem - S3E07 - 01 "The Day the Music Died" Roger Slifer February 11, 1988
Jem and Riot's disappearance leaves The Holograms, the Starlight Girls and The Stingers under The Misfits control.
08 5205-62 Jem - S3E08 - 01 "That Old Houdini Magic" Jina Bacarr February 15, 1988
Jem and The Holograms are playing at Mrs. Farnsworth's charity ball, where the magician Astral will perform. When The Stingers are rejected by Mrs. Farnsworth, Rapture pretends she is the host body of Houdini's return.
09 5205-63 Jem - S3E09 - 01 "Straight from the Heart" Buzz Dixon February 17, 1988
Danielle introduces a new fashion designer to Jem and The Holograms, Regine, whom they hire to design their fashions for an upcoming concert. But when Jem and The Holograms keep rejecting Regine's designs, The Stingers take the chance to dazzle her.
10 5205-64 Jem - S3E10 - 01 "A Change of Heart" Christy Marx February 18, 1988
After another failed attempt at attracting Rio, an accident at the beach gives Minx a chance to make up for past wrongs.
11 5205-65 Jem - S3E11 - 01 "Riot's Hope" Roger Slifer February 22, 1988
Riot visits his parents, whom he hasn't seen since he left the military for his rock band, Nirvana. Riot's father still can't accept his career and starts another fight, until Riot's mother faints and is taken to the hospital. Riot tells Jem the story of his tough past.
12 5205-66 Jem - S3E12 - 01 "A Father Should Be..." Christy Marx May 2, 1988
Ba Nee's depression grows as her search for her father continues with no results. Jerrica takes matters into her own hands and does everything in her power to track down Ba Nee's long lost father.

Trivia[]

  • Although Jem aired in other countries during its original run and despite the language change, the music videos would still be sung in English instead of the countries' own language, although this was only in certain countries.
  • There were early talks about producing a Jem animated movie back in the 1980s, but when the G.I. Joe animated movie flopped, Hasbro backed down from this idea.
  • Jem's sudden emergence in popularity prompted toys manufacturer juggernaut Mattel to develop their own rock music-themed toyline to compete with it, through their lead franchise Barbie; and so, the Barbie and the Rockers toyline was developed.
    • The Barbie and the Rockers toyline was actually released one month before Jem.[1]

References[]

  1. "Mattel started out as the industry leader with sales of more than 15 million Barbies last year; it had its glittering, shocking-pink, rock star version of Barbie on store shelves one month earlier." - Barbie Takes Up Rock ‘n’ Roll to Match Rival Jem article at Los Angeles Times (October 6, 1986).
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