I'm From Rolling Stone › Ep. 110

‘Rolling Stone or Rolling Home’

It's Tuesday night. In two days, one of the six writers will be selected as Rolling Stone magazine's next contributing editor. And that's the moment we've been leading up to for weeks on I'm From Rolling Stone.

Russel...  Full Episode Summary

It's Tuesday night. In two days, one of the six writers will be selected as Rolling Stone magazine's next contributing editor. And that's the moment we've been leading up to for weeks on I'm From Rolling Stone.

Russell explains that for a long time he tried to live right, avoiding alcohol and pre-marital sex so that he could be a virtuous person. But Russell explains his conflict to desire to sin and live crazy. "So I wrote this book," he says, "basically what I would do if I was going crazy and sinning." As he rambles on, the camera pans down to his audience: a pair of kids from a Bible camp who are staring at him like he's nuts. Russell goes on to tell them he's the best writer in the I'm From Rolling Stone competition, and that he's also the craziest dude.

In the back of a New York cab, Peter and Krystal discuss their career paths if they don't win. Peter says he'll try to get a job at another magazine with references from the Rolling Stone staff. Krystal recognizes that she didn't get much published, but states confidently, "I'm the best writer."

On Wednesday morning, the writers are relaxing and joking around with one another at the Rolling Stone offices. Joe enters the room to let them know that they'll need to be at the office all day Thursday when the winner of the contributing editor position is announced.

Colin wonders where he stands in the rankings. He wants to win, and feels he's done well, but senses an impending doom.

At a deli shop, Krishtine tells Krystal and a friend that she hates competition. She feels that people should be appreciated for their unique contributions. However, Krish feels that she has a great chance because she can fill a void with her hip-hop expertise.

Peter approaches Jann Wenner about internship opportunities at Rolling Stone because he likes New York, and wants to stay. Jann tells Peter they'll discuss the possibilities.

Tika reflects on Pete, saying that although he's a smart guy who she likes, he's not a good writer. Tika would love to work at Rolling Stone, and would be "f---ing shocked" if anyone else gets it.

Tika goes to see her mother and aunt who are visiting New York and staying at a hotel. When discussing career possibilities, Tika's mother opposes freelance work because she feels her daughter will be pigeonholed. But no matter what happens, Tika's mom lets her know, "I'm proud of you, Tika-boo."

Russell reflects on his errors. He knows his chances are slim, and he's tired. He tells a friend on the phone that he wants the job, and she tells him that despite his talents, if he doesn't get the job it's because he's not a good employee.

It's Thursday. Today, the writers find out who will get the contributing editor job at Rolling Stone. The writers each get dressed for the office with the job on their mind. Krishtine isn't nervous. Colin's is frightened by the possibility of getting the job. Krystal loves the magazine, so if she doesn't get it, she'll be "incredibly upset." Tika feels confident that she'll get it. She wants it and says, "I'm definitely the best writer out of the six." Russell is late as always, and Joe takes note.

Jann and the editors meet to decide who gets the job, while the six writers wait for the final verdict. Jann wants to hire the person most likely to succeed at Rolling Stone in the editorial department. They discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each writer, starting with Colin.

Music editor Jason Fine says Colin has passionate about music, but didn't come along far in his writing skills. They all agree that Colin also looks like the "Rolling Stone type," is interested in the music the magazine promotes and brought good bands to them.

Joe says that Pete has a lot of enthusiasm, but that he doesn't know how to organize a story or a paragraph. Jason agrees that Pete has trouble re-writing stories with notes. However, they realize he'll show up to work every day with his "A game."

Joe notes that Krystal had the most initial enthusiasm, but that she's accomplished the least. Jason agrees that Krystal was disengaged. Jann knows that she's into the Rolling Stone lifestyle, and hesitates to call her a groupie, referencing her use of the "Jagger" name. She's "sweet, but silly," Jann notes. Joe feels it's just not the place for her.

"Russell broke my heart," Joe says. He showed no capability to discipline himself and get to work on time. Jason says that he wrote a couple of great blog entries, but that in eight weeks, it wasn't a lot of writing. Joe tells Jann and the editors that Russell had the most raw talent, did the best work early on and that he disrespected his own talent. Jann says you can be a jerk, but turn in a great piece and all's well.

While the editors convene, the writers dance around and have fun in the conference room that has been their office.

Back to the editors and Krishtine is being analyzed. Joe's impressed with what she's shown them in the last four weeks. Jann thought that she was limited to rap, but Joe notes that her knowledge of hip-hop has come in handy. However, they recognized that Krishtine is arrogant, and bitches and moans a lot.

Tika started strong, seemed serious and was the first one to write something for the magazine, Jason tells the team. But after that, Jason feels that Tika kind of slipped away. Jann says, "She gave up, but she can write."

It's time to make a decision.

Meanwhile, the writers mingle and reflect on their experience. Tika notices that Peter bought a bottle of wine for Jason Fine, and notes he's "such a great ass-kisser" that she needs to take lessons. The mood becomes serious when Jann and Joe enter the room.

Jann sits and thanks the writers for being there. Joe also takes a minute to congratulate the writers. As a group, they conducted over 100 interviews, had more than 40 pieces published in the magazine, online or in the blog, spoke with major celebrities and danced onstage with George Clinton.

That said, it's time to announce their decision, elimination-style. First, Krystal is told the magazine's not the place for her as a writer. Jann thanks Krystal and wishes her luck.

Jann tells Colin that he's smart, but several years away from this type of job becoming a reality. However, Jann tells Colin to "stay in touch" with them.

Joe tells Russell that he put his money on him and he's cost him. He wants to see where his writing takes him, but he wants Russell to get out of his own way. Jann adds that Russell was everybody's early pick, and that it could have been him, saying, "You threw the opportunity away." Russell, dressed in casual clothes with a red bandana around his neck sits and listens. Jann continues, "Even your dress today is disrespectful. You cost yourself this one. You lost it."

Joe tells Tika that she's capable and brought a real seriousness to this, but that in the last few weeks, her game slowed up a bit, and for that reason, "We'll see what the future brings."

That leaves two... Krishtine and Peter. Joe tells Pete that he's come the farthest of anyone there, but he's green. As Joe tells Krish that the editors are really impressed with what she's shown them over the last four weeks, Tika sits back in her chair with a shocked look on her face. Joe notes Krishtine's early attitude issues, and how that was a concern.

Jann tells Krishtine that he thought her piece on the chicken business was "very impressive." Jann then tells Pete that he's impressed every single editor there as an individual and hard-working, resourceful, energetic person. Though he'd fit brilliantly, Jann tells Pete that it can only be one of the two.

Anticipation builds until Jann says, "I'm pleased to say Krish," and the team jumps and screams before Jann can complete his sentence. Krish buries her face in her hands while the team hugs and congratulates her. Krish gets up and hugs Joe and Jann, thanking them for believing in her. "Rock-n-roll. I have a lot to learn," she says.

Tika asks, "We can leave now, right?" Peter confirms, "Yep," and tells Krishtine, "Go get some work done." They all laugh together.

On a sofa in a Rolling Stone hallway, Krishtine rests her arm around Russell's neck, telling him, "Everybody's more happy for me than I am." He tells her it's because, for her, it hasn't sunk in.

Outside over a smoke, Russell tells his mentor, contributing editor Jenny Eliscu, "I wanted to blow it, kinda, maybe. Not, not really." Jenny says it's a shame because Russell would have been a good for the magazine to have him as a developing talent. She tells him, "This was just one chance at greatness. But if you keep blowing every chance at greatness, eventually you run out of chances."

Since the Rolling Stone competition came to an end, Pete has gone on to become an editorial assistant for Men's Journal magazine, which is owned by Jann Wenner's company, Wenner Media. He is also a bartender in New York. Tika is freelancing for a new magazine called Dapper.

Russell is back in San Francisco writing for New America Media.

Krystal is in Salina, CA working as an editor-at-large for The Ping Pong Literary Journal at The Henry Miller Library. Colin is back in Los Angeles, completing his junior year at USC.

Krishtine recently started her new job as a contributing editor at Rolling Stone magazine.

In their last moment as a group in the Rolling Stone office, the writers hold their glasses up in the air to toast and smile.