:en:Jem (TV series)

{{Short description|American animated television series (1985–1988)}}

{{About|the animated series and toy|other uses|Jem (disambiguation)}}

{{Redirect|Jem and the Holograms|the live-action film|Jem and the Holograms (film)}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}

{{Infobox television

| image = Jem logo.jpg

| caption = Title character and logo from opening sequence

| genre = {{Plainlist|

}}

| creator = Christy Marx

| developer = Roger Slifer (seasons 1–3)
Christy Marx (seasons 2–3)

| director = Ray Lee

| producer =

| executive_producer = {{Unbulleted list |Joe Bacal|Jay Bacal|Tom Griffin|Margaret Loesch}}

| theme_music_composer = {{Unbulleted list |Ford Kinder|Anne Bryant}}

| composer = Robert J. Walsh

| company = {{Plainlist|

  • Hasbro{{cite news |title=Truly Outrageous' Dolls Sing Triple-Platinum Tune|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=1987-08-22 |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-08-22-fi-985-story.html |access-date=2010-08-25| first=William K.|last=Knoedelseder Jr.}}{{cite news |date=November 3, 1987 | first=Denise | last=Gellene |title=Hasbro Doll Being Pulled as Mattel Beats the Band |newspaper= Los Angeles Times |url= https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-11-03-fi-18333-story.html |access-date=August 22, 2022 }}
  • Sunbow Productions
  • Marvel Productions

}}

| voices = {{Plainlist|

| country = United States

| language = English

| num_seasons = 3

| num_episodes = 65

| list_episodes = List of Jem episodes

| network = First-run syndication

| first_aired = {{Start date|1985|11|03}}

| last_aired = {{End date|1988|05|02}}

| runtime = 23 minutes

}}

Jem and The Holograms, also known as simply Jem, is an American animated musical television series that ran from 1985 to 1988. The series is about record company owner Jerrica Benton, her singer alter-ego Jem, and the adventures of her band Jem and The Holograms.{{cite news |title= Jem Is Rocking Fashion Doll Industry as She Battles Barbie for Top Spot |work=Los Angeles Times |date=December 19, 1986 |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-12-19-vw-3479-story.html |access-date=September 11, 2022 |last=Swenson |first=John }} The series was a joint collaboration by Hasbro, Sunbow Productions and Marvel Productions, the same team responsible for G.I. Joe and Transformers.{{Cite news |last=Lapin |first=Lisa A. |date=October 6, 1986 |title=Barbie Take Up Rock 'n' Roll to Match Rival Jem |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/402467356/ |access-date=April 1, 2024 |work=Los Angeles Times |pages=55, 57}} The creator of the series, Christy Marx, had also been a staff writer for the aforementioned programs.{{cite web|url=http://www.christymarx.com/writing.htm|title=Christy Marx's Homepage|work=Christy Marx|access-date=August 9, 2011}} The animation for most of the episodes was provided by Japanese animation studio Toei Animation.{{cite web|title=Collaborations |url=http://www.toei-anim.co.jp/oldies/collabo2.html |access-date=September 27, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040815020059/http://www.toei-anim.co.jp/oldies/collabo2.html |archive-date=August 15, 2004 }} Eleven episodes and the opening sequence were instead provided by the South Korean studio AKOM.

Premise

= Characters =

{{Main|List of Jem characters}}

File:Jerrica benton jem.jpg

The series revolves around Jerrica Benton, the owner and manager of Starlight Music, and her alter-ego Jem, lead singer of the rock group Jem and The Holograms.{{cite book |last1=Erickson |first1=Hal |title=Television Cartoon Shows: An Illustrated Encyclopedia, 1949 Through 2003 |date=2005 |edition=2nd |publisher=McFarland & Co |isbn=978-1476665993 |page=445}} Jerrica adopts the persona of Jem with the help of a holographic computer, known as Synergy, which was built by Jerrica's father and is bequeathed to her after his death.{{Cite news |last=Cassinos |first=Cathy |date=November 23, 1986 |title=Jem is climbing the charts in kids' hearts |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/623066379/?terms=jem&match=1 |access-date=March 31, 2024 |work=The Sacramento Bee |pages=182}} Jem and The Holograms consists of Kimber Benton, Jerrica's younger sister, keyboardist, and main songwriter for the band; Aja Leith, Asian-American guitarist; Shana Elmsford, African-American, who plays the synth drums. Carmen "Raya" Alonso becomes the band's synth drummer after Shana briefly leaves the group to pursue a career in fashion. Upon her return to Jem and The Holograms, Shana becomes the band's bassist. Jem and The Holograms have two rival bands: The Misfits and The Stingers:

  • The Misfits (no relation to the real-world band Misfits) consist of petulant rich girl Pizzazz and her group: no-nonsense guitarist Roxy and kind-hearted, sensitive keytar player Stormer. In the second season, they are joined by the manipulative British saxophonist Jetta.
  • The Stingers debut in the third season when they cause disruptions for both groups by becoming co-owners of Stinger Sound with Eric Raymond. Originally from Germany, The Stingers are composed of egotistical lead singer Riot, guitarist/con artist Rapture, and keyboardist Minx.

= Plot =

Episodes of the series frequently revolve around Jerrica's efforts to keep her two identities separate, protect Synergy from those who might exploit the holographic technology, and support the twelve foster children known as the Starlight Girls who live with her and Jem and The Holograms. The Misfits frequently attempt to upstage Jem and the Holograms' endeavors, often nearly resulting in physical harm to members of the group. This rivalry is encouraged and manipulated by their manager and central villain in the series, Eric Raymond, the former half-owner of Starlight Music who runs Misfits Music (later Stinger Sound) while working under Pizzazz's father, Harvey Gabor. During the series, Eric Raymond constantly plots to become owner of Starlight Music and get revenge on Jem and The Holograms for having cost him control of the company. Jerrica also deals with a complex and emotionally draining faux-love triangle involving her alter identity, Jem, and Rio Pacheco, Jerrica's longtime boyfriend. Rio romantically pursues both women, not knowing they are one and the same. Later in the series, Jem is also romantically sought after by Riot, who becomes infatuated with her – adding further complications to her relationships.

= Music videos and songs =

class="wikitable" style="float:left;"

|File:Jem_music_video_typical.jpg

|File:Jem_music_video.jpg

style="font-size: 65%;" width="145px" |A music video featured in the show.

| style="font-size: 65%;" width="145px" |A music video that deviates from the normal action in the show.Roger Slifer. Commentary. Jem and The Holograms: The Truly Outrageous Complete Series . 2011. DVD. Shout! Factory, 2011.

The series' format included three songs for the featured music videos in each episode. The theme song "Truly Outrageous" was the opening and closing theme for the show until late 1987, when "Jem Girls" became the series' opening theme for the majority of episodes and "Truly Outrageous" was kept as the show's permanent closing theme.Bascal, Joe. (2011). Commentary. Jem and The Holograms: The Truly Outrageous Complete Series (DVD). Shout! Factory. Music videos featured an "in-your-face" style that was directed at the viewer or the more traditional style. The music videos paralleled the style of rock videos found on MTV at the time featuring fast editing, a quick pace, and special effects.Marx, Christy. (2011). Commentary. Jem and The Holograms: The Truly Outrageous Complete Series (DVD). Shout! Factory.Griffen, Tom. (2011). Commentary. Jem and The Holograms: The Truly Outrageous Complete Series (DVD). Shout! Factory.

Episodes

{{Main|List of Jem episodes}}

{{:List of Jem episodes}}

Production

=Conception and staffing=

Hasbro and an outside investor started developing Jem in response to an interest that children were showing in music videos. Hasbro hired advertising agency Griffin-Bacal Advertising, the founders of Sunbow Productions, to create the 65-episode animation series. Griffin-Bacal (Sunbow), as well as Marvel Productions, had previously created the successful G.I. Joe series for Hasbro. G.I. Joe writer Christy Marx was hired to create the series based on the line of dolls and the original concept, which consisted of the two girl bands, Synergy, the boyfriend Rio, and the Rockin' Roadster. Marx created the full character biographies and relationships, including the love triangle aspect between Rio and Jerrica Benton/Jem, Starlight Music and Starlight House, the Starlight Girls, the villain Eric Raymond and various secondary characters. Later, Marx was asked to develop new characters as they were introduced,{{cite web|date=September 2, 2011|title=Interview: Christy Marx, Creator of Jem and The Holograms|url=https://www.themarysue.com/interview-christy-marx-creator-of-jem-and-the-holograms/|publisher=The Mary Sue}} with several of them named after pioneers in the history of holography.{{Cite web|date=2024|title=History of Holograms|url=https://holocenter.org/what-is-holography/hologram-history|publisher=HoloCenter}}

=Casting=

Samantha Newark provided the speaking voices of Jem and Jerrica. Despite having toured as a child singer in Africa, she did not do the singing for Jem. The voiceover cast never auditioned for the music side of the series and vice versa. The music for Jem was all cast and recorded in New York and Atlanta and the voiceover actors were cast and recorded in Burbank, California. They matched the speaking voices of the cast to the singing voices.{{cite web |author=Henbest |first=Danielle |title=Samantha Newark – Jem and The Holograms |url=https://www.dvdtalk.com/interviews/samantha_newark.html |access-date=September 30, 2011 |website=DVD Talk}} Britta Phillips, who had never before worked professionally as a singer, was cast as the singing voice of Jem after obtaining an audition through her father who worked on jingles in New York.{{cite news |last=Swenson |first=John |date=December 22, 1987 |title=Cartoon Character Puts Singer Into Spotlight |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/1987/12/22/cartoon-character-puts-singer-into-spotlight/ |access-date=September 1, 2010 |newspaper=Sun Sentinel}} The initial take from the audition was used as the first opening theme song "Truly Outrageous". The remaining Holograms speaking voices were provided by Cathianne Blore (Kimber Benton/Aja Leith), Cindy McGee (Shana Elmsford), and Linda Dangcil (Carmen 'Raya' Alonso). The Misfits' speaking voices were provided by Patricia Alice Albrecht (Phyllis "Pizzazz" Gabor), Samantha Paris/Bobbie Block (Roxanne "Roxy" Pellegrini), Susan Blu (Mary "Stormer" Phillips), and Louise Dorsey (Sheila "Jetta" Burns), the daughter of Engelbert Humperdinck. Ellen Bernfeld provided the singing voice of Pizzazz. The Stingers' speaking voices were provided by Townsend Coleman (Rory "Riot" Llewelyn), Ellen Gerstell (Phoebe "Rapture" Ashe), and Kath Soucie (Ingrid "Minx" Kruger). Gordon Grody, a vocal coach who later worked with Lady Gaga, provided the singing voice for Riot.{{Cite book | publisher = St. Martin's Griffin | isbn = 9781466873018 | last = Childs | first = T. Mike | title = The Rocklopedia Fakebandica | date = 2014-06-10 | page = 209}} Other notable cast members included Charlie Adler as Eric Raymond. He also provided the voices of both of Eric's major henchmen Zipper and Techrat.{{cite web |title=Official Charlie Adler Site: Biography |url=http://mkbmemorial.com/adler/bio.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402221553/http://mkbmemorial.com/adler/bio.html |archive-date=April 2, 2012 |access-date=September 30, 2011 |website=mkbmemorial.com}} Vicki Sue Robinson, famous for the 1970s discothèque-oriented hit "Turn the Beat Around", provided the singing voices of both Rapture and Minx. Ari Gold, pop singer and songwriter, gave the singing voice of Ba Nee.{{cite journal |last=Schikora |first=Shawn |date=May 2004 |title=Ari Gold |url=http://www.arigold.com/include/images/press_images/dnapage.pdf |url-status=dead |journal=DNA |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303215006/http://www.arigold.com/include/images/press_images/dnapage.pdf |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}

=Music=

{{Listen

|filename=Jem_and_the_holograms_beat_this.ogg

|title=Beat This by Jem and The Holograms (Britta Phillips)

|description=30 second sample from the music video "Beat This" featured in "The Talent Search Part 2"

|format=Ogg

}}

The inclusion of music videos in Jem was a result of the success and popularity of MTV (Music Television) at the time, which began airing four years prior. The show contains a total of 187 music videos with 151 unique songs.{{cite video |title=Jem and The Holograms: The Truly Outrageous Complete Series |publisher=Shout! Factory |year=2011 |ref=shoutdvdset}} Over 200 original songs were written for the series. Several songs are featured on cassette tapes of Hasbro's Jem toy line.{{Cite news |date=November 16, 1986 |title=Hot Item In New Toys: Jem Fashion Dolls |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/589253798/?terms=jem&match=4 |access-date=April 1, 2024 |work=The Tyler Courier-Times |pages=59}} Sunbow Productions employed several musicians and songwriters.{{Cite news |last=Knoedelseder Jr. |first=William K. |date=September 8, 1987 |title=As 45s Fade, A Young Music Crowd Turns To Jem, The Singing Doll |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/924457383/?terms=jem&match=1 |access-date=April 6, 2024 |work=Concord Monitor |pages=29}} Ford Kinder and Anne Bryant composed the music, and Barry Hamon wrote the lyrics of the songs. Britta Phillips performed as Jem, Ellen Bernfeld performed as Pizzazz, and Gordon Grody, performed as Riot.{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}} Anne Bryant, who chose the singers and musicians, created a pop sound for Jem and The Holograms supported by acoustic instruments.{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}} The sound for The Misfits was crafted as strictly electronic other than the addition of guitars and an occasional sax solo when the character of Jetta was introduced into The Misfits.{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}} This was done to create an identifiable punk electronica style in stark contrast to their rival singing groups.{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}} In season three, Bryant introduced the slower funky groove for the third group that entered the show, The Stingers.{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}}

Release

= Marketing =

According to Newsday in 1986, the budget for the first year of advertising the franchise totaled approximately $10 million a large sum for a multifaced line at the time. Along with the series, Hasbro promoted Jem with a complete line of toys and accessories, hoping to create the "next fashion doll superstar in a market". Steven Eisenberg, a toy industry analyst at Bear Stearns, stated that the lineup would be "very successful" and "represent a potentially significant challenge to Barbie." Alfred C. Carosi, Jr., former vice president of marketing services for Hasbro, also said, "Jem is getting as much push in terms of marketing muscle as any major line", explaining that the marketing services promoted several "Jem Coming Soon" advertisements. In a response to an analysis chart of toy sales, Paul Valentine, a toy analyst at Standard & Poor's Corporation, predicted the Jem toy line to be a flop.{{Cite news |last=Timberlake |first=Cotten |date=February 3, 1986 |title=Rambo's, Rock Lords among new year's toys |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/875261701/?terms=jem&match=1 |access-date=April 2, 2024 |work=Kitsap Sun |pages=10}} Hasbro's first Jem doll line was unveiled on February 10, 1986, at Hasbro's Madison Avenue showroom in New York City's North American International Toy Fair. The showroom was filled with Jem dolls and decorated with neon colors, "Miami Vice-styled" fashions, and video screens with animation clips and commercials. In mid-1986, Nickelodeon partnered with Hasbro to sponsor a contest in which people were asked to call a toll-free telephone number and sing the theme song of the series. The grand prize was worth $7,000{{Cite news |last=Stafford |first=Leon |date=September 5, 1986 |title=Keri's N.Y. trip is 'outrageous' |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/774826753/?terms=jem&match=1 |access-date=April 4, 2024 |work=The Knoxville News-Sentinel |pages=15}} and featured a trip to the MTV Video Music Awards in New York City.{{Cite news |date=November 25, 1987 |title=A hot new fashion doll is stealing "center stage" |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/551465921/?terms=jem&match=1 |access-date=April 2, 2024 |work=The Reporter-Times |pages=24}} Other prizes included a 19-inch color television, a VCR and the Jem home video library, a dress identical to the one made for the Jem doll, and $1,000 cash. Carosi explained that the promotion "added proof of Jem's popularity", garnering more than 375,000 phone calls and breaking the telephone system once during the eight weeks of the contest. The contest winner was Keri King of Seymour, Indiana, who was chosen out of 325,000 children aged 12 and under.

= Broadcast =

Jem started airing 1985, in syndication. It consisted of one seven-minute short that aired every week{{Cite news |last=Schatz |first=Robin |date=February 17, 1986 |title=Designing a Star to 'Rock' Barbie |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/704438414/ |access-date=April 2, 2024 |work=Newsday |pages=113, 115}} as part of the Super Sunday lineup. On May 4, 1986, Jem started to air as a television series.{{cite web |date=May 5, 1986 |title=Television |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DucCAAAAMBAJ |access-date=June 24, 2024 |publisher=New York Magazine |page=130}} Starting in September 1987, the series aired five times weekly. It has aired in multiple countries including Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, West Germany, Netherlands, United States, Italy and France.{{cite news |date=June 16, 2011 |title=Hey Pop Culture Fans – "JEM" is back on TV!! |url=http://www.wiredprnews.com/2011/06/16/hey-pop-culture-fans-jem-is-back-on-tv_2011061620002.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111020070646/http://www.wiredprnews.com/2011/06/16/hey-pop-culture-fans-jem-is-back-on-tv_2011061620002.html |archive-date=October 20, 2011 |access-date=October 1, 2011 |work=wiredprnews.com}} The series aired reruns on The Hub Network/Discovery Family from May 31, 2011, to November 15, 2015.{{cite press release |url=http://press.discovery.com/us/hub/press-releases/2011/hub-tv-network-generates-truly-outrageous-rec-1344/ |title=The Hub Tv Network Generates 'Truly Outrageous' Record Ratings with Holiday Weekend Sneak Peek Preview of Summer Programming : Discovery Press Web |publisher=Discovery Communications |date=June 1, 2011 |access-date=September 27, 2011}}{{cite web |last=Getzler |first=Wendy |date=April 29, 2011 |title=The Hub brings back '80s and '90s animation |url=http://kidscreen.com/2011/04/29/the-hub-brings-back-80s-and-90s-animation/ |access-date=August 9, 2011 |work=Kidscreen}} On July 25, 2011, Teletoon Retro, a Canadian channel dedicated to cartoons, announced that Jem would be part of its fall 2011 lineup.{{cite press release |publisher=Teletoon |date=July 25, 2011 |url=http://www.teletoon.com/media/2011/english/press/teletoon-fall2011.pdf |title=Teletoon Canada Announces an Unreal Fall Lineup that Will Make You Jump Out of Your Seat |access-date=September 27, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927231920/http://www.teletoon.com/media/2011/english/press/teletoon-fall2011.pdf |archive-date=September 27, 2011}} On April 5, 2012, Hasbro announced that Jem, along with several other Hasbro franchises, will be available on Netflix.{{cite press release |url=http://investor.hasbro.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=662179 |title=Hasbro Studios Signs Multi-Year Deal with Netflix to Provide Its Award-Winning Content across Multiple Platforms in the U.S. |publisher=Hasbro Inc |date=April 5, 2012 |access-date=May 29, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120504073428/http://investor.hasbro.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=662179 |archive-date=May 4, 2012 |url-status=dead |first1=Daniel |last1=Benkwitt}}

== Broadcast UK history ==

Reception

Jem was the #1 Nielsen rated syndicated cartoon series in November 1986.{{cite magazine| last=Salas|first=Tersas|title=TV Licensing Changes Channels To Avoid Program Overflow|magazine=Playthings|date=June 1987|page=60}} In 1987, it was the third most watched children's program in syndication with 2.5 million viewers weekly. The show was nominated for the Young Artist Award twice, once in 1986 for "Exceptional Young Actresses in Animation: Series, Specials, or Film Features" for Samantha Newark's performance, then in 1988 for "Best Animation Series".{{cite web|url=http://www.youngartistawards.org/pastnoms8.htm|title=8th Annual Awards|access-date=2011-10-01|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110403132101/http://www.youngartistawards.org/pastnoms8.htm|archive-date=2011-04-03}}{{cite web|url=http://www.youngartistawards.org/pastnoms10.htm|title=10th Annual Awards|access-date=2011-10-01|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716012647/http://youngartistawards.org/pastnoms10.htm|archive-date=2015-07-16}}

Home media

class="wikitable"

!Release name

!Ep #

!Company

!Release date

!Notes

Various VHS releases{{cite web|title=Jem On Video|url=http://www.pranceatron.com/jem/ovideous.html|access-date=2011-09-27}}

| style="text-align:center;"|25 (total)

| Kid Rhino, Family Home Entertainment, Avid Entertainment (US)

| 1986–1987 (FHE, Avid) 1999 (Kid Rhino)

| Various home video releases containing between two and five episodes.

Various VHS releases

| style="text-align:center;"|20 (total)

| Video Gems, Tempo Video (UK)

| 1986–1987 (Video Gems) 1987–1991 (Tempo Video, Tempo Kids Club)

| Various home video releases containing between two and five episodes. Video Gems distributed the TV movie, Truly Outrageous.

* Jem{{spaced ndash}}The Complete First and Second Seasons

  • Jem{{spaced ndash}}Season 3, Part One

| style="text-align:center;"|45

|Rhino Entertainment (US)

|

  • March 30, 2004
  • September 14, 2004

|Contains all 26 original, uncut episodes of season one released as Jem and The Holograms{{spaced ndash}}The Complete 1st & 2nd Seasons and the first 19 episodes of season 2 released as Jem and The Holograms: Season 3{{spaced ndash}}Part 1. Each DVD release is digitally remastered and fully restored and contains Dolby Digital 5.1 remastered audio along with the Dolby Digital 2.0.{{cite news|title= Jem: Season 3 Part One|work= DVD Talk|url= https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/13294/jem-season-3-volume-1/|access-date=2010-08-14}}

Jem{{spaced ndash}}Truly Outrageous: The Movie

| style="text-align:center;"|5

|Metrodome (UK)

|

  • October 2, 2006
  • June 4, 2007

|Contains the first 5 episodes of the series in their TV movie format.{{cite web |date=4 June 2007 |title=Jem The Movie [DVD]: Amazon.co.uk: Jem: Film & TV |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000RFBPEI |access-date=2011-08-09 |publisher=Amazon.co.uk}} This would include alternate and a few removed scenes from later broadcast versions of the first five episodes.

*Jem et les Hologrammes{{spaced ndash}}Edition VF{{spaced ndash}}4 DVD{{spaced ndash}}Partie 1

  • Jem et les Hologrammes{{spaced ndash}}Edition VF{{spaced ndash}}4 DVD{{spaced ndash}}Partie 2
  • Jem et les Hologrammes{{spaced ndash}}Edition VF{{spaced ndash}}4 DVD{{spaced ndash}}Partie 3

| style="text-align:center;"|64

| Declic images (France)

|

  • January 15, 2010
  • January 15, 2010
  • April 30, 2010

| The episodes are dubbed in French with the exception of the music videos. The set is missing the episode "Fathers' Day".

Jem and The Holograms: The Truly Outrageous Complete Series

| style="text-align:center;"|65

| Shout! Factory (US)

|October 11, 2011 / September 29, 2015 (as a bare-bones re-issue edition with no bonus material)

|The complete series on 11 DVDs with bonus material. Bonus material includes the documentary featurettes "Showtime, Synergy! The Truly Outrageous Creation of an '80s Icon", "Glamour & Glitter", and "Jem Girls (and Boys!) Remember", as well as original commercials, animatics, and rare DVD-ROM material. Walmart began offering an exclusive edition in simpler packaging with the series authored onto only eight discs on September 29, 2015. This edition contains only the series episodes with no bonus material content.{{cite web|title=Jem and The Holograms: The Truly Outrageous Complete Series (8-Disc Set) (Full Frame)|url=https://www.walmart.com/ip/Jem-Holograms-Truly-Outrageous-Complete-Series-8-Disc-Set-Full-Frame/46518966|website=Walmart.com}}

Jem and The Holograms: Season One

| style="text-align:center;"|26

| Shout! Factory (US)

| October 11, 2011

| All 26 episodes from season one.{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005BUA1IK/ |title=Jem and The Holograms: Season One: Samantha Newark, Cathianne Blore, Cindy McGee, Britta Phillips, Ray Lee: Movies & TV |website=Amazon |access-date=2011-08-09}}

Jem and The Holograms: Season Two

| style="text-align:center;"|26

| Shout! Factory (US)

| February 14, 2012

| 26 episodes from season two, excluding "Britrock".{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0062VL5FA |title=Amazon.com: Jem and The Holograms: Season Two: Samantha Newark, Cathianne Blore, Cindy McGee: Movies & TV|website=Amazon|access-date=2011-11-04}}

Jem and The Holograms: Season Three

| style="text-align:center;"|13

| Shout! Factory (US)

| July 10, 2012

| 12 episodes from season three and "Britrock".[http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Jem-Season-3/16779 "Jem and The Holograms – Shout!'s 'Season 3' DVD Set is Scheduled for Stores"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304113745/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Jem-Season-3/16779 |date=2016-03-04 }}

Jem and The Holograms: The Truly Outrageous Complete Series

| style="text-align:center;"|65

| Universal Pictures UK

| February 15, 2016{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jem-Holograms-Truly-Outrageous-Complete/dp/B01AOBD5WY/ref=sr_1_4?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1453201273&sr=1-4&keywords=Jem|title=Jem and The Holograms: The Truly Outrageous Complete Series|date=15 February 2016|via=Amazon}}

| All 65 episodes spread over 10 discs, a Region 2 PAL re-release of the US Shout! Factory release, though lacks the 11th bonus material disc.

Franchise

{{Infobox media franchise

| color =

| title = Jem

| image =

| image_upright =

| caption =

| creator = Christy Marx
Bill Sanders{{cite news|last1=Steed|first1=Steed|title=Christy Marx, creator of Jem and The Holograms, talks comics, video games and strong female characters|url=http://steed.bangordailynews.com/2015/01/11/christy-marx-creator-of-jem-and-the-holograms-talks-comics-videogames-and-strong-female-characters/|access-date=April 26, 2018|work=Bangor Daily News Steed column|date=January 12, 2015}}

| owner = Hasbro
Integrity Toys (2012–2017, licensed)
The Loyal Subjects (2025–present, licensed)

| origin = Toy line

| books =

| novels =

| short_stories =

| comics = {{unbulleted list|Jem and The Holograms|Jem and The Misfits|Jem and The Holograms: Infinite|Jem and The Holograms: Misfits Infinite}}

| graphic_novels =

| strips =

| magazines =

| films = Jem and the Holograms

| shorts =

| tv =

| wtv =

| atv = Super Sunday segments
Jem

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| music = Truly Outrageous: A Tribute to Starlight Records

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Christy Marx has long expressed a desire to make a modern-day revival of the animated series, but stated in a 2004 interview that there are a great deal of complications concerning the rights to the Jem properties.{{citation|url=http://www.jemcon.org/?q=about|title=About|access-date=30 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160809015640/http://www.jemcon.org/?q=about|archive-date=2016-08-09|url-status=dead}}

{{blockquote|I would like to see that happen. I don't want to go into a lot of detail, but the whole rights situation for Jem is very, very complicated. Believe me, if there were a simple straightforward way to do it, it would be done. But there are some very big complications that are in the way at the moment.|Christy Marx}}

=Dolls=

Hasbro's first Jem toy line consisted of eight dolls, each packaged with a cassette tape, a few accessories and a poster, priced at $15 per doll. The cassettes contained the theme song "Truly Outrageous" and two other songs performed by Jem and The Holograms or The Misifts. The toy line also included the Jem Star Stage and Jem's Rockin' Roadster. As of June 1986, Jem's sales surpassed those of their competitor Barbie and the Rockers. By September 1987, more than three million dolls had been sold since the toy line was introduced. In September 8, 2011, Hasbro issued a press release announcing its attendance at the New York Comic Con from October 13–16, 2011, where it would be showing new and upcoming products at its booth, including those from Jem and The Holograms.{{cite press release|url=http://investor.hasbro.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=604101|title=Hasbro Announces New York Comic Con Debut and Title Sponsorship of "NYCC Kids!|last=Benkwitt|first=Daniel|work=Hasbro Inc.|date=September 8, 2011|access-date=September 27, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111018151818/http://investor.hasbro.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=604101|archive-date=2011-10-18|url-status=dead}}

In June 27, 2012, Integrity Toys, Inc. announced their plans to release a new series of collectible fashion dolls based on the TV series. The special edition Hollywood Jem doll became available at the Hasbro Toy Shop booth during Comic-Con International in San Diego at an approximate retail price of $135.{{cite web|url=http://fashiondollreview.blogspot.com/2012/06/jem-and-holograms-san-diego-comic-con.html|title=THE FASHION DOLL REVIEW: Jem and The Holograms - a San Diego Comic Con Exclusive|first=Alison|last=Rasmussen|date=27 June 2012}} The Jem doll sold out on day two of the convention.http://kjemradio.wordpress.com/2012/07/14/breaking-news-hollywood-jem-sold-out-at-sdcc{{dead link|date=August 2012}} In October 5, 2012, the four (then-upcoming) dolls in Integrity Toys' new limited edition collectible line were presented with pictures: Classic Jem, Jerrica Benton, Synergy and Rio Pacheco,{{cite web|url=http://integritytoys.com/jemandtheholograms/|title=Jem and The Holograms Official Collectible Doll Site|access-date=2012-10-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121101062722/http://integritytoys.com/jemandtheholograms/|archive-date=2012-11-01|url-status=dead}} with a suggested retail price of $119, to begin shipping in late November 2012. Pre-orders were accepted through Integrity Toys' network of authorized dealers.{{cite web|url=http://www.integritytoys.com/page/news/latest_news|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091110030738/http://www.integritytoys.com/page/news/latest_news|url-status=dead|archive-date=2009-11-10|title=Integrity Toys Latest News|access-date=2012-10-08}} As of October 2016, Integrity Toys has produced more than 40 different dolls based on the TV show.{{cite web|url=http://www.integritytoys.com/jemandtheholograms/index.php|title=Jem and The Holograms Official Collectable Doll Site|access-date=April 9, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140410123530/http://www.integritytoys.com/jemandtheholograms/index.php|archive-date=2014-04-10|url-status=dead}}

In September 2024, The Loyal Subjects inked a deal with Hasbro to relaunch a host of legacy brands, including Jem and the Holograms.{{Cite web |last=Zahn |first=James |date=2024-09-09 |title=LA Fall Toy Previews: Radical Retro: M.A.S.K. Toplines The Loyal Subjects' Totally Outrageous Hasbro Legacy Line in 2025 |url=https://toybook.com/la-fall-toy-previews-radical-retro-m-a-s-k-toplines-the-loyal-subjects-totally-outrageous-hasbro-legacy-line-in-2025/ |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=The Toy Book |language=en-US}} A 12-inch doll based on Jem / Jerrica was officially released in February 2025.{{Cite web |last=Zahn |first=James |date=2024-10-09 |title=The Loyal Subjects, Hasbro Serve Up More Details on 'Retro Reimagined' Brand Partnership Plans |url=https://toybook.com/tls-hasbro-licensing-plans/ |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=The Toy Book |language=en-US}}

=Comics=

In 2011, Hasbro released a one-off comic book titled Unit:E as an exclusive at the New York Comic-Con; this was created by "HasLab" as a potential multi-brand crossover platform. The plot depicted Synergy, now an alien artificial intelligence, assisting the descendant of Acroyear and a Biotron from Micronauts in searching for heroes to help him combat Baron Karza. She shows them characters from G.I. Joe, Transformers, Battleship Galaxies, Stretch Armstrong, Action Man, M.A.S.K. and Candy Land among others. Jerrica herself is shown as not having taken up the Jem identity yet, but will eventually compose the "Music of the Spheres" (presumably with Synergy's aid). The comic was never followed up. The Jem comic book was released by IDW in March 2015: written by Kelly Thompson, art by Sophie Campbell and colors by M. Victoria Robado.{{cite web |url=https://www.idwpublishing.com/shop/jem-holograms-1/ |title=Jem and The Holograms #1 |publisher=IDW Publishing }} The comic book offers a modern re-imagining of the series with new character designs and different situations, such as Jem and The Holograms and The Misfits being unsigned bands at the start with Eric Raymond being hired as The Misfits' manager during the second story arc. In addition, Kimber and Stormer begin a romantic relationship. As of Issue #16, which is Campbell's final issue as regular artist, The Stingers have been introduced to the series with Raya featured as a fourth member of the band. The title's current status within the new Hasbro Comic Book Universe (consisting of several new or relaunched titles, using the IDW Transformers comics as the backbone for a cohesive universe) has been somewhat erratic; IDW writers have generally indicated that, while characters from Jem will not show up in crossovers (including the Revolution mini-series that launched the universe), they do exist and will receive occasional references. The series ended on June 14, 2017, with issue #26, but a six-issue miniseries--Jem and The Holograms: Infinite #1 and Jem and The Holograms: Misfits Infinite #1 was released later in the month.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbr.com/jem-holograms-finale-kelly-thompson-gisele-lagace/|title=INTERVIEW: Kelly Thompson & Gisèle Lagacé Take A Bow On Jem and The Holograms, But An Encore Is Coming|date=6 June 2017|work=cbr.com}} A one-shot Jem and The Holograms: IDW 20/20 was published in January 2019 as part of IDW 20/20 which celebrated the 20th anniversary of IDW Publishing. The comic takes place 20 years after the final issue of the ongoing comic.{{cite news|url= https://icv2.com/articles/news/view/41062/icv2-interview-idw-publisher-president-greg-goldstein-part-2|title=ICV2 INTERVIEW: IDW PUBLISHER AND PRESIDENT GREG GOLDSTEIN, PART 2|publisher=ICv2|date=August 6, 2018|access-date=August 7, 2018}}

=Film=

{{main|Jem and the Holograms (film)}}

After the success of G.I. Joe and Transformers films, Hasbro began considering a live-action film adaptation or a new incarnation of the animated series with Universal Pictures, with which Hasbro had signed a six-film contract in 2010.{{cite web |last=Rowles |first=Dustin |date=November 3, 2009 |title=Jem and the Holograms Coming to the Big Screen? |url=http://www.pajiba.com/trade_news/jem-and-the-holograms-movie.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713153326/http://www.pajiba.com/trade_news/jem-and-the-holograms-movie.php |archive-date=July 13, 2015 |access-date=August 9, 2011 |publisher=Pajiba}} On March 20, 2014, a live-action motion picture adaptation of Jem and The Holograms was announced, to be directed by Jon M. Chu.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2014/03/jason-blum-scooter-braun-prods-jon-chu-team-with-hasbro-on-jem-and-the-holograms-702044/|title=Jason Blum, Scooter Braun Prods & Jon M. Chu Team With Hasbro On 'Jem And The Holograms' Video|work=Deadline Hollywood|date=March 20, 2014|access-date=March 22, 2014}} Filming on the production began in April 2014.{{cite web|url=https://www.joblo.com/movie-news/the-recently-announced-jem-and-the-holograms-movie-begins-filming-in-3-weeks/|title=The Recently Announced Jem and The Holograms Movie Begins Filming in 3 Weeks|work=JoBlo|date=April 4, 2014|access-date=April 9, 2014}} On April 24, it was announced that Aubrey Peeples had been cast as Jem, with Stefanie Scott as Kimber, Hayley Kiyoko as Aja and Aurora Perrineau as Shana.{{citation |author=Eisenberg |first=Eric |title=Live-Action Jem And The Holograms Reveals Its Cast |date= 24 April 2014|url=https://www.cinemablend.com/new/Live-Action-Jem-Holograms-Reveals-Its-Cast-42728.html |access-date=July 30, 2016}} On April 30, 2014, actor Ryan Guzman was cast as Rio.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/jem-holograms-finds-rio-698975|title='Jem and the Holograms' Finds Its Rio|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=April 30, 2014|access-date=April 30, 2014}} On May 20, Juliette Lewis and Molly Ringwald joined the film.{{cite news |last1=Hughes |first1=Jason |date=May 20, 2014 |title=Molly Ringwald, Juliette Lewis Join Cast of 'Jem and the Holograms' |url=https://www.thewrap.com/molly-ringwald-juliette-lewis-join-cast-of-jem-and-the-holograms/ |access-date=June 2, 2014 |publisher=thewrap.com}} The film was theatrically released on October 23, 2015;{{cite news|title=Jem and the Holograms Headed to Theaters in October 2015|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=124099|access-date=October 23, 2014|publisher=comingsoon.net|date=October 16, 2014}} it received generally negative reviews from critics and fans, with criticism targeted at the angsty teen drama, strayed too far from the source material as well as original series fan content being manipulated into reaction to the in-film characters.{{cite web |date=October 22, 2015 |title=How the 'Jem and the Holograms' Movie Manipulates Its Biggest Fans |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2015/10/how-the-jem-and-the-holograms-movie-manipulates-its-biggest-fans-56325/ |access-date=July 15, 2016 |publisher=IndieWire}} It was a box office bomb, grossing less than half its $5 million budget, and was removed from theaters by Universal after two weeks.{{Cite web |author=Guerrasio |first=Jason |date=November 9, 2015 |title=This movie did so terribly that Universal has pulled it from over 2,000 theaters |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/box-office-jem-and-the-holograms-did-universal-yanked-it-after-two-weeks-2015-11 |access-date=November 10, 2015 |website=Business Insider}} SF Weekly criticized the fan backlash as entitlement.{{Cite web |date=October 27, 2015 |title=Jem and the Holograms Isn't Even Close to Being the Worst Movie Ever Made |url=https://www.sfweekly.com/culture/jem-and-the-holograms-isnt-even-close-to-being-the-worst-movie-ever-made/ |access-date=March 10, 2022 |website=SF Weekly}}

=Music=

Hasbro Studios with Legacy Recordings released its first non-soundtrack album, Truly Outrageous: A Tribute to Starlight Records on August 7, 2015. The record was part of the promotion of the Jem film. The album consisted of original songs that only had the titles and sometimes a few lyrics in common with the Jem TV series songs.{{cite magazine |last=Lipshutz |first=Jason |date=August 3, 2015 |title=Jem and The Holograms Tribute Album to be Released Friday |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop-shop/6649628/jem-and-the-holograms-tribute-album-exclusive |access-date=April 26, 2018 |magazine=Billboard}} This release was digital only.{{cite magazine |last=Goodman |first=Jessica |date=August 3, 2015 |title='Jem and the Holograms' tribute album out this week |url=https://ew.com/article/2015/08/03/jem-holograms-tribute-album/ |access-date=April 26, 2018 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly}}

A new album of re-recorded songs from Jem with original Jem singing voice, Britta Phillips, will be released in a July 2025 coinciding with the show's 40th anniversary.{{cite magazine |last=Lynch |first=Joe |date=May 20, 2025 |title=Jem and the Holograms Are Back (With New Music!) for the 40th Anniversary of 'Jem' |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/jem-holograms-new-music-album-1235975955/ |access-date=May 26, 2025 |magazine=Billboard}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Truly Outrageous: A Tribute to Starlight Records

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| title2 = LoveSick

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| music2 = Chrissie Poland

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| title3 = Running Like the Wind

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| music3 =LACES

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| title4 = Gimme Gimme

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| music4 = LACES

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| title5 = Destiny

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| music5 = Barnaby Bright

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| title6 = Like a Dream

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| music6 = Madi Diaz

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| title7 = All in the Style

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| music7 = Ben Thornewill

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| title8 = Abracadabra

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| music8 = Meiko

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| title9 = Glitter & Gold

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| music9 = Suzanna Choffel

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| title10 = I'm Okay

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| music10 = SKYES

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| title11 = The Real Me

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| music11 = Amanda Brown

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| title12 = Beat This

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| writer12 =

| lyrics12 =

| music12 = Alice Lee

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}}

References

{{Reflist}}