(Screen) Tests

"(Screen) Tests" is the fourth episode of Hollywood. It was released on Netflix on May 1, 2020.

Synopsis
Dick and Ellen pitch Ace their slate. Raymond and Camille urge Archie to make a bold script change. Avis is presented with an unexpected opportunity while Jack and Rock prepare for their screen tests.

Plot Summary
Dick attends a pitch meeting with Ace as they talk about the different movies being made. When Dick mentions Peg, Ace scoffs at the notion of it being made until he agrees to make the other movies too.

Archie meets with Raymond and expresses concerns that Peg being changed to Meg in the wake of Camille auditioning is going to be seen as a message rather than a showcase of Archie’s writing. When Ace learns that Archie is the one who’s written the picture, he kicks off big time and speaks to Dick, telling him he won’t allow “a colored person” to write a picture and demands his name be scrubbed from the credits.

Ace is rushed into hospital with a heart attack not long after, thanks in part to a steamy weekend away with Avis’ friend Jeane. With Claire’s screen test on Friday, Avis exhibits concerns for Claire, telling her that Ace is on death’s doorstep and she’s more interested in working. Only, this does come with a certain sense of irony given Ace’s instructions are to turn authority over to Avis and give her sole authority to run Ace Pictures.

Avis and Jeane patch up their differences while Archie heads to Raymond’s and exhibits his concerns about his name being removed from his script. Instead, he turns his attention to Camille and tells her she needs to get the part for him as much as herself.

Screen tests go ahead and Rock doesn't do well but he just about manages to pull it together for the end. Henry blackmails Avis to twist her hand and give Rock the part but the role of Peg is split between Claire and Camille. Jack gets his shot to fame despite the blackmail attempt while Claire is given the role as Peg… for the time being anyway.

Avis is torn between what to do surrounding the role of Peg and contemplates whether Camille might actually be better for the role.

Starring

 * David Corenswet as Jack Castello
 * Darren Criss as Raymond Ainsley
 * Laura Harrier as Camille Washington
 * Joe Mantello as Dick Samuels
 * Dylan McDermott as Ernie West
 * Jake Picking as Rock Hudson
 * Jeremy Pope as Archie Coleman
 * Holland Taylor as Ellen Kincaid
 * Samara Weaving as Claire Wood
 * Jim Parsons as Henry Willson
 * Patti LuPone as Avis Amberg

Guest starring

 * Rob Reiner as Ace Amberg
 * Mira Sorvino as Jeane Crandall
 * Harriet Sansom Harris as Eleanor Roosevelt

Co-starring

 * Brian Chenoweth as Lon Silver
 * Colette McDermott as Josephine
 * Chris Patrickson as Voice
 * Todd Pickering as Red Tettemer
 * Robert Della Cerra as AD
 * Roz Witt as Miss Stinson