Debasement Tapes
| "Debasement Tapes" | |
|---|---|
| Veronica Mars episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 3 Episode 17 |
| Directed by | Dan Etheridge |
| Written by | John Enbom |
| Production code | 3T5817 |
| Original air date | May 8, 2007 |
| Guest appearance(s) | |
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"Debasement Tapes" is the seventeenth episode of the third season of the American mystery television series Veronica Mars, and the 61st episode overall. Written by John Enbom and directed by Dan Etheridge, the episode premiered on The CW on May 8, 2007. The series depicts the adventures of Veronica Mars (Kristen Bell) as she deals with life as a college student while moonlighting as a private detective.
In this episode, Piz (Chris Lowell) gets the chance to interview one of the members of his favorite band, a washed-up rock star named Desmond Fellows (Paul Rudd). However, when Desmond's backing tapes that he needs for the show the next night disappear, Veronica is called in to find them. Meanwhile, Logan (Jason Dohring) enlists Mac's (Tina Majorino) help in creating a presentation for his business class. In addition, Keith (Enrico Colantoni) learns that Vinnie Van Lowe (Ken Marino) is challenging him in the upcoming Sheriff election.
"Debasement Tapes" features a guest appearance by Paul Rudd. A friend of series creator Rob Thomas and Enbom, they had hoped that Rudd would guest star on the show since its inception in 2004. Announced four months prior to the episode's airing, his appearance was highly anticipated by Thomas, who had high hopes for the pairing of Rudd and Enbom. In its original broadcast, the episode received 1.85 million viewers and mostly positive reviews from television critics, with Rudd's performance and the various subplots being generally well-received, although some disliked the main mystery.
Veronica and Wallace (Percy Daggs III) watch a movie at her house. She questions him about Piz’s mood, while Keith enters and says he is currently unopposed in the Sheriff election. Piz runs up to Veronica and states that he has been chosen to be a guide for a rock star named Desmond Fellows. However, his show depends on some tapes Desmond is carrying with him, but when Piz checks him into his hotel room, they are missing. Piz calls Veronica for the case and runs into Logan in the elevator. Desmond points to several potential suspects. Logan asks Mac for study help, and he agrees. Piz starts his show with Desmond, and it goes terribly, as Desmond makes racial epithets and sexual advances. Veronica and Piz track down a teacher, who denies involvement, but the pair find a flyer for a group that threatened to boycott Desmond’s show. Piz and Desmond talk about his past and start to make progress, but he ends up going to a party with Dick (Ryan Hansen) instead of playing guitar with Piz.
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