"Money for Nothing, Guilt for Free" is the nineteenth episode of the first season. The title is a reference to the Dire Straits song "Money for Nothing."
Plot[]
Miley, Lilly, Oliver, Amber and Ashley's teacher Mr. Corelli sends his students off to raise money for a local fundraising program. Miley and Lilly want to beat Amber and Ashley to win a $300 gift card for the mall, and for bragging rights. They are unsuccessful at raising money until they have the idea to raise money through Hannah Montana, which enables them to collect a large amount. They then feel guilty, though, when they realize that another girl, Sarah, who is wholeheartedly devoted to charity and wanted to donate the card, is working much harder to raise money. With Miley's persuasion, they ultimately decide to give her the funds instead, so she can win the contest. Sarah, however, won't accept the money from them, so Miley and Lilly dress up as Hannah Montana and Lola Luftnagle to give her the money.
In spite of this, Amber and Ashley still win the contest, but only because Oliver accidentally bragged to them that Sarah had more money for the fundraiser. Not wanting to be beaten by Sarah, Amber and Ashley quickly asked their parents to write another check. However, their victory is spoiled when Miley interrupts their interview for the local paper by telling the reporter Amber and Ashley want to donate their prize to charity and will volunteer at a soup kitchen during their day off from school, much to their horror and Sarah's delight. The picture of Amber and Ashley taken that very day displayed at school shows the two covered with food and looking thoroughly disgusted. Miley, Lilly, and Oliver got their revenge!
In a subplot, Jackson believes that he is better than his dad at sports. However, this changes when Cooper tells him that Robby is letting him win. Jackson wants to prove to anyone that he can beat his dad, and his dad didn't need to feign inability. Cooper gives Jackson some lessons in ping pong so he can beat his father at something; Jackson wins but due to his gloating, he and his father become fiercely competitive over petty things. The episode ends with Jackson and Robbie having a contest of who can drink a ton of water and hold it in the longest. Robbie wins and he exclaims, "I knew having eight brothers and sisters and one outhouse would pay off someday."
Trivia[]
- The little girl who is revealed to have pinched Hannah and Lola in the ball pit is played by Miley Cyrus' little sister, Noah Cyrus.
- Since both Lola and Hannah's wigs came off in the pit, the little girl knows their secret identities, though she was probably too young to comprehend the realization, and even so, it's highly unlikely that anybody would have believed her.
- This is the final appearance of Jackson's friend Cooper.
- This is Sarah's first appearance.
- In subsequent airings of this episode, the end credits scene of Jackson and Robbie was eventually replaced with Hannah singing "Who Said", including on Disney+.