This episode provides the first significant Very Special Episode in Kids Incorporated’s run; dealing with Stacy’s desire to be seen as more grown-up potentially setting the stage for disaster when she unexpectedly finds herself tempted to start smoking.
The episode kicks off with yet another unsuccessful magic trick by Riley (involving a red and green scarf) before introducing the kids (“I’m Free (Heaven Helps the Man)”). During the break the kids are off doing separate things (in keeping with Ryan’s Bookworm character trait; this time he has a copy of “Great Expectations” by Charles Dickens). While this is going on, Stacy — over Gloria’s protestations that she’s too young — tries walking in high heels; and quickly falling over by the time Riley enters to announce the kids would have an opening act for the concert that night, a group called “Dr. Dude and the Interns” (all that’s mentioned at this point is they were “from another neighborhood”). The kids return to the stage (once again Stacy — trying to seem more grown-up — tried applying lipstick; only to clearly overdo it; getting told she was too young once again by Gloria) in time for “Hungry Heart”.
Following the cover of the early hit by the Boss; Dr. Dude (played by Trevor Weaver; previously playing Casmire in the previous season’s “The Bully”) arrives to set up and lights up (which proves a major turnoff for Gloria but a source of curiosity for Stacy). He then tries getting Gloria to try a cigarette before Ryan pulls him away to help unload, upon which Dr. Dude tosses his cigarettes right to Stacy. Gloria’s attempt to convince Stacy to hand them over is met with a question on why people smoke (and after yet another You’re too young response); Gloria then responds that it was mostly a result of peer pressure, setting up “Peer Pressure”. However, at the end of the song Stacy takes off. Later, Dude asks for a match (to light up); only for Ryan to answer with “Your face and a train wreck” en route to confronting him on the dangers of smoking (interrupted when Gloria arrives to announce that Stacy took off); leading to the others searching for their young bandmate (“Things Can Only Get Better”).
The others regroup - with Ryan sarcastically noting they hadn’t searched New Jersey yet - when Stacy returns, and when asked if she had smoked the cigarettes; she responds (to her bandmate’s relief) that she didn’t, as when she got home she asked her and Renee’s mother if she could, and when their mother said no because it wasn’t good for her, Stacy then asked why their mother smoked; resulting in their mom deciding she would try to quit.
As for Dr. Dude, Riley mentions that he had come down with a sore throat (thus no opening act) and that he also wanted to borrow the medical books referenced during his confrontation with Ryan midway through the episode. However, Riley’s attempts to get them to volunteer for his (plastic) sword trick is not successful; setting up closing number “Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)”.
Behind the scenes; this marks the first episode where producer Thomas Lynch was involved in the writing, co-authoring the script with frequent Kids Incorporated writer (and later executive producer of ‘’Just Shoot Me!’’ and ‘’True Jackson, VP’’) Andy Gordonnote
Songs performed in this episode:
- “I’m Free (Heaven Helps the Man)” (Kenny Loggins cover; lead vocals by Ryan)
- “Hungry Heart” (Bruce Springsteen cover; lead vocals by Renee)
- “Peer Pressure” (New Edition covernote ; lead vocals by Kid)
- ”Things Can Only Get Better” (Howard Jones cover; lead vocals by Gloria)
- ”Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)” (The Four Tops cover; lead vocals by Stacy)
Tropes associated with this episode:
- Armor-Piercing Question: Stacy, when Renee confronts her out of fear she gave into the pressure to smoke, reveals she asked their mother that if smoking was bad why did she do it; resulting in their mother agreeing to try to kick the habit.
- Jerkass: Dr. Dude; between tossing his cigarettes right to Stacy and acting nonchalantly about doing so during his confrontation with Ryan.
- Laser-Guided Karma: Dr. Dude, he of the cigarettes that were tossed to Stacy, had to back out of being Kids Inc’s opening act due to developing a sore throat.
- Smoking Is Not Cool: The main Aesop of this episode.
- Very Special Episode: Dealing with the issue of smoking.
