Recap / Kids Incorporated S 2 E 25 Sock Hop

This episode marks the first of two special concert episodes to close out Season 2 of Kids Incorporated; with not much in terms of actual plot.

We open with the kids finishing preparation for the sock hop at the P*lace when Riley arrives sporting a bright blue jacket, heavy amount of hair gel and talking like a cross between a beatnik and radio disc jockey. The preparation seques into opening song “Old Time Rock and Roll”, which is quickly followed by “Back in the U.S.A.” before Riley takes the stage to hype the crowd and later (as Gloria and Kid explain what’s going on) briefly dancing alongside Gina). Riley then returns with a riddle for Kid and Stacy that sets up “Rockin’ Robin” before going into “They Don’t Know (About Love)”. We then get another brief look back at the P*lace’s history (dating back to its time as the Palace) while noting how even though some things (such as speech patterns, as Riley has displayed); others say the same (such as good music); leading to “Dancing in the Street”.

As the hop winds down, Ryan - admittedly reluctant to the idea of a sock hop at first - comments on how much fun he and the others were having, then after Gloria congratulates Riley for his job hosting (and Riley makes one final joke about making like a banana and splitting); we go to closing song “It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me”.

Songs performed in this episode^note all except “They Don’t Know (About Love)” having been performed at least once prior to this episode:

• “Old Time Rock and Roll” (Bob Seger cover; lead vocals by Stacy, Kid and Renee)^note previously used in Season 1’s “Space Case”
• “Back in the U.S.A.” (Chuck Berry cover {also recorded by Linda Ronstadt}; lead vocals by Stacy and Kid)^note previously used in the Season 1 finale “Civic Day Parade”
• “Rockin’ Robin” (Bobby Day cover; lead vocals by Kid and Stacy)^note previously used in “Grandma, Won’t You Dance With Me” 9 episodes earlier
• “They Don’t Know (About Love)” (Kirsty MacColl cover {also recorded by Tracey Ullman}; lead vocals by Renee)^note the 2nd time, behind the cover of “Breakaway” in the season’s 2nd episode “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Kid”, that Renee sang on a song later covered by Tracey Ullman
• “Dancing in the Street” (Martha and the Vandellas cover {also recorded by David Bowie and Mick Jagger}; lead vocals by Gloria)^note previously used in Season 1’s “No Jockos”
• “It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me” (Billy Joel cover; lead vocals by Kid, Ryan, Renee, Stacy and Gloria)^note previously used in “Classical Case” five episodes prior

Tropes associated with this episode:

• Continuity Nod: An abbreviated summation of the history of the P*lace is mentioned.
• Dress-Up Episode: Fitting the sock hop theme; the kids are dressed in The '50s style costumes (the guys in leather jackets; the girls in poodle skirts)
• Formula-Breaking Episode: This and the following episode were special concert episodes.