Recap / Kids Incorporated S 4 E 3 Video Madness

This episode marks the first to spotlight one of the newest band members; in this case Richie, as he is assigned a video project on the topic of communication; only for the band's bickering to threaten to ruin it.

We kick things off with a performance of “Let’s Go”; upon which Richie breaks out a video camera, which he checked out from the school’s audio/visual department. Reason: He was working on a school video project on communication for his English class, thrilling the others (and Riley) as we go into “Time for a Change”. Following the song, we learn the roles that each of the band members would take: Richie (naturally) would direct; with Kid producing. Connie would serve as narrator for the script Renee was writing while Ryan and Stacy played the leads. Then, things quickly went off the rails in a hurry. It starts with Renee and Connie getting into a dispute over Renee’s script; with other complications rapidly developing, such as Stacy worrying about what to wear and Ryan trying to get a song he wrote done as a music video. Finally, Richie - fed up with his bandmate’s arguing - exits to leave for the break room (“Some Guys Have All the Luck”).

Just as Richie is seemingly about to throw in the towel, Riley gives Richie some advice that he read on how getting cooperation was the toughest part of directing, which convinces Richie not to give up. The pep talk also changed Richie’s perspective on the entire film, with the focus shifting in its entirety, setting up “It’s Not Over (’Til It’s Over)”^note first of two consecutive Starship covers in the episode; with Renee and Stacy reassigned to handling hair and makeup; Connie now running the camera; Ryan moving to assisting with the lighting and the dancers now becoming the stars. As Richie puts the finishing touches on editing, Riley announces a special premiere at the P*lace.

Opening night arrives, and while we see Riley dressed to the nines and carrying headshot; Richie has great news of his own, specifically the video was a hit in his class. Even better, some classmates were coming to the P*lace to watch, setting up closing song “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now”^note there's a possibility that the episode order was either aired Out of Order or changed at some point; as some of the clips included are Kid and Stacy drinking a float from a trophy commemorating the 1000th float sold at the P*lace from "Trouble's Cooking" two episodes later and the boys turning their stools after hearing the girls taking about an upcoming Russian ballet in "Russian 101" in episode 8 of the season.

Songs performed in this episode:

• “Let’s Go” (Wang Chung cover; lead vocals by Ryan and Stacy)^note the dance move done by them during the bridge was previously done in a cover of Go West’s “Call Me” from the Season 2 episode “The Masked Mauler”
• “Time For a Change” (Kids Incorporated original; lead vocals by Kid)
• “Some Guys Have All the Luck” (The Persuaders cover ^note also recorded by Rod Stewart; lead vocals by Richie)^note previously used in Season 1’s “Funny Money”; only performed on stage by Mickey and Kid
• “It’s Not Over (’Til It’s Over)” (Starship cover; lead vocals by Stacy, Richie, Renee, Connie, Ryan and Kid)
• “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” (Starship cover; lead vocals by Stacy, Kid and Renee)^note the only time the closing song was not performed by the band on stage

Tropes associated with this episode:

• A Day in the Limelight: An In-Universe example; as the finished video sees the dancers take center-stage.
• Continuity Nod: This marks one of the few times after Season 2’s “Identical Problems” where Renee is seen wearing glasses.
• Fake Video Camera View: Used to show Richie using his camera following the close of “Let’s Go”.