Nearing the home stretch of Season 6; we look at the first of two consecutive episodes featuring Kenny.
After opening song “Knocked Out”; the kids are on break when Flip mentions that there was a robbery at a nearby toy store, causing the others to start throwing out suggestions to improve the P*lace security…all except Kenny, who is wrapped up in his latest Cosmoboy comic book and who then suggests that if Cosmoboy was there, he could keep watch (while this annoys the others somewhat; it does inspire Flip to set up a community watch program). Kenny returns to the real world long enough for the next number - which he happens to sing lead on (“Hit the Road Jack”) - only for Kenny to show up while the others are discussing dividing the territory for the neighborhood watch…in costume as Cosmoboy; leaving the others - particularly Devyn - concerned enough to share her concerns with the others after Kenny missed the meeting (while Flip momentarily decides to play along), leading to “Be Who You Are”. Later, we see the others joking about Kenny’s Cosmoboy antics, unaware Kenny overheard them - leading to his vowing to catch the burglars himself.
That night, Kenny - by himself at the P*lace and having set up a trap - drifts off to sleep (“My Prerogative”) before being awakened just as his trap captured…Flip (“Galactic mistake, Cosmoboy!”); leading to the others pointing out how foolish it was for Kenny to go “solo” trying to catch the burglars, after which the chastised Kenny decides to hang up his cape. As he does, however, a news break comes in announcing that those burglars were caught at Hansen’s Department Store down the street - and as it happened, Kenny inadvertently played a role in their capture, as Flip’s scream was what spooked the burglars; setting up closing song “Stand Back”.
Much of the same territory from a plot standpoint would be covered in the second episode of the following season.
Songs performed in this episode:
- “Knocked Out” (Paula Abdul cover; lead vocals by Robin)
- “Hit the Road Jack” (Ray Charles cover; lead vocals by Kenny)
- "Be Who You Are” (Kids Incorporated original; lead vocals by Devyn)
- “My Prerogative” (Bobby Brown cover; lead vocals by Kenny)
- “Stand Back” (Stevie Nicks cover; lead vocals by Kenny)
Tropes associated with this episode:
- Bearer of Bad News: As previous token adult character Riley had been in the past, this time it’s Flip’s turn for this trope.
- Caught in a Snare: Kenny sets up a net that’s supposed to drop down on the burglars but ends up catching Flip instead.
- Dream Sequence: Used for “My Prerogative”.
- Coincidental Broadcast: As soon as Kenny retires his Cosmoboy cape; it’s announced that the burglars had been caught.
- Nice Job Breaking It, Hero: The other kids and Flip’s jokes about Kenny showing up in costume as Cosmoboy are overheard by Kenny…who subsequently decides he doesn’t need their help to catch a burglar who had broken into several nearby establishments.
- Superhero Episode: Kenny’s obsession with the comic book character Cosmoboy sets up the main conflict of the episode.
- This Is Something He's Got to Do Himself: Kenny adopts this approach after hearing the others’ joking about his Cosmoboy antics.
