Starting Season 6 and changes are in the air for Kids Incorporated…a lot of changes, as the band finds themselves facing an uncertain future following the P*lace being put up for sale.
Things start off typically enough with opening song “Edge of a Broken Heart”; but after the song the kids notice the decline in service after Riley left to go to college - with worse news coming as Stacy tells the others she learned that the P*lace itself might be up for sale. Richie then tries lifting the band’s spirits in time for their next number (“Love Me Do”) only for the kids’ worst fears to be confirmed as a “For Sale” sign is posted on the window. With the P*lace up for sale and uncertainty over whether they’d be retained as the “house band”; we then see the kids packing up and throwing out random suggestions such as going on tour (which wouldn’t work due to, among other things, school responsibilities); trying to buy the P*lace themselves, never mind the fact that they wouldn’t be able to come close to having enough money to buy the buildingnote and trying to go to the bank for a loan (too young); leaving the dejected kids wondering what’s next (“Dreamin’”). After the kids return from a horror movie (which, not surprisingly, does little to soothe their fears; especially newcomer Robin), we see prospective buyers arrive (and Stacy and Robin delivering sales pitches that would have been suitable for late-night infomercials or used-car dealers). Devyn then tries to convince the others not to give up without a fight (“Don’t Take Away My Past”).
Enter a young man walking into the dressing room and inspecting the P*lace as the kids reminisce. Introducing himself as Flip, he reveals that he just purchased the P*lace (the kids then recognize him, as Flip made his fortune as the creator of the Flippers brand of sneakers before selling the company). Even better news: Flip is not planning to change a thing (an answer to the kids’ prayers); and on the first concert after Flip becomes the new owner, he does the honors of introducing Kids Incorporated prior to closing song “(Music is) The Doctor”.
Behind the scenes; a lot of changes took place as well. For starters; the band shrinks back down to five members with the departures of Ryan Lambert and Connie Lew, with Jennifer Love Hewitt (credited as Love Hewitt) joining as the character of Robinnote ; while the lineup of the dancers saw Kimberly Duncan as the only holdover; with Joseph Conrad, Leilani Legamy, Tiffany Robbins and Cory Tyler joining. Also, while Riley’s departure is mentioned; this is no longer the case for the actual band members, whose exits from henceforth are done without explanation (and thus no audition scenes). For this season and continuing after the series returned from hiatus for 1991; the songs would be recorded and mixed in a manner that made it sound like the songs were being performed “live”. Conversely, however, most of the songs performed by Stacy Ferguson in Season 6 were pitched up in post-production, which had the result of the vocals sounding fairly squeaky in a number of cases.
Songs performed in this episode:
- “Edge of a Broken Heart” (Vixen cover; lead vocals by Stacy)
- “Love Me Do” (The Beatles cover; lead vocals by Kenny)
- “Dreamin’’” (Vanessa Williams cover; lead vocals by Devyn)
- “Don’t Take Away My Past” (Kids Incorporated original; lead vocals by Kenny, Stacy, Robin and Richie)
- “(Music is) The Doctor” (The Doobie Brothers cover; lead vocals by Richie)
Tropes associated with this episode:
- Bearer of Bad News: Stacy in telling the others of the rumor (eventually confirmed) that the P*lace might be up for sale.
- Determinator: Devyn fits in her efforts to convince the others not to give up.
- Evolving Credits: The graphics used for the cast members' names in the intro changes to Futura Bold; though Cooper Black is retained for the credits for Sean O'Riordian, the dancers, guest stars and closing credits. In addition, the marquee in the intro's last shot before the logo is changed to a CGI marquee.
- Running Gag: This episode introduces Flip’s “Da-na-na-na” gag that ran throughout Season 6; a reference to a guitar riff used on the 1955 song “I’m a Man” by Blues legend Bo Diddleynote
