Growing up is a reality that the kids - particularly Stacy; now the senior member of the band - find themselves staring down as a career aptitude test approaches in "Career Jeers".
Starting things off is a performance of "Cross My Heart"; and during the break the kids are chatting when Stacy brings up their career aptitude tests, going on to explain the importance of taking the test seriously; though the fact that none of the options are music-related (when pressed on what the others wanted to be when they grew up, Richie, Devyn and Robin all express interest in music careers; followed by Kenny doing his best Kid impression in answering "A superstar!"). The group then returns to the stage for "Don't Rush Me".
During this performance, an unnamed kidnote hands Flip an envelope containing the results; which the kids take, with all of them excited about the results...except for Stacy, whose result saw her labeled an "underachiever". The kids' attempts to cheer her up backfire when she learned the others did well on their tests (when Richie notes that she might have had a bad day; Kenny unintentionally doesn't help things by adding that "it happens to me with tests all the time") before the other members disperse ("One Moment in Time")note .
When we return to the P*lace, the other kids are playing a game of "guess which cup the pea is under" with Flip while Stacy is throwing herself into her studies. The others, after sharing their results (Richie's aptitude test suggests he was best suited to become a college professor {due to his "calm and quiet personality"}; Devyn's aptitude test hinted that she might have potential as an actress. Most curiously, Robin's test suggested she might be suited for nursing, even though the sight of blood made her squeamish), manage to - at least momentarily - do a better job of cheering Stacy up this time ("Somebody Tell Me Why")note though she briefly reverts to "pity-party" mode before snapping out of it. Upon returning to the P*lace; she manages to help Flip balance his books (he forgot to carry a "2"); pull a splinter out of Kenny's finger and help Devyn with her English grammar by explaining the difference between adjectives and adverbs (Richie notes that was three different areas Stacy helped someone out in the space of a few minutes); boosting Stacy's confidence as she learns success comes from within, setting up closing song "All Fired Up".
Songs performed in this episode:
- "Cross My Heart" (Tracie Spencer covernote ; lead vocals by Devyn, Robyn and Stacy)
- "Don't Rush Me" (Taylor Dayne cover; lead vocals by Kenny)note
- "One Moment in Time" (Whitney Houston cover; lead vocals by Stacy)
- "Somebody Tell Me Why" (Kids Incorporated original; lead vocals by Devyn, Kenny and Stacy)
- "All Fired Up" (Rattling Sabres covernote ; lead vocals by Stacy)
Tropes associated with this episode:
- An Aesop: Stacy learning that success comes from within.
- Achievement Test of Destiny: What the kids have the impression that their aptitude tests are.
- Continuity Nod: The scene of Stacy as a fashion designer at the end of "Somebody Tell Me Why" hints at her previous interest in fashion and modeling, expressed in episodes such as the "The Kids' New Clothes" from the previous season.
- Face Your Fears: In this case, Stacy has to face her fears about a career aptitude test and the ensuing results.
- Imagine Spot: Used for "Somebody Tell Me Why".
- Inept Aptitude Test: The aptitude test didn't match any of the kids' personalities.
