We begin Season 5 with Kids Incorporated needing to find new band members yet again in “The Pick-Ups”.
Things start with an energetic performance of “So Emotional”; which does little to mask the fact that Kids Incorporated is in dire need to replace two band members now halfway around the world (Kid having become an exchange student in Africa; Renee off to visit cousin Samantha in England); with Stacy naturally taking their departures especially hard considering the now-former members were her best friend and sister, respectively. With the void evident; the remaining band members step up their efforts to find replacements. Fortunately, however, they don’t have to go far to find new talent, as a youngster named Kenny is performing “Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car” on the corner of the street; leaving the veteran band members quite impressed, inviting him to join Kids Incorporated. Upon returning to the P*lace; Kenny meets Riley and decides to join (“There’s No Stopping Me”) and everyone seems happy about the move.
Everyone that is, except for a girl named Devyn; Kenny’s best friend who he had been performing on the street corner with for the previous two years. With Kenny realizing this decision effectively ended their performing partnership, he seeks to cheer Devyn up as decision time nears and eventually (after a mild guilt trip on Devyn’s part) decides to make a very risky choice: namely, sneaking Devyn into his first rehearsal (“Here to Stay”), thus leaving a group of impressed, if slightly confused, kids noticing the mysterious auditionee. However, Kenny’s gamble on a “surprise” audition potentially risked not only getting Devyn rejected but possibly could have gotten Kenny kicked out as well.
Finally, decision time is here and the others announce they have good news and bad news: The good news: Kenny’s still in the band…as is Devyn. The “bad” news: Rehearsals start immediately (Kenny and Devyn: “That’s not bad news, that’s totally awesome”); leading to closing song “Who Found Who”.
Fewer changes - at least on screen - were seen than usual for this season; with Kenny Ford, Devyn Puett and dancer Kimberly Duncan replacing Rahsaan Patterson, Renee Sands and dancer Challyn Markray, respectivelynote . On the other hand, changes-a-plenty were taking place behind the scenes; among them the merger of Hal Roach Studiosnote and Robert Halmi Incorporated to form Qintex Entertainment (named after a now-defunct Australian firm that bought a share of the company). Also, Michael Cruz departed as music director and was replaced by Michael Lloyd, whom was already performing similar duties on Kidsongs. Finally, with this season coinciding with the 1988 Writers' Guild of America strike, no writing credits are shown this season.
Songs performed in this episode:
- “So Emotional” (Whitney Houston cover; lead vocals by Stacy)
- “Get Outta My Dreams (Get Into My Car)” (Billy Ocean cover; lead vocals by Kenny)
- “There’s No Stopping Me” (Kids Incorporated original; lead vocals by Kenny)
- “Here to Stay” (Sister Sledge cover; lead vocals by Ryan, Stacie, Kenny and Devyn)
- “Who Found Who” (John “Jellybean” Benitez with Elisa Fiorillo cover; lead vocals by Kenny, Devyn and Stacy)
Tropes associated with this episode:
- Nice Job Breaking It, Hero: Kenny’s attempt to get Devyn into the band nearly got her rejected and Kenny kicked out. Fortunately for both, they end up staying.
- The Power of Friendship: Kenny’s friendship with Devyn could be seen as being strong to the point of his risking being kicked out to have her perform alongside him.
- Welcome Episode: Is this for Kenny Ford and Devyn Puett. This is also the last time an episode features the audition process of new members (and inversely also the last episode to provide an exit storyline for departed cast members).
