This episode is the second consecutive episode featuring Kenny and the third episode in as many seasons featuring a member of the band working on the school paper.
The opening song (“Do You Believe in Magic”) proves an appropriate choice to start the episode, as Kenny - the school paper’s editor - is desperately hoping for due to the school paper not selling well (only 10 copies taken, when Robin suggests they might be too expensive; Kenny snaps back “They’re free”) while struggling to maintain a balance between “boring” and “trashy”. The lead story on the latest edition (involving missing pencils) firmly lands in the former category. After the kids return to the stage for “Don’t Be Cruel”; a frustrated Kenny tosses the remaining copies, vowing to make the following day’s edition the most exciting ever; conducting interviews with the band’s two senior members (Stacy - who mentions watching a Bon Jovi special while home sick; while Richie mentions a science-fiction movie he recently watched) and newcomer Robin (who found a notebook with something she didn’t recognize written in it). At this point, the gears start turning in his head (“Leave Me Alone”).
“Leave Me Alone” might have been an appropriate title for the last song, because upon the next day’s paper hitting the press; an enraged Stacy confronts Kenny about the interview’s headline (“Stacy Spends Day with Bon Jovi” - Stacy being especially angry because the headline gave the impression that she snuck out of the house). Richie and Robin are equally upset over the headlines to their respective interviews (Richie’s interview - given the headline “Richie Spots UFO in Town” - made it appear Richie was talking about an actual alien vis-a-vis a movie; Robin finding herself inundated with people asking her for help on their French homework). This then leads to Kenny seeing the error of his ways (“I Know I Can Turn It All Around”) and seeking to atone for his error.
Kenny then seeks to make good on his vow to change his editorial ways, getting some last-minute writing done while the others prepare to rehearse; then presenting a new and improved school paper. The others are impressed with the stories (with headlines featuring stories on a behind-the-scenes look at an upcoming school dance; a teacher ranking and a preview of the school’s basketball season) and how well-written they were (Robin: “And they’re even true.” - while Richie is likewise relieved that no UFO stories were published); setting up closing song “Forever Your Girl”.
Songs performed in this episodenote :
- “Do You Believe in Magic” (The Lovin' Spoonful cover; lead vocals by Stacy, Kenny and Devyn)
- “Don’t Be Cruel” (Elvis Presley cover; lead vocals by Kenny and Richie)
- “Leave Me Alone” (Michael Jackson cover; lead vocals by Kenny)
- “I Know I Can Turn It All Around” (Kids Incorporated original; lead vocals by Kenny)
- “Forever Your Girl” (Paula Abdul cover; lead vocals by Stacy, Kenny and Robin)
Tropes associated with this episode:
- The Atoner: Kenny sets out to become this following his less-than-factual reporting; as expressed in “I Know I Can Turn It All Around”.
- Honesty Is the Best Policy: The lesson Kenny learns the hard way after angering his bandmates following the fabricated stories.
- Imagine Spot: The setting for “Leave Me Alone” has Kenny typing the paper on his typewriter in a solitary room.
- O.O.C. Is Serious Business: Applies to Stacy in this episode, as Stacy - normally even-temperednote - is justifiably furious over reading how Kenny distorted his interview with her.
- School Newspaper News Hound: Kenny in this episode. This also marks the third straight season with an episode involving a character working on the school paper.
- Worst News Judgment Ever: Even for a school newspaper, it’s highly unlikely missing pencils would merit being on the front page.
