Kids Incorporated once again gets an opportunity to become famous, this time as a guest on a teen talk show hosted by Tom Fontaine (guest star Howard Stevens) and once again fame causes them to forget their friendship and develop swelled egos.
Things start off with a performance of “I’m Breaking Free” (with the cast breaking prop handcuffs in the first chorus). Following the performance, Flip offers the kids some ice cold water…and appears to be doing his best Riley impression, replacing the regular glasses with cups made from recycled paper which are biodegradable and disposable - but also leak (Eric: “I don’t think your theory holds too much water, Flip”). At this point, a man walks in the P*lace with cameraman in tow…which Flip and Ana quickly recognize when he introduces himself (“Tom Fontaine, and Music’s My Game”). Ana appears to be rather starstruck…as is Haylie based on her screaming in exhilaration. Tom then announces his show, “Teen Spotlight”, received a fan request to feature the band on his next show, and has big plans for this show, intending to shoot not just concert footage but backstage and doing interviews. The rest of the band introduces themselves while Flip still attempts to get interest in his cup idea, which Tom is unimpressed by as we go to “Do You Love Me?”
During the song, Tom was recording a teaser once the song ended; then planned to have the kids at the studio by 4:00 (and to be professional) for a live interview. At this point, Kenny brings up the need to rehearse. Unfortunately, the others are too intrigued with the upcoming interview to pay much attention to rehearsing, which doesn’t go well (newcomers Ana, Haylie and Eric are more interested in the interview, Eric mocking Haylie as Tom’s “loudest” fan and both new girls shouting Robin down before she could reply) when Flip walks in after hearing the racket (Kenny’s concerned that the others want to make a lot of changes to the band; while Robin wonders if they could be much more), setting up “If Wishes Came True”, after which the previously reluctant Kenny sides with the other band members.
In studio, Tom - prepping to introduce the Kids Inc. segment - begins wondering where the kids are (with a directornote noting they’re backstage but saying something about their entrance). They make their entrance all right, with an overly made-up and over-the-top Ana (er, “Stazzia”) arriving much to Tom’s confusion. Soon afterwards, a similarly over-the-top Haylie (complete with '80s Hair) arrives; with the two girls quickly getting in an argument. Then the remaining trio jump from a different side of the stage dressed like a wannabe rap group (with Robin throwing in a Valley Girl impression for good measure), causing Tom to panic as “Teen Spotlight” returns from commercial, initially thinking (perhaps hoping) this was all a joke. Tom tries to wash his hands of the matter, emphasizing this is a fan request (“Your request - I had nothing to do with it!”) only for Haylie and An…er, Stazzia to resume their argument as any sort of plans go out the window by the time we get to “Friends”; complete with the kids going wild as Tom and the director attempt in vain to restore order before the director angrily cuts the feed, causing Tom to blow a gasket; fearing this might ruin his career before storming off (Director: “I don’t know, I kinda liked it”)
By the time the kids get back to the P*lace, they’ve realized what fools they’ve made of themselves and failed to work together; and while Flip’s shifted his focus from biodegradable cups to plates; Tom surprisingly returns (Haylie manages to restrain herself from screaming this time) with news - that surprisingly the audience found the chaotic mess funny and then offered to spotlight a member each weekday. Kenny (saying it’s all of them or nothing), turns the offer down, leading to Flip offering Tom a biodegradable cup as closing song “Good to You” is performed.
Songs performed in this episode:
- “I'm Breaking Free” (Kids Incorporated original; lead vocals by Robin, Ana, Haylie, Eric and Kenny)
- “Do You Love Me” (The Contours cover; lead vocals by Ana, Eric and Haylie)note
- “If Wishes Came True” (Sweet Sensation cover; lead vocals by Eric, Kenny, Haylie, Ana and Robin)
- “Friends” (Jody Watley featuring Rakim cover; lead vocals by Robin; Kenny and Eric)
- “Good to You” (The Brothers Johnson cover; lead vocals by Kenny and Robin)
Tropes associated with this episode:
- Ambition Is Evil: Perhaps the most striking example, as the band makes collective nuisances of themselves on "Teen Spotlight" trying to hog the spotlight for themselves.
- Bungling Inventor: Flip steps into this role with his recycled paper cup invention…and works about as well as previous manager Riley’s inventions.
- Celeb Crush: Both Ana and Haylie seem to have one on Tom Fontaine.
- Fake Video Camera View: These shots are scattered throughout the episode.
- Imagine Spot: “If Wishes Came True” has each of the cast members imagining what it would be like for them to become stars.
- Only One Name: Lampshaded when Haylie screams a second time when the band is introduced.Tom: "A really interesting last name."
- Shout-Out: Tom, in response to Flip trying to peddle his biodegradable cup, references Mr. Wizard's Worldnote by questioning "Who do I look like, Mr. Wizard?"
