New Kid In Town
Introducing: Ryan Lambert
Darren Lee
Gina Marie Vinaccia
(also introducing the concept of Billy the Gweeb)
Mickey has moved away. For the first time in the history of the show, a kid has left Kids
Incorporated. Gloria, Renee, Stacy, and The Kid are left wondering what they are going to
do now that the guy who founded the band has left them. Kid proposes that they grab their
bikes and chase him down – but Renee turns down that idea. Stacy can’t cross the
street yet.
Riley finds them all moping on the street and offers to cancel their concert, but the kids
decide to dedicate the performance to the memory of Mickey. During the number, images of
Mickey float by.
After the show, Kid has decided that Mickey leaving isn’t so bad after all. He’s
the only boy now, so he gets all the attention. The girls quickly squash that dream, too.
Talk turns to who they can get to replace Mickey. Hmm, what about Stacy’s little
friend Billy the Gweeb? Apparently, Billy lives up to his name, because Stacy immediately
vetoes that! Before anyone can continue thinking, the band is approached by a shady
character.
Ryan is new. He just moved into town and the contrast couldn’t be more visible. With
his ripped shirt, spiky hair, and leather jacket, the kids aren’t sure what to make
of him. He’s also very brash; asking them out right to induct him into the band. The
kids take him on a rehearsal to show him some respect.
Ryan follows Kid out and asks about an audition, but Kid declares that Ryan has too much
of an attitude so he doesn’t get one. Undaunted, Ryan continues to plead his case,
and Kid eventually relents. Ryan is so happy, he goes back to The P*lace and wanders
around stage, caressing props and singing to himself. Kid, watching undetected, approves.
The next day, Kid finds Ryan reading a book, which is an odd way to prepare for a show.
Ryan is so nervous that Kid shares with him a huge secret – he gets nervous as well,
but the trick is to pretend you aren’t. Ryan learns quickly and the boys cement their
friendship. When the girls arrive, they are still a bit skeptical, but Ryan wins them over
with chivalry.
Ryan performs with the band. The audience likes it. When the show is over, Riley comes out
and calls for applause for Kids Inc. – with their new member.
5 microphones. It's a good way to start the season by actually acknowledging that the
first season existed. Sorry if that seems bitter; the last few seasons really annoyed me
with their cutting off of former characters.
Guest star: --
Invention count: 0
0 in total
Vocab:
Gweeb
Stacy calls Kid Mr. Big Head
and Ryan calls him Mr. Congeniality
Continuity, gags and themes:
Billy the Gweeb (who Stacy does not like!)
Moving
Getting new kids
Stacy being the youngest
New Locations: --
Pop culture references:
a U-Haul truck is seen taking Mickey’s furniture away
the Olympics (3)
Springsteen (3)
Solos:
Kid (1) = 11
Ryan (2) = 2
Episode Total: 3
Total: 171
Performance outfits:
Pink and purple sequined (except for Ryan)
- Stacy is not allowed to cross the street. She will later be revealed to be 9 this
season.
- Renee’s hair is visibly shorter during the first scene than it is for the rest of
the episode.
- Contrary to last season, there are only a few dialogue-first episodes this season,
including this one.
- This is the first season that the stage now reads "Fire Curtain" instead of
"Asbestos". See, asbestos used to be used a lot in old buildings to put out
fires - but it's toxic. If you've ever been up late at night and seen those annoying
lawyer commercials about mesothelioma, you know what I mean. This fits right in with The
P*lace being an old building, but naturally, they would have had to get rid of the
asbestos in order to be up to code and be allowed to stay open.
- Ryan must not be as new as he seems. When he first meets the kids, only Kid introduces
himself. Later, though, when he is hassling for an audition, he turns to Gloria and says,
"What's it gonna be, Gloria?" Was there a scene cut out? Or did Ryan and Gloria
actually meet in school or something?
- Here's the first season that Martika goes by that name, and the only season where the
credits end in a rotating ball graphic.
- This is also the only season to feature a proper goodbye to a cast member. A slideshow
of Jerry Sharell as Mickey plays during “Don’t You Forget About Me”.
Tons of dictionary entries featured in this episode:
Nextpository – Mickey moving away
Songnipotence – the kids join in on Ryan’s song
C’monologue – Ryan gives the first one this season. He will soon become the kid
with the most c’monologues on the whole show.
Kidtastrophe – the kids can’t chase Mickey down – they’ll be late for
supper!
The new credits now introduce the cast before the montage. The letters now feature:
K - Ryan
I - Gloria
D - Kid
S - Renee
Incorporated - Stacy
Songs:
Don’t You Forget About Me –
Stir It Up –
Show Some Respect –
The Search is Over –
Tough All Over –
Here’s how you voted!
New Kid In Town –
Don’t You Forget About Me –
Stir It Up –
Show Some Respect – 
The Search is Over –
Tough All Over –
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