This episode’s guest star, Barney Martin, wore a lot of different hats in his career ranging from former Army Air Force navigator in World War II; a longtime New York City police department officer (rising to detective); comedian and actor whose best known role would be playing Morty Seinfeld, father of the fictionalized version of Jerry Seinfeld on Seinfeld. Three years prior to that role; he plays a Clarence-like angel named “Mr. Angel”.
Things start off with an energetic cover of “What Have You Done for Me Lately?” and, save for a quick shot of Ryan turning up his guitar amplifier, all seems as the norm…until the amp blows up just as the song ends. We then go to the garage where the kids are working on “Manic Monday” with no more success (Kid is hitting some bad notes on saxophone); leading to the band getting into a series of arguments (Ryan complains about Kid’s saxophone playing; Kid brings up the blown amp - which Gloria joins in by noting Ryan had been asked repeatedly to turn it down; Stacy attempts to get the argument to stop, only to join in when she and Renee complain about the clothes they wore on stage {when Kid says they could make their own; all three girls shoot back “We do”; Gloria and Ryan get into another squabble over announcement duties; Renee wants a new look {Kid, once again, throws his two cents in by adding “You sure do”}). Finally, things get settled down enough to work on “Manic Monday” (though during the song Kid’s saxophone breaks and a cymbal falls down just as Mario is hitting it).
However, toward the end of the song (and much to Kid’s amazement), a superbly-played saxophone can be heard in the background; which Kid points out when Ryan compliments Kid on the saxophone playing. The others then look up and see a mysterious middle-aged looking guy on the saxophone, causing much questioning of who he is and where he came from (it’s noted the top door of the garage is locked; Kid thinks he’s a thief, though Gloria points out a thief wouldn’t hang around long enough to play a song on the sax). As he explains, he hangs his hat…a good bit higher that the roof (leading Stacy to ask if he knew Santa Claus); resulting in the kids dubbing their mysterious visitor Mr. Angel. After pointing out the varied problems, Mr. Angel decides to comment on the situation, setting up “Reach Out For That Star” before the band tries to settle the feud once again.
Then, Mr. Angel makes his observation, as having witnessed feuds ranging from the very first feud; that of Cain and Abel to the Hatfields and McCoys
to the Alamo, he noted all those feuds could have been avoided if those involved believed it could be avoided, citing as an example Ryan believing he couldn’t play saxophonenote ; with Mr. Angel showing him how and then having him play as if he’s done so all along, setting up the moral on working together and believing in oneself. As for the blown amp? The garage phone rings - as Mr. Angel said it would - and help is on the way in the form of the “Fix-its” (angelic assistants played by the dancers); leading to “When the Going Gets Tough (The Tough Get Going)”.
As that song ends, it’s noticed that Mr. Angel…has left, leaving said saxophone behind and a note explaining that he and the Fix-its had, in effect, gone back to Heavennote . The ink soon disappears, but not before the kids vow to work together going forward, setting up closing song “(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes”.
Songs performed in this episode:
- “What Have You Done for Me Lately?” (Janet Jackson cover; lead vocals by Gloria and Kid)
- “Manic Monday” (The Bangles covernote ; lead vocals by Gloria, Stacy and Renee)
- “Reach Out for That Star” (Kids Incorporated original; lead vocals by Mr. Angel)
- “When the Going Gets Tough (The Tough Get Going)” (Billy Ocean cover; lead vocals by Kid and Gloria)
- “(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes” (Elvis Costello cover; lead vocals by Ryan and Kid)
Tropes associated with this episode:
- An Aesop: On cooperation and believing in oneself.
- Angel Unaware: Mr. Angel to the kids. Overlaps with Santa Ambiguity when Stacy asks if he knows Old St. Nick.
- Meaningful Name: Mr. Angel, naturally.
