Ryan and Renee; the two band leaders at this point, find themselves pitted against each other in an effort to become their school newspaper’s new editor.
Our story begins with a performance of “Point of No Return”note . Once the song ends, Riley announces yet another invention: An automatic shoelace tier, which catches Renee’s interest in the name of an idea of a story for the school paper - as part of a contest in which the winner not only has their story published but also will become the new editor. Ryan - up to this point playing an arcade game with Kid and Richie - suddenly has his attention captured by the prospect of being the new editor; thus setting the stage for a battle of the sexes in terms of who will be the new editor, with the showdown beginning…after “We’ve Got the Beat”.note
As for the contest: Renee’s interview with Riley isn’t going well (Riley, whose shoelace tier has tied his shoes a little too tight, is rambling about his 3rd grade science project) before she and the others leave (and Riley, seeing Renee had left her notebook, stumbles trying to bring her notebook to her). Ryan - attempting to do a story on interesting neighborhood sites - is faring worse; battling writer’s block when Kid and Richie decide to check out the competition, with Renee hiding the paper from would-be spy Richie, though not before Richie sees the paper is filled with gibberish; and neither makes any progress as time marches on (“Who, What, When, Where and Why”). Eventually, Renee finishes her article; only for Stacy and Connie to suggest that the article, though factual, was boring, with their suggestion of spicing things up being interpreted by Renee by, among other things, calling Riley “Dr. Riley” while referencing the voice-activated toaster incident (a Call-Back to Season 2’s “Material Girl”) Same song, second verse for Ryan; whose article on “ordinary things” is subsequently panned (Richie: “Ordinary things don’t sell newspapers”). Richie, who has already been established as not having the best relationship with the truth, outright suggests making something up - which Ryan initially shoots down by saying reporters aren’t supposed to do that…only to go with another suggestion of Richie that involved writing in a way to imply the residents of a South Street house newly dubbed “spooky” were foreign agents and European circus clowns. Richie, again playing spy, grabs the hypocrisy ball by noting Renee was doing what he had suggested Ryan do (make stuff up) - by which time the “adding pizzazz” aspect had completely gone out of control (Kid suggesting Ryan toss in a mention of flying saucers; Stacy likewise throwing in a suggestion that Renee claim Riley’s inventions were a gift for the President - a personal friend); with Connie being ignored in her attempts to talk sense to the others (“I Know”)note ; before Ryan and Renee take off to find out who the winner is (the others decide to wait for word at the P*lace).
As it happens - the winner of the contest and new school newspaper editor is: Brandon Thomas; who won because his story was honest, accurate and to the point. In an added bit of irony, it was also about Kids Incorporated; though the band’s two senior members are assigned as a reporting team as something of a Consolation Prize; leading to closing song “Livin’ On a Prayer”.
Furthermore, this would be the first of a handful of episodes with the school newspaper being part of the plot; with the following season’s episode where that played a role involving Ryan as well.
Songs performed in this episode:
- “Point of No Return” (Expose cover; lead vocals by Kid)
- “We Got the Beat” (The Go-Go's cover; lead vocals by Connie)note
- “Who, What, When, Where and Why” (Kids Incorporated original; lead vocals by Renee and Ryan)
- “I Know” (Kids Incorporated original; lead vocals by Renee and Ryan)
- “Livin’ On a Prayer” (Bon Jovi cover; lead vocals by Ryan)
Tropes associated with this episode:
- Author Appeal:
- The first of a handful of episodes dealing with at least one character working with a school paper; suggesting this was an interest of Thomas Lynch and/or Gary Biller.
- The newspaper headline “Sixers Negate Nuggets” alludes to the recurring references to basketball in the episodes.
- Continuity Nod: Second consecutive episode where Renee is seen wearing glasses.
- Counterpoint Duet: "I Know" has Renee and Ryan alternating lead vocals on the verses in reflection of their competition for the position of school paper editor.
- Girls vs. Boys Plot: Renee and Ryan’s competition for school newspaper editor sees the other girls (Stacy, Connie) pull for Renee to get the editor position; while Kid and Richie throw their support to Ryan’s efforts.
- Honesty Is the Best Policy: Playing out here in the form of Ryan and Renee’s increasingly unbelievable articles cost them both the editor position.
- Only Sane Man: Connie attempts to talk sense into the band leaders' one-upmanship attempts to become the school paper editor, only to be ignored.
- School Newspaper News Hound: The main plot has Ryan and Renee trying to become editor of the school’s newspaper.
- Take a Third Option: In the end, Ryan and Renee lose the editing position to a Brandon Thomas; with the two assigned to work as a team serving as a Consolation Prize.
