In this episode; a fashion designer (guest star Anthony Thompkins) visits the P*lace and offers to design a new wardrobe for the kids, only for the results to end up leaving much to be desired.
The plot begins following opening number “Out of the Blue” when Kenny leaps from the stage…and proceeds to rip his pants. By sheer coincidence, Henry Montalbon, a famous fashion designer (Devyn recognizes him as the “balloon on shirt guy”) is in town and - following a stinging putdown of the kids’ clothes (which happen to be their regular clothes) - he then offers to design them a new wardrobe…free of charge. Henry proves to be a fast worker, as he has the wardrobe ready by the time the kids finish covering “Pink Cadillac”.
At this point, they see the results which are - even by The '80s standards - rather loud. However, the kids…with the notable exception of Devyn are saying they approve…at least publicly (Kenny’s pants are too short; Richie complains that the new clothes are making him itch and Ryan’s are so baggy that he thinks to himself “…I could fit the whole gang in them”). This results in Devyn stepping out to issue her grievances (“One of a Kind”); only for Henry to announce his own news: Three fashion magazines are on their way to the P*lace, then dismissing Devyn’s complaints by suggesting only the “truly aware” knew how good they looked. This sets up the Imagine Spot; this time based on “The Emperor's New Clothes”, where King Ryan is having a new parade robe being prepared that, in its designer’s terms, only the “truly aware” would recognize its beauty. Despite their being no actual robe; Queen Stacy and Court Jester Kenny display their approval (though in the Court Jester’s case, he may have simply wanted to ensure that he didn’t lose his head). The result: The King being paraded sporting only (in this version, at least) long johns to the accompaniment of “Bad” before a young girl in the crowd (Devyn) announces the king has no clothes. End Imagine Spot.
Back to the real world; as the photographers arrive Devyn is attempting to convince the others to reconsider the Montalbon wardrobe; and whatever she said must have worked, as by the time Henry arrives to get them, the kids are back in their regular clothes. His attempts to convince them to switch back to his wardrobe falls on deaf ears, leading to his exiting, though not before handing Kids Inc. a backhanded compliment about their willingness to be themselves, leading to closing song “Seven Wonders”.
Songs performed in this episode:
- “Out of the Blue” (Debbie Gibson cover; lead vocals by Stacy)note
- “Pink Cadillac” (Bruce Springsteen covernote ; lead vocals by Kenny)
- “One of a Kind” (Kids Incorporated original; lead vocals by Devyn)
- “Bad” (Michael Jackson cover; lead vocals by Kenny)
- “Seven Wonders” (Fleetwood Mac cover; lead vocals by Stacy, Ryan, Kenny and Devyn)
Tropes associated with this episode:
- Bland-Name Product: The “balloon on shirt” logo on Henry Montalbon’s clothing is a parody of the high-end Lacoste clothing line (famed for its crocodile logo) and competitors such as Le Tigre (tiger logo) and the leaping fox of Retro Fox.
- From Bad to Worse: The announcement by Henry that three fashion magazines are on the way to the P*lace when Devyn tries to register her objections.
- Internal Monologue: What we hear when the guys are expressing what they really thought but were afraid to say out loud.
- Only Sane Man: Devyn is the only member of the band bold enough to directly speak out about her concerns over the new wardrobe.
- Storybook Episode: The Imagine Spot is based on “The Emperor's New Clothes”.
The Emperor’s New Clothes-themed roles
- King: Ryan
- Queen: Stacy
- Court Jester: Kenny
- Girl pointing out the emperor has no clothes: Devyn
- Designer of the New Clothes: Henry Montalbon
