Kids Incorporated: Difference between revisions
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The characters on the show usually carried the names of the actors who played them (for instance, [[Renee Sands]]' character was also called Renee). However, in some cases, the names were shortened ([[Anastasia Horne]] became "Ana"); in others, the names were completely replaced. [[Martika]]'s character, for example, was named Gloria; [[Rahsaan Patterson]] was called "The Kid" and his real name was not revealed until well into the series. |
The characters on the show usually carried the names of the actors who played them (for instance, [[Renee Sands]]' character was also called Renee). However, in some cases, the names were shortened ([[Anastasia Horne]] became "Ana"); in others, the names were completely replaced. [[Martika]]'s character, for example, was named Gloria; [[Rahsaan Patterson]] was called "The Kid" and his real name was not revealed until well into the series. |
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Actors left the series when they "aged out" |
Actors left the series when they "aged out" of their roles as kids. The disappearances of some long-running actors, such as Martika, Renee Sands and Rashaan Patterson, were written into the script, however, most of the time the performers were replaced without comment. [[Stacy Ferguson]] held the record as the longest-running cast member, staying with the show for six seasons. [[Moosie Drier]] was part of the cast for five seasons; [[Renee Sands]], [[Ryan Lambert]], [[Kenny Ford]] and [[Rashaan Patterson]] were in the show for four years each. |
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All of the members of the cast were strong singers and performed their own vocals. Several, such as [[Devyn Puett]], were also trained dancers and occasionally showcased their abilities. However, none of the performers played instruments. In many scenes in the show, the characters are shown pretending to play the piano, guitar and other instruments. |
All of the members of the cast were strong singers and performed their own vocals. Several, such as [[Devyn Puett]], were also trained dancers and occasionally showcased their abilities. However, none of the performers played instruments. In many scenes in the show, the characters are shown pretending to play the piano, guitar and other instruments. |
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Revision as of 08:38, 4 November 2006
| Kids Incorporated | |
|---|---|
| File:Kidsinclogo.gif Kids Incorporated logo, 1983-1993. | |
| Created by | Thomas Lynch |
| Starring | Eric Balfour (1991) Charlie Brady (1993) Nicole Brown, (1992-1993) Dena Burton (1993) Jared Delgin (1993) Moosie Drier (1984-1988) Stacy Ferguson (1984-1989) Kenny Ford (1988-1992) Anthony Harell (1993) Jennifer Love Hewitt (1989-1991) Anastasia Horne (1991-1993) Haylie Johnson (1991-1993) Ryan Lambert (1985-1988) Connie Lew (1987-1988) Martika (1984-1986) Rahsaan Patterson (1984-1987) Devyn Puett (1988-1989) Renee Sands (1984-1987) Jerry Sharell (1984) Richard Shoff (1987-1989) |
| Opening theme | "Kids Incorporated Theme" - written by Michael Cruz performed by: Martika (1984-1987) Full cast (1988-1993) |
| Country of origin | USA |
| No. of episodes | 150 |
| Production | |
| Running time | 22 minutes |
| Original release | |
| Network | Syndication/The Disney Channel |
| Release | September 7, 1984 – February 9, 1994 |
Kids Incorporated (also known as Kids Inc.) was a children's television program that was produced from 1984-1993.
Plot
The series revolved around a group of children and teenagers who performed in their own rock group, Kids Incorporated. The band members struggled to deal with issues ranging from divorce to violence to schoolyard crushes while performing regularly at a local restaurant/theatre, The P*lace (called The Malt Shop in the pilot). The town in which the P*lace was located was never disclosed, although fans of the series assume it's Los Angeles.
Cast and characters
The cast of Kids Incorporated was almost entirely comprised of children and teenagers. The only recurring adult members of the cast were Moosie Drier ("Riley", 1984-1988), Sean O'Riordan ("Flip", 1989-1992) and Dena Burton (1993), who played owners of The P*lace.
The Kids Incorporated group
The members of Kids Incorporated ranged in age from eight to mid-teens. From 1987-1989 there were six members of the group; in other seasons, the band was always comprised three girls and two boys.
The characters on the show usually carried the names of the actors who played them (for instance, Renee Sands' character was also called Renee). However, in some cases, the names were shortened (Anastasia Horne became "Ana"); in others, the names were completely replaced. Martika's character, for example, was named Gloria; Rahsaan Patterson was called "The Kid" and his real name was not revealed until well into the series.
Actors left the series when they "aged out" of their roles as kids. The disappearances of some long-running actors, such as Martika, Renee Sands and Rashaan Patterson, were written into the script, however, most of the time the performers were replaced without comment. Stacy Ferguson held the record as the longest-running cast member, staying with the show for six seasons. Moosie Drier was part of the cast for five seasons; Renee Sands, Ryan Lambert, Kenny Ford and Rashaan Patterson were in the show for four years each.
All of the members of the cast were strong singers and performed their own vocals. Several, such as Devyn Puett, were also trained dancers and occasionally showcased their abilities. However, none of the performers played instruments. In many scenes in the show, the characters are shown pretending to play the piano, guitar and other instruments.
For many of the cast members, Kids Incorporated was the beginning of a fruitful career in the music industry. Currently, the most visible ex-KI kid is probably Fergie, who performs with the Grammy-award winning group The Black Eyed Peas. Others who have been largely successful in the fields of music and acting include Martika, Renee Sands (Wild Orchid), Rashaan Patterson, Eric Balfour and Ryan Lambert.
The dancers
Supporting Kids Incorporated's singers was an ensemble of five young dancers. These cast members appeared in the background in scenes in The P*lace, they also performed choreographed routines and served as backup singers and musicians (pretending to play) during Kids Incorporated's performances.
Generally, the dancers did not have speaking roles, and the plots of the episodes never incorporated them. However, during Season One, dancer Wendy Brainard performed as a singer for Corey Hart's "It Ain't Enough" and Donna Summer's "Dim All The Lights". Aaron Hamilton, Nicole Cropper, Wendy Brainard, Mario Lopez, Shanice Wilson, Darren Lee, Kimberly Duncan, Danielle-Marcus Janssen, Brian Friedman and Andrea Wilson were the only dancers to ever have speaking parts during the run of the series.
Many of the KI dancers also went on to have successful careers in the arts, including actor Mario Lopez (Saved by the Bell), recording artist Shanice and Broadway choreographer and dancer Darren Lee.
Guest stars
Guest stars on Kids Incorporated included both established celebrities and newcomers. Gwen Verdon, Kathy Johnson, Barry Williams, Billy Blanks, David Hasselhoff and Ruth Buzzi were among the stars who appeared during the run of the show. Young actors who guest starred on KI included Brittany Murphy, Andrea Barber, Scott Wolf and Jason Hervey.
Music
Music was an integral part of Kids Incorporated, and several songs were included in every episode. While these numbers were usually performed onstage in the context of a concert at The P*lace, they were also occasionally used to illustrate a character's internal monologue or conflict. The vocal responsibilities were shared by all five singers; every cast member was given an opportunity to perform featured or solo songs throughout the course of the season.
While there were a few original pieces in the KI repertoire, the group mostly performed covers of contemporary hit songs. Artists and songs covered included Madonna, Bruce Springsteen, "Hip-Hop Hooray!" by Naughty by Nature, "Friday I'm in Love" by The Cure, "Livin' on a Prayer" by Bon Jovi, "Physical" by Olivia Newton-John, "All Fired Up" by Pat Benatar, "The Promise of A New Day" by Paula Abdul, "Pump Up The Jam" by Technotronic, Motownphilly by Boyz II Men, "Strange but True" by Times Two and "Breakaway" by Tracy Ullman.
Due to the young ages of the performers and the target audience, lyrics referencing alcohol, drugs, violence, sex and slang were generally edited out of the songs and replaced with more benign language. However, occasionally songs were performed as written, "objectionable" lyrics intact. Examples of uncensored songs that were presented on the series include "Dancing with Myself" by Billy Idol ("The Storybook House" episode, 1989), "Seven Wonders" by Fleetwood Mac (1988) and "Smooth Criminal" by Michael Jackson (1989).
The large number of songs performed in the series, and their myriad copyright, royalty and permission agreements, present a special challenge to releasing Kids Incorporated on DVD or returning it to television. In 2005, for example, a proposal to air Kids Incorporated as part of The Disney Channel's Saturday night teen line-up fell through when Disney CEOs suggested removing much of the music and replacing it with blooper reels.
Production and broadcast history
The original pilot film for Kids Incorporated was produced in 1983 and shopped to several networks by creator Thomas W. Lynch and producer Gary Biller.
The series was not picked up by a major network, but, distributed by MGM/UA Entertainment Co. Television, began a syndicated run in the fall of 1984. The original four cast members, Stacy Ferguson, Martika, Renee Sands and Jerry Sharell, were joined by Rahsaan Patterson and a company of five backup dancers.
In syndication, the show was usually shown on Tuesday or Sunday evenings, however, this depended largely on decisions made by local television stations. For example, KTRV, the now-FOX station in Boise, Idaho aired the show at first on Tuesday, then Saturday nights at 6:30 PM. WNBC in New York City aired it first on Sundays at 1 PM, then moved it back to 9 AM. It also aired on the CBN Cable Network (now ABC Family) in 1985 on Sundays. The shuffling time slots affected the ratings, and KI was cancelled the weekend of May 25 1986.
However, in the summer of 1986, Kids Incorporated was given a second chance when The Disney Channel acquired the rights to the series. It resumed production with the same cast, and new episodes began airing on November 3 1986. Disney's buyout package included the entire syndicated run; as such, edits had to be made to remove fee plugs & commercial outros. The show's main time slot on the Disney Channel was 4pm EST/3pm CST.
After the sixth season (1989) was filmed, Kids Incorporated was put on hiatus for two years, during which time most of the cast moved on to other projects or "aged out". The only performers who were invited to return to the show in 1991, when it resumed production, were Kenny Ford and Jennifer Love Hewitt.
Budget cuts and the expiration of Disney's lease with MGM prompted another hiatus in 1993, after only ten episodes of Season Nine had been filmed. However, the last episode of this season, which aired on February 9, 1994, actually turned out to be the final one of the series. By the summer of 1995, when the show was scheduled to resume production, most of the cast members were graduating from high school/University or getting married and could no longer sustain the Kids Incorporated image. Thus, the show did not continue.
After its default cancellation, Kids Incorporated continued to be shown in reruns on The Disney Channel until May 30, 1996. In Japan, the only country to change the language of the show, the series aired on the MBS Network until 2001.
Producers
Throughout its history, various producers and production companies were associated with Kids Incorporated, including K-Tel Entertainment, Lynch-Biller Productions (later Lynch Entertainment), RHI Entertainment, and MGM Television (aka MGM-Pathe). Hal Roach Studios/Quintex, the studio responsible for the Our Gang (Little Rascals) short films series of the 1930s, was also involved with KI.
Kids Incorporated effectively launched the career of creator Thomas W. Lynch, who would go on to co-create The Secret World of Alex Mack and Romeo! among other shows.
Merchandise
Kids Incorporated: The Beginning and other videos
The 1983 pilot film was never shown on television, however, in 1985 it was released on VHS as Kids Incorporated; The Beginning. In order to include cast member Rahsaan Patterson, who joined the show after the pilot was shot, a new storyline was edited into the film. His character "The Kid" was depicted as the new kid in town, who was very shy and afraid to audition for the band. He also revealed the origins of the Kids Incorporated group. Patterson's scenes were filmed 1984, and edited in with the 1983 footage of the rest of the cast.
Two additional KI videos were released in 1985, entitled Chartbusters and The Best of Kids Incorporated. While the show was still in syndication, four records were also released, entitled Kids Incorporated, New Attitude, Kids Incorporated:The Chart Hits and a second Kids Incorporated. At least two of these records achieved platinum sales status.
Current DVD plans
As of October 2006, there have not been any announcements made about a Kids Incorporated DVD release. In addition to the numerous issues involving the music played in the show, matters are further complicated by the fact that the rights to Kids Incorporated are divided between three different companies. Currently, MGM owns American domestic television rights, and 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment holds DVD rights, while the video archives reside with the Disney Channel.
In a 2005 interview, Fergie hinted that the show would be released on DVD, however, both studios were quick to deny any such rumor.
Trivia
- The series was filmed at Hollywood Center Studios in California for its entire run.
- A significant amount of time passed between the filming of each season, accounting for the speed at which the kids in the cast seemed to age. The first seasons were filmed six months apart; seasons 7-9 were filmed each year in the spring.
- Kids Incorporated was one of the only shows, along with MMC, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and You Can't Do That On Television, in which the complete seasons took place within the calendar year, instead of the traditional fall-spring shooting/broadcast schedule. For instance, if an actor was with the show from 1985-1988, he actually appeared in four seasons, not three.
- In the spring of 1986, the cast performed at Knott's Berry Farm outside of Los Angeles as a part of a small promotional tour. Martika, Rahsaan, Renee and Stacy were joined on stage by actor/singer Tommy Puett (of Life Goes On fame) filling in for Ryan, who was not able to attend. Tommy's sister Devyn Puett would join the cast in 1988.
- On a couple of episodes during seasons 4 and 6, the show's credits list Stacy as Stacey Ferguson.
- The original name of The P*lace was The Palace; the asterik comes from the burnt-out neon "A" on the sign on the front of the theatre. This is visible in the opening and ending credits.
- According to crew member Paul Hoen, Kids Incorporated takes place in Fort Greene which is in New York City. This explains why in some episodes the school is labeled P.S. and in later seasons Public School 127. A name associated only with New York schools.