On Your Toes
Introducing: --
First, I have to apologize for the abysmal quality of these screencaps. This is
what happens when you let an illiterate 12-yr-old make DVDs. Just say no to bootlegs,
folks! Ahem…
Kids Inc’s concerts attract lots of cute girls, and Jared is smitten with one in
particular. Christina is a dancer and is refined to the point where she thinks that
anything else is uncivilized – including basketball. This will soon be an issue as
basketball is revealed to be the main problem of the day.
Flip is desperate to get his team out of the bottom of the neighborhood league. The team
is called the Recyclers, and for good reason – they’ve “recycled”
another team’s old uniforms. They’d like to recycle the gameplay they had last
year with Eric as well. Flip won’t be dissuaded, however. His team is going to be #1
even if they have to practice every minute of the day! (cue groaning)
Jared tracks down Christina and convinces her that dancing is
all he wants to do. She’s a bit unsettled when they have different idols in mind,
however. The dance instructor, Dorain, signs an eager Jared up for Christina’s
class…in ballet.
Worse news awaits Jared when he finally arrives at basketball practice. Flip has mapped
out an intense training schedule for the kids, and keeps hinting at a special surprise he
has planned.
Unfortunately, he’s planned something at the exact time of Jared’s
new class.
You know what’s coming, don’t you? Well, first we have a montage of Jared
failing at both ballet and basketball as he struggles to maintain balance. Meanwhile, the
kids are getting better at playing, and Jared and Christina are growing closer.
Dorain notices that Jared is flustered, and she’s caught on to his problem. She
convinces him that it’s okay to try new things and real friends won’t mind it.
It’s the perfect time for Flip and Kids Inc. to show up.
Surprise! Ballet is just the ticket to get the Recyclers
in the groove. Everyone is shocked to see Jared already there, as Christina pouts.
Who’s a guy to choose, his buddies or his belle? 
The day of the league championships arrives, and the Recyclers are now so good that
they’ve tied in the last quarter. 
It’s all on Jared now. With a bit of encouragement from Christina, 
Jared naturally sinks the winning basket. Or does he? At this point,
it’s not important, because everyone has scored.
I gave this episode 3 microphones because it had a good premise. However, the resolution
came too suddenly. There was no final reasoning with the band who I guess accepted their en
pointe point guard. Christina’s suuuuuthurrn accent quickly got on my nerves, and
she was the one seen doing street dancing, anyway. The fact that she considers
“dance” to mean “ballet” wasn’t actually apparent from that first
concert.
WENDY! 
Yes, this is our 80’s dancer and so shy singer Wendy back
again. She doesn’t sing, and only dances a bit, but she does get to be the teacher.
It’s also worth noting that her character is named after the show’s
choreographer Dorain Grusman. If you’ve watched the show at all, you know her work
– a lot of it displayed by Wendy herself.
Guest stars: Wendy Brainard as Dorain
Jennifer Hamilton as Christina
Vocab: --
Continuity, gags and themes:
Basketball
Hiding things from your friends
Peer pressure
Ballet and male resistance to ballet
New Locations:
Art center that features ballet lessons
Pop culture references:
Paula Abdul
Michael Jackson
Rosie Perez
Mikhail Baryshnikov
Solos:
Jared (1)
Performance outfits:
White w/patterned skirts, and boys in blue
- There is a neighborhood basketball league. Teams include the Recyclers, Deli Destroyers,
and Tigers
- A Star Castle video game is seen in the background
- There is also a foosball table in the lobby
- Eric moved away. He also apparently took the basketball talent with him.
Songs:
Finally – 
Teenager in Love – 
How do I Deal with these Feelings –
What Goes Around –
Change –