The Joker
Introducing: --
The kids are hanging out with their band members for a change when Renee notices something
out of the ordinary. It’s a silver dollar – but it’s glued to the ground.
As they puzzle over that one, Stacy discovers that the doors to The P*lace have been
nailed shut. Kids Inc. has been hit by a portly prankster.
Most of the jokes are harmless but mildly funny, such as a plastic insect in Renee’s
glass, or grease on the doorknob. When the pranks hit Riley, though, he decides to put an
end to it once and for all.
Enter Webster Benedetti, the walking joke shop who has decided that Kids Inc. are his
latest victims – uh, friends. He tries to impress them with jokes
and a knockout performance, but they’re not laughing.
Webster is determined, however, and he singles out Gloria and tries to pal around with
her. When she refuses his invitation to the movies, he assumes it’s because he’s
fat. He feels like the biggest joke of all, and humor is how he deals with other people.
If they don’t like him, it must be because he’s fat.
Gloria catches up to Webster drowning his sorrows in doughnuts and she and the kids give
him the punch line. He promises to cut out the jokes and be himself – if they let him
do one number with the band.
Eh, I give this episode 2.5 microphones. It's a bit heavy-handed in the morals department.
There is a real weight bias on TV, though, and it's sad that the fat kid has to be the
butt of the jokes on every show.
You know what's actually funny? Jeff Cohen is no longer fat!
Guest star: Jeff Cohen as Webster Benedetti a.k.a. The Joker
Invention count: 0
Vocab: --
Continuity, gags and themes:
Stacy isn’t very bright.
Someone tries too hard to impress people and make friends
New Locations: --
Pop culture references: --
Solos:
Webster (1)
Gloria (2) = 4
Episode total: 3
Total: 13
Performance outfits:
Denim with blue/yellow
Blue/magenta/pink
Add-o-lessons: Webster’s
“Maybe it’s hard to be me!” speech
- This is the first time someone performs with the band.
- Yet another dialogue first episode.
- There is a very fast mention of a naked woman in one of Webster's jokes.
Webster’s practical jokes include:
A silver dollar glued to the ground
The doors to The P*lace nailed shut
Plastic bug in the bottom of Renee’s glass
Grease on the side doorknob
Squirting phone
Joke buzzer
Trick ketchup and mustard bottles
Two sets of chattering teeth
A squirting flower
A pie in his own face
Songs:
Cruel Summer –
Baby, I’m a Star –
Easy to be Hard –
Right By Your Side –
Bop ‘Til You Drop –
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