Since I recently watched the opening sequence from Kids Incorporated, Disney’s defunct kids show from the 80’s and 90’s, I haven’t been able to get that song out of my head. I’ll be sitting in my car, suddenly spelling out the word “k-i-d-s” before realizing what I’m singing.

For those of you wondering what I’m talking about, Kids Incorporated ran on the Disney channel from 1984-1993. The basic premise was that a group of kids would perform at a near-by venue, called The Place (it was actually called the Palace but the “a” had burnt out on the sign). There were countless songs to move the plot along. It was sort of like Glee, but less sassy.

It’s interesting to watch it now because many notable stars cut their teeth on this show. Most recognizable is Stacey Ferguson, or as she’s known now: Fergie from the Black Eyed Peas. She was in the original cast, and held the record for the longest time on the show with six seasons. She sang and danced alongside another well-known star, Mario Lopez of Saved By the Bell fame. During Fergie’s final year on the show, Jennifer Love Hewitt, who was credited simply as Love Hewitt then, joined the cast and went on to sing and dance for another few years after Fergie’s departure.

Other notable stars included Ryan Lambert of the Monster Squad and the band Elephone, Marta “Martika” Marrero (who wrote the song Toy Soldiers), and Eric Balfour of 24.

Kids Incorporated was another show that pushed me into music; there were so many back then it seemed. A lot of the songs were covers of top hits at the time, like Madonna and Naughty By Nature.

Kids Incorporated may not see DVD release anytime soon based on all the licensing issues with the various songs that were performed. However, the web is always there for any nostalgic grown-up kids who may want to share it with your own kids. Here’s some classic stuff:

1989 Kids Incorporated Theme Song

Kids Incorporated – Say You, Say Me

Kids Incorporated-A Kids Line-Part 1/3 M

Kids Incorporated – All You Need is Love

Kids Incorporated — Uptown Girl

Kids Incorporated – Neverending Story (High Quality)

My children will watch anything on television as long as it’s a cartoon or looks like it was made for kids. So when I came across the new Banana Splits I decided to put them to the ultimate test. The group is made up of four animal mascots named Snorky, Bingo, Fleegle and Drooper who make music videos and have an interactive website.

Turns out these guys were actually created by Sid and Marty Krofft back in 1968 for The Banana Splits Adventure Hour. Back then, the furry costumed rock band lived in a psychedelic funhouse and were on the cutting edge of whacked-out children’s television created to capitalize on the hippie counterculture. The original Banana Splits LPs are hot collectibles for people reared on the show.

The Splits returned in 2000 and again in 2008. But the new incarnation just isn’t as much fun. The production value is lacking and the songs seem uninspired. So I’m asking you, the public, with kids of your own, am I missing something here with the new Banana Splits? Then again, I never understood the appeal of a big purple dinosaur named Barney and he seemed to catch on.