Funny Money
Episode 14
Season 1, 1984
Introducing: a Mr Simms or Sims runs the local clothing store
J.J. Jansen is the pseudonym of the counterfeiter
One of the lesser themes of this first season is the kids needing money for the upkeep of the band. Seeing as how this is their first year and all the supplies are from the Palace days, this makes sense. How they get the money varies a lot between episodes.
There’s a counterfeiter on the loose, we’re shown. The kids are unaware of this as they prepare to wash cars to raise money for new outfits. They’re hoping for at least $200. Kid is hoping to cop a bit of the cash for himself to get a tape player.
Among the dirty cars being serviced is a brown sedan whose owner accidentally (?) leaves behind a briefcase. Kid finds it and is startled to find pictures of presidents with the name J. J. Jansen. Suddenly, there are dollar signs in his eyes.
The next time KI sees The Kid, he is decked out in new clothes with his new tape player, courtesy of the $150 he received from Jansen. Unfortunately, he is out of cash and the kids are $60 short with their proceeds. They’re not too happy with him. He feels, however, that he is justified in taking the lump sum because he’s the one who found the briefcase.
While Kid is enjoying is newfound wealth, a radio broadcast announces that the police are hot on the trail of the counterfeiter…with a briefcase…named J.J. Jansen. Kid sees his life flash before his eyes as the announcer continues to say that the police are looking for the boy seen leaving Jansen’s with money. Right on cue, Mr Landers and Mr. Simms from the Audio Hut and the clothing store start calling.
Kid fears that his next new outfit will be black and white stripes. His friends do their best to raise money to pay back the store owners, including donating their car wash money. A squad car arrives, and everyone is nervous. But Riley tells him they will wait until after the next concert to talk to Kid – because he’s not arrested. They just want to talk to him about his involvement. Kid swears that tomorrow, he will wash more cars than anyone else in order to get those new clothes – legally.
It was an okay episode, but not very entertaining. I give it 3 mics. The music was okay, but I'm surprised they didn't change "Trouble" that much. "It's been so long since anyone's touched me." can certainly be interpreted the way Lindsey Buckingham meant it instead of something innocent.
If you were printing and using fake money, why would you stop for a car wash?? Also, cashiers should be able to recognize counterfeit money, and not even make a sale.
Guest star: --
Invention count: this episode: 0
in total: still 0
Vocab:
Grandparents Incorporated
Continuity, gags and themes:
The kids always need money, usually to buy equipment
using bad puns
New Locations:
a clothing store owned by Mr. Sim(m)s
Pop culture references:
Solos:
Gloria (2) = 9
Kid (1) = 5
Episode Total: 3
Total: 33
Performance outfits:
Denim with red (except for The Kid)
Pink and black
- Mickey can either drive, or they just imagined him in the driver's seat because he was the oldest. I would imagine he could drive, but with very little need for a car in that neighbourhood, it wouldn't have come up. Gloria doesn't seem to be able to drive even in '86.
- One of the few times the dollar amount isn't $100.
- Everything in The Kid's jail cell has stripes on it - the lampshade, the football helmet, and the stuffed animals (in a jail cell??)
- There are lights visible in the shot! 
During "Fun, Fun, Fun", they pan up and you can see them over the school and some weird columns.
- Renee has an unusual line delivery in the beginning. They are all supposed to be amazed at the amount of cars, but it just sounded really funny. Mario also puts emphasis on the wrong word during his line. "How about using those TOWELS on the cars instead of each other?" instead of "How about using those towels on the CARS instead of each other?"
Songs:
I Don’t Want to Know – 
Fun, Fun, Fun –
Some Guys –
Trouble –
Vacation –
Back
