Ep 4. Dateline

Smart Guy was a popular American sitcom that aired on the WB network from 1997 to 1999. The show revolved around the exploits of a young boy named T.J. Henderson, who is portrayed as a genius who has skipped several grades in school. In season 2 episode 4, titled "Dateline," the young prodigy finds himself caught up in a case of mistaken identity.

The episode begins with T.J. studying for an important test. He is interrupted by his sister Mo, who informs him that there is a news crew outside their house. T.J. is initially excited, thinking that they are there to interview him about his latest academic achievement. However, he soon discovers that they are actually there to interview a "bad boy" named T.J. Henderson, who has been arrested on charges of grand theft auto.

T.J. is outraged by the mix-up, and sets out to clear his name. He decides to contact the news crew and set the record straight. However, things don't go according to plan when he finds out that the real T.J. Henderson is a dangerous criminal who has been on the run for weeks. The police are hot on his trail, and they mistakenly believe that T.J. is his accomplice.

As the episode progresses, T.J. finds himself in a number of sticky situations. He is chased by police officers, attacked by angry citizens, and even kidnapped by the real T.J. Henderson's gang. Despite all of this, he refuses to back down and is determined to clear his name.

Meanwhile, the news crew is having a field day with the story. They continue to air footage of T.J. being chased by police, making him look like a dangerous fugitive. T.J. is horrified by this, but he can't seem to get through to the reporter, who is more interested in making a headline than telling the truth.

In the end, T.J. manages to clear his name and exposes the truth about the real T.J. Henderson's crimes. The news crew is forced to retract their story, and T.J. is hailed as a hero for his bravery. The episode ends with T.J. back in his bedroom, studying for his test and reflecting on the lesson he has learned about the power of the media.

Smart Guy was a beloved show that tackled serious issues like racial profiling and discrimination in a light-hearted and accessible way. Despite being aimed at a young audience, it never shied away from complex topics and always offered a nuanced and thoughtful perspective. "Dateline" was no exception, and it remains a relevant and insightful episode to this day.