Between 1988 and 1995, five performers from Toronto were creating some of the most subversive, silly, and groundbreaking sketch comedy that could be seen on television.The Kids in the Hall, the eponymous show starring Dave Foley, Bruce McCulloch, Kevin McDonald, Mark McKinney, and Scott Thompson, pushed boundaries and helped to define the comedic style of the 90s.
Nearly 30 years after the final episode of their original sketch show (the group would reunite in 2010 for the miniseriesDeath Comes to Town), the Kids in the Hall have returned to their sketch comedy routes for Amazon (worse than a deal with the devil, according to the show’s first episode). Despite the core group all being in their late 50s and early 60s, they still bring the same youthful energy and sardonic wit totheir new batch of sketches. Even if they don’t all land perfectly, it’s heartening to see this crew doing what they do best.
RELATED:It’s Not What It Looks Like In Amazon Prime’s New Emergency Trailer
The series opens with the ill-fated Kids in the Hall movieBrain Candyfinally breaking even after a VHS copy sells for one dollar at a garage sale. After that, the Kids are dug out of the grave they were buried in at the very end of their final episode, only to realize to their horror that they are much older now (“Am I still the cute one?” Dave Foley asks). Following this reintroduction is something that will warm any fan’s heart: a recreation ofthe classic opening credits, complete with theme songfrom Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet. This is admittedly a great touch, and makes this new season feel more like a continuation of the original series rather than something entirely separate from it.
Right from the very first sketch, it’s clear that the guys are not holding anything back. They are metaphorically (and literally) putting it all out there. This season of the show, not being held back by the constraints of broadcast television, features more swearing, nudity, and even some pretty visceral gore in one sketch. Luckily, these elements rarely hold back the sharpness of the writing. Where some sketch shows would rest entirely on their ability to shock the audience into laughter, the Kids still retain their signature charm.
That’s especially helpful when the sketches don’t land, which isn’t too often, but it does happen. Sketch comedy is, after all, very hit or miss. That was even true of the original seasons, with the bulk of what people remember about it being the absolute best of what it had to offer. Here, the best sketches are often the ones that see the Kids playing on modern topics, such asa Zoom call with some very specific rules, or a pair of shoes that are considered cultural appropriation. Of course, there are some other hilarious scenarios that are not period-specific, like an expecting couple meeting with a doctor who has the lowest drop rate in North America (just 39 percent!) or a man’s Shakespeare bust magically coming to life.
Fans who are waiting to see returning characters can rest assured that they are still there. Within the first five episodes are scenes that include the police officers played by McKinney and McCulloch, Bruno and Francesca, the Head-Crushing guy, Gavin, and of course, Buddy Cole. Despite their age, the Kids still play these roles with plenty of energy and confidence.Superstorefans who have grown used to seeing Mark McKinneyas store manager Glen will likely enjoy seeing him in a dual role as an assassin with an invisible gun and the weirdo who hired him for a very specific reason.
Where the series changes the most is the loss of a studio audience. This season is comprised entirely of pre-tape sketches with no laugh track. That’s not a huge loss, but it is somewhat disappointing not to see any segments where the Kids directly address the audience or do one of their hilarious monologues (Bruce McCulloch’s open letter to the guy who stole his bike wheel comes to mind, as do the numerous Buddy Cole monologues the show became famous for). What the sketches lose from the more traditional format they make up for with enhanced and ambitious production. It may not be exactly how fans remember the show, but it still manages to feel familiar.
Canadian fans will also be happy to know that the show maintains its Toronto-centric roots, with sketches not only being shot in the city, but set in it as well. There are a lot of nice touches like the gray police cars, reminiscing about a bar called the Fax and Firkin, or the CN tower coming under threat of being crushed that are a firm reminder that one of the most beloved sketch groups of all time isfrom Canada (and proud of it).
Showing just how influential the Kids have been are segments known as “Friends of Kids in the Hall,” which feature short appearances from otherfamous funny people including Pete Davidson, Catherine O’Hara, and Will Forte. They’re brief and humorous, but show just how much influence a group of five young Canadian comedians has had over the years.
This version ofThe Kids in the Hallis an imperfect product, but one that was obviously made with a lot of passion and fun ideas. Overall, it’s likely to please fans of the original series more than any newcomers, but it keeps its in-jokes to a minimum to give potentially new fans a way in. While it doesn’t always hit perfectly, this season ofThe Kids in the Hallis still a lot of fun.
The Kids In The Hallpremieres May 13 on Amazon Prime Video.
