Kids in the Hall: Comedy Punks | Hacker News Reader

Kids in the Hall: Comedy Punks

nytimes.com

142 pointsdrjohnson90 comments

http://web.archive.org/web/20220524200931/https://www.nytime...

I grew up in rural Canada. I dumpster dove for a broken black and white television and spent over a month back and forth to the Radio Shack until I finally managed to fix it. The antenna was now a coat hangar, but I could tune it just fine.

My reward was... 1 channel of CBC (Canadian Broadcasting). With that 9 year old me could stay up late and watch The Munsters and Kids In The Hall.

I know every episode by heart. I can't do impressions of anyone, but I can do impressions of each character in the show. It's deeply ingrained in my brain. A lot of very young Canadians watched that show sans supervision and it opened out minds to a lot of ideas that otherwise were not accessible.

Sometimes during zoom meeting I pretend to crush the heads of my co workers

I've found myself looking for a pen in the office before and came away completely disappointed when everyone didn't think it was as funny as I did.

Amazing - I also dumpster dove for black and white TV (one of those crappy 5" ones), jammed an ac adapter that seemed to fit (yolo) so 13 year old me could get channel 4 (NBC) to watch Conan O'Brien.

But for KITH, Comedy Central on cable was always airing reruns after school, so no need for the secret TV. I think the first sketch I saw was the waiter with stumps for hands and I was hooked ever since.

I thank my parents for being open minded enough to be completely fine with 11yo me watching that show!

There's not really anything that edgy about it by todays standards, but at the time it was kind of avant garde and shocking to many.

I was a fan of Kids in the Hall even during their whole pilot, which many might have missed. Look up "Brian's Bombshell" as an example.

My theory is that each member has some strengths they play to. Dave passes best as a young woman and is also fantastic as a glittery-eyed psychopath (Manservant Hecubus, Sarcastic Guy, etc). Mark is amazing at accents and really inhabiting a character (Dar-ryll). Scott, once he breaks out of his Buddy Cole, is wonderful as a beleaguered middle-aged woman, but he also makes for a fantastic Dumb Lunk (the Compensation skit) who can sell with physicality rather than lines, and a very good (no pun intended) straight man to seem ... average. Bruce can hit the depths of bizarre humor (the Sausages episode), can do an Everyman -- even if Canadian, and has the highest intensity ("Doors Fan"). Kevin has no sense of shame and can be relied upon to do anything that makes him seem foolish for a laugh ("Bass Player").

So far I have enjoyed the new episodes, including the ones that off-handedly referenced old skits like the "Dipping Areas." It is a bit meta so far, and somewhat melancholy as well, because it is rough seeing these guys get old. I am withholding judgment until I finish.

If you liked the original, you might find on YouTube all of the episodes of the short-lived Vacant Lot, with some similar humor and people you have seen in the periphery of shooting Kids in the Hall. At least one of their skits is a riff off of a Kids in the Hall skit ("Drunk Dad"), and I believe there were six or seven episodes.

Vacant Lot was a great show. One of the cast members is the brother of Mark McKinney.

My friends and I loved The Vacant Lot. It was just our kind of humor. Right off the top of my head I can sing the whole of “Slept on his arms last night” and “This songs gonna make an great video” And probably recite most of the “blinded by the light” sketch.

That show was gold.

... held up like a loofa by the foreman of the night.

The first episode was rough, there are some stellar sketches and acting after that though.

I'm only to episode 4, but I love how their writing and acting has grown up a bit. The apocalypse DJ really got me.

I watched the whole thing, and it was a bit weird, at every moment I felt like "well, huh, some of those previous sketches missed slightly, but this one I'm watching now -- they've really caught their stride!" So, I think it is good, slightly confusing, and good.

My favorite thing about Kids in the Hall was how it was somehow impossible to describe one of their skits to a friend and have it seem funny. And, to be clear, I mean this as a compliment.

By the way, a couple of my favorite sketches:

* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7ApuaJrtck (The Monkeys)

* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOQBXA5CPEM (Mouse Killer)

The viral coefficient must be higher for sketches that can be imitated in a few lines. SNL really specialized in this. KITH had a few such (like the Crusher) but as you say, most defied summarization.

The one they got away with, but is banned on YouTube: Hitler F*ing a Donkey.

The phrase is used a LOT in the skit because of course they're trying to explain why they're so frantic. What did they see in the barn? Hitler F*ing a Donkey! I saw Hitler F*ing a Donkey!!!

That was a catch phrase for some time after. But it might be lost to history thanks to censorship.

I think they left in the Chicken Lady origin story. It's not too different, and does explain why she keeps exploding when she gets excited.

They also had a lot of memorable song bits. Like "These are the Daves I know" and some really absurd spoken bits like "30 Helens Agree" that became part of the Canadian vernacular for a while.

It's not exactly like the American "bite-sized quote" but held a similar function.

The Hitler F*ing a donkey sketch appears to me ( in Canada). It was part of a bit on 'censored sketches' and what they were allowed to show. There was also another about a cancer kid's (last?) wish and a baseball player

Part of that I think is their humor is very niche, and I don't know how to describe the niche.

I had friends who absolutely loved them, and I never found any of their stuff remotely funny. There is something either in the context that people were introduced to them, or in some subtelness of people's sense of humor that seems to completely make or break how they get perceived. Sort of like the comedy equivalent of Rush

At it’s best it’s a very quintessentially Canadian sort of absurdism, but then you have to define Canadian. That said i think this is no less true of Monty Python which is really a very British kind of absurdism. Weirdly i feel like there’s no really good, singular American equivalent (certainly SNL isn’t it - Canada’s SNL is probably this hour has 22 minutes). Maybe like… In living color or something.

It rarely makes that Canadianyness explicit but then that’s kind of quintessentially Canadian too.

> Weirdly i feel like there’s no really good, singular American equivalent…

I recommend checking out The State: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8O9Eo-rlZZc

And now I have tape, all over my face.

> Weirdly i feel like there’s no really good, singular American equivalent

What about The Whitest Kids U Know? For some reason they remind me a lot of the Kids in the Hall, and not just because both have "kids" in their names. There's the absurdist humor, but I also think they even physically resemble the other troupe.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Whitest_Kids_U%27_Know

Example skit: "Happier And With Your Mouth Open" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwjmUWh-ymo)

Then there is the absolutely fabulous Key & Peele, I can lose hours just watching random sketches on YouTube. But they don't resemble the Kids in the Hall at all.

That's about as close as you can get.

Americans are too earnest to be into absurdist humor.

I do think there's kind of an element of truth to this, though it feels very broad to say so. American absurdism does exist, just maybe not as much on TV? Screwball comedy is very much a thing in film, and occasionally reaches for the same feeling.

Stuff like Airplane! or some of Mel Brooks' stuff or National Lampoons movies, and later the "Scary Movie"/"Teen Movie"/etc. things... but it's like when they go much deeper than an average SNL sketch they almost always go too far and suddenly reach into trying to offend or anger or even disgust (though the new KITH has a bit of that too).

Adult Swim has a lot of American absurdist humour, like Tim and Eric, The Eric Andre Show, Rick and Morty, etc.

WKUK had its moments, but was definitely led by Trevor in a way KITH members could stand on their own. Personally, i felt it dipped a bit too much into contemporary politics (stuff like Bush being in Skull and Bones), which doesn't quite have the shelf life of KITHs high points.

We're a very in-the-moment people, in the US.

I really love WKUK and had been watching their Twitch streams at the time of Trevor's passing. I'm really looking forward to them releasing their Mars movie, as bittersweet as it may be.

> Weirdly i feel like there’s no really good, singular American equivalent (certainly SNL isn’t it - Canada’s SNL is probably this hour has 22 minutes).

Given both are Lorne Michaels shows, Portlandia would be it.

Looking forward to the Portlandia reboot in 2041 :)

Lorne Michaels has his hands in everything (including SNL), so that doesn't necessarily mean very much. He's very good at finding talent though. That said, yeah portlandia is pretty close probably, not sure why it didn't occur to me (I guess I was thinking more 90s-contemporary).

Still I think the thing is none of these suggestions really rise to the top of the culture the way KITH does for Canada or Monty Python does for the UK, or the way (as a different but related sort of thing) SNL does for the US.

Maybe something on Adult Swim? ATHF, Space Ghost, Harvey Birdman?

In the US, live action shows seem to be big productions, maybe not as well suited to making things that aren't universally appealing.

I saw a couple of episodes of Dr Steve Brule. Pretty good. And I guess "Too Many Cooks" really deserves some love. It was incredible. I guess this stuff is from Tim and Eric?

Yeah, I've heard their stuff is good, I think I missed the bus slightly on it. It seems, sort of, very out there. I couldn't follow the plot most of the time whenever I tried to watch it.

Now I'm watching old Brad Neely videos, he had some good weird stuff.

One of the subtle cultural differences I notice whenever I cross the border down into the states, is that a lot of the implied humour in some of the absurd things I'd joke about just isn't received like I'd expect. Not even necessarily absurd actually, it could just be something mildly exaggerated for comedic effect in regular situations. Not all the time, but enough that I notice and dial it back depending on where I am.

> Weirdly i feel like there’s no really good, singular American equivalent

“Portlandia” fit the bill for me.

Edit: if you pull certain sketches from SNL over the last 5-10 years you get a good through-line of American absurdism: David S. Pumpkins, Airport Sushi, Bodega Bathroom come to mind.

Isn’t portlandia more just Portland/pnw then all of America thou?

> certainly SNL isn’t it - Canada’s SNL is probably this hour has 22 minutes

Perhaps SCTV back in the day.

Personally I never got SNL.

I also love Rush :). And no, I'm not Canadian.

I am Canadian. Add our underdog band with the HUGE lightshow, Triumph. Rush managed to break through the American market, but Triumph only got a small taste by comparison. You can even take a sort of course with Lynda.com about what it takes to set up a Rush concert. One of the best Lynda courses I ever took just for fun. A lot of people forget who Triumph was these days. Nobody forgets Rush.

And then there's Max Webster. Kim Mitchell got better known outside of Canada on his own. But MW was really something that defied musical stereotypes (and arguably, the music was better). Closest I can think of for comparison would be Frank Zappa. Needless to say, nobody thinks of Kim Mitchell in those terms once he went solo.

In many ways we're similar to Americans. But it's easy to find areas where we really aren't.

Back to topic, I was absolutely a huge KITH fan. If you haven't seen it, wait 'til you get to the final episode. Hitler F*ing a Donkey was seriously shocking for the time. It would not have been allowed, but they were far from worried about being cancelled. It's the one KITH skit that is banned on YouTube! I've yet to see it again. It's exactly as it sounds. They catch Hitler F*ing a donkey. Also it's connected to the origin story of Chicken Lady. Pretty edgy stuff.

But Devin though. \m/

The Hitler blanking a donkey still appears to be on youtube, at least for me (another Canadian); it was part of a series of sketches that were "censored", so they showed what "they were allowed to show". Including the kid with cancer sketch, and .. something else.

My favourites are the 1) 'Arms in a Vat of Dead fish' sketch, which as a former factory-line worker hits all the checkmarks, and The "Fur Trappers", and ..

Loved KITH. So happy it was broadcast in the UK back in the day. I still occasionally go back to watch The Chase[0], or Bad Doctor, or I Speak No English to this day. Haven’t seen the revival show yet, need to dig out some time to do so.

[0] https://youtu.be/cxY0-Qr_l78

The first few episodes of the revival are good.

"I speak no English" is my favorite sketch, but "Kidnapped" will always have a special place in my heart.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qge0E9WYeks

> or I Speak No English

* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vgoEhsJORU

I’m a kiwi - never seen the series - awesome!

I loved Sarcastic Guy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9vunDdxWLA

> or I Speak No English

In France a Mum with her ~8 year old daughter came up and asked me something. I replied “Je ne parle pas français”, and the daughter looked very confused and said to her mum (in French) “¡But mama, he’s speaking French!”.

As an aside: when going to a country it is really worthwhile learning some local comedy culture people your age learned as a child. It really helps connect with people. I will have to learn this when I travel to Canada. Knowing Monty Python is important for middle aged foreigners spending time in the UK (and can help in colonies too I guess).

If I'm traveling to kiwi land, what comedy culture should I familiarize myself with? Kangaroo jokes? Sheep jokes? Russell Crowe films? Hobbit trivia? What should I watch to learn more about kiwis in Australia? Is kiwi a fruit, bird, sexuality, or just someone from Australia?

Kiwis are New Zealanders. That might be the first thing to learn! :D

I'm sure y'all get mixed up a bit with Aussies! Thanks for telling me. > All opinions are accidental. I don't know why but this is hilarious :).

> What should I watch to learn more about kiwis in Australia

Watch “Housos” (TV series or movie): from an Ocker POV it is partially about trailertrash kiwis in Ozzie. If visiting Australia, “The Castle” is important cultural background, and I personally love “A Moody Christmas” which is on Netflix here.

> kiwi land, what comedy culture should I familiarize myself with?

Kiwis tend make serious productions. If you are approximately middle aged, you could try watching Billy T James (TV series or movie). Here’s some funny history: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTFEZiKItLs although I’m unsure it would be wise for new foreigners to apply that humour locally here. There’s some very unfunny historical stuff here https://www.nzonscreen.com/collection/kiwi-comedy-on-tv if it isn’t blocked overseas, it probably should be.

I have always suspected there is some sort of derper connection between Canadian’s and Kiwi’s. . . poor bastards.

My favorite sketch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1tFbZ5kaY8&t=5s

Mine. Kevin McDonald’s expressions crack me up.

https://youtu.be/zAAiSHSPk_w

Mine: The Preacher. So meta.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWRpmhKweGs

The Pen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQ1pO-tZbYA

Clothesline

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5kOJ-DTD5c

“Daves I know” is a good one for everyone: https://youtu.be/VVzDIE0mr6A

I tried to find my actual favorite sketch which is called “men don’t pee through their nipples” or at least that was the punchline. Couldn’t find it though.

The article and Wikipedia seem to agree in saying Brain Candy was a disappointment (even to the troupe).

But I differ: I love that movie. It's hilarious. Sketches and phrases from it are forever stuck in my head.

I agree, I loved that movie, and I also have sketches forever stuck in my head.

Interestingly, whenever I'm in too much of a rush while visiting my dad (because of work, or having to take the kids to a birthday party, that sort of thing) the "happiest moment scene" of the grandma character pops into my brain and I automatically extend my stay a bit more at the cost of arriving late at some less important place. That was just pure genius!

Agreed, it was one of a few VHS tapes I had in early college and watched it daily for a long while. Its different in tone because it was largely written by Kevin dealing with depression, with the others having little input or none at all (Foley just acted, iirc). That and the usual studio meddling, similar to the Mr Show movie.

There's a good interview in the avclub from long ago with Kevin MacDonald about it.

In case anyone is curious, the theme song is "Having an Average Weekend" by Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet:

* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuifllwrFe0

* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shadowy_Men_on_a_Shadowy_Plane...

Live performance at Sled Island 2012 reunion show (at a Legion hall of course):

* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmU3FYlRZNM

This theme song says “the 1990s” to me more strongly than almost any other.

Can we please talk about how the new intro is able to reproduce the feel of the original?

The music really sells it a lot.

Watching the old intro beckons nostalgia for the 1990s and a simpler time. It felt like it just didn’t exist anymore in the current day. Yet, the new intro brings the same feeling for 2020s.

I’ve watched it over and over to catch small details that help build the feeling. Things I’ve noticed:

- Obviously both were shot on 8 mm (minus film grain lost in the transfer-to-tape in the original version).

- Peoples’ expressions seem genuine and candid

- The new intro starts anachronistic but, through indirect exposition, eases you into the fact that it’s modern day. You don’t see modern objects until the fourth or fifth shot of the intro (Mitsubishi Outlander car, bike trailers, dogs in bike trailers, longboards, etc).

Anything else I’m missing?

I didn't watch any KITH growing up (although I've watched it lately). However, there some weird similarity between their intro song, and the intro song to The Daily Show that often makes me feel vaguely nostalgic. Da Da dadada da-da da-da.

The ERADICATOR!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HO0FxifkzFQ

I still say, “Do you want to unmask me” at random times.

Girl Drink Drunk is my fav skit. I still taunt my friends with the chocolate choochoo.

Kids in the Hall fans aren’t made… they’re born.

I immediately started humming the theme song as soon as I saw this item's title. Anyone else?

I believe the title of that song is "Having An Average Weekend".

Edit: Indeed. https://youtu.be/XSCYXfpcuSs

I am CRUSHING your head.

I’m pinching your face!

Here's a Kids in the Hall sketch I love:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8C4TGGtPzBU

Love that one. Another good drunk skit:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXNsdW4HyMk

Two more of my favourites, I can't help myself haha:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-2w3N2VLVo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJsQDPK-vvg

https://youtu.be/7Dxk67d0aLc

Daddy drank...

The best.

If we're just gonna post our favs:

Ham of Truth: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2Ka2nkIi2I

Skoora, the Remorseful Shark: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmdYSNcpN68

Plungers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKhO475rzRU

These guys...they smoke...they’re bad.

KITH - Painting a chair

https://youtu.be/uA_3MnVen08

I really love this.

Everyday I feel myself trying to avoid the pull of being

Hip

Cool

And 45.

This group in particular has depended on the kudos and good-will of their audience, all united by their common identification with "alternative culture". For my part, I have not seen a sketch of theirs that touches greatness.

Apart from their reboot series, I have not seen a lot of sketch comedy lately, I wonder if this genre is dead now?

everyone is either a VC or dead, no ICs left

Wow, a Kids in the Hall reunion. It really gives me hope for the future. If this can happen, then anything is possible!

Full frontal nudity in the first 10 minutes.

In case anyone else didn't know (like me) there are 8 new episodes available on amazon prime in the US.

Anytime I even hear their name mentioned, I immediately hear in my head “please… apologize to the car…”

Canadian humor always seamed very similar to British hunour, yet somehow different.

Kids in the Hall and the Canadian Air Farce are two great examples if it.

I particularly liked CAF's 'Literary stick up', if I recall the name correctly, though I have not been able to find it online anywhere.

Creative Possibilities: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0al0xeCVCMk

In more than one startup office I have been in I have repeated, "Office? Submarine."

Kids in the Hall used to run at like 02 in the morning here and I loved staying up to watch it.

Possibly a little off for HN, but does deal with Office/Home/Colleague balance a bit.

Girl Drink Drunk (Politically correct... ?)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8C4TGGtPzBU

Francesca Fiore!

M. Piedlourde

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