DVD Corner

Kids In The Hall- The Complete Series DVD Review

“Kids In The Hall” is a groundbreaking, but inconsistent sketch comedy series.

For those that are unaware, “Kids In The Hall” was a cult sketch comedy series that was weird, risky, and undeniably ahead of its time in terms of content. The show featured many talent comedians who all went on to have fairly successful careers including Dave Foley, Mark McKinney, Scott Thompson, Kevin McDonald, and Bruce McCulloch. The series lasted 5 seasons (101 episodes excluding the pilot) plus there was recently an 8 episode mini-series titled “Death Comes To Town” which isn’t actually a sketch comedy series (I’ll get to that in a bit). ‘Hall’ also had one of the best opening theme songs in TV history (I don’t say that lightly).

When it comes to televised comedy, sketch comedy can be great and it can be painfully unfunny too. That really describes “Kids In The Hall” (and any other sketch comedy series for that matter) in a nutshell. For every hit sketch like the clever Dr. Seuss Bible, “Citizen Kane,” the Buddy Cole bits, “At The Movies” and “Things We Couldn’t Show,” there are other sketches that are either just plain weird (Cabbage Head?) or go on far too long and have a weak payoff. The series is really at its best when it’s poking fun at censorship, satirizing something, and pushing the boundaries with sexual content. Looking back, it’s kind of amazing as to how revolutionary some of their sexually oriented sketches were. You simply didn’t see that material on TV back when the show aired.

As for “Death Comes To Town,” I don’t quite get why the cast decided to make a comedic murder mystery who done it about a Grim Reaper collecting souls while a killer is on the loose in a town called Shuckton. It’s not hard to see why this series wasn’t very well received because it doesn’t really feel like the work of “Kids In The Hall.” It feels more like a “League Of Gentlemen” wannabe only it’s nowhere near as humorous. I don’t think I’m wrong in saying that I believe fans would have much rather seen something more along the lines of their sketch series.

Note: The “Kids In The Hall” film “Brain Candy” is not included on this set.

Summary: If you’re a fan of “Kids In The Hall,” this is THE set you are going to want to pick up.  

Video/Audio:

The fullscreen picture quality is all over the place as to be expected. Season 1 is a bit rough looking as the colors appear faded. The remaining seasons look better and better with each season. Naturally, ‘Death’ is in the best shape here as it is the newest release.

The Dolby Digital 5.1 audio track varies in quality from season to season. The first season has the weakest quality as there is a noticeable buzzing sound throughout. After season 1 though, the sound quality improves with each season.

Extras:
* Dave Foley, Bruce McCulloch, Kevin McDonald, Mark McKinney, and Scott Thompson text biographies.
* Trailers for “Little Britain,” “Benny Hill,” “Monty Python’s Flying Circus,” “The Office,” “Mr. Bean: The Whole Bean,”
* A Rolling Stone article on “Kids In The Hall.”
* 24 sketch performances at the Rivoli Theater titled “Toga Party,” “The Night I Fu**ed Jemi Hendrix,” “A Truck Called Dempsters,” “Dog Office,” “Fem Out,” “Map Scene,” “The Bow,” “One Out Of Every Four,” “Tundra Butler,” “Bored Robber,” “Do You Love Me?” “How I Fu**ed Mark,” “Miss Banner ’89,” “7^th Inning Stretch,” “Groovy Teacher,” “Baskets,” “Buddy Holly,” “If #1,” “New Names,” “Oscars #1,” “Casting Couch,” “If #2,” “Courtoom Hair,” and “Oscars #2.”
* Season 1 Favorites and Pilot Episode Favorites (with optional commentary by the cast)- 9 selected sketches from season 1 and 9 picked scenes from the pilot episode.

* “An Oral History”- A 2 part documentary of sorts about how “The Kids In The Hall” came about, discussions about the seasons, writing, . Interviews with the cast members are included.
* Kids In The Hall Performance Poster Gallery.
* Season 2 Favorites (with optional commentary by the cast)- 20 selected “best of” sketches from the second season.
* 2 picture slideshows.
* Season 3 Favorites (with optional commentary by the cast)- 16 “best of” sketches from season 3.

* Archical footage performances titled “Joymakers,” “New Mom,” “Pizza Pizza,” and “Romeo.
* 15 season 4 Favorites (with optional commentary by the cast).
* Commentary on the series finale and the season 5 favorites by the cast.
* 6 Season 5 Favorites.
* 18 deleted and extended scenes and 20 bloopers from “Death Comes To Town.” All of this material is funnier than the series itself.

* Commentaries on episode 1, 5, and 8 by “Death Comes To Town” by Dave Foley and Bruce McCulloch.

September 3, 2011 - Posted by nicklyons1 | DVD review | Dave Foley, Kevin McDonald, Kids In The Hall- The Complete Series DVD Review, Scott Thompson