"THE KIDS IN THE HALL: COMEDY PUNKS" // SXSW 2022
I was shocked recently when I spoke to someone who had never heard of "The Kids in the Hall." Sure it was out of their generation, but they're comedy legends. How could they not know who they are? Well Reg Harkema's new documentary THE KIDS IN THE HALL: COMEDY PUNKS aim to both capture the magic again for us fans who have been there since the beginning and to introduce them to an all new generation who didn't grow up with them. Even for the most die-hard fan, there's plenty in this doc that you haven't seen before, from new clips of the group speaking on their past to footage from the very beginning of their sketch comedy roots, long before sold out shows and TV shows.
They came from Canada in the early 80's. Bruce McCulloch met Mark McKinney at an improv night in Calgary. Dave Foley and Kevin McDonald met in Toronto. Both duos ended up meeting at the comedy competition "Theatresports" and they instantly felt a kinship. They shared the same style of comedy and impressed each other. They had to form a group together. And so they did. We see them trying to gel as a group with only bits of success at first. However, even when they weren't always getting the laughs, they were still gaining fans, like Scott Thompson who saw them and knew he had to be part of them. Suddenly, the four became five and then the true magic started happening. Sold out shows began happing in a small Canadian comedy club. Eventually two of the group were scouted by SNL but hated the experience. So they came back to the group and Lorne Michaels helped get them their own HBO show, which became groundbreaking television.
Even if you already know the story, it's a delight to see them enthusiastically tell it again and to be sitting around each other, ribbing each other as if no time has passed at all. The "kids" have been through the ringer. They split up, came back together, ended their show, experienced a failed movie bid, toured together and are now back and writing new material. For those like me who have been devouring reruns for years, this news couldn't have come any sooner. Welcome back kids.
GRADE: A-
DIRECTED BY Reg Harkema STARRING Dave Foley, Bruce McCulloch, Kevin McDonald, Mark McKinney, Scott Thompson, Lorne Michaels, Mae Martin, Eddie Izzard, Jay Baruchel, Fred Armisen, Mike Myers SELECTED AS PART OF THE 2022 SXSW FILM FESTIVAL. FOR MORE INFO: THE KIDS IN THE HALL: COMEDY PUNKS