DVD Review: ‘The Kids in the Hall’ Makes Case For Greatness

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CHICAGO – I’ve long, long said that any conversation about the best sketch comedy series of all time that doesn’t include “The Kids in the Hall” is totally worthless. Sure, “Saturday Night Live” has longevity and “Mr. Show” was an amazing program, but the recently-released box set of the entire output of “The Kids in the Hall” certainly makes a strong case that they should be not just on the list but arguably at the top. There’s SO much greatness in this box set that it’s nearly overwhelming (and the 2010 comeback series “The Kids in the Hall: Death Comes to Town” has also been included).

DVD Rating: 5.0/5.0

With over 45 hours of incredible entertainment accompanied by hours of special features, “The Kids in the Hall: The Complete Series” is easily the best TV on DVD release of the year to date. It’s a beauty, the kind of package that takes up a ridiculous amount of space on your shelf but for which you don’t mind. “The Kids in the Hall” deserve more space than most programs.

The Kids in the Hall: The Complete Series was released on DVD on May 24, 2011
Photo credit: New Video

Canadians Dave Foley, Bruce McCulloch, Kevin McDonald, Mark McKinney, and Scott Thompson formed The Kids in the Hall in 1984 (yes, I feel old too). Their show didn’t debut until 1988, when it ran on CBC and was then repeated on CBS and HBO. I was SUCH a fan of the show that I remember taping CBC broadcasts (having grown up in Detroit, across the border from Windsor, we got the Canadian network) and watching it repeatedly. It only ran five seasons and was then followed by a movie (“Brain Candy”) before the boys went off to things like “Newsradio,” “Saturday Night Live,” “The Larry Sanders Show,” and much more.

The Kids in the Hall: The Complete Series was released on DVD on May 24, 2011 Photo credit: New Video

“The Kids in the Hall” was one of the most consistently inventive shows of all time. It was proof that comedy could come from anywhere, as sketches careened wildly from realistic moments like guys sitting around playing poker to a chicken lady. And the program wasn’t just smart, it was balanced. ALL five guys were hysterical. The minute you thought that a character like Buddy Cole would steal the show, Cabbage Head would show up to prove you wrong. I love programs that keep the viewer on their toes, never quite able to predict how it will get to the next punchline. “The Kids in the Hall” was one of the best.

Surprisingly, the reunion mini-series, “Death Comes to Town,” is pretty damn good too. I’ll admit that when it aired on IFC I kind of blew it off for the same reason I don’t go to Rolling Stones shows any more. They’re just not what they used to be. The good news is that this twisted tale or murder in a small town in which the five guys play all the major roles is sometimes brilliant. It’s inconsistent, but every episode has moments worth catching. You won’t be disappointed.

And you’ll be overwhelmed by a list of special features that provides more bonus material than you probably thought existed. Commentaries, interviews, compilations, over 90 minutes of live performances, archival footage, poster gallery, slideshows, and much more. It’s insane. I’ve rarely seen a collection more complete. And there couldn’t be a sketch show more deserving of a more perfect box set.

By BRIAN TALLERICO Content Director HollywoodChicago.com brian@hollywoodchicago.com