The Kids In The Hall: Comedy Punks provides never-before-seen archival footage and interviews with celebrities, industry insiders, and the “Kids” themselves. The two-part documentary delves into the cult-famous comedy troupe’s post-punk origins in the mid-1980s, and provides inside access to their tumultuous 40-year journey across five seasons of their renowned television series, a controversial feature film (Brain Candy), multiple sold-out tours, and their recently announced reboot series for Prime Video. The film had Canadian premiere at the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival and is available on Prime Video as of May 20, 2022. Prime Video will also be streaming the all new Kids In The Hall series reboot.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW

The Kids have grown up and become fine-standing citizens, or so they appear. After 40 some years together, these guys are not only life long friends, but a close knit chosen family as well. What began as mostly a group of disenfranchised suburban teenage outsiders stemming from dysfunctional family units, slowly morphed into a Canadian institution of sorts. Mark, Dave, Kevin, Bruce, and of course Scott, “the gay one.” 

This documentary covers it all from the good to the bad, the break ups, heartaches, arguing, and making up. From their humble beginnings as struggling actors, to their mass success with KITH, and individual spin-offs with US television (SNL, News Radio), it’s all exposed with a candid eye. theBUZZ’s previous columnist, Paul Bellini, was also very instrumental in helping this film come to fruition, as it was him who captured much of the archival footage that’s used. Of course, Paul also had the now iconic role of “towel guy” in a few KITH shows, which still follows him around to this day. Also of great importance to the overall success of the troupe is another of Canada’s success stories, Lorne Michaels (SNL), who saw their potential early in their career and stuck by them even when they were at their lowest. 

This is a great film with plenty of cameo appearances by celebrities who attribute the Kids to breaking down barriers and paving the way for their own careers to blossom. They certainly were considered gender-benders when each of them would dress up and play the role of females, and also trail blazers for the LGBTQ community with Thompson’s portrayal of the flamboyant Buddy Cole. 

This is a great prelude to watch before jumping into the new Prime Video KITH reboot series.

It’s great that they kept the original intro song by Toronto’s own Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet.

 

About the Author

Bryen Dunn is a freelance journalist with a focus on travel, lifestyle, entertainment and hospitality. He has an extensive portfolio of celebrity interviews with musicians, actors and other public personalities. He enjoys discovering delicious eats, tasting spirited treats, and being mesmerized by musical beats.