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This Is a Book About the Kids in the Hall

ebook
1 of 1 copy available
1 of 1 copy available

The first book to explore their history, legacy, and influence

This is a book about the Kids in the Hall — the legendary Canadian sketch comedy troupe formed in Toronto in 1984 and best known for the innovative, hilarious, zeitgeist-capturing sketch show The Kids in the Hall — told by the people who were there, namely the Kids themselves. John Semley’s thoroughly researched book is rich with interviews with Dave Foley, Mark McKinney, Bruce McCulloch, Kevin McDonald, and Scott Thompson, as well as Lorne Michaels and comedians speaking to the Kids’ legacy: Janeane Garofalo, Tim Heidecker, Nathan Fielder, and others. It also turns a critic’s eye on that legacy, making a strong case for the massive influence the Kids have exerted, both on alternative comedy and on pop culture more broadly.

The Kids in the Hall were like a band: a group of weirdoes brought together, united by a common sensibility. And, much like a band, they’re always better when they’re together. This is a book about friendship, collaboration, and comedy — and about clashing egos, lost opportunities, and one-upmanship. This is a book about the head-crushing, cross-dressing, inimitable Kids in the Hall.

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  • Reviews

    • Library Journal

      September 1, 2016

      The Canadian comedy troupe Kids in the Hall started working together in the mid-1980s and are today seen as one of the more influential alternative comedy acts of the era, exemplifying Generation X-era angst, satire, and irony in sketches that spanned live shows, a TV series, and a feature film. Toronto-based journalist Semley's thorough, detailed, and informative history chronicles the trajectory of their career with its triumphs and failures, while analyzing sketches and discussing their inspirations and their own influence on comedy. Using interviews, observations, and research, Semley documents a group of outcasts whose idiosyncrasies and talent first combined in the group's formative days in the Canadian comedy scene. They eventually filmed several years of their sketch comedy television show, made a flop movie, broadened their audience during years of reruns, and reformed for reunion tours and specials all while specializing in the "burlesque of social interaction." VERDICT Semley's comprehensive and engagingly written book will appeal primarily to fans of the Kids and also those interested in the history of the comedy scene of the 1980s and 1990s.--James Collins, Morristown-Morris Twp. P.L., NJ

      Copyright 2016 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Formats

  • OverDrive Read
  • EPUB ebook
  • Open EPUB ebook

Languages

  • English

Levels

  • Lexile® Measure:1170
  • Text Difficulty:8-9

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