The Kids in the Hall - Tour of Duty

A decade after Canada's cult comedy TV troupe called it quits, the Kids can't seem to stay out of the hall. Maybe it's their directionless post-careers - mocked in a hilarious videotaped opening with Bruce McCulloch on Blind Date, Scott Thompson desperately seeking a non-gay role, Dave Foley embarking on a charity swim "for the children of the world," Mark McKinney scrubbing toilets and Kevin McDonald walking dogs. Unfortunately, the intro contrasts considerably with the Tour of Duty performance, recorded in widescreen at Vancouver's Queen Elizabeth Theatre. In order to get their skits across, the comics must exaggerate their style to reach the back of the room. While that works in a live context, it feels like over-the-top mugging on DVD. They revisit beloved characters like McKinney's Head Crushing Guy, McDonald's Chicken Lady, McCulloch's Rusty (the old lady-lovin' teen) and Foley's devil-worshipping Hecubus. But the immediate gratification of familiarity diminishes and it feels forced. Newer skits from the 2002 tour are overly reliant on already clichZd terrorist jokes, though there is an amusing infomercial bit selling flag-wavers as a broadside against post-9/11 patriotism. The funny only really takes off during obviously improvised bits, especially when they crack up (Foley loses it when McDonald grabs his cock, later remarking "someone left me halfway through a hand job here"). They also continue to exhibit a fearless irreverence when taking on religion or dropping their trademark homo-humour. The bonus features are uneven, with backstage clips offering little insight, while the tour bus Q&A is pretty amusing, but the two extra skits were seemingly left out of the film to beef up the bonuses. Perhaps in person I'd have been laughing as loud as the crowd, but on DVD the Kids are merely alright. Extras: bonus scenes, Craig Northey songs, backstage and tour bus footage. (Win Media/Razor and Tie)