Kids
in the Hall - Season Three
Picture: C+
Sound: C+ Extras: B- Episodes: C+
Kids in the Hall was not really a show that
grabbed me when it originally aired and even re-watching some of the episodes
on DVD I think I perhaps understand why that is. Interestingly enough, the first season that is reviewed on the
site by Nicholas Sheffo matched my own insights on the show. Basically, it boils down to the fact that
this is a show that was designed differently than what most expected coming off
from a Saturday Night Live production, this is produced by Lorne
Michaels, but operated entirely different.
Yes, this is sketch comedy, but the very nature of it is drastically
different. That difference is basically
the way that these sketches deconstruct things and/or overanalyze the
situations, rather than your typical SNL skits that made blatant attacks and
were not sly or witty with it, but rather over-the-top. Naturally those looking for that formula are
not going to find it here.
Therefore, most people are split when it comes to this
show. Either you understand the show
and it’s function or you just simply don’t get it, or have any interest in
trying to get it. For me, it mostly
just doesn’t gel together as well as one may hope. Sure, there are great moments here and there, but for the most
part the amusement of the show does not catch you the same way that other
sketch comedy might. It’s a preference
type of thing and while I am certainly in favor of more intelligent and witty
humor, mostly developed through watching films of Jacques Tati there is
certainly an appreciation here, even Monty Python, W.C. Fields, and certainly
Benny Hill have some strong influence on the show, yet at the same time the
show went for something outright different, which credit must be given at least
for going against the grain.
Likewise with the previous two seasons that have been
carefully reviewed on this site, the 1.33 X 1 (full frame) image lacks in it’s
total sharpness and does contain a fair amount of softness showing a bit of age
despite being from a professional analog source. Honestly, it doesn’t detract too much considering the material
here. The 2.0 Dolby Digital sound is fairly
good with decent separation and Pro Logic pulls the sound around a bit better
than expected, but depending on your receiver you may want to stick with
straight left and right stereo sound instead.
One thing that I particular appreciated about this DVD
package though is the inclusion of audio commentary by The Kids, which
makes for a great listen. There are
other nice extras includes as well such as two ‘best of compilations’ featuring
some of the fan favorite sketches. Also
added are 30 minutes of never-before-seen performances, which are really
cool! This all helps to round off a
great DVD effort from A&E and we have enjoyed reviewing all three seasons
up to this point here at this site. We
look forward to reviewing more and wonder if we’ll get a fourth person in a row
to do it.
- Nate Goss
