Top 10 Kids in the Hall Sketches
#10: “Things to Do”
In this sketch, a man played by Kevin McDonald is focused on the list of things he has to do for the day. He’s so preoccupied with his tasks that he doesn’t pay attention to other people around him such as the dangerous criminals who take him hostage. McDonald is hilarious with his single minded fixation, and it’s something that we can all perhaps relate to whenever we have to run several errands over the course of a day. Though, hopefully, we don’t get as carried away as this guy.
#9: “Becoming a Man”
While poor Chad is celebrating his 13th birthday party, his dad interrupts the festivities to make him go through a rite of passage to transition him into manhood. Following a bizarre family tradition, Chad’s father drives him out in the middle of nowhere and gets drunk right in front of the boy. His drunken behavior includes giving unhelpful advice and acting like a fool. This may not sound like a funny idea for a sketch on its face, but the uncomfortable humor and the performance from Bruce McCulloch, who plays the alcoholic father, make the sketch work.
#8: “Gavin: Religion”
Like several other sketch shows, “Kids in the Hall” had their share of recurring characters, including Gavin. Played by Bruce McCulloch, Gavin is a little kid that acts like a socially awkward oddball. Despite trying to be friendly in his interactions, he comes off as a nuisance to everyone around him. In one sketch, evangelical Christians come to Gavin’s house to spread the Good News, but after a short conversation with Gavin, they come to regret their decision. If you’ve ever been hassled by these types, it’s satisfying to see the evangelicals squirm after meeting their obnoxious match.
#7: “Thirty Helens”
Another recurring segment from the show involved a group of thirty women named Helen, and the group was diverse in age, race, and height among other traits. A narrator would say “30 Helens agree” on a given subject like it was a commercial where “4 out 5 dentists” recommend a product, while the group of Helens would stand out in the middle of a field. Collectively, they would weigh in on topics that ranged from the significance of coleslaw to when it is the appropriate time to show photos of your children. These segments were completely random yet strangely pleasant in the way the Helens gently expressed their opinions. As for which one’s the best segment, when thirty Helens come together, you can’t go wrong.
#6: “Dr. Seuss Bible”
Given all the translations of the Bible there are out there, it was only a matter of time before someone came up with this ingenious Dr. Seuss version. For the concept alone, this is one of the greatest sketches in comedy history. In the sketch, Dave Foley, dressed up like the Cat in the Hat, narrates the Gospel in Seussian rhyme. When this first season sketch aired, it was completely cut out in the Canadian broadcast and was only shown once on HBO. Full of whimsical blasphemy, this sketch is the “Kids in the Hall” at their irreverent best.
#5: "Chicken Lady"
Played by Mark McKinney, the Chicken Lady was originally created as a last minute addition to the sketch about a freak show performer who could bleed through his nose at will. A human chicken hybrid, this grotesque character with a high pitched voice is the stuff of nightmares. She’s frisky and has her mind in the gutter, creeping out those around her. There are several great sketches featuring this character to choose from, but we’re going to go with the one where Chicken Lady works a phone sex line. It’s over the top and completely shameless.
#4: “Love and Sausages”
Rather than going for an easy laugh, this ambitious sketch took off in an experimental direction, resembling a short film. The unique style is something fans have come to appreciate. “Love and Sausages” is surreal and bleak in tone like something out of a Terry Gilliam film, with Bruce McCulloch playing a sausage factory employee living in squalor in a working class neighborhood. While working in the factory, he fantasizes about a coworker that he wants to help. Scott Thompson turns in a strange performance as an elderly person under McCulloch’s care who obsesses over sausages.
#3: “Buddy is Canadian”
“Kids in the Hall” was known for its LGBT themes in its sketches and characters, and Buddy Cole is the most prominent example. Played by Scott Thompson, Buddy Cole is an openly gay man who is flamboyant in his mannerisms and his rants. The character has struck such a chord with fans that he has crossed over to guest star on the “Colbert Report,” as a correspondent for 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. Of the sketches featuring this character, our favorite has to be the one where Buddy talks about being Canadian. His take on America’s understanding of Canada is especially spot on.
#2: “Citizen Kane”
In this sketch, one friend, played by Dave Foley, is telling another friend, played by Kevin McDonald, about a movie he saw the other night that he can’t remember the name. When Foley’s character starts describing the movie, it’s obvious the movie he was describing was the 1941 Orson Welles masterpiece “Citizen Kane,” but he stubbornly refuses to admit it. It’s fun to see McDonald’s character lose his mind at how stubborn his friend is, and Foley keeps offering different possible movies that don’t fit his description. For anyone who’s had a stupid argument with a friend, this sketch is the worst case scenario. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
“Parenting”
A Press Release Many Parents Would Like to Give
“The King”
Kevin McDonald’s Character in This Sketch Is Just the Worst
“Open Letter”
Bruce Makes Some Good Points in This Monologue
“Daddy Drank”
This Sketch Where a Man Recounts His Lousy Childhood Is Filled with Dark Humor
“Girl Drink Drunk”
Delightfully Absurd Sketch Where Dave Foley Gets Taken Down by Girly Drinks
#1: "Headcrusher"
For those of you who write in the comments this list would be invalid if “Headcrusher” wasn’t number one, you’re right. Perhaps the most known recurring character from “Kids in the Hall” is Headcrusher, and whenever a sketch pops up with this character, the audience applauds enthusiastically because the character is silly fun. Played by Mark McKinney, this strange man looks at people who go past him, and he puts two fingers together and pretends he’s crushing their heads with sadistic glee. However, in one sketch, he comes across a rival who does something similar, and the two square off, because there can be only one.