Ep 17. #117

The Kids in the Hall is a Canadian sketch comedy group formed by comedians Dave Foley, Kevin McDonald, Mark McKinney, Bruce McCulloch, and Scott Thompson, known for its quirky, offbeat humor that blends the mundane with the surreal. Season 1 episode 17, typically referred to simply as #117, is another installment in their groundbreaking television series that originally aired in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Each episode features a variety of sketches, often with recurring characters and themes that satirize aspects of society, pop culture, and everyday life.

In episode #117, the show continues its distinctive mix of humor, ranging from irreverent and bizarre to darkly comedic sketches that leave a lasting impression. Given that this episode is part of the show’s pioneering first season, it helps lay the groundwork for the troupe's future comedic endeavors and signature style that has garnered them a dedicated fan base.

The show typically kicks off with a monologue by one of the members, addressing the audience directly and not shy of breaking the fourth wall. These monologues serve to introduce the viewer to the comic perspective of the group and set the tone for the episode's sketches.

The sketches themselves in #117, as with most episodes, are expected to be a mix of new concepts alongside the development of ongoing characters and premises introduced in earlier episodes. The Kids in the Hall are known for their fearlessness in playing both male and female characters, often with outrageous results. Consequently, viewers can anticipate a range of characters, from flamboyant office workers and snarky waitresses to peculiar suburbanites and existential businessmen.

One of the most compelling aspects of the Kids in the Hall sketches is the depth of character work that goes into even the most outrageous comedy. The actors inhabit each role with a level of detail that suggests a whole world behind the short narrative of each sketch. For the viewer, this means that even when the humor is broad, there's often an underpinning of humanity that makes the sketches resonate.

Their humor is also known for pushing boundaries, fearlessly tackling subjects that many other shows might avoid. The ensemble is not averse to dark comedy, and episode #117 will likely contain moments that find the humor in the awkward, uncomfortable, or taboo, all the while maintaining a uniquely Canadian perspective that underlies their work.

In addition to standalone scenes, #117 might feature serialized segments that build on running gags established earlier in the season. Recurring characters could undergo new developments or be placed in different, yet increasingly bizarre, situations. The ability of the show to return to these characters, refining and deepening them with each episode, adds a layer of richness to what might otherwise be simple caricatures.

The surreal aspect of their humor often culminates in unexpected punchlines or narrative left-turns that pull the rug out from under conventional expectations. Each sketch is crafted with careful pacing and an eye for detail that ensures even the most absurd moments are grounded in the show's specific comedic reality.

Viewership of The Kids in the Hall and episodes like #117 tends to be a polarizing experience. For fans of the series, the sketches are viewed as timeless, delivering laughs with the same potency as when they first aired. For those new to the show, it offers a window into alternative comedy of the era, with an irreverent style that influenced countless comedians and TV shows that followed.

While the description provided outlines what one could expect from an episode, each installment of The Kids in the Hall is an entity unto itself, with the creativity and energy of the troupe providing consistent surprises. Fans would eagerly tune in to episode #117 to enjoy the familiar yet innovative blend of humor that put The Kids in the Hall on the comedic map.