Kids in the Hall

Tonight @ the Riverside Theater - 7:00 PM

Apr. 05, 2008

midnight

Since their absurdist sketch comedy show ended in 1995, all five members of the Kids in the Hall have stayed visible, albeit TV personality-visible, not major-star visible. Mark McKinney spent a few years on “Saturday Night Live”; Scott Thompson became the host of “My Fabulous Gay Wedding”; Kevin McDonald guest-starred in more than a dozen sitcoms and Bruce McCulloch turned toward writing and directing. Dave Foley found the most celebrity, thanks to his sitcom “NewsRadio,” but after NBC unceremoniously canceled that program, the Kids reunited for 2000 and 2002 live tours, and then again for a 2007 performance at a Canadian comedy festival, for which they’d written a wealth of new material. They’ve generated even more new characters and sketches for their latest tour, but still promise plenty of fan favorites and, of course, ample cross-dressing. [Click here to read ExpressMilwaukee’s exclusive interview with Kevin McDonald.]

Comments (43)

Comment Feed

Did you people read the article before you butcher...

Did you people read the article before you butchered the English language, CARLA? The inference here is pretty positive.

Hanson4ever more than 16 years ago

ARE U KIDDING ME?? U CALL URSELF REPORTER WHEN U D...

ARE U KIDDING ME?? U CALL URSELF REPORTER WHEN U DONT EVEN DO RESEARCH BEFORE BLURTING STUPID FACTS OUT LIKE SOMEONE JUST KICKED U ON DOWN THERE AND U WANT TO TAKE IT OUT ON A BAND?? not to metioned they have always and will always do genuine music and great job with the carities and the music and lyrics!! oh gosh u r joke !!!

ITS CALLLEDD RESEARCH U SHOULD MOST DEF. TRY IT!

carla more than 16 years ago

Listen to their new music before you judge. Other...

Listen to their new music before you judge. Otherwise you're blindly hating a band that makes amazing indie rock. And yes, Jacob, "dudes" do like this band. Every Hanson concert I've been to I've brought a guy friend along who genuinely likes the music - and there are plenty of other guys in the audience. It's funny how so many people base their opinion of Hanson on a song they wrote when they were 10 years old. They've grown up since then. Have you?

Christine more than 16 years ago

wow...you obviously didn't do your research...i kn...

wow...you obviously didn't do your research...i know its rare but have you ever heard of someone playing music because they love it and not because they want to be on the cover of tabloids all the time?? or the fact that because of them all of their fans are getting into helping out their communities/ other parts of the world....try again

jessi more than 16 years ago

Isn't it a little curious that only women have bee...

Isn't it a little curious that only women have been defending these heartthrobs? Sex still sells horrible music apparently. Do any dudes like this band at all?

Jacob more than 16 years ago

My husband Loves Hanson and does sound and lightin...

My husband Loves Hanson and does sound and lighting for concert venues and wears his Hanson shirts to them all the time, and people are just like, "cool" or they ask about them, but it's always in a interested genuine way :)

Anonymous more than 16 years ago

I thought you had to know what you were talk about...

I thought you had to know what you were talk about to write an article on it.

Stephanie more than 16 years ago

Clearly a case of mistaken identity. The author a...

Clearly a case of mistaken identity. The author and the few who expressed surprise at those defending Hanson must be talking about a different band from the one I know. I would never presume to judge what kind of team say, the Green Bay Packers are, without first going to see a game. I should then seek out archived interviews with the coaches and players, and find out how the team is perceived by insiders who know sports and teams. Sooo, I don't suppose any of you naysayers tried that? Seeing a Hanson concert Listening to a cd? Listening to them speak personally? Spoken to others in the music industry? I think you'd be surprised to find they aren't the band you think they are. Info. and live video of Hanson is available all over the internet. . .

IndySpirit more than 16 years ago

So someone is a bit ticked off that Hanson made th...

So someone is a bit ticked off that Hanson made the big time and someone's band didn't take off so they are stuck sitting behind a desk typing with the help of an online thesaurus. I'm just saying attacking anyone on a three paragraph paper is child's play....I'm doing it right now along with a million other little tasks. This article is the definition of bad taste, unprofessionalism and just plain pathetic. If you want to attack a "bubblegum pop band" take a stab at someone who deserves it. Hanson is a band that branched out figured a way to make their life about music and did it on their own terms, their success didn't allow them to take an easy way so they could chill in Italy on the weekend they are making themselves as well as their fans aware of the problems of the world and you signing online to write some HALF ASSED article just proves how ignorant you are. Grow up and if you plan on making a career out of your writing skills I would definately recommend a bit more time figuring out what a band is all about because like you said their are a million people capable of sitting in a room listening to a band talk about their lives, music and touring...it takes a lot more to make the world aware of that in an article. Hope you are well and figuring out the meaning of research (here's a tip there's a link to an online dictionary from the thesaurus page).

Glenda more than 16 years ago

I give you some kudos for making this article soun...

I give you some kudos for making this article sound decent in the sense of your use of big words and phrases but your researach is CRAP!. Isnt that what makes an article worth something? How much research you put into it and less of your own thoughts and opinions? I suggest you attend one of their concerts and then write an article about them. Oh and dont forget your research!!

Melly more than 16 years ago

Wow. You sound a little 13 year old boy pissed off...

Wow. You sound a little 13 year old boy pissed off at the world because your girlfriend likes Hanson more than you. Just because they've had more success than you ever will (and they are more than likely half your age) is no reason to not drink their proverbial lemonade... Give them some credit, and next time, maybe have a point to your endless ramble.

Shelley more than 16 years ago

I understand Hanson may not be your cup of tea whe...

I understand Hanson may not be your cup of tea when it comes to music. But get over yourself and do some basic research. Thousands of children in Africa now have shoes on their feet directly due to Hanson's efforts. How many other bands can say the same? How many other bands willingly walk barefooted through snow, rain, glass, scorching heat etc. Not to mention the fact they encourage fans to do the same thing so we can see what those children in Africa go through everyday. And they only ask that we walk a mile. Next time Hanson is in your area and you want to see something empowering, go take The Walk with them and THEN write your article. I would love to see your comments. PS. Here's where you should have gotten your information from. http://www.takethewalk.net/

Kelly more than 16 years ago

Oh boy, where to start on your sad and so misinfor...

Oh boy, where to start on your sad and so misinformed attempt at writing.

Hanson are not a one hit wonder. "Mmmbop was their first hit but "Where's The Love" was a pretty big success too. Also their first single "Penny and Me" from their independent album "Underneath" went to number one on the Indie charts and the album itself debuted at number one on the Indie charts.

Hanson aren't fighting tooth and nail on anything. They love making music and have an amazing fanbase that know just how talented these three guys are and we have stuck with them when narrow-minded people like you try to put them down.

They dropped their record label, not the other way around. They got sick of being on a label that kept turning down all their songs (which every one of those songs that were rejected were on "Underneath" I reiterate, debuted at number one on the Indie charts).

Your total lack of research and non-witty sarcasm in this sad excuse for an article is laughable and instead of making Hanson look bad, you just turned it on yourself.

I also suggest you pick up their newest release 2007 "The Walk" album. Which they are touring for right now and before each show are doing a one mile walk for AIDs research in Africa. Also check out Takethewalk.net for alot more info.

Pretty sad I can write a better article on memory than you can do with your "knowledge of Hanson."

~Ashley

Ashley more than 16 years ago

It obvious you dont do your research. Otherwise yo...

It obvious you dont do your research. Otherwise you'd know that not only do Hanson still have fans-more than you've had blog views btw-but they also happen to have the most active fan site dedicated to a band in the world,as well as are the most popular indie band in the US.Lay off the oh woe is me act and get a real job.

Amanda more than 16 years ago

Well said Amanda!!! Attending any shows on this to...

Well said Amanda!!! Attending any shows on this tour? Milwaukee was awesome and oh sooo packed!!! yes I said packed as in a LOT of people willing to pay to see such an awesome group of guys! Go Hanson! Cant wait for Chicago.

-melly

Anonymous more than 16 years ago

Umm... if they are aided by a pitbull PR firm, why...

Umm... if they are aided by a pitbull PR firm, why don't you just print the release. I bet the release has useful information presented in a non-biased way, and doesn't read like a half-assed attempt at an article. You give journalists a horible name.

Samantha more than 16 years ago

wow. terrible article. perhaps next time you could...

wow. terrible article. perhaps next time you could do a little research about hanson. kthanks.

kay more than 16 years ago

Evan, You obviously have never read the principle...

Evan, You obviously have never read the principles of journalism have you? I'll give you a little crash course..The #1 most important thing is OBLIGATION to the TRUTH. Which you've clearly failed at. And how about #3... VERIFICATION of information. "This discipline of verification is what separates journalism from other modes of communication, such as propaganda, fiction or entertainment." (to quote journalism.org) It doesn't take a journalist to see that you fall into that latter category. ... Unfortunately there are still ignorant people like you who refuse to deviate from the stigmatic tradition of ragging on Hanson long after the guys have shed their golden locks, and "bubble gum" pop sound. Somehow it's unfathomable that they could possibly have gotten married, had children, created their own label, and are tirelessly working for a charitable cause 11 yr's after MMMBop! But I guess we fans of the guys really shouldn't take what you say so personally. Especially after what you confessed in one of your previous rants: "More than most, I understand that vocals are a matter of taste. I can barely listen to great albums by great bands (gives a few examples) ..simply because those bands' respective singers make me cringe."

BlueDolphin more than 16 years ago

Get your facts straight bud. Before writing someth...

Get your facts straight bud. Before writing something like this do some research !

Sailor Hanson more than 16 years ago

evan rytlewski (whoever the heck you are)...you're...

evan rytlewski (whoever the heck you are)...you're just a pipsqueak kid. hanson, struggling to fight after their 15 minutes of fame expired is pathetic? what about you? a virtual nobody writing worthless 200-word crappy excuses for articles on the internet...wow, that sure is cool, you're almost a journalist. how about you take your liberal arts degree (what...major in journalism, minor in philosophy? yeah, you'll go real far) and try to be a real writer - maybe you'll fight for your 15 minutes of fame one day too...but i doubt you'll even get the chance. i checked out your blog - 842 total page views! i bet you feel pretty proud of yourself. but that's nothing compared to being editor at a college newspaper...hopefully your mommy saved all your articles. you're inaccurate, check your facts. and cheer up - i realize you're bummed because your boss made you write about hanson, but hey, don't be too disappointed...when you go back home to mom and dad's later tonight, maybe you can rock out to your american idol compilation.

megan more than 16 years ago

wow this guy doesn't know what he's talking about....

wow this guy doesn't know what he's talking about. And it's so biased and sarcastic. I thought journalists were suppose to give facts not put something down they don't understand cuz they don't think it's "cool" or something. I've laughed though the whole thing. What a terrible innacurate article. I totally just wasted my time reading it....oh and what's with the 8 yr. old picture up there? Get a clue.

Miranda more than 16 years ago

I just cant STAND it when I read a piece of journa...

I just cant STAND it when I read a piece of journalism that has not been researched prior to print. this is such an example.

a) Hanson's label didn't drop them. the label dissolved, sending the band to IDJ. HANSON made the decision to leave IDJ, not the other way around.

b) their documentary. it started out as a film about the making of their new album (Underneath). After miles of footage from the studio to the phone with execs, and 80 songs later, the band made the decision to turn the film into a documentary about the corruption of the record industry, and they chose to leave the label.

c) 'Walk Around the World' is NOT a joke. it is something that the band is very passionate about after a visit with a friend to Africa. The band is raising thousands of dollars through downloads, one mile walks and a partnership with Toms Shoes for children who suffer from aids in Africa.

long story short? whether you LIKE the band and their music or not, YOU as a journalist are morally obligated to give a fair and objective article backed by research. you owe that to the people who read your rag. seriously.

just in case you are wondering? I have been a music fan for over 40 years and spent 20 of it in the business.

journalism like this disgusts me.

Anne more than 16 years ago

Are people really defending Hanson? All of you wh...

Are people really defending Hanson? All of you who have left a comment sound more stupid than this band ever could. YOU are the ones who need to "get a clue". Hanson... HA!

Anonymous more than 16 years ago

So why did you bother leaving a comment? ...

So why did you bother leaving a comment?

Anonymous more than 16 years ago

Thanks to Hanson fans, I now know that God is dead...

Thanks to Hanson fans, I now know that God is dead, and we are all alone.

Thanks for continuing to play the role of the lowest common denominator.

PS - Please don't reproduce...EVER.

Jacob more than 16 years ago

If you hate Hanson so much, why did you read this ...

If you hate Hanson so much, why did you read this article in the first place?

Anonymous more than 16 years ago

hey evan. get a clue.

next time you attempt ...

hey evan. get a clue.

next time you attempt to write something about this band (hopefully never) do your freaking homework.

The only joke here is you.

Whitney more than 16 years ago

you clearly have NO IDEA what you are talking abou...

you clearly have NO IDEA what you are talking about, Its actually quite a shame you were even allwed to publish this pathetic article......do your reaseach hunny cause you might possibly be the worst journalist ever!!!

eff you more than 16 years ago

and how hard is it to find a new pic of them?? foo...

and how hard is it to find a new pic of them?? fool...

YouSuck2 more than 16 years ago

I usually do not comment and such things, and I ca...

I usually do not comment and such things, and I can tell u i have read numerous, possibly in the 100's reviews/articles on the guys. And this is only my 2nd time having to comment...You need to do a bit mroe research before you make assumptions on "what happened" to these guys. They did not get dropped from their ecord label for 1. THEY dropped their label. And created their own. And their show is NOT for charity, it is for their album, The Walk. Now they do promote their charities during their shows...and if you did your research you would know what you were talking about. Maybe you should go to the show and see these MEN in action...and the fans response...it's all about the music baby...and on a childish note..you suck

YouSuckLMAO more than 16 years ago

Kerri, you got it right when you used the words "w...

Kerri, you got it right when you used the words "worst" and "Hanson" in the same sentence.

Diane more than 16 years ago

Wow, could you be more biased? You give journalism...

Wow, could you be more biased? You give journalism a bad name and hopefully after this article you'll be fighting tooth and nail just to keep a job. Grow up and act like a professional already.

Emm more than 16 years ago

So...can we assume that someone assigned you to do...

So...can we assume that someone assigned you to do this piece b/c of the tenacity of the PR firm, and your preconceived notions and lack of knowledge about this band and their music resulted in this piece of unresearched, biased writing? Oh, by the way, the photo of them you used is from 2000...eight years ago. I'm sure the pitbulls at the PR firm would have given you a recent one if you had asked. It would have been nice if you had given the music a listen too.

LANM more than 16 years ago

I think what's more surprising is Mr. Rytlewski's ...

I think what's more surprising is Mr. Rytlewski's durability as a writer. My father (who's strong suit could not be farther from writing) could've written this better, and he isn't really a fan of Hanson either!

Beth more than 16 years ago

There are no words for how bad this article is. Y...

There are no words for how bad this article is. You consider this journalism?

Kenna more than 16 years ago

this article is the worst hanson related article i...

this article is the worst hanson related article i have read in all my years as a hanson fan i have never read an article that was so dead on wrong this reporter gives reporting a bad name since they didnt get their story right i hope that hanson sees this article and slaps a lawsuit on this writer for getting his facts wrong

kerri more than 16 years ago

Evan you are a complete moron.
1. They didn't ha...

Evan you are a complete moron.
1. They didn't have to fight tooth and nail to stay in the spotlight. They have an AMAZING core of fans who admire them for what they do. Me included.
2. Their label didn't drop them. They left.
3. They NEVER passed themselves off as victims (if you actually paid attention to the documentary you would know that). Their original label was bought out by another that didn't agree with their style of music. They did fight tooth and nail with the label to remain true to their (Hanson's) style, got tired of it and left to start their own label. Which takes amazing guts to do.
4. Your silly comment about nicely branding their tours as charitable events. This is the first tour they have done that and I and millions of other fans applaud that they are out walking for a good cause. Too bad more bands don't do that.
5. They do embrace their MMMBop days, but not as a joke. What joke are you even talking about?
6. Agressive in their fan outreach? Last time I checked, new fans are coming in and fans that may have lost touch are coming back becuase they write amazing music. One of the few bands that write and play their own stuff that's actually clean, fun and upbeat.
7. Pit-bull PR firm? Hanson doesn't need that. They do well on their own thank you very much. Their fan base is good at spreading the word.

It seems to me that with your article you managed to show your stupidity and narrow-mindness and that you are still stuck in 1997.

Judy more than 16 years ago

Thankfully this is apparent to the rest of those r...

Thankfully this is apparent to the rest of those reading this article, but you clearly have no idea what this band is all about. To say they are 'fading pop stars' who are 'embracing their bubblegum roots' is just ludacris. Next time someone does you a favor and lets you write an article, perhaps you should check your facts so as you can atleast APPEAR to be a competent journalist.

Kacie more than 16 years ago

hey evan your an idiot. next time your going to at...

hey evan your an idiot. next time your going to attack a band that actually writes good music do your homework ya moron

thetruthteller more than 16 years ago

Hanson hasn't disappeared because of their PR--the...

Hanson hasn't disappeared because of their PR--they've stuck around because they produce amazing music.

You obviously didn't do your research prior to writing this.... you probably took up this writing opportunity to make a quick dime.

Cecilia more than 16 years ago

1. Hanson left their label, the label didn't drop...

1. Hanson left their label, the label didn't drop them. Did you watch the movie?
2. Hanson was not a 1 hit wonder can you name the other three?
3. What joke are you referring to?

do your homework before you post an article like that.

Maura more than 16 years ago

Wow, you really did your homeworkd on this one! *r...

Wow, you really did your homeworkd on this one! *rollseyes*

Emma more than 16 years ago

Did you actually see Strong Enough To Break? Hanso...

Did you actually see Strong Enough To Break? Hanson were neither dropped, nor apparently victims. They bought out their contract, started their own label, and put out the music they wanted to put out.

Anonymous more than 16 years ago