The first book to explore their history, legacy, and influence

This is a book about the Kids in the Hall — the legendary Canadian sketch comedy troupe formed in Toronto in 1984 and best known for the innovative, hilarious, zeitgeist-capturing sketch show The Kids in the Hall — told by the people who were there, namely the Kids themselves. John Semley’s thoroughly researched book is rich with interviews with Dave Foley, Mark McKinney, Bruce McCulloch, Kevin McDonald, and Scott Thompson, as well as Lorne Michaels and comedians speaking to the Kids’ legacy: Janeane Garofalo, Tim Heidecker, Nathan Fielder, and others. It also turns a critic’s eye on that legacy, making a strong case for the massive influence the Kids have exerted, both on alternative comedy and on pop culture more broadly.

The Kids in the Hall were like a band: a group of weirdoes brought together, united by a common sensibility. And, much like a band, they’re always better when they’re together. This is a book about friendship, collaboration, and comedy — and about clashing egos, lost opportunities, and one-upmanship. This is a book about the head-crushing, cross-dressing, inimitable Kids in the Hall.

JOHN SEMLEY is a freelance writer and researcher based in Philadelphia. His writing has appeared in Wired, the Believer, Harper’s, New Republic, the New York Times Magazine, Esquire, the Guardian, the Baffler, the Philadelphia Inquirer, VICE, Salon, Maclean’s, Eater, SHARP Magazine, the AV Club, The Walrus, the Literary Review of Canada, the Toronto Star, and the Globe & Mail. He has also appeared as a commentator on CBS News, NBC Nightly News, CBC Radio, and Public Radio International.

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“Finally! The Kids in the Hall gets the book their legendary body of work deserves. Just like its subject matter, This Is a Book About the Kids in the Hall is funny, insightful, freewheeling, and strangely touching.” — Tom Scharpling, host of the The Best Show

“Head-crushingly good! Semley has written an immensely readable exploration of one of the architects of contemporary comedy.” — Nathan Rabin, columnist, author of You Don’t Know Me But You Don’t Like Me

“I liked this book so much. I love reading behind-the-scenes dissections of what makes comedy groups work, and I kind of can’t believe there wasn’t one about the Kids already. Now there is one, and it’s delightful! Thank god!” — Mallory Ortberg, author of Texts from Jane Eyre

“Semley's comprehensive and engagingly written book will appeal primarily to fans of the Kids and also those interested in the history of the comedy scene of the 1980s and 1990s.” — Library Journal

“The personal and interpersonal troubles, network struggles, failures, and triumphs of The Kids in the Hall make the reading absolutely compulsive.” — Psychobabble