Kids In The Hall's Journal

Funnyman Mark McKinney of “Kids in the Hall” fame was the recent recipient of the Peter Ustinov Award for comedy, and he is currently working on creating a new hit show, “Death Comes to Town,” with former “KITH” alum Bruce McCulloch, Dave Foley, Kevin McDonald and Scott Thompson. Filming of the show, which will air as an eight-part miniseries, will begin in August, and the characters are said to be versions of the infamously hilarious personalities audiences came to love on “Kids in the Hall.”

“Death Comes to Town” will appear on CBC first, and McKinney has said that he has hopes that the show will later be aired in the U.S., having the potential to be one of the coveted Canuck gems to transcend television borders. "I think Canada does have, on a per-capita basis, a better tradition of pursuing those shows whose appeal is going to be narrow but deep, like ‘Kids in the Hall,’” he said in an interview with Canwest News Service. “They're shows that will be known and respected and re-watched."

McKinney said that comedy, more and more, will become a North American industry as opposed to two distinct ones (Canadian and U.S.). "When a critical mass of people stop going to the United States because the opportunities are here in Canada, we're going to see the sitcoms and the $300-million comedies," he said. "I mean, imagine if the next Mike Myers or Jim Carrey stays at home to do a $10-million comedy for a Canadian company that has a good distribution deal in the United States. Those types of things will start making a difference."

Mark McKinney first’s big “claim to fame” was starring on “Kids in the Hall,” which he followed up with stints on the shows “Slings and Arrows,” “Saturday Night Live” and “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip.”Look for “Death Comes to Town” sometime in 2010.

Dave Foley voices elf in 2009 holiday special

'Prep and Landing'
ABC has picked up Disney Animation's holiday spec 'Prep and Landing,' about a team of elite elves who prepare houses for Santa's arrival.

Walt Disney Animation Studios

Half-hour animated event revolves around an elite elves unit -- known as Prep and Landing -- that makes sure homes are ready for Santa's visit. Story centers on an elf (Dave Foley) who thinks he's about to get a promotion -- but instead is paired with a new recruit (Derek Richardson). The duo then go on their Christmas Eve mission, where they encounter unexpected challenges.

Sarah Chalke also provides a voice.

"It's all the humor you're used to seeing from the Disney animation and has great story appeal for adults," said Vicki Dummer, co-head of alternative series, specials and latenight at ABC.

"Prep and Landing" actually came out of an initiative Lasseter launched when he first took over Disney Animation Studios. Lasseter asked animators to come up with ideas for shorts.

Later, during a meet-and-greet, ABC development execs took a look at the shorts and liked what they saw in "Prep and Landing."

"We were charmed by it and thought it was adorable," Dummer said. "Probably about five or six months later, Lasseter came in and pitched it as a television Christmas special."

"Bolt" director Chris Williams originally came up with the concept for "Prep and Landing" but then was too busy on that feature to take part in the TV special.

Current Mood: blah

ABC unwraps Disney toon for X-Mas

Dave Foley voices elf in 2009 holiday special

By MICHAEL SCHNEIDER

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