Kids in the Hall makes humorously dark return

They're no longer kids, but "Old Dudes in the Hall" just doesn't cut it.

Kids in the Hall, the five-member Canadian sketch comedy troupe that disbanded in the 1990s, has reunited for an eight-part comedy-murder mystery debuting at 10 tonight on the Independent Film Channel.

It marks the first time in 15 years the Kids have performed together on TV. They did get together for a 2008 comedy tour.

The miniseries, "Kids in the Hall: Death Comes to Town," contains the same kind of absurd, surreal humor that earned the troupe a loyal following when its TV series ran on HBO and CBS from 1988 to 1995.

Returning are Dave Foley, 47; Bruce McCulloch, 49; Kevin McDonald, 49; Scott Thompson, 51; and Mark McKinney, 51.

In the comedy, the Grim Reaper arrives - via bus - in smalltown Shuckton, Ontario, and mayhem follows. The Kids play all the characters - about 20 oddball townsfolk.

Two back-to-back episodes will air on Fridays through Sept. 10.

In the first episode we meet Crim, the Purell-sniffing town ne'er-do-well; Doc Porterhouse, the friendly town abortionist; Marnie, the loveable pizza delivery lady with Alzheimer's; Mayor Larry Bowman and his wife, Marilyn, a "secret drinker"; Shuckton's Action News team; and Ricky, a 600-pound ex-hockey star.

On the second episode, one of the residents is found murdered, and the police are called in to investigate. Action News anchor Corrinda is awakened by her producer, Levon, from a drunken one-night-stand and called into action. Dusty, the town coroner, attends to the crime scene and bags his evidence.

"It's a gothic comic miniseries," McCulloch says. "Like 'Corner Gas' meets 'Twin Peaks.' It's silly and it's dark, and it's about outsiders and people in over their heads."

The group took its name from TV comedy skit pioneer Sid Caesar, who used to blame bad jokes on the aspiring writers who hung around the hall outside his office in hopes of pitching a gag and getting a job.

The troupe split up after one ill-fated movie, "Brain Candy," released in 1996. Reportedly, there were creative conflicts and ego clashes. Foley went on to co-star in "NewsRadio" and since has appeared in guest roles on TV shows.

BABYLAND: WFTS, Channel 28, anchor Wendy Ryan gave birth to Raquel Ryan Ritchey on Friday.

Arriving early via C-section, Raquel weighed in at nearly 4 pounds. Ryan has been in the hospital since July 21.

Meanwhile, WTSP, Channel 10, anchor Heather Van Ness is expecting her first child in October. She's been blogging about it occasionally at her Heather's Natural Health website.

THE HOFSTER: Coming off a surprisingly funny celebrity roast of himself on "Comedy Central," David Hasselhoff hosts a CW network special airing at 8 p.m. Aug. 27 that pays tribute to the victims of the Gulf oil leak.

He sings during "The Gulf Is Back," a free public concert that was taped in Biloxi, Miss. It also features Brian McKnight, Lonestar, Taylor Hicks, Bo Bice and Terri Clark.

The program also highlights fishing trips, boat rides and hot spots along the coast with stars Ricky Skaggs, Ace Young, Kyle and Chris Massey, Drake Bell, Dean Cain, Shannon Elizabeth and B.B. King.

TUNE IN TONIGHT

"Eureka," at 9 on Syfy

The cast and crew got good news this week when the series was picked up for a fifth season. The catastrophe threatening the town this week involves people turning to stone.