The Vacant Lot Explained

Genre:Comedy
Country:Canada
Language:English
Num Episodes:6
Runtime:30 minutes

The Vacant Lot is a short-lived sketch comedy show starring the comedy group of the same name, which CBC Television ran for only six episodes starting in December 1993.[1] The Vacant Lot was originally extended for another 13 episodes, which were scripted but never filmed when new president of the CBC Perrin Beatty wanted to phase out of edgy comedy programs in favor of lighter fare such as This Hour Has 22 Minutes. The show was produced by Cynthia Grech, primarily directed by Rob Quartly and executive producers were Lorne Michaels, Pam Thomas and Jim Biederman, all of whom were producers of CBC's The Kids in the Hall (in which the members appeared on as extras from time to time).

Unlike The Kids in the Hall, The Vacant Lot consists of filmed sketches that were screened to a studio audience. The show would also have a musical piece each episode and did not have recurring characters.

CBC sold the show to Comedy Central, which did not air the episodes until July 1994.[2] The Vacant Lot was shown as a Fourth of July marathon on that network.

Nick McKinney, a member of The Vacant Lot, is the brother of The Kids in the Hall member and Saturday Night Live veteran Mark McKinney.[3] The show's other cast members were Rob Gfroerer, Vito Viscomi, and Paul Greenberg, where they originally started as a trio until they met McKinney at a party.

The Vacant Lot opening theme music was "Pretty Vacant" by The Sex Pistols.

Episode list

Episode 1Blinded By The LightBoxing 1You May Go...NowChamber of HorrorsShiatzuBoxing 2CustomsSlept on His ArmsBoxing 3
Episode 2The Time HelmetFive Bucks! 1Mr. Wiggle's ClubhouseFive Bucks! 2The HeadFive Bucks 3Pamper MeMr. Wiggle's Clubhouse 2
Episode 3Laundry Day FashionsSteamiesBurglar and Dog 1BonnetOf Mice and SnoopyBurglar and Dog 2Burglar and Dog 3The Silent Ventriloquist"We're Gonna Get Lucky Tonight" Song
Episode 4Chocolate MousseNose ClippersPants! The MusicalBus StopI'm BoredTrash Can Fight 1Pizza DeliveryTrash Can Fight 2
Episode 5Police Line-UpEmergency RescueJesus in the Classroom 1PygmalionJesus in the Classroom 2The ThreadJesus in the Classroom 3Knee Slap
Episode 6Party MusicKilling Your DadDance Avant de TomberWas the Party Too Loud, Mr. Smithers?Eggtown Boy 1My Music Will Live On(This Song's Gonna Make A) Great VideoEggtown Boy

Notes and References

  1. News: Slotek . Jim . 'Nerds and Monsters': 'Like Gilligan's Islands meets Lord Of The Flies' . . June 23, 2014 . August 17, 2018.
  2. News: Weber . Bruce . TV WEEKEND; Son of 'Saturday Night Live' and 'Kids in the Hall' . . August 12, 1994 . August 17, 2018.
  3. Book: Semley, John . This Is a Book About the Kids in the Hall . . 2016 . 978-1-7709-0920-5.