Reality-Comedy TV Series Kenny vs Spenny
Kenny Hotz and Spencer Rice Vie to Humiliate Each Other
Jan 6, 2009
Kenny vs Spenny is a reality-comedy series where two best friends—Kenny Hotz and Spencer Rice—compete against one another in head-to-head challenges. The motivation? The winner of each episode picks a humiliating act to be performed by the loser.
From trying to drink the most beer to kissing the most women, the challenges are hilarious and bizarre with unexpected twists.
Each 23-minute episode centers on one competition. At the beginning of each show Kenny and Spenny discuss the rules of the competition and the remainder of the episode follows their hi-jinx as the challenge unfolds.
Kenny and Spenny often address the camera and the crew films each episode in a guerilla style. Most of the show, which wrapped season five in 2008, takes place in the Toronto home the friends share.
Competitions in Kenny vs Spenny Episodes
Kenny vs Spenny episodes pit the two friends against each other in specific competitions. Most Kenny vs Spenny episodes fall into four main types:
- Endurance competitions test how long Kenny and Spenny can either do something or refrain from doing something. In “Who Can Stay Awake the Longest” the two spent days without sleeping, while “Who Can Sit on a Cow the Longest” challenged the Toronto residents to remain on the back of a bovine.
- Not all of the challenges, however, demand brute strength. Mental-strength competitions, such as “First One to be Mean Loses” examine the friendship of the two stars, Kenny and Spenny.
- A judging panel evaluates the talent competitions. Kenny vs Spenny episodes such as “Who is the Funnier” and “Who's the Best Soldier” tested the duo’s abilities to ace a stand up routine and survive boot camp respectively.
- When Kenny and Spenny head out into the streets of Toronto some of the funniest moments of the show occur. The public-interaction competitions, such as “Who Can Kiss More Women” and “Who Can Sell More Bibles”, offer lots of laughs to viewers.
Historically, while Spencer Rice holds true to the rules and the intention of the competition Kenny Hotz seeks every way possible to win—especially if it means breaking the rules and tormenting Spenny.
Whoever loses the competition must complete a "Humiliation", which is a task picked by the winner. If neither Kenny nor Spenny win and the competition ends in a draw then both must complete a Humiliation. Over the show's five seasons Spenny has performed more humiliations than Kenny.
Other Kenny vs Spenny Characters
In addition to the title characters, Kenny vs Spenny features a number of other recurring characters who affect the outcome of competitions. These include:
- Kenny Hotz’s mom, Mrs. Hotz: Kenny pretended that his mother had died (and even staged a funeral) in a plot to win the “Who can win a 10 mile race” episode.
- Dr. Goldberg: Although not credited in the show's Internet Movie Database credits, the doctor has a reoccurring role as Kenny’s naturopathic pharmacist, providing him with pills and potions to get a leading edge over Spenny.
- The Crew: The sound and film crew feature in every episode interacting with Spenny and acting as an audience for Kenny’s pranks.
Broadcast History of Kenny vs Spenny Episodes
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation first aired the Kenny vs Spenny show in 2002. After being canceled by CBC the show moved to Showcase.
Beginning in season 4, Trey Parker and Matt Stone—creators of South Park—became executive producers of the show. The Internet Movie Database reports that the show has licensed versions of the Kenny vs Spenny formula in nearly 20 countries.
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