Mask and Wig meets 'Chicken Lady'

Kids in the Hall star Mark McKinney stopped by Cavanaugh's Restaurant Friday -- and had a front row seat for a Mask and Wig performance. While he was there, McKinney chatted with local reporters and received an award from the mayor's office. McKinney began the afternoon speaking to reporters from local and school newspapers about his work on Saturday Night Live, his new movie Brain Candy, which is due out in mid-April, and Kids in the Hall. "The show had become a rabid dog that needed to be shot and killed," said McKinney. "Four days after the season ended, we all went to a cabin and gave ourselves eight days to think of an idea." McKinney, well-loved for his Chicken Lady sketch, recalled his short-lived college years, explaining that he failed out of school at the University of Newfoundland. "I actually fought flunking, tried to study, went through the motions," he said. "I got involved in the radio stations, drugs and a relationship. "The only reason I think I succeeded was because I never thought about making it," McKinney added. McKinney was then pulled away from the impromptu press conference to receive an award from Mayor Ed Rendell's Chief of Staff Ted Beitchman. Because of Philadelphia's current financial status, Beitchman explained, McKinney would not be receiving a major gift. "We do not have enough money to give out keys to the city -- or key chains for that matter," joked Beitchman. Instead Beitchman gave McKinney a warm handshake and a miniature Liberty Bell, adding "at least this one rings." But the highlight of the afternoon at Cavanaugh's was a performance by Mask and Wig. "I'm excited because several networks are supposed to be there," said College senior and Mask and Wig member Joel Chasnoff, a Daily Pennsylvanian columnist. "It's good coverage for the group and the school." Entertainment Tonight did not show up as rumored. But Russel Cerminara, president of a local cable station called the Good News Network, said that although he came primarily to see McKinney, he really enjoyed the show and wanted his station to be notified of future performances. Mask and Wig's sketches represented a colorful array of past performances. Wharton junior Jeff Klein, a member of Mask and Wig, came out at the end of the performance in a flowing pink nightgown and a long blond wig to present a rose to McKinney. "I thought they were really tight," McKinney said. "I really liked it, especially the musical stuff. You can tell they've really practiced." McKinney told the Mask and Wig members that he often has to fake laughter when watching performances -- which he didn't have to do Friday afternoon. Representatives from Allied Advertising, a Philadelphia company that organized the event to help McKinney promote his movie, asked Mask and Wig to perform before the film's preview at Cinemagic 3 on April 10. Several Mask and Wig members said they felt the group performed well, but were disappointed by the size of the crowd, which was small and mostly made up of reporters. "We were really disappointed we didn't get to see the Chicken Lady," said College freshman David Baronoff, a Mask and Wig member.