The X-files was once the ultimate show in must see television during the early 1990’s, before it collapsed on a wealth of government conspiracies, aliens, black oil and Indian burial grounds. These odd plot developments were responsible for millions abandoning the show and also make it ripe for parody. Who better then to parody it but one of the most loved characters (no, not Gillian Anderson or David Duchovny) but Dean Halund who’s name wont ring a bell but is instantly recognisable as the blonde member of ‘the lone gunmen’ who he confesses bares a striking similarity to Garth from Wayne’s World! Halund spends next to an hour creating a new episode of the x-files with the audience deciding on the monster and the plot. But before fans of the show get too excited it’s really just a thinly veiled premise to get ‘bums on seats’. The show is really a long mass of improvisation games which is expertly handled by Halund. For he is surprisingly quick witted and even with a hesitant crowd (who are all too aware that if they shout out an idea run the risk of being called up on stage) somehow manages to charm enough audience members to make a full shows worth of material.
The viewers laugh along at his fun mix of games, such as getting to add sound effects as he mimes his daily routine, to having an eager fan to act as his hands while he performs an amusing monologue.
Dean Halland with lightning quick response time has the audience constantly entertained but never fully explores its interesting premise.
3/5
Martin Miller
