Kenny Vs. Spenny - Overview

Overview

Kenny and Spenny have contrasting personalities, which has an impact on the way each approaches the competitions. Spenny almost always follows the rules and his ethics very strictly. He also tries to compete in what he perceives as the intention and spirit of the competition statement. Kenny's approach is typically more unorthodox; he is often willing to use any means necessary—including cheating—to win. Though he does not always break the rules, he is usually willing to bend them. Kenny sometimes admits that he would not win certain competitions without cheating. Spenny will often bear the brunt of Kenny's plans and pranks. Spenny is often paranoid and sometimes this causes him to sabotage his own efforts. Kenny occasionally uses this paranoia to his advantage. Kenny has occasionally used his position as executive producer to threaten crew members and force them to help him and/or not help Spenny.

Beyond their competitive styles, the contrasting personalities of the two stars is the source of much of the humour of the show. Kenny is generally portrayed as an uncouth and charismatic joker with a bizarre scatological sense of humor. Spenny is a classic straight man. As he stated in one episode, "I haven't had a belly laugh since 1987." He rarely laughs or makes jokes on camera. Spenny usually reacts with exasperation to Kenny's antics, which are often directed at him. Spenny's most common emotional reaction on the show is anger at some act which Kenny has committed. Occasionally, Kenny's pranks move beyond simple character assassination. In one instance he secretly gave Spenny several hits of LSD. In another he forged a letter to Spenny from the Ontario Ministry of Health, informing Spenny that he had been in contact with someone who was HIV positive.