Kath & Kim
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| Kath & Kim | |
|---|---|
 Kath & Kim intertitle |
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| Genre | Comedy |
| Created by | Gina Riley Jane Turner |
| Starring | Gina Riley Jane Turner Glenn Robbins Peter Rowsthorn Magda Szubanski |
| Opening theme | The Joker, performed by Gina Riley |
| Country of origin |  Australia |
| No. of seasons | 4 |
| No. of episodes | Regular 32 (as of October 14, 2007) Telemovie 1 (List of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Location(s) | Melbourne, Victoria |
| Running time | Approx. 22 minutes per episode. |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | ABC TV (2002-2005) Seven Network (2007-present) |
| Picture format | 576i (SDTV) |
| Audio format | Stereo |
| Original airing | May 16, 2002 |
| External links | |
| Official website | |
| IMDb profile | |
| TV.com summary | |
Kath & Kim is a Logie Award-winning character-driven Australian television comedy series, created by Jane Turner and Gina Riley. The series revolves around the family matters and relationships of the title characters, a dysfunctional mother and daughter. Kath & Kim stars Jane Turner as Kath Day-Knight, a cheerful 50-something divorcee currently in a happy relationship with her fiancé (and then husband), the prissy Kel Knight. She deals with her spoilt, ever complaining, 20-something daughter Kim Craig; Kim's unlucky, sports obsessed second best friend Sharon Strzelecki; Kim's estranged husband Brett Craig; and their baby daughter Epponnee Rae Craig. The series is set in the fictional suburb of Fountain Lakes, in Melbourne, Victoria, but is primarily filmed in and around areas of Patterson Lakes, Melbourne.[1]
Kath & Kim premièred on ABC TV from May 16, 2002, until November 24, 2004, while a television movie, entitled Da Kath and Kim Code, was broadcast nationally on November 25, 2005. The series also airs on broadcast networks internationally, including RTÉ Two in Ireland, TV3 in New Zealand, TV2 in Finland and LIVING and BBC Two in the United Kingdom. In the United States the first two seasons aired on Trio in 2004, while the Sundance Channel aired the third season. Kath & Kim has garnered much critical acclaim since its debut, winning two Logie Awards, for "Outstanding Comedy Programme" and the "Best Television Drama Series" award at the Australian Film Institute Awards. In Australia, it has become a pop culture phenomenon, and is a success with audiences nationwide. Internationally, the series has spawned a cult fanbase, and in 2006 it was announced an American version of the series will be produced, to air on NBC.[2] The show is set to begin airing during the fall of 2008.[3] Riley and Turner are serving as executive producers on the US version.
The fourth season of Kath & Kim began airing on the Seven Network on August 19, 2007 at 7:30pm, due to contract expiring with ABC. The first season four episode attracted an Australian audience of 2.521 million nationally,[4] making it the most watched television programme in 2007[5] and the highest rating ever for a first episode in the history of Australian television.[4] There are currently no plans or dates set for a fifth series.[citation needed]
Contents |
[edit] Premise
Kath & Kim follows the day-to-day Australian suburban life of Kath Day-Knight (Jane Turner), her only daughter Kimberly Craig née Day (Gina Riley), Kim's husband Brett Craig (Peter Rowsthorn), Kath's love interest and eventual husband butcher Kel Knight (Glenn Robbins), and long-time family friend Sharon Strzelecki (Magda Szubanski). Kim and Brett have a baby in the final episode of the second series whom they name Epponnee-Raelene Kathleen Darlene Charlene Craig, shortened to Epponnee-Rae.
The series is set mainly at Kath's townhouse residence located in Fountain Lakes, which is actually a house in the waterfront street of Lagoon Place, Patterson Lakes, Victoria.[1] Kath and Kel are rarely alone, as Kim frequently occupies the house due to her rocky relationship with Brett (most of which appears to be due to her own childish and spoilt behaviour), and Sharon visits frequently. Later events, such as in the second series when Kim and Brett's apartment suffers structural damage, and in the third series when their house is repossessed, lead to both couples living under the same roof to further comic situations. Kath often finds herself and her space invaded by Kim bombarding her home. When not at home, the show documents the characters' daily lives around suburban Melbourne, visiting places such as the Fountain Gate Shopping Centre (actually filmed at Southland Shopping Centre during the first season), the local IKEA store, Target, and various local restaurants.
Most episodes follow the characters day-to-day lives, and documents personal struggles, achievements and follows their goals. Kath & Kim satirises the habits and values of modern suburban Australians, and emphasises the kitsch and superficial elements of contemporary society, particularly the traditional working class which has progressed to a level of affluence (or "effluence" as quoted by Kath) which previous generations had been unable to achieve. It also occasionally mocks Australian (and international) popular culture, such as popular television shows like Big Brother and Australian Idol. The strong script, crass and embarrassing behaviour of the characters, and their gaudy, out-dated fashion sense are popular features of the show. The highly developed alternative vocabulary (including mixed metaphors and malapropisms) and mis-pronunciation of words by the two main characters are much-repeated by the show's fans: "Look at moiy"—which is used during arguemnts and "Its noiyce, different and unusual"—which is used when the characters see something they have an interest in.
[edit] History
The characters of Kath, Kim and Sharon were originally developed in the early 1990s in a recurring skit in the popular comedy sketch series Fast Forward. The characters returned in 1994 series Big Girl's Blouse which featured Turner, Riley and Szubanski as the only regular cast members.[6]
These skits, a send-up of fly-on-the-wall type reality TV series Weddings, followed the activities of a young woman as she, her mother, and best friend, planned her upcoming wedding. The characters continued to evolve in the short-lived comedy series Something Stupid (1998).[6]
The original skits rarely featured any characters other than Kath, Kim or Sharon. Brett Craig was mostly not seen, appearing at only his and Kim's wedding and played by Jane Turner. The character of Kath's fiancé Kel did not exist in these sketches and was specifically devised for the on-going series.[6][7]
[edit] Characters
The central characters of Kath & Kim are a suburban family living in Melbourne. Kath Day-Knight, played by Jane Turner, is a fifty-something housewife and mother living in her suburban Melbourne townhouse. She is proud of maintaining her "good-looks" and successful career, while her husband Kel Knight, played by Glenn Robbins, is a somewhat effemtive butcher. Kath's twenty-something daughter Kim Craig (neé Day), played by Gina Riley, is a young woman who works in a call centre—a position at odds with her careless, spoilt and self-absorbed personality. Kim constantly complains over trivial aspects of her life and is obsessed with food. Her failed attempts to go (and stay on) a diet are frequently lampooned throughout the series. Her husband Brett Craig, Peter Rowsthorn, is a loving man who finds it difficult, although manages to put up with his argumentative wife. The two have a daughter: Epponee Rae. Kim's best friend, Sharon Strzelecki is played by Magda Szubanski.
The show includes an array of quirky, stereotypical characters: co-workers, family friends, extended relatives, townspeople and local celebrities. The creators originally intended many of these characters as one-time jokesters or for fulfilling needed functions in the town. A number of them have gained expanded roles. In addition, the two female leads often play other characters, namely two "affluent", snobby shop assistance staff Trude and Prue.
[edit] Overview and cast list
- Kath Day-Knight played by Jane Turner: The shows central character, who is at the centre of most situations. Kath leads a successful career, having done several TAFE courses, is proud of her (somewhat challenged and dated) fashion looks and has a happy relationship with her husband and a somewhat dysfunctional but loving relationship with her extremely spoilt daughter.
- Kimberly "Kim" Craig played by Gina Riley: Kim Craig is Kath's spoilt, ever complaining and extremely lazy daughter whose self-absorbed and careless personality are at odds with her job at a call centre. She is a best friend, a baby daughter and maintains a rocky on and off relationship with her husband.
- Kel Knight played by Glenn Robbins: Kel Knight is Kath's prissy, food-loving butcher husband. He lives with her in their townhouse and is best friends with Kim's husband.
- Brett Craig played by Peter Rowsthorn: Brett is Kim's loving husband who manages to put up with her constant complaining and argumentive personality. He is also the father to their daughter and is good friends with Kim's best friend and Kel.
- Sharon Strzelecki played by Magda Szubanski: Sharon is Kim's sports obsessed "second best friend", and has a somewhat rocky, unlucky love life. She is frequently seen with an injury.
[edit] Episodes
Each episode starts with Gina Riley performing "The Joker", featuring suburban Melbourne with the cast names imposed over the background. The titles feature the main five characters, and as the series progressed were amended to include Cujo and Epponee-Rae. The style of these titles is a spoof of the opening titles to American soap The Young and the Restless[citation needed] from the period when the white background was used. They then mix into aerial shots of Fountain Lakes over which are credited the five main actors, with Szubanski credited as "Special Guest Star", despite appearing in every episode.
Twenty-four episodes lasting approximately twenty-five minutes each across three seasons have aired on ABC TV from 2002-2004. The series debuted on May 15, 2002 on the ABC Network with "Sex" and became one of the highest rating shows for ABC. A replacement of a full season occurred in 2005 with the telemovie Da Kath & Kim Code. The fourth season of Kath & Kim premièred on August 19, 2007 at 7:30pm on the Seven Network with a total of eight episodes.
| Season | Ep # | Season Premiere | Season Finale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 8 | May 15, 2002 | July 4, 2002 |
| Season 2 | 8 | September 18, 2003 | November 6, 2003 |
| Season 3 | 8 | October 7, 2004 | November 25, 2004 |
| Season 4 | 8 | August 19, 2007 | October 14, 2007 |
[edit] Reception
[edit] Ratings
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Please help improve this section by expanding it. Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion. |
Kath & Kim premiered on May 15, 2002 and became one of ABC's highest rated shows. When the show premiered on the Seven Network, it became the highest rating episode in Australian television history. The fourth season of Kath & Kim debuted with a record breaking 2.511 million viewers peaking at 2.731 million. In its second and third episodes viewers fell to 1.994 & 1.817 million respectively, however viewers then rebounded for its fourth and fifth episodes with ratings of 2.047 & 2.157 million respectively. Strong ratings continued with viewers of 2.049 and 2.066 million for the sixth and seventh episodes. The eighth episode and season finale rated 2.338 million giving the fourth season an average viewership of 2.122 million, making it the highest rating series in Australia for 2007 and the highest rating of all four series of the show.[citation needed]
Channel Seven have since started showing repeats of the show from season one onwards which had previously only aired on the ABC network. The repeats have proved quite successful rating 1.465 and 1.530 so far, winning in a very competitive timeslot and being amongst the highest rating shows of the week.[8]
[edit] Critical reception
Critical reception in Australia has been mixed, although mostly positive.[citation needed]
[edit] Merchandise
The enduring public interest and popularity of Kath and Kim has led to a merchandising industry. The title family and supporting characters appear on everything from t-shirts to posters. The Kath & Kim seasons have been released on VHS (although titles are now disconntinued in the VHS format) and DVD, in box-sets and separate season editions in both Region 4 (Australia, New Zealand, Latin America) as well as Region 2 (Europe). The series has also had a CD release, featuring songs from the series and recordings from Kath and Kim. In addition, there have been clothing (such as aprons, t-shirts and oven mitts). Merchandise is available to purchase online, from the Kath & Kim official website.
[edit] United States version
Due to the moderation of success that Kath & Kim has achieved internationally, it is currently being remade for US audiences by NBC.[9][10] In this remake, actress Molly Shannon is set to take the role of Kath Day-Knight[11], and Selma Blair in the role of Kim.[12] NBC has chosen Paul Feig to direct the pilot episode of Kath & Kim.[13] Riley and Turner will act as the executive producers for the series, which will premiere in the United States as part of the Fall schedule of 2008. The first season will initially consist of six episodes that are scheduled to start production immediately now that the Writers Guild of America strike is resolved.
[edit] Awards
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This section does not cite any references or sources. (April 2007) Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed. |
The show itself, and the cast, have been nominated several television awards in the past, including AFI Awards and Logies. In addition, Kath and Kim and Da Kath and Kim Code have won four major awards for the show itself.
[edit] Won
- 2002: Best Actress in a Supporting or Guest Role in a Television Drama (Magda Szubanski) at the AFI Awards
- 2002: Best Screenplay in a Television Drama at the AFI Awards
- 2002: Best Television Drama Series at the AFI Awards
- 2003, 2004: Most Outstanding Comedy Program at the Logies
- 2008 Most Popular Light Entertainment or Comedy Program
[edit] Nominated
- 2002: Best Screenplay in a Television Drama at the AFI Awards
- 2003, 2004, 2005: Most Popular Light Entertainment / Comedy Program at the Logies
- 2003, 2004: Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Television Drama or Comedy (Glenn Robbins) at the AFI Awards
- 2003, 2004: Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Television Drama or Comedy (Jane Turner) at the AFI Awards
- 2003, 2004: Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Television Drama or Comedy (Gina Riley) at the AFI Awards
- 2003, 2004: Best Comedy Series - Sitcom or Sketch
- 2004, 2005, 2006: Most Popular Actor (Glenn Robbins) at the Logies ('04 & '05 for Kath and Kim; '06 for Da Kath and Kim Code)
- 2004: Best Actress in a Supporting or Guest Role in a Television Drama or Comedy (Magda Szubanski) at the AFI Awards
- 2004: Best Screenplay in Television
- 2005: Most Popular Actress (Gina Riley) at the Logies
- 2005: Most Popular Actress (Magda Szubanski) at the Logies
- 2005: Most Outstanding Comedy Program at the Logies
- 2006: Most Outstanding Miniseries / Telemovie at the Logies (for Da Kath and Kim Code)
[edit] References
- ^ a b "Kath & Kim" (2002) - Filming locations
- ^ Look at moi, America: Kath and Kim
- ^ http://nbcumv.com/release_detail.nbc/nbcuniversaltelevision-20080402000000-nbcrevealscomplete.html
- ^ a b Seven Network. "Seven - Daily Ratings Report", ebroadcast.com.au, 2007-08-20. Retrieved on 2007-08-20.
- ^ Daniel Ziffer. "Foxy morons blitz ratings", The Age, 2007-08-20. Retrieved on 2007-08-20.
- ^ a b c "Kath & Kim" (2002) - Trivia
- ^ "Big Girl's Blouse" (1994) - Episode list
- ^ Seven - Daily Ratings Report
- ^ Our favourite hornbags may get US makeover. The Age (September 22, 2006). Retrieved on 2008-02-30.
- ^ Kath and Kim go American. Courier Mail (November 13, 2007). Retrieved on 2008-02-30.
- ^ Molly Shannon signs for US version of Kath And Kim - The Daily Telegraph, 4 Oct 2007
- ^ Selma Blair Completes 'Kath and Kim' - Zap2It.com, 22 Jan 2008
- ^ Feig to Direct Molly Shannon's Kath & Kim - ComingSoon.net
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
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