Kath & Kim

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Kath and Kim
Genre	Comedy
Creator(s)	Gina Riley Jane Turner
Starring	Gina Riley Jane Turner Magda Szubanski Glenn Robbins Peter Rowsthorn
Opening theme	The Joker by Gina Riley
Country of origin	Australia
No. of seasons	3
No. of episodes	Regular 24 Telemovie 1
Production
Location	Melbourne, Australia
Running time	Approx. 23 minutes per episode.
Broadcast
Original channel	ABC TV
Picture format	576i (16:9 SDTV)
Audio format	Stereo
Original run	2002 –
Links
Official website

Kath & Kim is a Logie Award-winning Australian television comedy series shown on ABC TV. The show revolves around its entitled characters Kath and Kim and their family matters in the fictional suburb of Fountain Lakes in Melbourne, Australia. Internationally, the show airs on RTÉ Two in Ireland, TV3 in New Zealand, LIVINGtv,TV2 in Finland and Ftn and the BBC 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.

The series began in 2002, and has so far aired three seasons as well as a made-for-TV movie, Da Kath & Kim Code, which premiered on ABC TV on November 27, 2005.

The show was created and written by Jane Turner and Gina Riley, who also play the title roles. The TV series has been a huge hit in Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada and the United States.

A fourth series is currently in production and is set to air in Australia mid to late 2007.

Contents 1 Premise 2 Background 3 Format 4 Cast 4.1 Main characters 4.2 Recurring characters 4.3 One-off characters 5 Episodes 5.1 Season One (2002) 5.2 Season Two (2003) 5.3 Season Three (2004) 5.4 Da Kath and Kim Code (2005 telemovie) 5.5 Season Four (2007) 6 CDs 7 DVDs 7.1 Single seasons 7.2 Box sets 7.3 Other DVDs 7.3.1 Da Kath & Kim Code 8 News 9 See also 10 External links 10.1 Fansites

[edit] Premise

The series 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 estranged husband Brett Craig (Peter Rowsthorn), Kath's love interest and eventual husband Kel Knight (Glenn Robbins), and family friend Sharon Strzelecki (Magda Szubanski). Kim and Brett had a baby in the final episode of the second series whom they named Epponnee-Raelene Kathleen Darlene Charlene Craig, shortened to Epponnee-Rae.

Most of the series takes place at Kath's Fountain Lakes residence in Melbourne, Australia, with the main characters usually convening at the house for different reasons. Kath and Kel are rarely alone, with Kim frequently occupying the house due to her rocky relationship with Brett (all of which is of Kim's own doing due to Kim's own snobbish and childish behaviour towards Brett as well as punishing Brett for perceived wrongs by leaving him to stay at Kath's place or giving Brett the cold shoulder), and Sharon often visiting to see Kim and to have a bite to eat. Other events such as Kim and Brett's house being subject to structural damage in the second season or being reclaimed by the bank in the third season lead to both couples living under the same roof and to further comic situations.

When not at home, the show documents the character's daily adventures around suburban Melbourne, visiting settings such as the Fountain Gate Shopping Centre (although many scenes were actually filmed at Southland Shopping Centre), the local Ikea, Target, and various local restaurants. Fountain Lakes is not to be confused with the real Melbourne suburb Fountain Gate.

[edit] Background

The characters of Kath, Kim and Sharon were originally developed in the early 1990s in a recurring skit in the comedy sketch show Big Girl's Blouse in 1994. These skits, a send-up of a fly-on-the-wall type reality TV series following a mother and daughter planning the daughter's wedding, continued to evolve in the short-lived comedy series Something Stupid (1998). The original skits rarely featured any characters other than Kath, Kim or Sharon (in one skit Brett was played by Jane Turner) and were the basis for the plots of the first two series.

Some elements of the humour used in Kath & Kim refers to other earlier works. In episode 2.3 The Moon, Kim and Sharon fight about which ABBA member they looked like when they were in school. Kim says she looked like Agnetha; and in an episode of Fast Forward Gina Riley had played Frida in an ABBA parody.

Kath & Kim added the characters of Kath's fiancée Kel and Kim's husband Brett, and expanded on the characters that had originated in the original skits.

[edit] Format

In the tradition of Barry Humphries and his famous satirical creation Dame Edna Everage, 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. The strong script, crass and embarrassing behaviour of the characters, and their gaudy 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:

"It's ny-oice, it's diff'rent, it's un-ewes-yewl!"

"Kimmy, look at moiye, look at moiye, look at moiye!!"

"I can furl it in me waters!"

"I'm that pleased for ya."

"Who sayed that, thats a lie I never sayed that."

"Well you never bloody know do you Sharon, ya great bloody oaff!"

"I wasn't going to go by myself, what would that look like"

With its parodic use of reality TV genre conventions, it is somewhat similar to The Office and Reno 911!. Like those shows it occasionally features segments where the characters are apparently being interviewed by a film crew, with much of the humour coming from the gaffes and gauche comments unwittingly made by the interview subjects. The series can also be viewed as partially indebted to the 1990s reality TV series Sylvania Waters, which documented the lifestyle of a nouveau riche Sydney family.

The outrageous fashions worn by Kath & Kim, and Kath, Kim and Kel's constant pursuit of ridiculous fads and their preoccupation with appearing trendy and "with-it" recalls Absolutely Fabulous.

Despite the fact that it was initially rejected by the ABC during the regime of controversial ABC General Manager Jonathan Shier, Kath & Kim became an instant hit with audiences and is now the most successful comedy series ever developed and produced by the ABC. Nevertheless, some people were offended, with critics arguing that the show could never appeal directly to the very people who were being satirised, as they would likely not recognise the elements of comedy being conveyed. Its success was largely the result of an ever increasing "word of mouth" with the show's admirers and detractors each taking the time to discuss and publicise the show.

The theme song is Anthony Newley's "The Joker", which is performed by Gina Riley.

[edit] Cast

[edit] Main characters

Picture	Character	Actor	Season(s)	Information
	Kath Day-Knight	Jane Turner	1, 2, 3, Telemovie	Full name: Kathleen Day-Knight nee Day Kath is an empty nester who is proud of her home - ditto herself. She likes to keep herself busy throughout the day with her various projects and likes to keep herself trim, which does not make her a crim.
	Kim Craig	Gina Riley	1, 2, 3, Telemovie	Full name: Kimberly Diane Craig nee Day Kim is a self-absorbed, ever-complaining and spoilt woman who, despite her "people skills", her call centre employer can somehow not do without her.
	Kel Knight	Glenn Robbins	1, 2, 3, Telemovie	Full name: Kelvin Graham Knight Kath's better half is a gourmet butcher and a great Hunk O' Spunk. Kel spends his days exercising and looking after and treating Kath with respect.
	Brett Craig	Peter Rowsthorn	1, 2, 3, Telemovie	Full name: Brett Dean Craig Kim's husband who works in a large electronics store named "Computa City". Has a lot of affection for his dog Cujo and is best mates with Kel.
	Sharon Strzelecki	Magda Szubanski	1, 2, 3, Telemovie	Full name: Sharon Karen Strzelecki Sharon is Kim's "second best friend" and is very unlucky with finding love. She is willing to try new things and is also a fine netball player.
	Epponnee-Rae Craig	Zara Harrington and Emma Le Boeuf	2x08, 3, Telemovie	Full name: Epponnee-Raelene Kathleen Darlene Charlene Craig Kim and Brett's baby daughter. Her full name is frequently shortened to 'Eps', 'Baby Eps', Epponnee or Epponnee-Rae.

[edit] Recurring characters

Picture	Character	Actor	Episode(s)
	Trude	Gina Riley	1x08, 2x02, 3x02, 3x07. 3x08 and the telemovie.
	A snobby, wealthy shop assistant who works at homewares store "House". Works alongside best friend Prue.
	Prue	Jane Turner	1x08, 2x02, 3x02, 3x07, 3x08 and the telemovie.
	A snobby, wealthy shop assistant who works at homewares store "House". Works alongside best friend Trude.
	Marion	Marg Downey	1x04, 1x08, 2x01, 3x01, 3x07 and 3x08
	An inept marriage/love counsellor with somewhat unusual methods which tend to take her clients by surprise. She was responsible for the marriage and counselling of Kath and Kel.
	Gary Poole	Mick Molloy	2x08 and 3x01
	Gary is Kath's ex-husband and father of Kim. Was an entrepreneur who went bust in Hong Kong before coming back to Melbourne after the birth of Epponnee Rae.
	Sandy Freckle	William McInnes	2x07 and 2x08
	Sandy is one of Kel's best mates and worst enemies due to the fact he steals all of Kel's girlfriends.
	Mark	Tony Martin	1x02, 1x08, 2x04 and 2x05
	Sharon's on-again/off-again boyfriend.
	Kelly	Peta Brady	1x06, 2x04, 3x01, 3x02 and the telemovie
	Brett's demanding boss who he ended up having an affair with.
	Formal Wear Tailor	Mark Trevorrow	1x06, 2x08 and the telemovie
	Is a tailor who works at a formal hire store which helps Kel with his suits.

[edit] One-off characters

• Gina Riley played Robyn Robinson, the "dragon lady" and director of the Fountain Lakes Players, in 3x04.

• Sibylla Budd guest starred as Lisa-Marie, Sharon's new best friend, in episode 2x03.

• Vince Colosimo guest starred as Jared, Brett's colleague, in 2x04.

• Judith Lucy guest starred as Bettina, a birthing-class teacher, in 2x06. She returned in the telemovie to play Santa's Elf

• Rachel Griffiths guest starred as herself, at the races with a very drunk Kath, in 3x02.

• Mark Holden guest starred as himself, when Kim enters her baby daughter Epponee Rae into a baby competition called Bub's Idol (as Mark is a judge on Australian Idol), in 3x02.

• Geoffrey Rush and his wife Jane Menelaus guest starred in 3x03 as neighbours Geoff and Jane. Menelaus also played the wedding shop assistant in 1x05 and the maternity wear shop keeper in 2x07

• John Clarke guest starred in 3x06 as a real estate agent.

• Colin Lane guest starred in 3x06 as a spa salesman.

• Frank Woodley guest starred in 2x07 as a Wrestling fan.

• Kylie Minogue guest starred as Epponnee Rae, in the future, on her wedding day, in 3x08. She also had a brief, uncredited role at the end of 3x07 as herself.

• Michael Bublé guest starred as himself, when Kath and Kel became back-up dancers at his performance, in the movie.

• Barry Humphries guest starred as John Monk, an albino The Da Vinci Code European tour guide in the movie.

• The Wiggles, Rove McManus and Rhonda Burchmore guest starred as themselves in the movie.

[edit] Episodes

[edit] Season One (2002)

• • Episode 1 -- "Sex" -- Kim demands Sharon's help to stalk Brett, while Kath and Kel go at it like rabbits.
  • Episode 2 -- "Gay" -- Kath is concerned that there may be a dark secret at the heart of Brett and Kim's separation.
  • Episode 3 -- "Sport" -- Kel designs a commemorative sausage to celebrate the big day of his and Kath's connubials. Kim is enlisted to play in Sharon's netball team.
  • Episode 4 -- "Fat" -- Kim has stacked on the weight and can't fit into her bridesmaids dress.
  • Episode 5 -- "Old" -- Kath is worried that Kel is losing interest and decides to move on without him. We are introduced to the unique dancing styles of Kath and Kel in this episode.
  • Episode 6 -- "Money" -- Kath organises a lingerie party to raise money for the hire of the pumpkin coach.
  • Episode 7 -- "Party" -- Kim organises a hen's night for Kath.
  • Episode 8 -- "The Wedding" -- Chaos again on the day of Kath and Kel's wedding, as a pair of shoes, a bowl of punch, and Kim's horsehair fake hair extension cause unexpected results.

[edit] Season Two (2003)

• • Episode 1 -- "The Announcement" -- Kim's marriage is still up the proverbial and newlywed Kath's libido has gone awol.
  • 'Episode 2 -- "Inside Out" -- Brett's finally popped the "R" word (Renovation!). Kath and Kel engage in some "horizontal Irish dancing" - literally.
  • Episode 3 -- "The Moon" -- Sharon has a new best friend and will Kim go to the school reunion?
  • Episode 4 -- "Obsession" -- Unlucky in love Sharon decides to take positive steps. Meanwhile Kim is helping Brett on his career projectory and decides to "work the room".
  • Episode 5 -- "My Boyfriend" -- Sharon has a boyfriend and pash rash 24-7.
  • Episode 6 -- "Another Announcement": Kim becomes gropable when Brett won't talk about his privates, and Kath decides that it's time for her and Kel to increase the size of their family.
  • Episode 7 -- "The Shower" -- Kel's mate Sandy Freckle causes Kath to briefly lose control, while Kim's baby shower has a surprise result.
  • Episode 8 -- "The Hideous Truth" -- In the aftermath of Kim going into labour, everyone's past catches up with them, which ends with a big shock for Kath.

[edit] Season Three (2004)

• • Episode 1 -- "Cactus Hour" -- Kim and Brett deal, in different ways, with their life as new parents; and Kath and Kel have to come to terms with the fact that Kath may still be married to Gary Poole, her odious first husband, and Kim's father.
  • Episode 2 -- "The Mango Espadrille" -- Kath, Kim and Sharon head to the races, while Brett babysits Epponnee Rae; and Kel cooks up a storm.
  • Episode 3 -- "Sitting on a Pile" -- Brett and Epponnee head to the Gold Coast to visit Brett's mother, leaving Kim taking time off; while Kath and Kel decide to spend time apart but learn they have little to do without each other.
  • Episode 4 -- "Kicking up a Stink" -- Kim and Sharon head to Boot Camp; and Kel and Kath deal with space issues.
  • Episode 5 -- "Hello Nails!" -- Sharon has a date, and turns to Kim for a makeover; while Kath and Kel attempt to update their home theatre system, hindered by Brett who gets Kath obsessed with television.
  • Episode 6 -- "High and Dry" -- Kath starts a new career, while Brett brings the biggest news of all to Kim - an apartment.
  • Episode 7 -- "Foxy on the Run" -- Sharon anxiously fights for godmother status of Epponnee Rae; and Kath plans a big event for Kel's birthday - the big 50.
  • Episode 8 -- "99% Fat Free" -- Kath and Kel go fat free, while Brett and Kim go each other over their child's career path.

[edit] Da Kath and Kim Code (2005 telemovie)

Initially, Riley and Turner planned to take 2005 off from television, but in July, they announced that they would be writing and filming a 90 minute telemovie. The movie aired on November 27, 2005, and was the ABC's top rated program for 2005 [1]. The Telemovie also screened in New Zealand in December

The film sees Kel and Kath return from a European The Da Vinci Code tour and begin the frantic preparations for Christmas. During the two weeks leading up to Christmas Day, a number of events take place. Brett and Kim have a falling out, which sees him living in a motel, and beginning a relationship with his boss Kelly. While Kim does eventually ask him back, he is still conducting the affair. Sharon meets a man, Marriott, online and they become engaged, however she soon gets her heart broken because she finds out that he does not even exist. Kath and Kel become backup dancers for Michael Bublé at the Carols by Candlelight. However, Kath's affection for Michael has Kel jealous.

And, meanwhile, a robed figure is stalking Fountain Lakes, and leaving mysterious presents for Kath and Kel. Kath suspects it is John Monk, their tour guide, who wants the €44 that were never paid. But it is something far greater.

[edit] Season Four (2007)

After a break in 2006, it has been confirmed that Kath & Kim are going to return in 2007 for a fourth season due to air mid to late 2007. Special guests to feature in this season include Matt Lucas, Shane Warne and Eric Bana.

Some scenes have already been shot despite the producers of Kath & Kim not yet signing a deal with a television network.

The ABC no longer holds the rights to the show, and the Seven Network and Network Ten are both rallying to pick up the programme. Although ABC still might renew their contract, it now seems unlikely, and so far, Australia's other two terrestrial broadcasters, the Nine Network and SBS, have shown no interest in bidding for the show.

[edit] CDs

Cover	Album Info
	Kath & Kim's Party Tape Release Date: May 2, 2004 Chart positions: Unknown In 2004, Kath & Kim's Party Tape was released in Australia under the Universal record label. It features 21 tracks including the full length version of the show's title theme, The Joker (as sung by Gina Riley) as well as Diana Ross's 'Endless Love' and Donna Summer's 'Macarthur Park'.

[edit] DVDs

All three seasons as well as the telemovie Da Kath & Kim Code have been released on DVD in Australia. Two box sets have also been released. One containing seasons one and two while the other includes seasons one, two and three. All Kath & Kim DVDs have currently only been released in Australia with the exception of the first and second season single season releases and a season one and two box set with Region 2 versions released in the United Kingdom. There are no plans to release the DVDs in other countries.

[edit] Single seasons

DVD cover	Season	Episodes	Discs	DVD release date
				Region 2	Region 4
	1	8	2	United Kingdom: June 20, 2005	Australia: October 8, 2002
	This release of the complete first season has a total running time of 202 minutes and contains all 8 episodes. Special features include features entitled "Being Stewpid", "Wine Time Philosophy" and "Scenes that are different, un-ewes-yewl" as well as re-living Brett And Kim's Connubials!

DVD cover	Season	Episodes	Discs	DVD release date
				Region 2	Region 4
	2	8	2	United Kingdom: November 27, 2006	Australia: November 24, 2003
	This release of the complete second season has a total running time of 215 minutes and contains all 8 episodes. Special features include features entitled "A bit of huffy puffy with Kath and Kel", "More Yumor", "More Wine Time philosophy" and "Scenes that different, un-ewes-yewl".

DVD cover	Season	Episodes	Discs	DVD release date
				Region 4
	3	8	2	Australia: November 30, 2004
	This release of the complete third season has a total running time of 248 minutes and contains all 8 episodes. Special features includes a feature entitled "'In The Raw' with Kath & Kim" as well as goof reels, deleted scenes, a performance of "Lady Bump" at the Logies, interviews with Kath & Kim, bonus "Wine Time" material as well as Prue and Trued telling it how it is.

[edit] Box sets

DVD cover	Seasons	Episodes	Discs	DVD release date
				Region 2	Region 4
	1 & 2	16	4	United Kingdom: November 27, 2006	Australia: April 8, 2004
	This box set of the first and second seasons has a total running time of 431 minutes. It contains the same special features as the single season releases.

DVD cover	Seasons	Episodes	Discs	DVD release date
				Region 4
	1 - 3	24	6	Australia: April 7, 2005
	This box set of the first, second and third seasons has a total running time of 686 minutes. It contains the same special features as the single season releases.

[edit] Other DVDs

[edit] Da Kath & Kim Code

DVD cover	Discs	DVD release date
		Region 4
	2	Australia: December 1, 2005
	This release of Da Kath & Kim Code features two discs with a total running time of 164 minutes. It contains the telemovie as well as special features including an exended ending for the telemovie, behind the scenes, goofs, a feature entitled "Barry Humphries at 'The Buckingham'", deleted scenes as well as a feature entitled "Kath & Kim & Bert". The release also includes "Live in London" content which includes Kath & Kim live at the Toast Festival, wine tasting, talking to the BBC as well as having "A Current Affair".

[edit] News

• On November 9, 2006, NBC announced plans for a US version of Kath & Kim, which would become a candidate for the 2007-2008 fall TV season. It will be produced by Reveille Television (the same studio that adapted Ugly Betty and The Office into US hits) and NBC Universal Television, which just gave the project the green-light, a sign that this version will have a good shot at landing on the NBC network schedule[2]. The US adaptation would follow the same setting as the original version, which is currently running in the US on The Sundance Channel (co-owned by NBC Universal). Both Riley and Turner will serve as executive producers/consultants on the US version.

• In 2007, Little Britain star Matt Lucas is set to make a cameo appearance while on tour in Australia. "I don't know what I'll be doing yet," he told The Sun. It has been rumoured that he will be playing "a member of their family"[3]. Lucas shot scenes for his guest spot on Kath & Kim at the Westfield Southland food court on January 24, according to the Herald Sun [4].

[edit] See also

• List of Australian television series

[edit] External links

• Official site
• Kath & Kim Thursdays 10pm from May 12 on BBC Two
• Kath & Kim at the Internet Movie Database

[edit] Fansites

• FoxyMorons.net