Kath & Kim: Difference between revisions
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Most of the series takes place at Kath's Fountain Lakes residence in [[Melbourne]], which is actually a house in Lagoon Place, Patterson Lakes, a waterfront street, 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. |
Most of the series takes place at Kath's Fountain Lakes residence in [[Melbourne]], which is actually a house in Lagoon Place, Patterson Lakes, a waterfront street, 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. |
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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 |
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 in the first season, the scenes were actually filmed at [[Southland Shopping Centre]]), the local [[IKEA]], [[Target (Australia)|Target]], and various local restaurants. |
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==Background== |
==Background== |
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Revision as of 18:18, 31 July 2007
| Kath & Kim | |
|---|---|
| File:Kath & Kim Logo.png | |
| Genre | Comedy |
| Created by | 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 (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Production locations | Melbourne, Victoria |
| Running time | Approx. 23 minutes per episode. |
| Original release | |
| Network | ABC TV (2002-2005) Channel Seven (2007) |
| Release | May 16, 2002 |
Kath & Kim is a Logie award winning character driven Australian television comedy series, created by Jane Turner and Gina Riley. It is about 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 fiance/husband, the effeminate Kel Knight, her spoilt, ever complaining 25-year-old daughter Kim Craig, her unlucky second-best friend Sharon Strzelecki, Kim's estranged husband Brett Craig and their baby daughter Epponnee Rae Craig. The title characters are well known for their catchphrase, Look at Moiye. The series is set in the fictional suburb of Fountain Lakes, in Melbourne, Victoria, however the series is primarily filmed in Patterson Lakes, Melbourne.[1]
The show originally derived from a segment in the third season (1991) of comedy sketch series Fast Forward, which was later revived as a recurring sketch in Big Girl's Blouse, (also created by Turner and Riley) which aired for just one season in 1994 on the Seven Network, and featured the primary characters of Kath and Kim, with the exception of Brett Craig and Kel Knight.[2][3] Kath & Kim aired 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. A new series is currently being produced which will air mid to late 2007 on the Seven Network.[4] 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.
During its run, Kath & Kim earned two Logie Awards, both in the category of "Outstanding Comedy Programme" in 2003 and 2004, and Best Television Drama Series by the Australian Film Institute Awards. In Australia, it has become a pop culture phenomenon, and become 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.[5]. However, despite a pilot episode being made, the series was not picked up by NBC.[6] In July 2007, NBC confirmed that the show is still under development.[7]
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 Charlene Darlene Craig, shortened to Epponnee-Rae.
Most of the series takes place at Kath's Fountain Lakes residence in Melbourne, which is actually a house in Lagoon Place, Patterson Lakes, a waterfront street, 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 in the first season, the scenes were actually filmed at Southland Shopping Centre), the local IKEA, Target, and various local restaurants.
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.[8] 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).[9] 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 fiancé Kel and Kim's husband Brett, and expanded on the characters that had originated in the original skits.[citation needed]
Format
 | This article is written like a review. |
 |
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 Kim) 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.
Cast
Main characters
| Picture | Character | Actor | Season(s) | Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| File:Kath Kath and Kim.jpg | Kath Day-Knight | Jane Turner | 1, 2, 3, Telemovie | 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. |
| File:Kim Kath and Kim.jpg | Kim Craig | Gina Riley | 1, 2, 3, Telemovie | 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. |
| File:Kel Kath and Kim.jpg | Kel Knight | Glenn Robbins | 1, 2, 3, Telemovie | 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. |
| File:Brett Kath and Kim.jpg | Brett Craig | Peter Rowsthorn | 1, 2, 3, Telemovie | 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. |
| File:Sharon Kath and Kim.jpg | Sharon Strzelecki | Magda Szubanski | 1, 2, 3, Telemovie | 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. |
| File:Epponnee Rae Kath and Kim.jpg | Epponnee-Rae Craig | Zara Harrington and Emma Le Boeuf | 2x08, 3, Telemovie | Kim and Brett's baby daughter. Her full name is frequently shortened to 'Eps', 'Baby Eps', Epponnee or Epponnee-Rae. |
 | It has been suggested that sections of this article be split out into another article titled List of Kath & Kim characters. (Discuss) |
Recurring characters
These characters have all starred in at least two episodes of Kath & Kim.
| Picture | Character | Actor | Episode(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| File:Prue Kath and Kim.jpg | 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. | |||
| File:Trude Kath and Kim.jpg | 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. | |||
| File:Marion Kath and Kim.jpg | 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. | |||
| File:Gary Kath and Kim.jpg | 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. | |||
| File:Sandy Kath and Kim.jpg | 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. | |||
| File:Mark Kath and Kim.jpg | Mark | Tony Martin | 1x02, 1x08, 2x04 and 2x05 |
| Sharon's on-again/off-again boyfriend. | |||
| File:Kelly Kath and Kim.jpg | Kelly | Peta Brady | 1x06, 2x04, 3x01, 3x02 and the telemovie |
| Brett's demanding boss who he ended up having an affair with. | |||
| File:Formal Wear Guy Kath and Kim.jpg | 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. | |||
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.
- Alan Brough of Spicks and Specks fame, starred as Sharon's love interest and fellow hospital volunteer.
See also: List of Kath & Kim cast members.
Future guest stars
In early 2007, Little Britain star Matt Lucas made 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's playing "a member of their family".[10] Lucas shot scenes for his guest spot on Kath & Kim at the Westfield Southland food court on January 24[11] David Walliams of Little Britain fame will also have a cameo role.[12]
On March 27, 2007 it was revealed in the Herald Sun that Shane Warne would appear in series four when he was seen filming at Luna Park, Melbourne.[13] Later, it was revealed that Shane is set to marry Sharon, who has been shown to have an infatuation with Shane Warne throughout the series.[14]
Eric Bana will also feature as a guest star after the cast and crew were filming scenes at Bonbeach railway station along with Connex railway staff.
Episodes
Main Article: List of Kath & Kim episodes
Twenty-four episodes lasting approximately twenty-five minutes each across three seasons have aired on ABC TV from 2002 - 2004. A replacement of a full season occurred in 2005 with the telemovie Da Kath & Kim Code. A fourth series is set to begin airing in August 2007 on the Seven Network.
CDs
| Cover | Album Info |
|---|---|
| The cover of "Kath & Kim's Party Tape" album | Kath & Kim's Party Tape
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'. |
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.
Single seasons
| DVD cover | Season | Episodes | Discs | DVD release date | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Region 2 | Region 4 | ||||||||
| The Australian cover of the Kath & Kim Season One DVD | 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 | ||||||||
| The Australian cover of the Kath & Kim Season Two DVD | 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 | |||||||||
| The Australian cover of the Kath & Kim Season Three DVD | 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. | |||||||||
Box sets
| DVD cover | Seasons | Episodes | Discs | DVD release date | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Region 2 | Region 4 | ||||||||
| The Australian cover of the Kath & Kim Season 1 & 2 DVD Box Set | 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 | |||||||||
| The Australian cover of the Kath & Kim Season 1 - 3 DVD Box Set | 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. | |||||||||
Other DVDs
Da Kath & Kim Code
| DVD cover | Discs | DVD release date | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Region 4 | |||||||
| The Australian cover of the "Da Kath & Kim Code" DVD | 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". | |||||||
United States version
On November 9, 2006, NBC announced a US version of Kath And Kim (the Australian original had already screened on the Sundance Channel). A pilot episode was produced by Reveille Productions (the same studio that adapted Ugly Betty and The Office into US hits) and NBC Universal Television[15], with Riley and Turner serving as executive producers and consultants.
Originally NBC decided not to place it on the 2007-2008 fall television season[16], but after the network named Reveille founder Ben Silverman its new entertainment head, Silverman went ahead and had the project greenlighted as a possible midseason replacement in 2008.
Awards
|
The show itself, and the cast, have been nominated several television awards in the past, and have also won four major awards for Kath and Kim and Da Kath and Kim Code.
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
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)
References
- ^ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0272397/locations
- ^ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0272397/trivia
- ^ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108704/episodes#season-1
- ^ http://www.ebroadcast.com.au/enews/Kath-And-Kim-010407.html
- ^ http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=176362
- ^ http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/a46572/in-full-nbcs-2007-08-show-by-show-scorecard.html
- ^ http://www.nbcumv.com/release_detail.nbc/entertainment-20070716000000-nbcannouncesupdate.html
- ^ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0272397/trivia
- ^ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0272397/trivia
- ^ "Matt Lucas to join Kath & Kim". BBC News. 2006-10-27. Retrieved 2007-04-02.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Funnyman gets foxy". Herald Sun. 2007-01-26. Retrieved 2007-04-02.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=24&ContentID=24614
- ^ "Shane Warne bowled over". Herald Sun. 2007-03-27. Retrieved 2007-04-06.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,21454646-5005368,00.html
- ^ "Pilots land safely at NBC". Hollywood Reporter. 2007-01-10. Retrieved 2007-04-02.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/a46572/in-full-nbcs-2007-08-show-by-show-scorecard.html
See also
External links
