Kath and Kim is an Australian comedy series which was first broadcast in 2002. So far there have been four series and one feature length episode - a Christmas special - spoofing the Da Vinci Code.
Gina Riley and Jane Turner
The brains behind the show are Gina Riley and Jane Turner. Both are women of many talents, as they co-write, produce, and star in the programme. Gina Riley also provides her vocal talents for the titles.
Riley and Turner met while still teenagers, and the pair have worked together on and off ever since. Their careers began to take off while working on sketch shows such as Fast Forward and Big Girl’s Blouse, where the initial idea for Kath and Kim emerged.
About The Show
Kath and Kim is set in Melbourne and follows the mundane, day to day existence of Kath - a middle-aged, optimist and her daughter Kim - a selfish, whiny girl. During the first series we are introduced to Kath’s new man Kel, affectionately known as her “hunk of spunk”. Kim is married to the long suffering Brett, and their marriage is always “…up the proverbials.” Then there is Sharon, Kim’s, perpetually unlucky in love, “second best friend”
The show’s comedy is very mixed - it varies from subtle, verbal humour to very outrageously over-the-top physical jokes. This is one of the main reasons for the worldwide success of the programme. It appeals to different people for different reasons. That said, it does seem to be an acquired taste. Many people are unsure of what to make of the show to begin with, but it quickly becomes compulsive, entertaining, and hilarious viewing.
The show stars Jane Turner as Kath, Gina Riley as Kim, Glenn Robbins as Kel, Peter Rowsthorn as Brett, and Magda Szubanski as Sharon. There have also been several guest stars including Kylie Minogue, Eric Bana, Geoffrey Rush and Barry Humphries.
Kath and Kim has become a huge hit around the world, a rarity for an Australian comedy, and NBC has recently made an American version of the show starring Molly Shannon and Selma Blair.
The Future of Kath and Kim.
Australian audiences are eagerly awaiting the release of a fifth series, due to be broadcast in the summer of 2009. Gina Riley and Jane Turner have not specific about how much longer they will be making Kath and Kim, as they are both clearly interested in working on other projects, together and separately. So audiences are making the most of the programme while they can.
Kath and Kim is extremely well-written, it is quick witted, satirical and silly. The performances are wonderfully executed by the whole cast, in what really is an ensemble performance. It is a little ray of sunshine from south of the equator, and long may it shine.
