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Kath & Kim (American TV series)

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For the original Australian series of the same name that inspired this series, see Kath & Kim.
Kath & Kim
GenreSitcom
Based on
Kath & Kim
by
Developed byMichelle Nader
Starring
Opening theme"Filthy/Gorgeous"
by Scissor Sisters
ComposersAdam Cohen
John Robert Wood
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes17
Production
Executive producers
Producers
Camera setupSingle-camera
Running time30 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkNBC
ReleaseOctober 9, 2008 (2008-10-09) –
March 12, 2009 (2009-03-12)

Kath & Kim, commonly written as Kath and Kim and uncommonly abbreviated as K&K is an American television sitcom adapted from the Australian television series of the same name created by Jane Turner and Gina Riley and well-supported by Magda Szubanski, with their titular roles being portrayed in this series by Molly Shannon and Selma Blair. The series premiered on NBC on October 9, 2008. Turner and Riley served as executive producers and consultants on this version, which was co-produced through Reveille Productions and Universal Media Studios.

The first episode premiered in Australia on October 12, 2008, on the Seven Network. The show's Australian broadcast was cancelled after the second episode the following week.[1] The series was then pushed to a "graveyard" slot of 11 pm on Mondays and then pre-empted for the 2009 Australian Open after the first-run airing of episode 9, "Friends". Although the show initially gained modest ratings and mixed reviews from critics,[2] NBC picked up Kath & Kim for a full season order of 22 episodes on October 31, 2008.[3] On January 15, 2009, NBC cut the episode order from 22 to 17 episodes.[4][5] The series finale aired on March 12, 2009.

On May 19, 2009, NBC cancelled the series after one season.

Cast and characters

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Main

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Recurring

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Production

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Prior to being adapted to an American version, the first two seasons of the original version aired in the United States on Trio in 2004. After Trio folded it moved over to the Sundance Channel in early 2006.

On November 9, 2006, NBC announced a U.S. version of Kath & Kim. A pilot episode was produced by Reveille (the same studio that adapted Ugly Betty and The Office into U.S. hits) and NBC Universal,[6] with Riley and Turner serving as executive producers and consultants. Paul Feig was picked to direct the pilot episode.[7]

Originally, NBC wanted the series to air in the 2007–2008 fall television season, but decided against it.[8] The series was greenlighted after the network named Reveille founder Ben Silverman its new entertainment head. Silverman had been trying to bring this adaptation to American screens since 2004.[9] The show was ordered to series in early 2008.[10] The series aired in Australia on Channel 7 in mid-2008, but only aired the pilot and first episode until it was taken off and replaced by repeats of the original series due to popular demand. The full series was later aired in Australia.

Casting

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Molly Shannon was cast as Kath,[11] and Selma Blair as Kim.[12] Even though they are playing mother and daughter, Shannon is actually only seven years older than Blair: Shannon was born on September 16, 1964, and Blair was born on June 23, 1972. Similarly, in the Australian version, Jane Turner (Kath) is only six months older than Gina Riley (Kim).

Several names have been changed for the US version. While Kath has retained her full name from the Australian series (in which she was known as Kath Day until her marriage to Kel at the end of Season 1) and Kim has retained her first name, Kim is known as Kim Day (rather than Kim Craig née Day) although in one episode Kath calls her by her full name in which Kim's original middle name of Diane was replaced with Crystal. The two other characters have different first names: Craig Baker (replacing Brett Craig) and Phil Knight (replacing Kel Knight), while the character of Sharon is entirely absent from the series, as Magda Szubanski objected to the casting.[13]

Maya Rudolph made the show's first guest appearance as Athena Scooberman in episode 8, "Sacrifice".[14] Pamela Anderson made the show's second guest appearance in episode 9, "Friends".[15]

Location settings

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Originally, the series setting was supposed to be set in Fountain Valley, a fictitious suburb of Phoenix, Arizona. There were suggestions of using the San Fernando Valley portion of Los Angeles, California, as the setting, after they started shooting episodes on June 13, 2008, in Los Angeles' West Hills neighborhood. Throughout the series there were references to the geographical setting as Central Florida; characters sometimes referenced short, sunny, afternoon rain downpours as are typical of Central Florida's climate.

Episodes

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No. Title Directed by Written by Original air date Prod. code U.S. viewers
(millions)
1"Pilot"
"Love"		Jason EnslerGina Riley & Jane Turner (Australian episode: "Sex")
Michelle Nader (teleplay)		October 9, 2008 (2008-10-09)KK-1017.5[16]
In the series opener, mother Kath has finally found love in the form of a sandwich shop owner named Phil Knight, while daughter Kim is now newly separated from her husband of six weeks, Craig. When Kim decides to move back home, she starts putting a damper on Kath's new romance, and learns that her former room has just been remodeled.
2"Respect"Jason EnslerLiz AstrofOctober 16, 2008 (2008-10-16)KK-1046.01[17]
Kath wants to put her home salon business on the map, and Phil helps her do so by getting her a booth at a local mall event. Meanwhile, Kim gets Craig fired from his job, forcing him to work at a less desirable cinnamon bun shop. After another argument, Craig leaves to attempt to get his old job back, and Kim gets banned from the mall.
3"Old"Jason EnslerGina Riley & Jane Turner (Australian episode: "Old")
Michelle Nader (teleplay)		October 23, 2008 (2008-10-23)KK-1024.97[18]
Kath is excited about planning her flamboyant wedding to Phil, but is later made insecure by Kim's remarks about how she might be too old for a big wedding. Meanwhile, Kim must deal with insecurities of her own when she begins to think that her husband might be having an affair.
4"Money"Jason EnslerGina Riley & Jane Turner (Australian episode: "Money")
Wil Calhoun (teleplay)		October 30, 2008 (2008-10-30)KK-1065.46[19]
Phil creates a new sandwich at work, naming it after Kath and himself, but his marketing does not lead to a popular sandwich. Kim decides she wants to get back together with Craig when she learns that breeding his dog can produce large amounts of cash. These plans come under fire when her friend, who is trying to get in the good graces of a man working at the pound, brings over a small group of dogs when Craig's dog is in heat. Meanwhile, Kath finds that her plans for a flamboyant wedding are more expensive than she had thought. Kath has her eyes on an expensive 'pumpkin' carriage, but despite working overtime in her salon, she cannot earn the money needed to reserve the carriage. Phil on the other hand has been left at the altar more than once, and is reluctant to have a large wedding after the experiences. When Phil learns through Kim that Kath cannot afford her dream wedding, he arrives with the carriage, wearing a fairy tale styled tuxedo. The two profess that they want the kind of wedding the other one wants. Kim seems actually impressed by this, despite her dislike for Phil.
5"Dating"Jason WinerWil Calhoun & Liz AstrofNovember 6, 2008 (2008-11-06)KK-1055.57[20]
Kath grows paranoid when she thinks that Phil is keeping secrets from her. Meanwhile, Kim decides that she will not get back together with Craig until he gets rid of his dog. To teach him a lesson, Kim joins her friend Tina in speed dating.
6"Jealousy"Roger KumbleGina Riley & Jane Turner (Australian episode: "Shower")
Jessica Steinbaum Lopez (teleplay)		November 13, 2008 (2008-11-13)KK-1075.08[21]
Kath feels jealous when Phil's best friend Sandy visits. Meanwhile, Craig begins to stand up to Kim and her endless requests.
7"Gay"Jason EnslerGina Riley & Jane Turner (Australian episode: "Gay")
Wil Calhoun (teleplay)		November 20, 2008 (2008-11-20)KK-1095.47[22]
Kath encounters a gay couple while shopping for her wedding; Kim's friendship with a former classmate piques Kath's curiosity; and Phil struggles with insecurity.
8"Sacrifice"Randall EinhornDana KleinDecember 4, 2008 (2008-12-04)KK-1104.88[23]
The stress from wedding planning is taking its toll on Kath and giving her insomnia. Phil suggests that Kath visit his life coach and spiritual advisor Athena Scooberman (Maya Rudolph). Kath agrees and is quickly taken with Athena and her teachings, but Phil soon realizes that his advice may have been a big mistake. Meanwhile, Kim must pay her outstanding parking tickets in order to get a boot removed from her car. Instead of paying the price, she asks Craig to help her get out of the bind no matter the cost.
9"Friends"Danny LeinerLiz AstrofDecember 11, 2008 (2008-12-11)KK-1115.33[24]
Kath and Phil invite the security guard from the mall and his wife to a Christmas party in an attempt to develop more "couple" friends. Meanwhile, Craig and Kim are having trouble holding on to a friend. Pamela Anderson makes the show's first star guest appearance during "Wine Time."
10"Florida"Roger KumbleLiz AstrofJanuary 8, 2009 (2009-01-08)KK-1084.14[25]
After one of Kath's salon clients dies unexpectedly, Phil takes it upon himself to save one of his own customers from an untimely death by introducing him to a healthier lifestyle. Craig goes on a shopping spree with the money expected from his dog's soon-to-be-born purebred puppies, but Kim does not have the heart to tell him that the puppies may be mutts and that he is spending money that he does not have.
11"News"Jason EnslerWil CalhounJanuary 22, 2009 (2009-01-22)KK-1124.89[26]
Kim decides to pursue a career as a news anchor for a local TV station. Craig has a mishap with Phil's car, which only gets worse when the police get involved.
12"Idols"Robert BerlingerAdam BarrFebruary 5, 2009 (2009-02-05)KK-1144.72[27]
Kath and Kim are in the running to host a dinner for Wynonna Judd, but first they have to be interviewed by Wynonna's people; Craig tries to write a hit country song with his friend Derrick (Jay Phillips).
13"Celebrity"Phil TraillWil CalhounFebruary 12, 2009 (2009-02-12)KK-1135.48[28]
Kath asks Athena (Maya Rudolph) for spiritual guidance before auditioning for a community production of "Cats"; Kim gets a job at Phil's sandwich shop.
14"Competition"Randall EinhornJane Turner & Gina Riley (Australian episode: "Cactus Hour")
Jim Dubensky & Steve Gabriel (teleplay)		February 19, 2009 (2009-02-19)KK-1155.13[29]
Kath searches for her ex, Rusty, after discovering they are still married; Kim falls in love with roller derby.
15"Desire"Gail MancusoGina Riley & Jane Turner (Australian episode: "Money")
Michelle Nader (teleplay)		February 26, 2009 (2009-02-26)KK-1033.44[30]
Kim embarks on a new business venture, but finds her plans hampered when Craig refuses to provide the funding. Also, Phil and Kath plan a romantic evening, but those plans are also quickly spoiled.
16"Bachelorette"Ken WhittinghamGina Riley & Jane Turner (Australian episode: "Party")
Liz Astrof & Dana Klein (teleplay)		March 5, 2009 (2009-03-05)KK-1164.16[31]
Phil and Kath get ready for their bachelor parties; Craig and Derrick hire a stripper for Phil's party.
17"Home"Randall EinhornWil Calhoun & Michelle NaderMarch 12, 2009 (2009-03-12)KK-1174.00[32]
Kath asks Phil to move in with her, Kim gets upset when Craig doesn't remember their second date anniversary.

Reception

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Critical response

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The show received negative criticism from viewers and television critics,[33] especially in the casting,[34] adjusting of the tone of the show[35] and even the show's costume design,[36] which has led to Blair firing back over the claims that it ruins the creativity of the original.[37] Early reviews of the pilot were poor, with the San Francisco Chronicle calling it "a contender for worst remake ever".[38]

Ratings

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Despite negative reviews, the series debut's ratings were strong. The show finished third overall with a total of 7.5 million viewers. In the 18- to 49- and 18- to 34-year-old demographics it placed second and first respectively.[39] By its third episode, viewers had dropped to 4.99 million viewers, two thirds of the viewers from the pilot.[40]

Episode Viewers
(in millions) 		Household rating/
Share
"Love" 7.46 4.9/7
"Respect" 6.01 TBA
"Old" 4.98 TBA
"Money" 5.46 TBA
"Dating" 5.57 TBA
"Jealousy" 5.08 TBA
"Gay" 5.47 TBA
"Sacrifice" 4.88 TBA
"Friends" 5.33 TBA

References

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  1. ^ McWhirter, Erin (October 20, 2008). "Channel Seven dumps US version of Kath and Kim". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2008-10-20.
  2. ^ "SNL alum relishes role in remake of Aussie sitcom". Retrieved 2008-12-28.
  3. ^ "'Kath & Kim' gets full-season pickup". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on November 13, 2008. Retrieved 2008-10-31.
  4. ^ "Breaking News - NBC Cuts "Kath & Kim" to 17 Episodes - TheFutonCritic.com". thefutoncritic.com.
  5. ^ "C21Media".
  6. ^ "Pilots land safely at NBC". The Hollywood Reporter. 2007-01-10. Archived from the original on January 17, 2007. Retrieved 2007-04-02.
  7. ^ Feig to Direct Molly Shannon's Kath & Kim - ComingSoon.net
  8. ^ US TV - News - In full: NBC's 2007-08 show by show scorecard - Digital Spy
  9. ^ "From Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel (April 21, 2008)". Archived from the original on April 21, 2008. Retrieved April 21, 2008.
  10. ^ Schneider, Michael (February 5, 2008). "NBC picks up 'Kim' sans pilot". Variety.
  11. ^ Molly Shannon signs for US version of Kath And Kim - The Daily Telegraph, 4 Oct 2007
  12. ^ Selma Blair Completes 'Kath and Kim' - Zap2it, 22 Jan 2008
  13. ^ "Kath And Kim's Sharon Goes Gay on samesame.com.au". Archived from the original on 2010-09-26. Retrieved 2015-11-21.
  14. ^ ""Kath & Kim" Sacrifice (TV Episode 2008)". IMDb. 4 December 2008.
  15. ^ "What a hornbag! Pammy to star in Kath & Kim". The Age. Melbourne. November 15, 2008. Retrieved 2008-11-23.
  16. ^ "Australian and World News - ninemsn, Nine News". news. Archived from the original on 2008-10-11.
  17. ^ "Nielsen Overnight TV Show Ratings for Thursday, October 16, 2008: Grey's Anatomy, CSI, Survivor, Ugly Betty, Kitchen Nightmares, Hole in the Wall, Supernatural, The Office, Eleventh Hour, Life on Mars, Kath & Kim - Ratings - TVbytheNumbers.Zap2it.com". TVbytheNumbers. Archived from the original on September 13, 2012. Retrieved January 10, 2009.
  18. ^ "Nielsen Overnight TV Show Ratings for Thursday, October 23, 2008: CSI, Grey's Anatomy, The Office, ER, Ugly Betty, Eleventh Hour, Life On Mars, - Ratings - TVbytheNumbers.Zap2it.com". TVbytheNumbers. Archived from the original on September 13, 2012. Retrieved October 24, 2008.
  19. ^ "Nielsen Overnight TV Show Ratings for Thursday, October 30, 2008: CSI, Grey's Anatomy, The Office, ER, Ugly Betty, Eleventh Hour, Life On Mars, Supernatural, Smallville, Survivor, and Kitchen Nightmares - Ratings - TVbytheNumbers.Zap2it.com". TVbytheNumbers. Archived from the original on September 13, 2012. Retrieved October 31, 2008.
  20. ^ "Nielsen Overnight TV Show Ratings for Thursday, November 6, 2008: CSI, Grey's Anatomy, My Name is Earl, Kath & Kim, The Office, ER, Ugly Betty, Eleventh Hour, Life On Mars, Supernatural, Smallville, Survivor, and Kitchen Nightmares - Ratings - TVbytheNumbers.Zap2it.com". TVbytheNumbers. Archived from the original on September 13, 2012. Retrieved January 10, 2009.
  21. ^ "Nielsen Overnight TV Show Ratings for Thursday, November 13, 2008: CSI, Grey's Anatomy, My Name is Earl, Kath & Kim, The Office, ER, Ugly Betty, Eleventh Hour, Life On Mars, Supernatural, Smallville, Survivor, and Kitchen Nightmares - Ratings - TVbytheNumbers.Zap2it.com". TVbytheNumbers. Archived from the original on September 13, 2012. Retrieved January 10, 2009.
  22. ^ "Nielsen Overnight TV Show Ratings for Thursday, November 20, 2008: CSI, Grey's Anatomy, My Name is Earl, Kath & Kim, The Office, ER, Ugly Betty, Eleventh Hour, Life On Mars, Supernatural, Smallville, Survivor, and Kitchen Nightmares - Ratings - TVbytheNumbers.Zap2it.com". TVbytheNumbers. Archived from the original on September 13, 2012. Retrieved January 10, 2009.
  23. ^ "Nielsen Overnight TV Show Ratings for Thursday, December 4, 2008: CSI, Grey's Anatomy, My Name is Earl, Kath & Kim, The Office, ER, Ugly Betty, Eleventh Hour, Barbara Walters Presents: 10 Most Fascinating people of 2008, Supernatural, Smallville, Survivor, and Kitchen Nightmares - Ratings - TVbytheNumbers.Zap2it.com". TVbytheNumbers. Archived from the original on September 13, 2012. Retrieved January 10, 2009.
  24. ^ "Nielsen Overnight TV Show Ratings for Thursday, December 11, 2008: CSI, Grey's Anatomy, My Name is Earl, Kath & Kim, The Office, ER, Ugly Betty, Eleventh Hour, Private Practice, Supernatural, Smallville, Survivor, and Secret Millionaire - Ratings - TVbytheNumbers.Zap2it.com". TVbytheNumbers. Archived from the original on January 5, 2009. Retrieved January 10, 2009.
  25. ^ "Nielsen Overnight TV Ratings for Thursday January 8, 2009 including the BCS National Championship, Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, 30 Rock and ER - Ratings - TVbytheNumbers.Zap2it.com". TVbytheNumbers. Archived from the original on September 13, 2012. Retrieved January 10, 2009.
  26. ^ "ABC wins a close Thursday night". Variety.
  27. ^ "Thursday Nielsen TV Ratings: Bones, Private Practice, Grey's Anatomy, My Name is Earl, Ugly Betty, E.R., The Office, and 30 Rock - Ratings - TVbytheNumbers.Zap2it.com". TVbytheNumbers. Archived from the original on 2012-09-13. Retrieved 2015-02-06.
  28. ^ "Thursday Nielsen TV Ratings: NAACP Image Awards, Private Practice, Grey's Anatomy, My Name is Earl, Ugly Betty, E.R., The Office, and 30 Rock - Ratings - TVbytheNumbers.Zap2it.com". TVbytheNumbers. Archived from the original on 2012-09-13. Retrieved 2015-02-06.
  29. ^ "Nielsen Ratings - Overnight TV Ratings for Thursday, February 19, 2009 featuring Survivor: Tocantins, CSI, Eleventh Hour, Ugly Betty, Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, Bones, Hell's Kitchen, My Name is Earl, Kath & Kim, The Office, 30 Rock, ER, Smallville, and Supernatural - Ratings - TVbytheNumbers.Zap2it.com". TVbytheNumbers. Archived from the original on August 26, 2012. Retrieved February 6, 2015.
  30. ^ "Nielsen Ratings - Overnight TV Ratings for Thursday, February 26, 2009 with American Idol, Survivor: Tocantins, CSI, Eleventh Hour, Ugly Betty, Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, Bones, Hell's Kitchen, Kath & Kim, The Office, 30 Rock, ER, Smallville, and Supernatural - Ratings - TVbytheNumbers.Zap2it.com". TVbytheNumbers. Archived from the original on May 5, 2009. Retrieved February 6, 2015.
  31. ^ "Nielsen Ratings - Overnight TV Ratings for Thursday, March 5, 2009 with American Idol, Survivor: Tocantins, CSI, Eleventh Hour, Ugly Betty, Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, Bones, Hell's Kitchen, Kath & Kim, The Office, 30 Rock, ER, Smallville, and Supernatural - Ratings - TVbytheNumbers.Zap2it.com". TVbytheNumbers. Archived from the original on March 31, 2009. Retrieved February 6, 2015.
  32. ^ "Nielsen Ratings - Overnight TV Ratings for Thursday, March 12, 2009; Survivor: Tocantins, CSI, Eleventh Hour, Ugly Betty, Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, Bones, Hell's Kitchen, Kath & Kim, The Office, 30 Rock, E.R., Smallville, Supernatural - Ratings - TVbytheNumbers.Zap2it.com". TVbytheNumbers. Archived from the original on September 17, 2012. Retrieved February 6, 2015.
  33. ^ "Prospect Of US 'Kath & Kim' Is Giving Us Horrible Nightmares In Advance" Archived 2008-12-01 at the Wayback Machine Defamer Australia (October 24, 2007)
  34. ^ Not Happy About The 'Kath & Kim' Remake? Don't Tell Selma! Archived 2008-08-02 at the Wayback Machine Defamer Australia (July 2, 2008)
  35. ^ US 'Kath & Kim' Continues To Miss The Point Archived 2008-12-27 at the Wayback Machine Defamer Australia (July 22, 2008)
  36. ^ Surprisingly, American 'Kath & Kim' Adaptation Misses The Point Archived 2009-01-08 at the Wayback Machine Defamer Australia (May 30, 2008)
  37. ^ "US Kath & Kim Star Selma Blair Blasts Critics" Archived 2009-03-21 at the Wayback Machine From News.com.au (July 2, 2008)
  38. ^ TV reviews: 'Kath & Kim,' 'Testees', Tim Goodman, San Francisco Chronicle, October 6, 2008.
  39. ^ US Kath and Kim rates very well on debut Archived 2008-10-11 at the Wayback Machine, NineMSN News, October 11, 2008
  40. ^ http://www.sitcomsonline.com/blog/2008/10/week-5-numbers-first-four-nights-how.html SitcomsOnline.com News Blog: Week 5 Numbers (First Four Nights); How the Sitcoms Did, Sitcoms Online, October 26, 2008
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