Kath & Kim

Kath & Kim
Genre	Comedy
Created by	Gina Riley Jane Turner
Directed by	Ted Emery
Starring	Jane Turner Gina Riley Magda Szubanski Peter Rowsthorn Glenn Robbins
Opening theme	"The Joker" vocals provided by Gina Riley
Country of origin	Australia
Original language	English
No. of seasons	4
No. of episodes	32 (plus 1 telemovie and 1 theatrical film) (list of episodes)
Production
Production locations	Melbourne, Australia
Editor	Steven Robinson ASE
Running time	25 minutes
Production company	Riley Turner Productions
Release
Original network	ABC TV (2002–2005) Seven Network (2007)
Picture format	DVB-T 576i 16:9
Audio format	Stereo
Original release	16 May 2002 (2002-05-16) – 14 October 2007 (2007-10-14)
External links
Website

Kath & Kim is an Australian sitcom created by Jane Turner and Gina Riley, who portray the title characters of Kath Day-Knight, a cheery, middle-aged suburban mother, and Kim Craig, her self-indulgent daughter. The cast also includes Glenn Robbins, Peter Rowsthorn and Magda Szubanski as, respectively, Kath's metrosexual boyfriend (later husband) Kel Knight, Kim's henpecked husband Brett Craig, and her lonely "second-best friend" Sharon Strzelecki. The series is set in Fountain Lakes, a fictional suburb of Melbourne, Victoria. Footage inside and in the street of Kath's house was primarily filmed in Patterson Lakes. Other footage was filmed around Cheltenham and Moorabbin; scenes set at Fountain Gate were actually filmed at Westfield Southland.^[1]

Aside from the television series, which ran from 2002 to 2007 and comprises four seasons, the franchise also includes a television film, Da Kath & Kim Code (2005), and a feature film, Kath & Kimderella (2012). The series also spawned a short-lived American remake, which ran for 17 episodes between 2008 and 2009.

Premise[]

Kath & Kim follows the day-to-day Australian suburban life of Kath Day-Knight (Jane Turner), her only child Kimberly (Kim) Diane Craig née Day (Gina Riley), Kim's husband and Computa City salesman, Brett Craig (Peter Rowsthorn), Kath's love interest and eventual husband who works as a "purveyor of fine meats", Kel Knight (Glenn Robbins), and long-time family friend Sharon Strzelecki (Magda Szubanski).

Production[]

Development[]

The characters of Kath, Kim (created by Riley and Turner) and Sharon (created and played by Magda Szubanski^[2]) first featured in their current forms during the mid 1990s as a weekly segment of the Australian comedy series Big Girl's Blouse (Seven, 1994–95),^[3] having appeared in a more embryonic incarnation earlier in the decade on the sketch comedy show Fast Forward (Seven, 1989–92).^[4] They also appeared in Something Stupid (Seven, 1998).^[3]

The skits were developed by Riley and Turner into a full series. Big Girl's Blouse had been deemed a failure by the ABC who wanted to pull Kath and Kim. But it was championed by Robyn Kershaw the ABC Head of Drama so Kath and Kim had the distinction for a comedy show of being produced by the drama department, and was loved by the "suburban people" it supposedly attacked.

Twenty-four episodes lasting approximately twenty-five minutes each across three seasons aired on ABC TV from 2002 to 2004. The series debuted on 15 May 2002 on the ABC Network with "Sex" and became one of the highest-rated shows for ABC.^{[citation needed]} A replacement of a full series occurred in 2005 with the telemovie Da Kath & Kim Code. The fourth season of Kath & Kim began airing on the Seven Network on 19 August 2007, due to the contract expiring with ABC.

In late 2009, they announced that writing had begun on season 5,^[5] but by May 2010, Turner said: "We sort of felt like it was the end two years ago. We thought, 'We've done enough and the well is dry and we can't think of any more ideas' ... We think we might just leave it for now."^[6]

Writing[]

The alternative vocabulary including the mixed metaphors, hypercorrection, malapropisms, eggcorns (like "ravishing" instead of "ravenous"), and mis-pronunciations of the regular characters are much repeated by the show's fans. These include: "Look at moy" (look at me)—used by Kath to command attention during arguments, and "It's noice, different and unusual"—used by Kath, Kim and Sharon to express approval or agreement.

Costuming[]

Second-hand shops were used for Kath's clothing, whereas Kim was dressed in current trends.^[7]

Opening titles[]

The title sequence shows the main five regular characters over a white background. In season 3, it was amended to include Epponnee-Rae and Cujo. The five regular cast members are then credited over aerial shots of suburban houses. Szubanski is credited as "Special Guest Star," despite appearing in every episode. The theme song is "The Joker," performed by Gina Riley. A re-recording of it debuted in the telemovie opening sequence and has continued into season 4.

Cast and characters[]

Main cast[]

• Jane Turner as Kath Day-Knight – A middle aged woman who strives to keep herself fit.
• Gina Riley as Kim Craig – Kath's 20-something year old daughter who is known for being lazy and extremely self-centred.
• Magda Szubanski as Sharon Strzelecki – Kim's "second-best friend", described as very unlucky in love and a sports enthusiast.
• Glenn Robbins as Kel Knight – Kath's boyfriend and later husband, a metrosexual man who is a local "purveyor of fine meats"
• Peter Rowsthorn as Brett Craig – Kim's husband

Rowsthorn and Robbins had previously worked together on The Comedy Company.

Recurring cast[]

• Zara Harrington, Emma Le Boeuf and Makayla Berkers as Epponnee-Rae Craig – Kim's baby (series 2, episode 8 and onwards)
• Jane Turner and Gina Riley as Prue and Trude, two snobby women who work in a homewares store (8 episodes + TV movie)
• Marg Downey as Marion, a new-age marriage celebrant and counsellor (6 episodes)
• Mick Molloy as Gary Poole, Kim's father (2 episodes)
• William McInnes (credited as Rock Hampton) as Sandy Freckle, long-time friend of Kel (2 episodes)
• Tony Martin as Mark, romantic interest of Sharon (4 episodes)
• Peta Brady as Kelly, Brett's supervisor at work (4 episodes + TV movie)
• Mark Trevorrow as Daryl Lee, a camp man who works in a menswear shop (3 episodes + TV movie)
• Luke Lennox as Brodie (1 episode + TV movie)
• Matt Lucas as Karen, Sharon's maternal half-sister (2 episodes)
• Shivantha Wijesinha as Imran (2 episodes)

Guest cast[]

• Eric Bana (as himself, 1 episode)
• Alan Brough (first name used, 1 episode)
• Michael Bublé (as himself, TV movie)
• Sibylla Budd
• Rhonda Burchmore (as herself, TV movie)
• Glenn Butcher
• John Clarke
• Vince Colosimo
• Gerry Connolly
• Rachel Griffiths (as herself, 1 episode)
• Donna Hay (as herself)
• Mark Holden (as himself, 1 episode)
• Barry Humphries (TV movie, and movie (as Edna Everage))
• Colin Lane
• Judith Lucy (1 episode, TV movie)
• Rove McManus (as himself)
• Andrew O'Keefe (as himself)
• Geoffrey Rush (1 episode)
• Rob Sitch (1 episode)
• Shane Warne (as a Shane Warne impersonator who marries Sharon, 1 episode)
• The Wiggles (as themselves, TV movie)
• Frank Woodley (1 episode)
• Kylie Minogue (as an adult Epponnee-Rae Craig in episode 3x8, also made brief appearance in episode 3x7)

Several guest stars are well-known Australian comedy performers, some of whom previously worked with Turner or Riley. Bublé and Lucas were fans of the show and asked to appear in it. Humphries declared himself a fan of the series before taking part.

Episodes[]

Season		Episodes		Originally aired
				First aired	Last aired	Network
	1	8		16 May 2002 (2002-05-16)	4 July 2002 (2002-07-04)	ABC
	2	8		18 September 2003 (2003-09-18)	6 November 2003 (2003-11-06)
	3	8		7 October 2004 (2004-10-07)	25 November 2004 (2004-11-25)
	Telemovie			November 27, 2005 (2005-11-27)
	4	8		19 August 2007 (2007-08-19)	14 October 2007 (2007-10-14)	Seven Network

Overview[]

The storyline of the first series follows Kath's engagement and plans for her wedding to Kel. Kim frequently stays in her mother's house owing to her rocky relationship with Brett (most of which is due to her own childish, spoilt, and rude behaviour towards Brett). Sharon's always around with a helping hand and her own relationship problems. Her history with Brett is also explored.

The second series follows Kim's pregnancy and her rekindled relationship with Brett. Kath and Kel's relationship goes through some teething troubles. 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. Several episodes of the third series focus on Epponnee Rae. The third-season finale features an adult Epponnee Rae, played by Kylie Minogue.

Storylines follow the characters' day-to-day lives, and document their personal struggles and the banality of their achievements and aspirations. Kath & Kim satirises the mother-daughter relationship and 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. Despite this affluence, good taste and a sense of cultural sophistication still eludes the titular characters.

They visit places such as the Westfield Fountain Gate (some parts filmed at Westfield Southland), the local IKEA, Target and various local restaurants.

It also occasionally mocks Australian and international mass popular culture, such as popular reality television shows Big Brother and Australian Idol. It sometimes makes statements about Australian politics. The crass and embarrassing behaviour of the characters, and their gaudy, out-dated fashion sense are popular features of the show. Processed and widely recognised Australian foods, such as Jatz crackers, Tim Tams and Fruche yoghurt are frequently referenced in the series.

During the credits, most episodes end with Kath and Kim sitting in Kath's back yard, chatting about issues related to the episode. Sometimes these chats help to complete the story which was told during the episode.

Broadcast[]

Re-runs[]

In 2017, the rights to the series were acquired by the Nine Network which began airing repeats of the series from 1 August 2017 until 21 November 2017.^[8]

In 2018, the series was released on Netflix in several regions, as well as the films and TV specials.^[9] In July 2019, the series was launched onto Netflix in Australia as well as the Kountdown Specials and Souvenir Editions.

Reception[]

Ratings[]

Kath & Kim premiered on 16 May 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, until the record was broken by Nine Network's Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities on 9 February 2009. 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 and 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 show's finale rated 2.338 million giving the fourth season an average viewership of 2.122 million, making it the highest-rating TV season in Australia for 2007 and the highest-rating of all four seasons 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.^[10]

Season	Timeslot (Australian)	Episodes	First aired	Last aired	Network	Rank	Avg. viewers (millions)
1	Thursday 7:30 pm	8	16 May 2002	4 July 2002	ABC	15	1.254[11]
2		8	18 September 2003	6 November 2003		1	1.755[11]
3		8	7 October 2004	25 November 2004		1	1.829[11]
4	Sunday 7:30 pm	8	19 August 2007	14 October 2007	Seven Network	1	2.127[11]

Awards and nominations[]

AFI Awards
Year	Category	Nominee	Result	Notes	Ref
2002	Best Television Drama Series	Mark Ruse (producer)	Won	[a]	[12]
	Best Actress in a Supporting or Guest Role in a Television Drama or Comedy	Magda Szubanski	Won	[b]
	Best Screenplay in a Television Drama	Gina Riley, Jane Turner	Won	[c]
	Best Screenplay in a Television Drama	Gina Riley, Jane Turner	Nominated	[d]
2003	Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Television Drama or Comedy	Glenn Robbins	Nominated	[e]	[13]
	Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Television Drama or Comedy	Jane Turner	Nominated	[f]
	Best Actress in a Supporting or Guest Role in a Television Drama or Comedy	Magda Szubanski	Nominated	[g]
2004	Best Comedy Series - Sitcom or Sketch	Gina Riley, Mark Ruse, Jane Turner	Nominated	[h]	[14]
	Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Television Drama or Comedy	Gina Riley	Nominated	[i]
	Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Television Drama or Comedy	Jane Turner	Nominated	[j]
	Best Actor in a Supporting or Guest Role in a Television Drama or Comedy	Glenn Robbins	Nominated	[k]
	Best Actress in a Supporting or Guest Role in a Television Drama or Comedy	Magda Szubanski	Nominated	[l]
	Best Screenplay in a Television	Gina Riley, Jane Turner	Nominated	[m]
	Outstanding Achievement in Craft in Television	Kitty Stuckey	Won	[n]
Logie Awards
Year	Category	Nominee	Result	Notes	Ref
2003	Most Popular Light Entertainment Program	Kath & Kim	Nominated	[o]	[15]
	Most Outstanding Comedy Program	Kath & Kim	Won	[p]
2004	Most Popular Actor	Glenn Robbins	Nominated	[q]	[16]
	Most Popular Light Entertainment Program	Kath & Kim	Nominated	[r]
	Most Outstanding Comedy Program	Kath & Kim	Won	[s]
2005	Most Popular Actress	Gina Riley	Nominated	[t]	[17]
	Most Popular Actress	Magda Szubanski	Nominated	[u]
	Most Popular Actor	Glenn Robbins	Nominated	[v]
	Most Popular Light Entertainment Program	Kath & Kim	Nominated	[w]
	Most Outstanding Comedy Program	Kath & Kim	Nominated	[x]
2006	Most Popular Actor	Glenn Robbins	Nominated	[y]	[18]
	Most Outstanding Miniseries or Telemovie	Da Kath & Kim Code	Nominated	[z]
2008	Most Popular Actress	Magda Szubanski	Nominated	[aa]	[19]
	Most Popular Actor	Glenn Robbins	Nominated	[ab]
	Most Popular Light Entertainment Program	Kath & Kim	Won	[ac]
	Most Outstanding Comedy Program	Kath & Kim	Nominated	[ad]

Home media[]

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 series have been released on VHS (although titles are now discontinued in the VHS format) and DVD, in box sets and separate series 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 has been clothing (such as aprons, T-shirts and oven mitts). Merchandise is available to purchase online, from the Kath & Kim official website.

CD releases[]

Album info

Kath & Kim's Party Tape Release date: 2 May 2004 [1] Chart positions: #17 (Australian Albums Chart)[2] Accreditation: Gold (50,000+ units sold)[3] 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 and Lionel Richie's "Endless Love" and Donna Summer's "MacArthur Park".

Track listing[]

1. Gina Riley – "The Joker"
2. Kath & Kim (Jane Turner and Gina Riley) – "Wine Time #1"
3. The Tubes – "Don't Touch Me There"
4. Bobby Hebb – "Sunny"
5. Kath & Kim – "Wine Time #2"
6. Diana Ross and Lionel Richie – "Endless Love"
7. Status Quo – "Roll Over Lay Down"
8. Kath & Kim – "Wine Time #3"
9. The Supremes – "Rhythm of Life"
10. Van McCoy – "The Hustle"
11. Yvonne Elliman – "If I Can't Have You"
12. Donna Summer – "MacArthur Park"
13. Kath & Kim – "Wine Time #4"
14. The Commodores – "Three Times a Lady"
15. Sérgio Mendes and Brasil '66 – "Day Tripper"
16. Kath & Kim – "Wine Time #5"
17. Yvonne Fair – "It Should Have Been Me"
18. Stephanie Mills – "Never Knew Love Like This Before"
19. Kath & Kim – "Wine Time #6"
20. Captain & Tennille – "Love Will Keep Us Together"
21. Kath & Kim – "Lady Bump"

DVD releases[]

Title	Release date		Additional
	Region 2	Region 4
Single sets
Series 1	20 June 2005[20]	8 October 2002	show 8 episodes 2-disc set 202 minutes 1.78:1 aspect ratio English Dolby Digital 2.0 English subtitles (hard of hearing) Ratings: ACB: PG[21][22] BBFC: 15[23] Special features: 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! Re-released in UK via 2Entertain with alternative cover art on 7 December 2009.[24]
Series 2	27 November 2006[25]	24 November 2003	show 8 episodes 2-disc set 215 minutes 1.78:1 aspect ratio English Dolby Digital 2.0 English subtitles (hard of hearing) Ratings: ACB: PG[26][27] BBFC: 12[23] Special features: Features entitled "A bit of huffy puffy with Kath and Kel", "More Yumor", "More Wine Time philosophy" and "Scenes that are different, un-ewes-yewl". Re-released in UK via 2Entertain with alternative cover art on 7 December 2009.[28]
Series 3	TBA	30 November 2004	show 8 episodes 2-disc set 248 minutes 1.78:1 aspect ratio English Dolby Digital 2.0 No subtitles Ratings: ACB: PG Special features: 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.
Da Kath & Kim Code	TBA	1 December 2005	show 1 telemovie 2-disc set 164 minutes 1.78:1 aspect ratio English Dolby Digital 2.0 English subtitles (hard of hearing) Ratings: ACB: PG Special features: including an extended 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".
Series 4	TBA	17 October 2007	show 8 episodes 2-disc set 265 minutes 1.78:1 aspect ratio English Dolby Digital 2.0 English subtitles (hard of hearing) English Audio Discription Ratings: ACB: PG Special features: Includes "Stupid Goofs", "behind-the-scenes with Kath & Kim", "Little Britain meet the foxy ladies & see Ricky Pointing & Adam Gilchrist cook-off with Kath & Kim".
Multiple, compilation and re-issue sets
Series 1 & 2	27 November 2006[29]	8 April 2004	show 16 episodes 4-disc set 431 minutes 1.78:1 aspect ratio English Dolby Digital 2.0 English subtitles (hard of hearing) Ratings: ACB: PG BBFC: 15 Special features: See individual releases
	7 December 2009[30]	2 July 2009	show 16 episodes 4-disc set 431 minutes 1.78:1 aspect ratio English Dolby Digital 2.0 English subtitles (hard of hearing) Ratings: ACB: PG BBFC: 15 Special features: See individual releases
Series 1–3	TBA	7 April 2005	show 24 episodes 6-disc set 686 minutes 1.78:1 aspect ratio English Dolby Digital 2.0 Ratings: ACB: PG Special features: See individual releases
Kel's Choice Cuts	TBA	6 November 2008[31]	show 4 episodes 99 minutes 1-disc set 1.78:1 aspect ratio English Dolby Digital 2.0 Ratings: ACB: PG
Series 3 & 4	TBA	2 July 2009[32]	show 16 episodes 2-disc set 513 minutes 1.78:1 aspect ratio English Dolby Digital 2.0 Ratings: ACB: PG Special features: See individual releases
Da Kath & Kim Code (repackaged)	TBA	1 April 2010	show 1 telemovie 2-disc set 164 minutes 1.78:1 aspect ratio English Dolby Digital 2.0 English subtitles (hard of hearing) Ratings: ACB: PG Special features: See original release set
The Best of Kath & Kim	TBA	7 November 2012[33]	show 8 episodes 2-disc set 1.78:1 aspect ratio English Dolby Digital 2.0 Ratings: ACB: PG
Complete sets
The Hornbag Collection	TBA	6 November 2008	show Series 1–4 32 episodes 8-disc set 1.78:1 aspect ratio English Dolby Digital 2.0 Ratings: ACB: PG Special features: See individual releases Does not include Da Kath & Kim Code
The Kath & Kim Kollection	TBA	1 April 2010	show Series 1–4 32 episodes 8-disc set 1.78:1 aspect ratio English Dolby Digital 2.0 Ratings: ACB: PG Special features: See individual releases Does not include Da Kath & Kim Code
Yuuuge Pack Komplete Kollection	TBA	8 November 2017[34]	show Series 1–4, The Kath & Kim Code and Kath & Kimderella 32 episodes 10-disc set 1.78:1 aspect ratio English Dolby Digital 2.0 Ratings: ACB: PG Special features: See individual releases

American adaptation[]

Due to the success that Kath & Kim has achieved internationally, it was remade for US audiences by NBC.^[35][36][37] Riley and Turner served as executive producers on the US version. In this remake, actress Molly Shannon has taken the role of Kath Day,^[38] and Selma Blair the role of Kim.^[39] The character of Sharon does not appear at the insistence of Szubanski.

NBC chose Jason Ensler to direct. Michelle Nader developed the series for American television, which premiered in the United States as part of the Fall schedule of 2008. The series started to shoot in California in July 2008. NBC debuted the US adaptation on 9 October 2008, while Seven started screening it to Australian viewers on 12 October 2008. After airing only two episodes, Seven dropped the sitcom from their lineup due to poor ratings, only to bring it back several weeks later as a late-night schedule filler. In America, reviews were poor, but it averaged roughly around 5 to 7 million viewers per week, and was rewarded with a full season order in October 2008.^[40][41] On 19 May 2009, NBC announced that there would not be a second season of Kath & Kim.

Feature film[]

On 9 March 2011, Turner and Riley announced plans for a movie, in which, Kath, Kim, Kel, Brett, Sharon and Epponnee would head overseas on holiday. Contracts were written to finance the film's production under the working title of The Kath & Kim Filum, with the word 'film' deliberately misspelt with the letter 'u' in typical Kath and Kim yumour.^[42] However, the title Kath & Kimderella was ultimately used, and the film was released in Australia on 6 September 2012.^[43] It was directed by Ted Emery (director of the television series) and produced by Rick McKenna. The holiday scenes were shot in Positano, Italy and filming took a total of two weeks.^[44]

The film was released in Australian cinemas on 6 September 2012.^[43] It grossed in excess of $2.1 million in its first weekend on Australian movie screens.^[45]

Notes[]

References[]

External links[]

Wikiquote has quotations related to: Kath & Kim

• Official Kath & Kim website
• Official BBC website
• Yahoo!7 website
• Kath & Kim at IMDb