Kath & Kim (U.S. TV series)

Infobox Television
show_name = Kath & Kim


caption =
genre = Comedy
creator = Gina Riley
Jane Turner
developer = Ben Silverman
presenter =
starring = Molly Shannon
Selma Blair
John Michael Higgins
Mikey Day
voices =
narrated =
theme_music_composer =
opentheme =
endtheme =
country = USA
language = English
num_seasons = 1
num_episodes = 1
list_episodes =
producer =
executive_producer = Gina Riley
Jane Turner
Rick McKenna
Michelle Nader
Teri Weinberg
location =
camera =
runtime =
network = NBC
picture_format =
audio_format =
first_run =
first_aired = October 9 2008
last_aired = present
preceded_by =
followed_by =
related = Based on the Australian series
website =
imdb_id = 0948539
tv_com_id = 75144

"Kath & Kim" is an American version of the award-winning Australian television comedy series of the same name, which debuted as a fall entry on NBC's primetime lineup on October 9, 2008, where it airs on Thursday nights. It will also air on Global in Canada;cite web|url=http://www.dose.ca/tv/story.html?id=d260c02b-27c1-490b-b420-699c9f9731e5|title=Global's Fall Schedule: Spies, Time-Travel and Spoiled Teens|work=Dose.ca|accessdate=2008-05-04] the premiere dates in other parts of the world are not yet announced. The Australian version was created by its original stars, Jane Turner and Gina Riley, who will serve as executive producers and consultants on this version as well, which will be co-produced through Reveille Productions and Universal Media Studios.

It will premiere in Australia on Sunday October 12 on the Seven Network.

eries background

"Kath & Kim" details the chronicles and misadventures about the family matters and relationships of the title characters, a dysfunctional mother and daughter, living in a suburban community in Florida. Their family bonding, like in the Australian version, is different as night and day.

Kathleen "Kath" Day is the mom, a foxy, 40-something divorcée who finally has time for herself and her valiant search for love. Her daughter, Kimberly "Kim" Day-Fattibene, is in her mid 20’s but dresses like a teenager, constantly eating as a way to console herself, and is obsessed with celebrities. When Kim decides to move back home after separating from her husband, Craig, who works at a Circuit Surplus, Kath reluctantly agrees -- but to Kim's chagrin, Kath is not about to cater to her every whim as she has in the past.

Also making their lives complicated are their significant others. Phil Knight, Kath's boyfriend, is a decent but dorky man in his mid 40’s who owns a sandwich shop at the mall food court and has a difficult time getting along with Kim no thanks to her disapproval of her mother's relationship. Kim's husband, Craig, has his hands full trying to deal with her dominating personality which explains their separation.

Episodes

*1. Pilot (October 9, 2008)In the series opener, Kath has finally found love in the form of a sandwich shop owner named Phil Knight, while 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 [ [http://www.thefutoncritic.com/listings.aspx?id=20080919nbc12 From The Futon Critic (September 19, 2008)] ] . There are many scenes in the previews that are very similar to ones in the pilot. This causes speculation about two filmed pilots.

Production

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, where it did well.

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, [cite news|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/television/news/e3i9593c11452f0e279b99890a54ae06e63|title=Pilots land safely at NBC|date=2007-01-10|publisher=Hollywood Reporter|accessdate=2007-04-02] with Riley and Turner serving as executive producers and consultants. Paul Feig was picked to direct the pilot episode. [ [http://www.comingsoon.net/news/tvnews.php?id=39206 Feig to Direct Molly Shannon's Kath & Kim - ComingSoon.net ] ]

Originally, NBC wanted the series to air in the 2007-2008 fall television season, but decided against it. [ [http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/a46572/in-full-nbcs-2007-08-show-by-show-scorecard.html US TV - News - In full: NBC's 2007-08 show by show scorecard - Digital Spy ] ] 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. [ [http://www.sun-sentinel.com/entertainment/la-ca-international20apr20,0,6478134.story From Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel (April 21, 2008)] ] The show was ordered to series in early 2008. [ [http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117980278.html?categoryid=14&cs=1 NBC picks up 'Kim' sans pilot - Entertainment News, TV News, Media - Variety ] ] The first season will initially consist of 13 episodes, up from the 6 that was announced earlier in the show's planning stages [ [http://www.reuters.com/article/televisionNews/idUSN3026123020080630 NBC orders more "Kath & Kim" ] ] and started production immediately now that the Writers Guild of America strike is resolved.

On April 8, 2008, NBC announced that the series will air on Tuesday nights in the first phase of the network's fall schedule. [ [http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=20080402nbc01 From The Futon Critic] ] Then on May 23rd, 2008, NBC released a press release saying it has moved to Thursdays at 9:30/8:30c following The Office starting October 9th, 2008.

Casting

NBC has confirmed that Molly Shannon has been cast as Kath, [ [http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/story/0,23663,22527553-10229,00.html Molly Shannon signs for US version of Kath And Kim] - The Daily Telegraph, "4 Oct 2007"] and Selma Blair as Kim. [ [http://www.zap2it.com/tv/news/zap-selmablairkathandkimcasting,0,1456143.story Selma Blair Completes 'Kath and Kim'] - Zap2It.com, "22 Jan 2008"] Even though they are playing mother and daughter, Shannon is actually only eight years older than Blair (Shannon was born in 1964; Blair in 1972). Similarly, the actresses in the Australian version, Jane Turner and Gina Riley, are the same age.

Some of the names have been changed for the US version. While Kath and Kim will retain their first names they will now be Kath Day (rather than Kath Day-Knight) and Kim Day-Fattibene (rather than Kim Craig née Day). The three other characters will have different first names: Heather (replacing Sharon), Craig Fattibene (replacing Brett Craig) and Phil (replacing Kel). [ [http://www.showfax.com/role_selection.cfm?l=1&t=2&p=91982 From Showfax, Inc.] ] However, since that announcement Phil's name has been changed to Carl Rutter (even though the pilot episode has the character listed as Phil Knight) and Heather is expected to be renamed Debbie Cox when that role is cast. Two additional characters have been added into the mix: a relative of Craig's named Dennis Fattibene and a friend named Troy. [ [http://www.thefutoncritic.com/showatch.aspx?id=kath_and_kim From The Futon Critic] ] On April 10, 2008, the "Hollywood Reporter" announced that John Michael Higgins and Mikey Day had been cast as Kath & Kim's significant others. [ [http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i4ea1e9f8de45701656fb749f60c8a60a John Michael Higgins joins 'Kath & Kim' ] ]

Location settings

Originally, the series setting was supposed to be set in Fountain Valley, Arizona, 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. In July 2008 Blair confirmed that they will set the series in Florida instead. [ [http://www.kath-kim.com/ From Kath & Kim Blog] ]

Reception

While the series has generated a lot of buzz, there has been some criticism from fans and television critics over this adaptation, [ [http://www.defamer.com.au/2007/10/prospect_of_us_kath_kim_is_giv.html "Prospect Of US 'Kath & Kim' Is Giving Us Horrible Nightmares In Advance"] Defamer Australia (October 24, 2007)] especially in the casting, [ [http://www.defamer.com.au/2008/07/not_happy_about_the_kath_kim_remake_dont_tell_selma.html Not Happy About The 'Kath & Kim' Remake? Don't Tell Selma!] Defamer Australia (July 2, 2008)] adjusting of the tone of the show [ [http://www.defamer.com.au/2008/07/us_kath_kim_continues_to_miss_the_point.html US 'Kath & Kim' Continues To Miss The Point] Defamer Australia (July 22, 2008)] and even the show's costume design, [ [http://www.defamer.com.au/2008/05/surprisingly_american_kath_kim_adaptation_misses_the_point.html Surprisingly, American 'Kath & Kim' Adaptation Misses The Point] Defamer Australia (May 30, 2008)] which has led to Blair firing back over the claims that it ruins the creativity of the original. [ [http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/story/0,26278,23956442-10229,00.html "US Kath & Kim Star Selma Blair Blasts Critics"] From News.com.au (July 2, 2008)] Another issue involves the series content, which was more risque and at times adult explicit in the original, but is expected to be toned down for American viewers.

Early reviews of the pilot were poor, with the San Francisco Chronicle calling it "a contender for worst remake ever." [ [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/10/06/DDME13BMAD.DTL TV reviews: 'Kath & Kim,' 'Testees'] , Tim Goodman, San Francisco Chronicle, October 6, 2008]

Despite negative reviews, the series debut's ratings were incredibly strong. The show finished second in its time slot in the demographic, and third overall with a total of 7.5 million viewers. However, in the 18-49 year-old demographic, which is the focus of the U.S. television networks and advertisers, "Kath & Kim" placed an astounding second, behind only "Survivor". [ [http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=645420 US Kath and Kim rates very well on debut] , NineMSN News, October 11, 2008]

Cast

*Molly Shannon as Kathleen "Kath" Day (Australian name: Kathleen "Kath" Day-Knight)
*Selma Blair as Kimberly "Kim" Day-Fattibene (Australian name: Kimberly "Kim" Craig, née Day)
*John Michael Higgins as Phil Knight (Australian name: Kelvin "Kel" Graham Knight)
*Mikey Day as Craig Fattibene (Australian name: Brett Craig)
*Tony Yalda as Troy
*Cheyenne Haynes as Shanelle

References

External links

*imdb title|id=0948539|title=Kath & Kim
*tv.com show|id=75144|title=Kath & Kim
* [http://www.nbc.com/Primetime/Kath_and_Kim/index.shtml Kath & Kim at NBC.com]