Kath and Kim, Melbourne
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Genre - Comedy
Created by - Gina Riley and Jane Turner
No. of seasons - 3
Production Location - Melbourne, Victoria
Running time - Approx. 23 minutes per episode.
Picture format - 576i (SDTV)
Audio format - Stereo
Original run - May 16, 2002 â
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.
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. 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. The series also airs on broadcast networks internationally, including RTÃ Two in Ireland, TV3 in New Zealand, TV2 in Finland and LIVING 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. However, despite a pilot episode being made, the series was not picked up by NBC.
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 Pl, 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 many scenes were actually filmed at Southland Shopping Centre), the local IKEA, Target, and various local restaurants. Fountain Lakes is not to be confused with the real Melbourne suburb Fountain Gate.
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. 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). 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.
Format
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
Kath Day-Knight
Played by Gina Riley
Full name: Kathleen Day-Knight nee Day
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.
Kim Craig
Played by Jane Turner
Full name: Kimberly Diane Craig nee Day
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.
Kel Knight
Played by Glenn Robbins
Full name: Kelvin Graham Knight
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.
Brett Craig
Played by Peter Rowsthorn
Full name: Brett Dean Craig
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.
Sharon Strzelecki
Played by Magda Szubanski
Full name: Sharon Karen Strezlecki
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.
Epponnee-Rae Craig
Played by Zara Harrington and Emma Le Boeuf
Full name: Epponnee-Raelene Kathleen Darlene Charlene Craig
Kim and Brett's baby daughter. Her full name is frequently shortened to 'Eps', 'Baby Eps', Epponnee or Epponnee-Rae.
Recurring characters
These characters have all starred in at least two episodes of Kath & Kim.
Trude.........................Gina Riley
Prue...........................Jane Turner
Marion........................Marg Downey
Gary Poole...................Mick Molloy
Sandy Freckle..............William McInnes
Mark..........................Tony Martin
Kelly...........................Peta Brady
Formal Wear Tailor........Mark Trevorrow
One-off characters
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". Lucas shot scenes for his guest spot on Kath & Kim at the Westfield Southland food court on January 24 David Walliams of Little Britain fame will also have a cameo role.
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. 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.
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
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 occured in 2005 with the telemovie Da Kath & Kim Code. A fourth series is set to air mid - late 2007 on the Seven Network.
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.
United States version
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
Source: [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kath_%26_Kim"]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kath_%26_Kim[/url]
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Genre - Comedy
Created by - Gina Riley and Jane Turner
No. of seasons - 3
Production Location - Melbourne, Victoria
Running time - Approx. 23 minutes per episode.
Picture format - 576i (SDTV)
Audio format - Stereo
Original run - May 16, 2002 â
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.
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. 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. The series also airs on broadcast networks internationally, including RTÃ Two in Ireland, TV3 in New Zealand, TV2 in Finland and LIVING 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. However, despite a pilot episode being made, the series was not picked up by NBC.
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 Pl, 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 many scenes were actually filmed at Southland Shopping Centre), the local IKEA, Target, and various local restaurants. Fountain Lakes is not to be confused with the real Melbourne suburb Fountain Gate.
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. 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). 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.
Format
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
Kath Day-Knight
Played by Gina Riley
Full name: Kathleen Day-Knight nee Day
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.
Kim Craig
Played by Jane Turner
Full name: Kimberly Diane Craig nee Day
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.
Kel Knight
Played by Glenn Robbins
Full name: Kelvin Graham Knight
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.
Brett Craig
Played by Peter Rowsthorn
Full name: Brett Dean Craig
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.
Sharon Strzelecki
Played by Magda Szubanski
Full name: Sharon Karen Strezlecki
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.
Epponnee-Rae Craig
Played by Zara Harrington and Emma Le Boeuf
Full name: Epponnee-Raelene Kathleen Darlene Charlene Craig
Kim and Brett's baby daughter. Her full name is frequently shortened to 'Eps', 'Baby Eps', Epponnee or Epponnee-Rae.
Recurring characters
These characters have all starred in at least two episodes of Kath & Kim.
Trude.........................Gina Riley
Prue...........................Jane Turner
Marion........................Marg Downey
Gary Poole...................Mick Molloy
Sandy Freckle..............William McInnes
Mark..........................Tony Martin
Kelly...........................Peta Brady
Formal Wear Tailor........Mark Trevorrow
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.
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". Lucas shot scenes for his guest spot on Kath & Kim at the Westfield Southland food court on January 24 David Walliams of Little Britain fame will also have a cameo role.
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. 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.
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
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 occured in 2005 with the telemovie Da Kath & Kim Code. A fourth series is set to air mid - late 2007 on the Seven Network.
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.
United States version
- On November 9, 2006, NBC announced plans for a US version of Kath And Kim, which would become a candidate for the 2007-2008 fall TV season. It will be produced by Reveille Productions (the same studio that adapted Ugly Betty and The Office into US hits) and NBC Universal Television. The US adaptation would follow the same setting as the original version, which is currently running in the US on The Sundance Channel (co-owned by NBC Universal). Both Riley and Turner will serve as executive producers/consultants on the US version. Unfortunately, on May 14th 2007, NBC announced it would not be picking up Kath and Kim for a full series.
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
- 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)
Source: [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kath_%26_Kim"]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kath_%26_Kim[/url]
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