Kath & Kim

Kath and Kim is a humourous Australian television series shown on the ABC network. The series began in 2002, and is currently in its third season. Each season runs for 8 episodes. The show was created and written by Gina Riley and Jane Turner, who play the leading roles.

The main characters are Kath - an empty nester who wants to enjoy time with her "hunk of spunk" Kel and her her twenty-something daughter Kim. Kim's husband Brett and Kim's second best friend Sharon add chaos. Kim and Brett had a baby in the second season finale which they named Epponnee Rae.

The characters were originally developed in the early 1990s with the highly successful Big Girl's Blouse comedy sketch show. These skits evolved in the short-lived comedy series Something Stupid. The skits were the basis for the plots of the first two seasons. The series 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 and highly developed alternative vocabulary and mis-pronunciation of words by the two main characters was a feature of the show.

"It's ny-oice, it's different, it's un-ewes-yewl!"

Much of the humour is derived from viewers recognising themselves, their families or their friends in the characters, and for that reason the Australian public was divided over the show's merits. Although it was the most successful comedy series developed and produced by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, there were also large numbers of people who 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.

Main Cast

• Jane Turner plays Kathleen Darleen Day-Knight -- An empty nester who is proud of her home and how she looks. She likes to keep herself trim.
• Gina Riley plays Kim Day-Craig -- A self-absorbed, ever-complaining woman who, despite her "people skills", her call centre employer can somehow do without her.
• Magda Szubanski plays Sharon Strzlecki -- unlucky in love, but a fine netball player.
• Glenn Robbins plays Kel Knight -- Kath's better half and a gourmet butcher.
• Peter Rowsthorn plays Brett Craig -- Kim's husband who works in the electronics department of a department store. Brett has a dog, Cujo, which takes up a lot of his time and attention.

All of the cast, with the exception of Rowsthorn, were regulars on the sketch comedy shows of the late '80s and early '90s which led to the creation of Kath & Kim.

Major Guest Cast

Marg Downey has a recurring role as Marion, a marriage/love counsellor with somewhat unusual methods. Downey starred with the cast in sketch shows like Something Stupid.

Mick Molloy plays Gary Poole, Kath's first husband who resurfaced in 2x08 and will be recurring in the third season.

Tony Martin played Mark, Sharon's on-again/off-again boyfriend in 1x02, 1x08, 2x04 and 2x05.

Comedian Mark Trevorrow guest starred as Kel's tailor, in 1x07 and 2x08.

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.

William McInnes guest starred as Sandy Freckle, Kel's best friend and worst enemy, in 2x07 and 2x08.

Kylie Minogue is rumoured to have guest-starred in an episode in series 3 and is a huge fan of the show.

Season 1

• Episode List
  • Episode 1 -- "Sex" -- Kim demands Sharon's help to stalk Brett, while Kath and Kel go at it like rabbits.
  • Episode 2 -- "Gay" -- Kath is concerned that there may be a dark secret at the heart of Brett and Kim's separation.
  • Episode 3 -- "Sport" -- Kel designs a commemorative sausage to celebrate the big day of his and Kath's connubials. Kim is enlisted to play in Sharon's netball team.
  • Episode 4 -- "Fat" -- Kim has stacked on the weight and can't fit into her bridesmaids dress.
  • Episode 5 -- "Old" -- Kath is worried that Kel is losing interest and decides to move on without him. We are introduced to the unique dancing styles of Kath and Kel in this episode.
  • Episode 6 -- "Money" -- Kath organises a lingerie party to raise money for the hire of the pumpkin coach.
  • Episode 7 -- "Party" -- Kim organises a hen's night for Kath.
  • Episide 8 -- "The Wedding" -- Chaos again as Kim's horsehair fake hair extension causes unexpected results.

Season 2

• • Episode 1 -- "The Announcement" -- Kim's marriage is still up the proverbial and newlywed Kath's libido has gone awol.
  • Episode 2 -- "Inside Out" -- Brett's finally popped the "R" word (Renovation!). Kath and Kel engage in some "horizontal Irish dancing" - literally.
  • Episode 3 -- "The Moon" -- Sharon has a new best friend and will Kim go to the school reunion?
  • Episode 4 -- "Obsession" -- Unlucky in love Sharon decides to take positive steps. Meanwhile Kim is helping Brett on his career projectory and decides to "work the room".
  • Episode 5 -- "My Boyfriend" -- Sharon has a boyfriend and pash rash 24-7.
  • Episode 6 -- "Another Announcement": Kim becomes gropable when Brett won't talk about his privates, and Kath decides that it's time for her and Kel to increase the size of their family.
  • Episode 7 -- "The Shower" -- Kel's mate Sandy Freckle causes Kath to briefly lose control, while Kim's baby shower has a surprise result.
  • Episode 8 -- "The Hideous Truth" -- In the aftermath of Kim going into labour, everyone's past catches up with them, which ends with a big shock for Kath.

Season 3

• • Episode 1 -- "Cactus Hour" -- Kim and Brett deal, in different ways, with their life as new parents; and Kath and Kel have to come to terms with the fact that Kath may still be married to Gary Poole, her odious first husband, and Kim's father.