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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 Kath) 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.
1 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.
In season three, Cujo - Brett's dog - and Epponnee Rae - Brett and Kim's newborn baby girl - were added to the credits.
All of the cast were regulars on the sketch comedy shows of the late '80s and early '90s that led to the creation of Kath & Kim, except for Peter Rowsthorn who appeared on the non-related Comedy Company sketch show, which also featured Glenn Robbins.
2 Main cast in other roles
Riley and Turner also play the recurring characters of Pru and Trude: two shop assistants at a pricey gift store, in episodes 1x08, 2x02, 3x02, 3x07 and 3x08.
Riley played Robyn Nevenish, the "dragon lady" and director of the Fountain Lakes Players, in 3x04
Turner played Damian, a jockey and brief love interest of Sharon, in 3x02
Szubanski played Lorraine, Brett's mother and self-confessed bitch, in 3x03.
3 Major guest cast
A significant number of Australian actors and comedians have had guest roles on the show.
- Marg Downey has a recurring role as Marion, a marriage/love counsellor with somewhat unusual methods, appearing in episodes 1x04, 1x08, 2x01, 3x01, 3x07 and 3x08. Downey starred with the cast in sketch shows like Something Stupid .
- Young Zara Harrington played Epponnee Rae, Kim and Brett's baby, in season 3. Her full name is Epponnee Raeleen Kathleen Darleen Sharleen Craig.
- Tony Martin played Mark, Sharon's on-again/off-again boyfriend in 1x02, 1x08, 2x04 and 2x05.
- Peta Brady played Kelly, Brett's demanding boss, in 1x06, 2x04, 3x01 and 3x02.
- 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 mate and worst enemy, in 2x07 and 2x08.
- Mick Molloy played Gary Poole, Kath's vile first husband, in 2x08 and 3x01.
- 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 RushGeoffrey Rush (born July 6, 1951) is an Australian actor. Born in Toowoomba, Queensland, he began his acting career with the Queensland Theatre Company in Brisbane. He also has an Arts Degree from the University of Queensland. While in college, he roomed guest starred in 3x03 as a neighbour of Kath and Kel.
- John ClarkeJohn Morrison Clarke (born July 29, 1948) is a comedian and writer. He was born in Palmerston North, New Zealand, but has lived in Australia since the 1970s. He is a regular actor and writer on Australian TV. He first became known during the mid-to-late 1 guest starred in 3x06 as a real estate agent.
- Colin Lane guests starred in 3x06 as a spa salesman.
- Kylie MinogueKylie Ann Minogue (born May 28, 1968) is an Australian singer and actress who has been based primarily in the United Kingdom since the early 1990s. Her recording career has been marked by periods of outstanding success and comparative failure. Despite cri 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.
