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Kath & Kim

From Alfawiki
Riley and Turner Productions
Company typeProduction company
IndustryTelevision production
FounderJane Turner, Gina Riley
ProductsKath & Kim (TV series)

Kath & Kim (also stylized as Kath and Kim) is an Australian sitcom that originally broadcast during prime time on ABC Television between 2002 and 2005, before moving to the Seven Network in 2007. The show was produced by Riley and Turner Productions, the company owned by Jane Turner and Gina Riley, who also portray the central roles—Kath Day-Knight, an upbeat suburban mother, and her self-involved daughter, Kim Craig. The principal ensemble features Glenn Robbins as Kel Knight, Kath’s metrosexual partner and eventual spouse; Peter Rowsthorn playing Brett Craig, Kim’s submissive husband; and Magda Szubanski as Kim’s isolated “second-best friend,” Sharon Strzelecki. Set in the fictional Melbourne suburb of Fountain Lakes, the series received acclaim for its comedic style and standout performances, particularly from Turner and Riley.

Beyond the original four seasons, the franchise expanded to include a television movie titled Da Kath & Kim Code (2005) and a feature-length film Kath & Kimderella (2012). Additionally, it spawned an American adaptation that ran for 17 episodes from 2008 to 2009, though it was short-lived.

To mark its 20th anniversary, a two-part special event called Kath & Kim: Our Effluent Life and Kath and Kim: 20 Preposterous Years was broadcast on 20–21 November 2022.

Premise

Kath & Kim centers on the daily lives of Kath Day-Knight (Jane Turner), her daughter Kimberly (Kim) Diane Craig née Day (Gina Riley), Kim’s husband and Computa City salesman Brett Craig (Peter Rowsthorn), Kath’s eventual spouse and butcher Kel Knight (Glenn Robbins), along with family friend Sharon Strzelecki (Magda Szubanski).

The show humorously critiques mother-daughter relationships alongside suburban Australian culture, emphasizing the tacky and superficial traits of a working-class demographic experiencing newfound prosperity—referred to as “effluence.” Despite their material gains, the characters exhibit little cultural refinement. Typical settings include shopping complexes such as Westfield Fountain Gate, IKEA, and Target, as well as local dining spots.

It also lampoons elements of popular culture, including reality television programs like Big Brother and Australian Idol, while occasionally touching on Australian political themes. The characters are known for their flashy attire and coarse conduct, frequently referencing iconic Australian snacks such as Jatz crackers, Tim Tam biscuits, and Fruche yoghurt.

Episodes often end with Kath and Kim sharing a conversation in Kath’s backyard, reflecting on the episode’s events as the credits roll.

Main cast

Recurring cast

  • Gina Riley portrays Robin, a dance teacher
  • Zara Harrington, Emma Le Boeuf, and Makayla Berkers play Epponnee-Rae Craig, Kim's infant daughter (appearing from series 2, episode 8 onward); the character’s younger version was depicted by Morghyne de Vries in the film
  • Jane Turner and Gina Riley appear as Prue and Trude, pretentious employees at a homewares store (featured in 8 episodes, the TV movie, and the feature film)
  • Marg Downey acts as Marion, a new-age marriage celebrant (6 episodes plus the movie)
  • Mick Molloy takes on the role of Gary Poole, Kim’s father (2 episodes and the movie)
  • William McInnes plays Sandy Freckle, Kel’s longtime acquaintance (2 episodes)
  • Tony Martin appears as Mark, Sharon’s love interest (4 episodes)
  • Peta Brady is Kelly, Brett’s workplace supervisor (4 episodes and the TV movie)
  • Mark Trevorrow features as Daryl Lee, an employee at a menswear shop (3 episodes plus TV movie)
  • Luke Lennox portrays Brodie (1 episode and TV movie)
  • Matt Lucas appears as Karen, Sharon’s half-sister (2 episodes)
  • Shivantha Wijesinha plays Imran (2 episodes)

Guest cast

Numerous guest appearances include prominent Australian comedians, many of whom had previously worked with Turner or Riley. Performers such as Bublé and Lucas specifically requested to be part of the show. Additionally, Humphries joined after expressing his admiration for the series.

Overview

The initial series revolves around Kath’s engagement and wedding preparations with Kel. Due to ongoing conflicts with Brett stemming from her own immature conduct, Kim frequently stays with her mother. Sharon provides support to both while navigating her personal relationship challenges.

The second series explores Kim’s pregnancy alongside her rekindled relationship with Brett. Meanwhile, Kath and Kel encounter difficulties in their partnership. The season concludes with Kim and Brett choosing the name Epponnee Rae for their newborn. The third series centers on Epponnee Rae’s growth, culminating in an adult portrayal by Kylie Minogue.

Development

Kath, Kim, and Sharon—conceived by Riley and Turner—originated in the mid-1990s through appearances on Big Girl's Blouse as well as earlier sketches on Fast Forward and Something Stupid. Cast members Robbins and Rowsthorn had collaborated previously in comedy.

Originally a segment on Big Girl's Blouse, which faced potential cancellation by ABC’s comedy division but was spared through intervention by the drama department, Kath & Kim quickly resonated with suburban audiences.

The title cleverly plays on the phrase kith and kin, signifying friends and family.

Over three seasons from 2002 to 2004, ABC TV broadcast twenty-four episodes beginning with impressive ratings. This was followed in 2005 by the telemovie Da Kath & Kim Code. After ABC’s contract ended, the fourth season premiered on Seven Network in August 2007.

Although writing commenced for a fifth season in late 2009, Turner announced by mid-2010 that the series had concluded due to creative fatigue.

Writing

The program is renowned for its unique linguistic style featuring mixed metaphors, hypercorrection, malapropisms, and eggcorns — for example, using "ravishing" instead of "ravenous" — alongside frequent character mispronunciations. Signature expressions include Kath’s commanding "Look at moy" and the trio’s approving phrase "It's noice, different and unusual."

Filming

The primary location for filming was Kath's residence, known as "Chateau Kath," situated in Patterson Lakes, Victoria, approximately 35 km to the east of Melbourne. ABC leased this property throughout the series' production due to its strong visual similarity to Sylvania Waters. The house features a backyard that opens onto a canal, which ABC enclosed with fencing to create a more suburban ambiance. The property was sold in 2016 for $1,485,000 and was subsequently demolished in July 2022.

Additional footage was captured in Melbourne neighborhoods including Cheltenham and Moorabbin, while scenes set at Fountain Gate were filmed at Westfield Southland.

Costuming

Kath's clothing was primarily obtained from thrift stores to align with her character's persona, whereas Kim's outfits reflected modern fashion trends.

Theme music and opening titles

The opening theme, sung by Gina Riley, is a rendition of Anthony Newley's "The Joker" inspired by the style of Shirley Bassey's version. A newly arranged recording was introduced in the telemovie and later used during the show's broadcast on the Seven Network.

The title sequence displays the five principal characters against a white backdrop. Season 3 incorporated Epponnee-Rae and Cujo; subsequent editions maintained Cujo's presence for the Seven Network broadcasts. Cast names are shown over aerial views of suburban areas before transitioning to Kath and Kim's house or other relevant settings depending on the episode.

Broadcast

Kath & Kim initially aired on ABC on Thursday evenings at 8:30 pm, while Seven Network scheduled it for Sundays at 7:30 pm.

In the United Kingdom, the series premiered in April 2004 on the subscription channel LivingTV, followed by broadcasts on Ftn, with its terrestrial debut on BBC Two commencing in May 2005. The fourth season did not air on UK television but was released via Netflix.

Rights were acquired by Nine Network in 2017, which reran episodes from August through November. In 2018, Netflix distributed the series alongside films and specials across various regions, with Netflix Australia adding it in July 2019, including Kountdown Specials and Souvenir Editions.

To mark its 20th anniversary, Seven Network began re-airing episodes starting September 2022.

Ratings

Premiering on 16 May 2002, Kath & Kim quickly became one of ABC's most-watched programs. Its debut episode on Seven Network set an Australian television record for highest ratings until Nine Network's Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities surpassed it in 2009. The fourth season opened with a record-breaking audience of 2.511 million viewers, peaking at 2.731 million. Although episodes two and three saw a decline to 1.994 million and 1.817 million respectively, viewership recovered in subsequent episodes and sustained strong numbers through the finale with 2.338 million viewers. Averaging 2.122 million viewers overall, this season became Australia's top-rated television season in 2007 and outperformed all previous seasons.

In 2007, Channel Seven began repeating earlier seasons originally broadcast only on ABC; these reruns attracted solid ratings of 1.465 million and 1.530 million viewers initially, winning competitive time slots and ranking among the week's highest-rated programs.

The BBC premiere in the UK drew an audience of 1.691 million viewers in May 2005.

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


Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Nominee Outcome Notes Ref.
2002 AFI Awards Best Television Drama Series Mark Ruse (producer) Template:Won Template:Center Template:Center
Best Actress in a Supporting or Guest Role in a Television Drama or Comedy Magda Szubanski Template:Won Template:Center
Best Screenplay in a Television Drama Gina Riley, Jane Turner Template:Won Template:Center
Best Screenplay in a Television Drama Gina Riley, Jane Turner Template:Nom Template:Center
2003 Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Television Drama or Comedy Glenn Robbins Template:Nom Template:Center Template:Center
Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Television Drama or Comedy Jane Turner Template:Nom Template:Center
Best Actress in a Supporting or Guest Role in a Television Drama or Comedy Magda Szubanski Template:Nom Template:Center
2004 Best Comedy Series - Sitcom or Sketch Gina Riley, Mark Ruse, Jane Turner Template:Nom Template:Center Template:Center
Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Television Drama or Comedy Gina Riley Template:Nom Template:Center
Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Television Drama or Comedy Jane Turner Template:Nom Template:Center
Best Actor in a Supporting or Guest Role in a Television Drama or Comedy Glenn Robbins Template:Nom Template:Center
Best Actress in a Supporting or Guest Role in a Television Drama or Comedy Magda Szubanski Template:Nom Template:Center
Best Screenplay in a Television Gina Riley, Jane Turner Template:Nom Template:Center
Outstanding Achievement in Craft in Television Kitty Stuckey Template:Won Template:Center
Logie Awards of 2003 Logie Awards Most Popular Light Entertainment Program Kath & Kim Template:Nom Template:Center Template:Center
(Most Outstanding Comedy Program) Kath & Kim Template:Won Template:Center
Logie Awards of 2004 (Most Popular Actor) Glenn Robbins Template:Nom Template:Center
Most Popular Light Entertainment Program Kath & Kim Template:Nom Template:Center
Most Outstanding Comedy Program Kath & Kim Template:Won Template:Center}
Logie Awards of 2005 (Most Popular Actress) Gina Riley Template:Nom
Most Popular Actress Magda Szubanski Template:Nom
Most Popular Actor Glenn Robbins Template:Nom
Most Popular Light Entertainment Program Kath & Kim Template:Nom
Most Outstanding Comedy Program Kath & Kim Template:Nom
Logie Awards of 2006
Most Popular Actor Glenn Robbins Template:Nom
(Most Outstanding Miniseries or Telemovie) Da Kath & Kim Code Template:Nom
Most Popular Actress Magda Szubanski Template:Nom
Most Popular Actor Glenn Robbins Template:Nom
Most Popular Light Entertainment Program Kath & Kim Template:Won
Most Outstanding Comedy Program Kath & Kim Template:Nom
(TV Tonight Awards) Best Australian Comedy Kath & Kim (2022 specials) Template:Nom


Honours

Year Award Character Placement Details
2024 TV Week 100 Greatest Aussie Characters of All Time Kath Day-Night Template:Honoured Kath Day-Night secured 3rd position, following Irene Roberts (2nd) and Alf Stewart (1st), both from Home and Away.
Kim Craig Template:Honoured Kim Craig achieved 5th place, just after Darryl 'Brax' Braxton (4th) of Home and Away.
Sharon Strzelecki Template:Honoured Sharon Strzelecki attained 7th place, trailing Sally Fletcher (6th) from Home and Away.

Home media

The enduring appeal of Kath and Kim has fostered a thriving merchandise market, including branded clothing and posters. The show is distributed on DVD box sets and standalone editions across region 4 (Australia, New Zealand, Latin America) and region 2 (Europe). Additionally, a CD featuring songs and character performances from the series has been issued. Various merchandise such as aprons and T-shirts are available for purchase via the official Kath & Kim online store.

DVD releases

Title Release dates Additional information
Region 2 Region 4
Individual series sets
Series 1 20 June 2005 8 October 2002

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Series 2 27 November 2006 24 November 2003

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Series 3 TBA 26 November 2004

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Da Kath & Kim Code TBA 2 December 2005

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Series 4 TBA 17 October 2007

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Compilation, multiple series, and reissue collections
Title Region 2 Release Date Region 4 Release Date Additional Information


CD releases

On 2 May 2004, Universal issued a CD titled Kath & Kim's Party Tape. It attained the position of number 17 on the Australian Albums Chart and earned a Gold certification by selling more than 50,000 copies. The collection comprises 21 tracks, including the series' theme song "The Joker" performed by Gina Riley, alongside renditions of 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"

Feature film

Turner and Riley revealed on 9 March 2011 their intention to produce a feature film centered on the main characters embarking on an international vacation. Originally named The Kath & Kim Filum—a purposeful misspelling consistent with the show's comedic style—the project was ultimately titled Kath & Kimderella. Ted Emery directed the film, with Rick McKenna as producer, and principal photography was completed within two weeks in Positano, Italy.

The movie premiered in Australia on 6 September 2012 and earned over $2.1 million during its debut weekend, highlighting significant audience enthusiasm for extending the franchise beyond television.

20th anniversary special

In July 2022, Kath & Kim marked its 20th anniversary with a brief 10-minute special. This commemorative episode included a celebrity countdown, previously unseen footage, and cast members reflecting on their favourite moments. Notable guests featured Mason Cox, Sonia Kruger, and Celia Pacquola. Two specials, titled Kath and Kim: Our Effluent Life and Kath and Kim: 20 Preposterous Years, were broadcast on 20 and 21 November 2022 respectively.

American adaptation

After achieving international acclaim, Kath & Kim was adapted for American viewers by NBC. Creators Riley and Turner took on executive producer roles. The cast included Molly Shannon as Kath Day and Selma Blair portraying Kim; notably, the character Sharon was excluded at the request of Szubanski.

NBC assigned Jason Ensler to direct while Michelle Nader developed the series. Production commenced in California in July 2008, with its US debut airing on 9 October 2008. The Seven Network broadcast the show in Australia starting 12 October but withdrew it after two episodes due to low ratings, subsequently moving it to late-night time slots. Despite unfavorable critiques, the US adaptation attracted between five to seven million viewers weekly and initially secured a full-season commitment in October 2008. Nevertheless, NBC announced in May 2009 that the series would not be renewed for a second season, concluding after a total of seventeen episodes.

External links

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