IMHO "Kath & Kim" episode 109: “Gay” or "Is this really the best Max Greenfield can do?"

"Kath and Kim" was originally an Australian show, and from what I have read the U.S. version follows the Aussie episodes pretty closely. 

Having not seen the U.S. version, I can't really comment on whether or not is is satire, but I can say that the original one definitely was, and pretty good at it too (well, the first series at least). I must say, many Aussies (and New Zealanders like me) were confused (to say the least) that this show was being remade for an American audience, because the humour is so particular to Australasia (well, we like to think it is anyway).

...erm, what I'm actually trying to say is, if the U.S. model is at the _very least_ trying to emulate the cultural observations of the original, then the show doesn't deserve the downwards arrow. Because in the Aussie version, the overwhelming message was that it is Kath (and to some extend Kim) who have the warped attitude to homosexuality, and the viewer is in on the joke.

 

How strange the sound

it fails miserably. I found it to be one of the most unfunny things I've ever watched.

...tell us how you REALLY feel.

Now, I didn't see last nights episode...I OD'ed on Ugly Betty...but I really wish I had. You may find it hard to believe but I actually kinda like the show. I caught a mini-marathon on Bravo the other day and I thought it was fun and satire adjacent. I agree that it is meant to be satire, but doesnt exactly reach it. Regardless it got me to watch it, and I don't hate it. I've also never seen the aussie version.

IN TIMES LIKE THESE! lets not throw Kath and Kim under the bus because it survived and Pushing Daisies and Eli Stone got axed. It's not like K&K is going to survive anyway, but I say let me eat my cake. 

The show is awful. I've seen a few episodes (not by choice, I assure you) and I might have laughed once. I actually like Molly Shannon and that guy who played one of the gay guys in Best In Show in the show, and I like Selma Blair when she's not playing one of the most unlikeable characters on TV, but the writing is horrible.

How low do the ratings have to go before they cancel this? This is probably the worst show I've seen in a very long time.  I can't stand for it to even be on even when I'm NOT in the room. I know there have been some bad shows in the past, but not as bad as this..... Either they should go back to the drawing board and rehash the whole thing or just cancel it and put us out of our misery!  Michael,  you have my vote!

I have to take a nostalgia moment with Molly Shannon and just note that she has to be one of the most funniest women alive.  Her comedic-timing is great and she can just come in and steal a scene with a few lines.  Maybe the writers are still thinking of going on another writers strike, when it comes down to writing for this show because there isn't too much going on.  There isn't possibly for this show to be something special because the cast is electric but I watched one episode and I have to say that I watched it because I love Molly and Selma and just thought maybe there was something there.  It seems I have been a huge fan of Molly S. since her little stint on Will and Grace and her little supporting roles in several movies that you knew you were looking at a star.  Her SNL personna made her noticed but her talent made her really stand out. 

Selma Blair is one of the world's biggest fashionista which has nothing to do with acting but I just had to bring up that because she is friends with Issac M. and just has style like no other.  On the show unfortunately. that is not present because it seems that we have seen this character over and over again and on other shows and I know that Selma has those acting chops but this character and this show seems doomed.  Believe it or not but Selma is actually going down in history as 'That Girl' for that insane and not too calculated lesbian kiss in 'Cruel Intentions', with the lovely Sara Michelle Gellar and every gay man's fantasy Ryan P. 

I guess this goes to show you, that even talented celebs make huge mistakes.     

Granted I wasn't crazy about this particular episode, I think Kath & Kim is a great show. Yes the writing is a bit clumsy in places, but to me the premise is wonderful. It's taking everything a foreigner might criticize about America imposed on a set of characters totally unaware that they are such pinnacles of wastefulness, laziness and consumerism. How can this not be appreciated in such an era, when so many American's have massive credit card debt or have had their homes foreclosed because they were living in their own little bubble, like Kath and Kim. I stayed with a cousin in California and I met actual people like this! But then again, maybe I'm just horribly, horribly meanspirited, unlike the rest of you.

I have watched a few episodes of the American Kath and Kim and it is not good. The storylines stay close to the Australian series but they are worlds apart. The characters of Kath and Kim in the Australian series have exaggerated Australian idiosyncrasies which are funny to an Australian audience.  However the re-scripting to suit the American audience has not really worked.

The 'Gay' episode in the original was hilarious and the two stars and writers of the Aus series are well known and loved by all Australian gay people. They are very supportive of the gay community and have appeared at numerous gay events (including the opening of the Sydney Gay Games). 

 I recommend that Americans find a gay Aussie and demand to watch their Kath and Kim DVDs, they will have them (even in the USA). 

I have watched a few episodes of the American Kath and Kim and it is not good. The storylines stay close to the Australian series but they are worlds apart. The characters of Kath and Kim in the Australian series have exaggerated Australian idiosyncrasies which are funny to an Australian audience.  However the re-scripting to suit the American audience has not really worked.

The 'Gay' episode in the original was hilarious and the two stars and writers of the Aus series are well known and loved by all Australian gay people. They are very supportive of the gay community and have appeared at numerous gay events (including the opening of the Sydney Gay Games). 

 I recommend that Americans find a gay Aussie and demand to watch their Kath and Kim DVDs, they will have them (even in the USA). 

I have watched a few episodes of the American Kath and Kim and it is not good. The storylines stay close to the Australian series but they are worlds apart. The characters of Kath and Kim in the Australian series have exaggerated Australian idiosyncrasies which are funny to an Australian audience.  However the re-scripting to suit the American audience has not really worked.

The 'Gay' episode in the original was hilarious and the two stars and writers of the Aus series are well known and loved by all Australian gay people. They are very supportive of the gay community and have appeared at numerous gay events (including the opening of the Sydney Gay Games). 

 I recommend that Americans find a gay Aussie and demand to watch their Kath and Kim DVDs, they will have them (even in the USA). 

I've suffered through the awfulness that is the original Aussie version (which is inexplicibly popular down here) but the remake is hitting new lows. Such a waste of a great cast.

I couldn't agree with you more, Michael - the US version of Kath & Kim is complete dreck and a total waste of comedic talent and airtime. Everything about the show and the characters rubs me the wrong way.

If I had my way, Ned (the Piemaker from Pushing Daisies) would touch his show and bring it back to life - and a minute later, Kath & Kim would die in its place.

As usual you guys are spot on with your analysis. Kath & Kim does suck - I was gone after 5 minutes. Literally, I left the room. I know a I'm foreigner  (a South African living in Canada) so maybe I just don't 'get it' but I think the chances are greater that it's simply drek.

 And yes, if I met Kevin from Bros & Sis I think I'd like to slap him in the face with a wet fish. It might knock some of that attitude out of him.

 The Charm video at the Ponderosa is delightful. If the 'average' American is to be measured against the low-brow entertaintent wagon then I hope they're watching these two boys - although after the agony of the wardrobe decision scene I'm sure most of them are now convinced Marcus is a rampant closet case.

Look forward to next week's offering.

And I was so keen for an American version too.  Molly Shannon is wasting her considerable talent, though she has never been accused of subtlety.  Let me just say that 'Eli Stone' being cancelled did not ruin my day, but the woman who played Loretta Devine's daughter last week was brilliant.  I hope she comes back because hers was the most compelling new character introduction in a long time.  I have friends who say they thought she was terrible, but I was with her the entire time and knew she had some major secret we were going to find out about.  'Pushing Daisies' can go far away.  Those three people who like it can find it with probably waaaay too much commentary on DVD soon.

I agree about K&K....I couldn't make it past the five-minute mark of the pilot.

And thanks for the shout-out to Eli Stone. I am going to miss it a lot.

 

 

 

The blog will miss Eli also...but we'll always have Paris.