Kath & Kim

This show, has gotten me through both good times and very bad (where I watched it every day to cope with a few rough months) and been a go-to in my fully American home. I discovered it about 4 years ago and it only took a few episodes and I've been hooked ever since.

Jane and Gina are truly geniuses, but you can't forget Magda. How three Australian ladies could come up with the jokes, one-liners and hidden gems that they have is just priceless! Australian comedy is not as "in your face" as American in that you really have to listen to find double meanings and the humor that results from such creative writing. The recurring jokes throughout the series will keep you dying of laughter, and have you quoting it along with them. From the ever popular " Look at Moi" to the " I'll put on some footy franks and crack open the Tia Maria" and even to Sharon's chronic health issues, there's something everyone can cling to for laughs.

Glenn Robbins is absolutely hilarious as Kel Knight- NOT a butcher. And if you are American and like K&K, definitely check out "All Aussie Adventures" with Glenn, same kind of humor.

If you are perceptive and like to try out British and Australian sitcoms, you really will love this once you try it!

Added Bonus- not being Australian but having a love of other cultures and travel, it gives you a look around suburban Melbourne, which is "noice" " diffrunt" and "unyewsual"

:) Enjoy!!

Although set in early 2000's, this show is nostalgic flashback that I can watch over and over again.... and have. Each character is loveable, but flawed in their own way, with every relationship unique and somewhat realist. Everyone in Australia knows a Kath, Kim, Kel and Sharon, as well as a Trude and Prue. 16 years later, it's only gotten better with age and I still pick up jokes that I never noticed before, and after all these years, it is still my go to comfort show.

Kath & Kim appeared on UK TVscreensa few years ago now, and I was drawn in from the start. It's a great comedy in every way - Rounded characters, cracking scripts and some classic comedy surprises. The show surrounds Kath and her daughter Kim who, after a bust-up with her fiancé, moves back in with her mother who herself is on the brink on moving in her new man, Kel - wonder butcher and creator of some legendary sausage combos. Most of the time though all does not go well for the pair, who's personalities constantly grate on each other. No of which is helped by "friend" Sharon, a net-ball playing foil who is always burdened with some injury. At first I thought it would be the type of sit-com that would play hopelessly on the Aussie stereotypes, but it really doesn't. All the characters have a great depth to them (if thats not too grotesque a phrase to use!) At the time is was a beautifully fresh comedy for the BBC who had be hit by a slump of pretty poor-to-no-existent home grown comedy. For this I have to rate Kath & Kim high ... A first class comedy and well deserving of it's three series (lets hope we get all of them over here in the UK soon!)

Kath and Kim is the latest definitive 'hit' from the pool of Melbourne comedic genius that had its origins in Fast Forward and originally The D-Generation.

Watching Kath and Kim I try to work out each time why I love it so much. Unlike other funny reality sitcoms - ie. Seinfeld - there arent continously funny setups and moments - though to be sure there are a number of gems. Still your not belly laughing the whole way through.

But what makes it addictive viewing is simply the stone-dead spot on performances from each of the cast and reality of the situations potraying modern life for your average aussie suburban just-middle class types.

Gina's "Kimmoi" is frighteningly accurate portrayal of the self-absorbed, helpess, hot-tempered but needy 'dawta'. Her relationship with Brett (wonderfully understated by Peter Rowsthorn) - Chewing him up one day and spitting him out the next is priceless in its accuracy!

Jane's 'Kath' is even more perfect as the tizzy born-again empty nester who now a 'woman of the world' with the fashion sense of Packenham Upper.

Magda's 'Sharon' - well is there any character Magda can't play? She is a comedic character genius of that theres no question. *Everyone* must know a Sharon out there - right down to the irony of being a hopelessly overweight sports playing fanatic!

Glenn Robbin's 'Kel Knight' is more parody than stretched reality but plays the character to cringe-worthy perfection.

For me there are two main reasons it works so well:

1. Yes it's situations and people we all know. Filming it at real suburban house and real shopping mall (did they tell anyone they were filming?! I dont think those background people are extras!) just add to the smiles of recognition.

2. This is a potrayal of your modern day lower-middle class suburbanites. Not your stereotype of old moccasin wearing uncultured bogans. These people appreciate the 'modern world' (Kath reading about Shah of Iran and into new-age things, Kim on the internet and trying speed dating) but still have the tragic common ways of your suburban yokels. The juxtaposition which is very much a reality in the modern burbs is beautiful to watch!

There are lots of special moments from season one so I wont go through them, but again a joy to see cameos from Tony Martin and Marg Downey.

I'll finish there... I'm off to Fountain Gate for a Cino and a bit of P & Q !

Bring on Season 2 !!

Aussie tv comedy can be a bit hit-or-miss, and I tend to find the shows either totally brilliant or totally cringe-worthy with little in the middle. "Kath and Kim" definitely falls into the former category.

The comedy revolves purely around the beautifully written and acted characters (rather than funny situations). The acting is so good that although the characters have their flaws this viewer finds affection for each character, and this makes the show far more enjoyable. It also makes it realistic - I know people that are very similar to the characters in this show.

Glenn Robbins is one of the funniest comdians that Australia has produced and it is a joy to see him again in role in a comedy tv series.