australian television information archive

Cult gay icon a noice choice

THE two actors who will play the husbands in the US adaptation of Kath and Kim have been announced today.

John Michael Higgins, who is best known for playing the flamboyant half of a gay dog-loving couple in cult film Best in Show, will take on the role played by Glenn Robbins in the Australian series.

Unknown comedy actor Mikey Day will play the character created by Australian comic Peter Rowsthorn.

"Higgins will play Kath's man, who racewalks every morning and gets facial peels," The Hollywood Reporter said today.

"Day will play Kim's husband - a cute, simple guy."

Click here to see which female stars have been cast in the US version

Higgins will be paired with former Saturday Night Live star Molly Shannon, while Day will couple up with Cruel Intentions star Selma Blair.

No actress has been confirmed for the much-loved character played by Magda Szubanski in the original series.

It is unclear whether the two husbands will be known by the same names as their Australian counterparts.

In the Australian series, Robbins' character Kel Knight is married to Kath Day-Knight, who is played in the Australian series by Jane Turner.

Rowsthorn's beleaguered Brett Craig is the on-off partner to Kath's daughter Kim, played in the original by Gina Riley.

Higgins, 45, is a highly-respected comic character actor who has played a folk singer in cult comedy A Mighty Wind, David Letterman in The Late Shift and one of Elaine's many beaus on Seinfeld.

He has had guest roles on Ally McBeal, Arrested Development, Boston Legal and Mad About You and his feature film credits include roles in Evan Almighty, Wag The Dog.. and the recent comedy Fred Clause, starring Vince Vaughn.

Day, 28, most noticeably starred in Damon Wayans' 2006 sketch comedy show The Underground.

April 11, 2008
The Daily Telegraph