Kath & Kim: articles


Kath & Kim's US makeover

THE US version of Kath & Kim is being revamped to make it more appealing to American audiences.

The show, starring Selma Blair and Molly Shannon, is believed to be having some emergency reworking after NBC executives had concerns with the first episode.

The move comes after influential US media industry group, Horizon Media, which is responsible for analysing the new shows for the American autumn TV season, predicted the program would fall flat with US audiences.

The production is rumoured to have had a major shake-up in recent days, with a number of the key crew - including possibly the director, director of photography, the hair and make-up team and editor - apparently being replaced.

The first episode, which is due to go to air on NBC on October 9, is understood to be undergoing heavy reworking and may even be reshot.

NBC has invested heavily in the show, giving it prime placement in its Thursday evening comedy line-up.

Sources say executives have asked the show be "more highly stylised".

"Think CSI: Comedy," a source says.

"They want to de-Kath & Kim it a bit."

Kath & Kim's creators and Australian stars, Gina Riley and Jane Turner, and executive producer Rick McKenna have been heavily involved in the development of the US version of the show.

They are all executive producers of the US version.

McKenna could not be contacted yesterday to comment on the rumoured changes to the show.

July 20, 2008
Sunday Herald Sun