Kath and Kim farewell the ABC
Kath and Kim is set to return to Australian screens, but it won’t be on the ABC. A bidding war for the show is currently being waged between Channel Seven and Network Ten. Creators Gina Riley and Jane Turner, along with executive producer Rick McKenna, will determine which channel can offer the resources needed to carry on the show – reportedly the ABC cannot meet the growing production costs.
I can’t say I’m a huge fan of the show – I quite enjoyed the first season but wasn’t impressed with the subsequent offerings. I prefer more subtle humour in a programme of this format, such as is present in Extras. However, while it may not have been my cup of tea, it certainly had a following – Da Kath and Kim Code had an audience of 2 million. The show is also swiftly gaining popularity in the UK. I was under the impression that the show had finished its run, but this news shows that is not the case.
Although I’m not a follower of the show, I think it would be a shame for it to suffer at the hands of a commercial station. It’s no secret that many shows wither and die like a transplanted tree after making the move. While The Micallef Program and The Fat had relative success on the ABC, the commercial vehicles for Shaun Micallef and Tony Squires tanked and were dropped quickly.
So what does the future hold for Kath and Kim? I doubt I’ll be watching, but considering the show’s success both here and overseas it may thrive on commercial TV. I hope it does – a ratings hit may pave the way for other Australian comedy shows to hit our screens, and that can only be a good thing.
*This image is a screencap courtesy of Wikipedia from the Kath and Kim page, and is used under Fair Dealing for reporting the news, review and criticism.
Kylie Minogue and Jane Turner on Kath and Kim*
I can’t say I’m a huge fan of the show – I quite enjoyed the first season but wasn’t impressed with the subsequent offerings. I prefer more subtle humour in a programme of this format, such as is present in Extras. However, while it may not have been my cup of tea, it certainly had a following – Da Kath and Kim Code had an audience of 2 million. The show is also swiftly gaining popularity in the UK. I was under the impression that the show had finished its run, but this news shows that is not the case.
Although I’m not a follower of the show, I think it would be a shame for it to suffer at the hands of a commercial station. It’s no secret that many shows wither and die like a transplanted tree after making the move. While The Micallef Program and The Fat had relative success on the ABC, the commercial vehicles for Shaun Micallef and Tony Squires tanked and were dropped quickly.
So what does the future hold for Kath and Kim? I doubt I’ll be watching, but considering the show’s success both here and overseas it may thrive on commercial TV. I hope it does – a ratings hit may pave the way for other Australian comedy shows to hit our screens, and that can only be a good thing.
*This image is a screencap courtesy of Wikipedia from the Kath and Kim page, and is used under Fair Dealing for reporting the news, review and criticism.
Aaron.
Have you checked out Jericho? Last night was quite an improvement on previous episodes. If you're interested check out my review.
http://www.tvbabble.com/jericho-federal-response/
Fun Facts
I for one am sick of it.
Just what is it that these commercial channels do to these programs that makes them suffer so terribly? Makes you wonder doesn't it.
I also heard a rumour a while back about the US planning on copying Kath & Kim in the same way that they did with The Office.
I don't know if Kath and Kim would work as an American show - how would they go about copying it? It wouldn't really be the same show anymore.