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'Kath & Kim': Is NBC's anticipated comedy undergoing an extreme makeover?

Jul 16, 2008, 10:03 PM | by Lynette Rice

Categories: TCA Press Tour, TV Biz

Mollyshannon_lThe 100-day work stoppage brought on by the writers' strike prompted the broadcast nets to usher a number of scripts straight to series. But skipping the development season doesn't necessarily mean a project will be trouble-free. Case in point: Rumors persist that NBC's Kath & Kim — an adaptation of the Aussie smash that stars Molly Shannon (pictured) and Selma Blair as a dysfunctional mom and daughter — will scrap most of its pilot and reshoot under a new director, now that helmer Paul Feig (The Office) has left the comedy.

But NBC honcho Ben Silverman contacted EW.com exclusively to explain that while Feig has left the project, only a "couple of scenes" will be reshot in anticipation of Kath & Kim's fall berth. (Silverman said he will announce the show's time slot — which will likely be on Thursdays — during NBC's portion of the annual TV critics press tour on Monday in Beverly Hills). "We want to open it up visually," Silverman says of the reshoot. "We didn't want the style to define it; we wanted to let the characters and comedy define it. When you're feeling good about something you want to double down. The cast chemistry is unbelievable. It's the funniest comedy I've seen this early in development." (Additional reporting by Michael Ausiello)


nate Tue, Jun 9, 2009 at 05:22 PM EST

but why did they just shut it down out of no where it was going every thursday then it was gone

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Lucy Mon, Oct 6, 2008 at 11:20 PM EST

Aussie actors understand that to be truly funny you have to dump the ego and concentrate on really getting inside the character they are playing. Whereas American actors seem to think they have to be permanently pure glitzy perfect faces, no matter what has just happened. Imagine if Lucille Ball had cared what her hair would look like during one of her skits? No she understood, just like the Aussies understand that sometimes you have to look particularly dumb and stupid to be really funny. I've seen the Aussie version of Kath and Kim and I so do not want the American version to muck up what is a really funny show. And I do not think Kim has been cast right. The casting seems the biggest problem so far. I will wait with fingers crossed and holding my breath with worry (and yes I want it to succeed) for the new Kath and Kim series in USA.

Lucy Mon, Oct 6, 2008 at 11:19 PM EST

Aussie actors understand that to be truly funny you have to dump the ego and concentrate on really getting inside the character they are playing. Whereas American actors seem to think they have to be permanently pure glitzy perfect faces, no matter what has just happened. Imagine if Lucille Ball had cared what her hair would look like during one of her skits? No she understood, just like the Aussies understand that sometimes you have to look particularly dumb and stupid to be really funny. I've seen the Aussie version of Kath and Kim and I so do not want the American version to muck up what is a really funny show. And I do not think Kim has been cast right. The casting seems the biggest problem so far. I will wait with fingers crossed and holding my breath with worry (and yes I want it to succeed) for the new Kath and Kim series in USA.

Lucy Mon, Oct 6, 2008 at 11:19 PM EST

Aussie actors understand that to be truly funny you have to dump the ego and concentrate on really getting inside the character they are playing. Whereas American actors seem to think they have to be permanently pure glitzy perfect faces, no matter what has just happened. Imagine if Lucille Ball had cared what her hair would look like during one of her skits? No she understood, just like the Aussies understand that sometimes you have to look particularly dumb and stupid to be really funny. I've seen the Aussie version of Kath and Kim and I so do not want the American version to muck up what is a really funny show. And I do not think Kim has been cast right. The casting seems the biggest problem so far. I will wait with fingers crossed and holding my breath with worry (and yes I want it to succeed) for the new Kath and Kim series in USA.

jake Thu, Jul 17, 2008 at 09:42 PM EST

I really wish they would make this your standard three/four camera live studio audience show instead of the single camera shows that nbc seems to be so fond of. Their biggest shows were not single cameras.

Thu, Jul 17, 2008 at 08:05 PM EST

This is essentially the bastardization of a truly funny Aussie comedy. The preview I saw was actually quite terrible, and seemed to miss the essential character elements that make the Australian version so endearing and hilarious!

Alan Thu, Jul 17, 2008 at 03:25 PM EST

I really want this one to succeed. not only do I love Molly Shannon, but the Aussie version is such a huge hit down there and it's funny....but whenever I anticipate a show, it ends up sucking and/or getting only about 46 viewers a week. So I won't get my hopes up.

drella66 Thu, Jul 17, 2008 at 01:21 PM EST

I think this show has potenital and I will definatly watch, btu I dont think the commercials are that funny/disapointing

Michael Thu, Jul 17, 2008 at 12:04 PM EST

My wife keeps talking about it and she's not really into much on TV. That could mean something.

junior Thu, Jul 17, 2008 at 10:09 AM EST

Yeah, I thought reshoots meant trouble for "30 Rock" too but I was obviously wrong.

Thu, Jul 17, 2008 at 09:34 AM EST

the last minute reshoots don't bode well but I still look forward to this show

Brad in Edmonton Thu, Jul 17, 2008 at 09:32 AM EST

So many people keep saying that this will fail because the Aussie one is so great, but The Office managed to make the transition overseas. Molly Shannon is a riot. If anyone can pull this off, she can.

bruno Thu, Jul 17, 2008 at 09:28 AM EST

can't wait for this one

John Thu, Jul 17, 2008 at 09:06 AM EST

Don't know about about anyone else. But to me this show does look really funny. I can't wait.


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