TV FROM AROUND THE WORLD: "Kath & Kim" (Australia)

I went through a phase where all I watched was Australian television shows, and let me tell you, there are plenty of great ones. But if you ask any Australian what is an Aussie must-watch, they will all agree it’s "Kath & Kim". 

"Kath & Kim" is a comedy written by and starring Gina Riley and Jane Turner that centers around an eccentric mom named Kath (Turner) and her dysfunctional spoiled daughter Kim (Riley) in the fictional suburb known as Fountain Lakes. The other leads of the show are Kath’s metrosexual husband Kel (Glenn Robbins), Kim’s loser husband Brett (Peter Rowsthorn), and Kim’s overweight “second best friend” Sharon (Magda Szubanski). 

The show starts with Kim moving back home with her mom Kath after leaving her husband Brett due to his wandering eye. The series then follows their day to day life mocking the suburban lifestyle as Kath plans for her wedding. It first aired back in 2002, but the birth of the characters Kath and Kim first appeared in the '90s as a sketch on a comedy series called "Big Girl’s Blouse". Eventually, ABC (Australian Broadcasting Company) allowed Riley and Turner to turn it into a standalone series which became their biggest hit leading to 4 seasons, a television movie, and ultimately a feature film.

With "Kath & Kim" now streaming on Netflix, it has expanded its audience outside of Australia and straight into the States, proving its cult classic status. The show is hilarious, but because of their exaggerated thick accents, I highly recommend watching with subtitles to make sure you catch all the jokes. There is such great chemistry between the characters, lots of witty quips, and some of the most quotable lines to include in your every day coversation. 

After watching a few episodes, you will understand when I say that this show is “noice, different, and unusual," and something you won't regret watching!