"Kath & Kim" - Pilot - 10/09/08
10-10-08, 01:47 AM
#1
Kath & Kim - "Pilot" - 10/09/08
Horrible, horrible show. I don't know what the people behind this were thinking. Im guessing this will quickly become one of this season's first cancellations unless, as has been rumored, NBC really doesnt have anything else to throw against the wall.
I know nothing about the Australian show it is based on but I understood it to be a fun kooky sitcom in the vein of Absolutely Fabulous or Nighty Night with characters who are crazy but you grow to love.
On paper Molly Shannon seems perfect for this kind of show. Too bad she is playing the straight man. Im guessing her character has been totally neutered by too many test audience screenings.
As for Selma Blair, I don't know what she is thinking other than this is a quick paycheck until it gets cancelled 2 episodes from now and she can go back to her modest but reasonably successful film career. Her character is beyond unlikeable to the point where its not even plausible that the mother would put up with her! I kept waiting for someone to slap her across the face. Who would put up with someone like that and what does it say about 'Kath' that her daughter is an annoying lazy selfish bitch?
I get that Selma's characters is supposed to be over the top annoying to play against breezy kooky Molly but since neither character is hitting the mark the show just turns into something you sit through and ask yourself 'what the hell was that?' It felt like I was watching a show where all the punchlines had been removed.
The voiceovers of each character's thoughts felt like they had been tacked on to try to make show more bearable to sit through or clarify why everyone in the cast was acting like a lunatic.
The tone is all wrong, the premise doesnt work and I haven't laughed this hard since Cavemen. In fact compared to this, My Name is Earl (which has clearly run its course) seems like a friggin masterpiece!
I'd rather sit through more Presidential debates than watch more of this and that's saying something!
Did anyone else watch this dreck waiting for 'The Office' to start?
I know nothing about the Australian show it is based on but I understood it to be a fun kooky sitcom in the vein of Absolutely Fabulous or Nighty Night with characters who are crazy but you grow to love.
On paper Molly Shannon seems perfect for this kind of show. Too bad she is playing the straight man. Im guessing her character has been totally neutered by too many test audience screenings.
As for Selma Blair, I don't know what she is thinking other than this is a quick paycheck until it gets cancelled 2 episodes from now and she can go back to her modest but reasonably successful film career. Her character is beyond unlikeable to the point where its not even plausible that the mother would put up with her! I kept waiting for someone to slap her across the face. Who would put up with someone like that and what does it say about 'Kath' that her daughter is an annoying lazy selfish bitch?
I get that Selma's characters is supposed to be over the top annoying to play against breezy kooky Molly but since neither character is hitting the mark the show just turns into something you sit through and ask yourself 'what the hell was that?' It felt like I was watching a show where all the punchlines had been removed.
The voiceovers of each character's thoughts felt like they had been tacked on to try to make show more bearable to sit through or clarify why everyone in the cast was acting like a lunatic.
The tone is all wrong, the premise doesnt work and I haven't laughed this hard since Cavemen. In fact compared to this, My Name is Earl (which has clearly run its course) seems like a friggin masterpiece!
I'd rather sit through more Presidential debates than watch more of this and that's saying something!
Did anyone else watch this dreck waiting for 'The Office' to start?
Last edited by bluesix; 10-10-08 at 01:53 AM.
10-10-08, 06:21 AM
#2
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
I watch My Name Is Earl and The Office, and seeing how I like Molly Shannon and Selma Blair, I figured I'd give it a shot. Not a good decision, but I'll give it one more week then I drop it if it still sucks.
10-10-08, 08:51 AM
#6
DVD Talk Legend
Can't believe Tom Shales loved this show. Just saw on Metacritic most critics panned it big time. I like Shannon and Blair, even the actor who played Shannon's BF/fiance, but the characters are so unlikeable. And mostly unfunny.
10-10-08, 08:59 AM
#7
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Like most people here, I thought it was a crap fest. Just atrocious in every way. I'll give it one more week for now. But I doubt it'll be any good. At all.
10-10-08, 09:18 AM
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downloaded it in HD on Xbox live marketplace for free, only watched the first couple minutes, but only reason i was instrested in this show was Selma Blair 
10-10-08, 10:07 AM
#9
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10-10-08, 10:30 AM
#11
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
I read an article that said she and Molly Shannon were only 7 years apart in age. Selma looks great, but she doesn't look like she's in her early 20's, which is what the character is supposed to be (mid-to-late twenties...maybe). The show sucked - I suspect NBC will keep this show on life support - hammocked between Earl & The Office through the November sweeps period so that they can claim it's the "most-watched new comedy of the season". They'll probably also add a laugh track so viewers will know where to find the humor.
10-10-08, 11:00 AM
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This is an awful show. Bluesix, you should check out the Australian version. It's really funny and works. It's similar in tone and feel to AbFab. This is a pale and unfunny reflection of greatness. The original creators worked on this version so I'm sure it's the network that ruined it. Things like this and AbFab work in other countries because they're crude, not afraid to offend and the actors aren't afraid to look silly and unattractive.
It was clear it wouldn't work when they picked Selma Blair and it is the foundation that makes the whole thing fall down. It's not her fault and I like her a lot but the character in the Aussie version was big (tall) and overweight and not ugly but not hot & sexy like Selma. Her muffin top poked out of her ridiculous clothes and she had a huge ass. When she said "I'm a trophy wife" it was obviously ridiculous and funny. The Aussie character was awful and unlikeable too but she had an air of unreasonable superiority that was funny. Selma is just whiny. There are so many more reasons but this is a fundamental.
They're trying to do AbFab here again too, just stop.
It was clear it wouldn't work when they picked Selma Blair and it is the foundation that makes the whole thing fall down. It's not her fault and I like her a lot but the character in the Aussie version was big (tall) and overweight and not ugly but not hot & sexy like Selma. Her muffin top poked out of her ridiculous clothes and she had a huge ass. When she said "I'm a trophy wife" it was obviously ridiculous and funny. The Aussie character was awful and unlikeable too but she had an air of unreasonable superiority that was funny. Selma is just whiny. There are so many more reasons but this is a fundamental.
They're trying to do AbFab here again too, just stop.
Last edited by celmendo; 10-10-08 at 06:36 PM.
10-10-08, 11:30 AM
#13
DVD Talk Legend
10-10-08, 11:45 AM
#14
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
This is an awful show. Bluesix, you should check out the Australian version. It's really funny and works. It's similar in tone and feel to AbFab. This is a pale and unfunny reflection of greatness. The original creators worked on this version so I'm sure it's the network that ruined it. Things like this and AbFab work in other countries because they're crude, not afraid to offend and the actors aren't afraid to look silly.
It was clear it wouldn't work when they picked Selma Blair and it is the foundation that makes the whole thing fall down. It's not her fault and I like her a lot but the character in the Aussie version was big (tall) and overweight and not ugly but not hot & sexy like Selma. Her muffin top poked out of her ridiculous clothes and she had a huge ass. When she said "I'm a trophy wife" it was obviously ridiculous and funny. The Aussie character was awful and unlikeable too but she had an air of unreasonable superiority that was funny. Selma is just whiny. There are so many more reasons but this is a fundamental.
They're trying to do AbFab here again too, just stop.
It was clear it wouldn't work when they picked Selma Blair and it is the foundation that makes the whole thing fall down. It's not her fault and I like her a lot but the character in the Aussie version was big (tall) and overweight and not ugly but not hot & sexy like Selma. Her muffin top poked out of her ridiculous clothes and she had a huge ass. When she said "I'm a trophy wife" it was obviously ridiculous and funny. The Aussie character was awful and unlikeable too but she had an air of unreasonable superiority that was funny. Selma is just whiny. There are so many more reasons but this is a fundamental.
They're trying to do AbFab here again too, just stop.
For anyone at all intrigued by the premise, give the Aussie version a try. It used to play on Sundance, if I remember correctly. It took me an ep or two to get into it, but it's pretty good.
10-10-08, 11:53 AM
#15
DVD Talk Limited Edition
10-10-08, 01:11 PM
#19
DVD Talk Special Edition
Zap2it:
"My Name Is Earl," 4.4/7, and the premiere of "Kath & Kim," 4.7/7, were third for NBC.
It had decent ratings so I don't think it'll be cancelled just yet. As long as Selma Blair keeps wearing those outfits.... there was a funny moment at the beginning of the show (not sure if it was the opening credits) where she calls someone low-class and walks away with her thong showing about 8 inches above her butt.
"My Name Is Earl," 4.4/7, and the premiere of "Kath & Kim," 4.7/7, were third for NBC.
It had decent ratings so I don't think it'll be cancelled just yet. As long as Selma Blair keeps wearing those outfits.... there was a funny moment at the beginning of the show (not sure if it was the opening credits) where she calls someone low-class and walks away with her thong showing about 8 inches above her butt.
10-10-08, 01:37 PM
#20
Suspended
I thought it was pretty bad, but there were enough flashes of potential that I'm going to stick with it for another week. After all, the first episode of the U.S. version of the Office was pretty bad (then again, the first episode of the U.S. version of Coupling was pretty bad).
10-10-08, 03:00 PM
#22
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
That's more keeping in line with the Aussie, that she was fat but didn't dress like it at all. I imagine the director probably took a lot of time to try to find a way for Selma Blair to sit so her tummy stuck out. The illusion was pretty lost once she stood up.
10-10-08, 03:07 PM
#24
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Yeah, I think that picture says it all. I actually think Selma Blair could be good in the role, but show runners would have to be willing to ugly her up a bit, for lack of a better description. I almost expected her to wear a mini-fat suit. Nothing too huge, but just enough to make her a little overweight.
10-10-08, 05:51 PM
#25
I thought it was pretty bad, but there were enough flashes of potential that I'm going to stick with it for another week. After all, the first episode of the U.S. version of the Office was pretty bad (then again, the first episode of the U.S. version of Coupling was pretty bad).
