Television Review: Kath & Kim
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What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that this Australian sitcom is about
the relationship between a middle-aged mother and her ornery,
dysfunctional adult daughter. The comedy is meant to be spoofy
and broad, but producers sometimes take the mother-daughter
friction a little too far. Kath and Kim argue a lot and
sometimes have screaming matches -- which adults might find
funny, but which could confuse or alarm younger viewers.
Families can talk about the appeal of broad, over-the-top
comedy. What makes spoofs funny? Is it obvious that this series
is meant to be a spoof? Do you think you have to be Australian
to get all the jokes? How would it be different as an American
show? Families can also talk about the importance of respecting
other people's space when you live under the same roof. How can
you make sure your privacy is respected while still being part
of a family? Why is it important to respect others' personal
space?
Popular Australian sitcom KATH & KIM offers viewers an ear- and eye-full of dysfunction as an over-the-top mother and her adult daughter attempt to live harmoniously in the same suburban neighborhood. Jane Turner plays Kath, a twice-married, middle-aged empty-nester juggling life with her husband, her neighbors, and her snotty daughter, Kim (Gina Riley). As the pair go about their lives in the fictional Melbourne suburb of Fountain Lakes, they create nightmares for those living around them, including homely family friend Sharon (Magda Szubanski) -- whom Kim constantly puts down -- and Brett (Peter Rowsthorn), Kim's browbeaten boyfriend (and, later, husband).
While it's entertaining to watch Kath and Kim spar, their lack of education and common sense can be off-putting. In one episode, for example, Kath tells Kim (who's watching her weight) that she's using "fat-free fat" -- a play on popular diet foods, but also a way for producers to play up Kath's dimwittedness. In another scene in which Kim frays her mother's nerves, Kath responds to her neediness with "How would you like it if your daughter was a complete disappointment to you?" Ouch.
Much of the show's spoofy humor is intentionally painful and cringe-inducing, but tweens might not get that. Save this one for teens who are able to take the show with a grain of salt.
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