NBC Picks Up Adaptation of Aussie Comedy

BURBANK, February 7: NBC
has licensed an American adaptation of the Australian comedy Kath & Kim, which will star Saturday Night Live’s Molly Shannon and Legally Blonde’s Selma Blair.

Kath & Kim examines the minutiae of middle-class suburbia
that digs deep into the daily lives of Kath, a cheerful, forty-something
divorcee, and her self-absorbed daughter Kim. Michelle Nader serves as executive
producer and writer of the series. The creators and stars of the original
series, Gina Riley and Jane Turner, will also serve as executive producers, as
will the original series’ executive producers Rick McKenna and Paul Feig (who
is directing the first episode). The series is a production from Reveille for
Universal Media Studios.

“This hilarious new series
exemplifies how we are changing the pilot process by ordering shows that we
believe in and green-lighting them straight to series,” said Ben Silverman, the
co-chairman of NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios. “We are confident
that this proven international hit will effortlessly translate to American
audiences and we couldn't be more excited that Molly and Selma will be playing
the leads.”

—By Ned Berke