"Kath & Kim" - Not Worth the Hype

A fan of all things British, Australian, or Kiwi (wink, wink Jemaine), naturally I was ecstatic when I heard that the Australian show "Kath & Kim" was getting an American remake for the fall TV season. While I generally can't stand Selma Blair, I assumed pairing her with Molly Shannon might make her a little less annoying and half of a comedy powerhouse. However, I was wrong.

"Kath & Kim" is now available to watch on Yahoo! or you can download the pilot episode for free on iTunes. I downloaded it and watched it on my iPhone whilst wheezing on the elliptical machine at my gym. The best way for me to forget that I'm torturing my body is to watch comedy shows on my iPhone while I'm exercising. My staples: "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" and "Samantha Who?". When I realized I could get the pilot of "Kath & Kim" for free, I was giddy with excitement as I have been anticipating it's arrival for months now. But it didn't really result in the laughter blackout I was prepared for.

"Kath & Kim" tells the story of a mother and daughter, Molly Shannon and Selma Blair (MS is actually only 8 years older than SB in real life), who have an extremely dysfucntional relationship and have yet to realize the early 90's are over. They dress in horrendous outfits usually consisting of ill-fitting spandex and generally act like children, especially Kim. But spandex can only get you so many laughs before you start wondering when something funny is going to happen. Kim leaves her husband because he wants her to do stuff, like microwave dinner every once in a while. Kath is dating a sandwich artist. And...... that's about it. I was greatly disappointed that this is all the show had to offer. I know the physical comedy of her Mary Katherine Gallagher days are long behind us, but I was expecting more of Molly Shannon. Selma Blair has absolutely perfected the whiny brat character she plays in every film and was obviously the inspiration for Meredith Grey. She just annoyed me as usual, so bravo on that note for living up to my expectations!

It's just the pilot, and pilots are usually the worst episodes of an entire series. I wasn't so sure about "30 Rock" when I saw that pilot either, but I've since fallen in love with Liz Lemon and the antics of the crew at "TGS". So don't take my word for it... Give "Kath & Kim" a chance when it premieres on NBC Thursday night at 8:30pm. I'm going to keep watching... for now. If after three episodes it has still yet to impress, I'll give it the kiss of death (remove it from the DVR). I had higher hopes for this much hyped show, but I think we might be better off trying to find episodes online of the original version from the Outback.

Photo: via thebiz.fancast.com

NBC Fall TV Lineup Announced

I know all of you are just giddy with anticipation to find out if your favorite shows are coming back next year.

NBC announced their 2007 TV Lineup this morning. The best show on television, "The Office", is back next year with a move to 9pm on Thursdays and five hour long episodes throughout the year. Expect more sexual tension between Jim and Pam. I also suspect the Dwangela (Dwight-Angela) relationship will be brought out into the public. "Comedy Night Done Right" will go like this: "My Name is Earl", 8pm; "30 Rock", 8:30pm; "The Office", 9pm; "Scrubs", 9:30pm; "ER", 10pm. "Scrubs" has narrowly avoided cancellation yet again, but is back with only 18 episodes next year. "ER" is flat-lining and could be moved from it's permanent Thursdays at 10pm spot. "Heroes" has spawned it's own spin-off with "Heroes: Origins" taking over during their hiatus. "Law & Order" will be back in January, but "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" will be moving to the USA Network. NBC is also making Friday night "Game Night" with lots of...wait for it...game shows and will round out the night with the audience-fav "Friday Night Lights", a prime example of how the viewers can convince a network to bring a show back. Not on the schedule... "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip". New shows will be "Bionic Woman", appealing to the "Heroes" demographic, and "Lipstick Jungle", appealing to the sexually curious twentysomething demographic.

As for ABC, they announced Addison Shepherd will officially be moving to LA this fall with her new show "Private Practice". Let's hope they get rid of the Elevator God stuff and stick to relationship drama...and perhaps some medical stuff, as well. ABC also said "Lost" won't be returning until January, but they will run it the same as this year with no repeats.

Some finales take place this week. Click here for a full schedule. I don't watch CBS except for Monday nights. Their comedy night isn't so bad, since nothing else comes on on Mondays. "How I Met Your Mother" has it's series finale tonight at 8pm. When this series first debuted, I thought it sucked. But it has only gotten better with time. The highlight of the show is womanizing Barney, played by Neil Patrick Harris, the only gay actor that can play a straight character and successfully make me forget that he is gay in real life (T.R. Knight aka George O'Malley might want to work on this). Also, CBS has finally pulled the plug (thank you!) and "The King of Queens" has it's final show EVER tonight. As you can tell, I am distraught over the loss of this show. We bid adieu forever to Lorelai and Rory on "Gilmore Girls" tomorrow night. The newest model to not really have a career post-win will be chosen Wednesday night on "America's Next Top Model". All of NBC's shows wrap up this Thursday night. How will Jim react to Pam's confession from last week? Tune in to "The Office" from 8-9pm to find out! "Ugly Betty" ends it's season this week, but I don't watch this so I have nothing funny to quip about here. "Grey's Anatomy" also airs it's season finale this week and I'm sure we'll be left with some emotionally devastating cliffhanger. For example... Will George transfer to another hospital to save his ridiculous marriage to Callie (not me) and leave Izzie in a pouty close-up freeze frame? We'll have to wait and find out this Thursday night!

I hope your some of your favorites got picked up again this year! Hopefully some new shows are on the horizon that don't involve bachelors, desperate woman, fame seekers, Tyra Banks, or Flava Flav (just kidding - I would watch any of his shows. Don't judge me.) Enjoy your season finales this week!

And another thing...

It's been a big day in the celebrity world. I don't think I've ever said "The View" this many times in one day.

- Turns out I was right. Sanjaya is the product of a drug-induced stupor. His mom, Jillain Blith, and sister, Shyamali, were both arrested in February 2005 for growing pot. Shyamali gave up her mom in exchange for a lighter sentence. Which makes me think... I see a book in Shyamali's future detailing her relationship with Sanjaya a la Donna Hogan's book about her sister entitled Train Wreck: The Life and Death of Anna Nicole Smith.

- Speaking of Sanjaya, he is interviewed in this week's People magazine. He told the mag, "I've always gotten along with girls better because I was raised by women. I got teased in school because people figured I must be gay because I understand women. I think that's why guys didn't like me - because I got along with girls so well. When I went up to girls they would give me a hug and a kiss on the cheek like I was their gay friend. But I was the straight guy that understood them. [Before Idol] I had a girlfriend but she became clingy, and I didn't want to get into a really serious relationship because I was 16. I just wanted to date and have fun." For once, I'm going to have to go with "no comment"...

- After a judge's ruling today, Larry Birkhead is allowed to bring Dannielynn to the US as long as he brings her back in June for the full custody hearing. Ol' Virgie Arthur is allowed to appeal, but it may not have much effect. Since Larry has already sold pictures of his precious daughter that he has fought so desperately to control...I mean love...no telling what will happen when Dannielynn hits the homeland.

- By now, I'm sure you have all heard or heard about Alec Baldwin's voicemail he left on his daughter (with Kim Basinger) Ireland's cell phone last week. This Friday, he will be appearing on "The View". The segment was taped today and Baldwin was said to be "very heartfelt, apologetic and emotional". He said he doesn't want to do "30 Rock" anymore and would like to be removed from his contract. However, NBC just renewed the show for another season. NBC released this statement regarding Alec's comments: "Alec Baldwin remains an important part of '30 Rock'. We look forward to having him continue his role in the show.” Looks like your stuck with Jack Donaghy for now, buddy.

- Victoria Beckham eats?? I must say, I am shocked. In a recent interview, she said, "I began living on vegetables and nothing else. But it never occurred to me that I had an eating disorder." Now she says it is all about control and she's added fish and chicken to her diet. Woah... Slow down there, Posh. Next thing you know, you'll face plant into a giant chocolate cake!

- If you're thinking of getting into acting, maybe Screech could manage your career. Dustin Diamond has started his own management company called A Diamond in the Rough (how clever!) for washed up child actors. Britney Spears has already put in a few calls to his office.

On TV Tonight

Since some of you have lives, this information may not pertain to you. But for those of you who don't, here's what's on TV tonight:

8pm - "America's Next Top Model", CW: The models go to Australia this week and I can't wait to see them interview local townsfolk. I get a little too much joy out of making fun of Tyra. "Kiss my fat ass!" Girl, you don't know what fat is.

8:30pm - "Notes from the Underbelly", ABC: I expected this to be terrible, but it's not so bad. As long as they refrain from mentioning any more "lady parts", I think I can stomach it.

9pm - "American Idol", FOX: This 9pm time slot used to be filled with an hour of Sawyer and Kate frollicking on "Lost". Now it is dominated by Ryan Seacrest and his army of idiots. It is safe to say I will spend this hour on Facebook.

10pm - "Lost", ABC: I knew all along Juliet was working for The Others. I don't trust that shady lady. A new Internet theory is that she is pregnant and is doing what Ben wants to get off the island. Tonight is about Charlie though, so I'm not sure how much we will find out.

Here's what I won't be watching: "American Idol" (obviously), "Jericho", "Thank God You're Here", "Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search for the Next Doll", and any episodes of the "Law & Order" franchise