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Review: Molly Shannon, Selma Blair in 'Kath & Kim'

Verne Gay | Off Camera

October 8, 2008

THE SHOW "Kath & Kim," WNBC/4, tomorrow night at 8:30

REASON TO WATCH The solid cast - Selma Blair, Molly Shannon, John Michael Higgins

WHAT IT'S ABOUT Kath Day (Molly Shannon) is an obliviously cheerful California divorcee whose 27-year-old daughter, Kim (Selma Blair, of "Hellboy," et al), decides to move back home because husband Craig (Mikey Day) wants her to do domestic stuff, like make dinner in the microwave now and then. Even though Craig works at a local Circuit City-like box store, Kim fancies herself "a trophy wife, like Mrs. Larry King Live." Says Mom to "Kimmio," marriage isn't like "flying on your jet to have cocktails with the prince of Del Monico." Meanwhile, Kath's new beau, Phil Knight, owner and operator of Phil's Sandwich Island at the mall (where a specialty is "Slam Bam Thank You Ham"), is getting serious about Kath, and proclaims himself ready to "turn your Day into Knight." Kimmio's decided he's a loser, although Craig notes, "You say you hate everything, so it's hard to know what you hate." Fans of Australian TV will recognize the big hit from Down Under of the same name, which traces its parentage to Britcom hit "Absolutely Fabulous."

BOTTOM LINE There's some very funny stuff here, but the serious question before NBC is this: How long can it stretch the joke before viewers go stark raving mad? You jump straight into Kath and Kim's Velveeta world, but there's no ironic voice, or anchor - think Jim in "The Office" - to provide some ballast, or at least the obligatory wink and nod. Selma Blair barely bothers to break out of her eye-rolling sourpuss Valley Girl persona, which makes the portrayal a little bit of a solo note. (There may well be someone lovable under this cliche, but good luck finding her.) John Michael Higgins as the Michael Scott-like Phil? A pro who draws laughs whenever he's on screen.