While it was a major hit in Australia, it looks like the American version of Kath and Kim has lost something in translation – with the show copping a panning from US critics.
Entertainment Weekly has given the American adaptation a C-, showing it up as a pale imitation of the Australian original, lacking Gina Riley and Jane Turner’s zesty social critique, and also wasting the talent of Molly Shannon, who is described as “playing a sad character surrounded by unfunny losers.”
EW noted that the vacant stare of Selma Blair’s Kim lacked the zany materialism of Gina Riley’s equivalent – leading to a far less interesting character.
Industry insiders are suggesting these criticisms could be making Channel Seven a little nervous, given their premiere of the American series on October 12.
While Kath and Kim has copped a hiding, The Office, an American translation of the British hit series devised by Ricky Gervais, has enjoyed huge critical and commercial success.
LIVENEWS.com.au's Jesse Perez writes: Maybe we could remake the American version, and then export it back to the States to give them a few good ideas?