australian television information archive

Aunty hit in the mix

THE ABC is a network that is supposedly not concerned with ratings, but the final episode of Kath and Kim, screening Thursday, is tipped to be one of the year’s biggest shows.

Last year’s finale of the Australian comedy drew more than 2.15 million viewers, including a staggering 779,804 in Melbourne.

This year the series has been averaging almost 80,000 more national viewers an episode than last year and the expectations are high. But Gina Riley, who stars as Kim, plays down the show’s success.

“You can’t really worry about how you will go,” she said. “But we do feel the last show was among the best we’ve done and it does have the Kylie factor.”

Kylie Minogue will make a much-talked-about appearance in the last episode, but the series has tough opposition in the crucial final week of ratings.

Nine has scheduled a special edition of and Ten will screen the big-hitting Seven appears no threat with the modestly performing But the network is obviously trying to upstage Kylie scoop with the late scheduling of The Ultimate Kylie, a special with Molly Meldrum, on Monday at 10.30pm.

“We’re hoping that even those that hate Kath and Kim will be curious about Kylie and tune in to see what she does,” Riley says.

Not that Riley and co-star and co-creator Jane Turner have had much time to sit back and reflect on their achievements.

“I wanted a good lie-down after we finished production and I have still haven’t had it,” she said. “After all, the usual press stuff, we performed at the Grand Final and now we’re working on the new DVD (for the current third series) and the website.”

Riley is gearing up for more promotional work, this time with the British media. The show has become a cult hit on cable in Britain and will screen on the BBC next year.

“We’re still trying to work out why it has worked so well in the UK,” she said. “I guess they like Neighbours and we’re a kind of bent Neighbours. We’ve even got Kylie.”

A fourth series is on the cards, but Riley admits she is a bit “Kath and Kimmed out”.

“Jane and I need take some time away from then see how we feel,” she said. “But I’m sure we’ll be back bigger and better than ever.”

By Garry Williams
November 21, 2004
The Herald Sun