australian television information archive

Kylie joins foxy morons for ratings winner

The ABC scored a rare ratings victory nationally on Thursday with the final episode of Melbourne comedy Kath & Kim, although audience numbers were lower than last year's season finale.

About 600,000 Melbourne viewers tuned in for the episode guest-starring Kylie Minogue. With a poodle perm and in a situation reminiscent of her Neighbours nuptials, Minogue played Kim's grown-up daughter, Epponnee Rae.

The future of the series now lies in the hands of Gina Riley and Jane Turner, its creators, writers, co-producers and stars, and the ABC hopes it will return.

The finale will be the ABC's top-rating show of the year with a national audience of 1.87 million. Last year's Kath & Kim season finale, which broke the ABC's ratings record for an Australian comedy, attracted 2.2 million viewers, some 800,000 in Melbourne.

But Kath & Kim will struggle to make Australia's five most-watched shows this week with Australian Idol, Friends and Dancing with the Stars all beating it comfortably.

By Kylie Miller
November 27, 2004
The Age