In today's column, I look at three comedies (two new, one returning) that try -- and only in some cases succeed -- to have fun at the expense of the extremely stupid: "Kath & Kim," "Testees" and "The Sarah Silverman Program." The latter two I liked intermittently (the "Sarah Silverman" season two premiere is one of their better episodes so far); "Kath & Kim," on the other hand, is already in my "I watch so you don't have to" Hall of Fame. Grrrr....
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
Sepinwall on TV: 'Kath & Kim,' 'Testees' and 'The Sarah Silverman Program' reviews
In today's column, I look at three comedies (two new, one returning) that try -- and only in some cases succeed -- to have fun at the expense of the extremely stupid: "Kath & Kim," "Testees" and "The Sarah Silverman Program." The latter two I liked intermittently (the "Sarah Silverman" season two premiere is one of their better episodes so far); "Kath & Kim," on the other hand, is already in my "I watch so you don't have to" Hall of Fame. Grrrr....
Have you ever seen the original Kath & Kim, Alan? I started it on a plane once and turned it off after about 5 minutes. I just didn't think it was funny. I actually watched entire US pilot (it's on yahoo) and while it wasn't good, it wasn't as awful as I expected it to be either. But I also think it still seemed like the type of humor that might be popular in other countries, but isn't in this one.
ReplyDeleteI downloaded the free preview of K&K from Amazon. Yow - it was off my tivo in less than 5 minutes! Thanks for taking the bullet but you can stop now.
ReplyDeleteI, too, was evilly tempted by the free Amazon download of Kath & Kim. While I made it through the entire 21 minutes, I really hated myself afterward for not just turning it off in the beginning like I wanted to. Terrible, terrible show.
ReplyDeleteGreat article, Alan.
ReplyDeleteDoes Silverman continue to sing on her show? That kinda turned me off in S1. That and the fact that, while she was one of my all-time favorite guests on PI, she just doesn't seem that funny any more. (Kimmel videos--which, for obvious reasons, will no longer be happening--aside)
I saw an episode of the original Kath & Kim once. And it may have been the least funny thing I've ever seen in my life. I know not all humor translates well, but usually it's possible to figure out why someone somewhere might find the show remotely funny.
ReplyDeleteNope. There was nothing. It was just unfunny.
I was surprised that they tried to redo it here. One thing to redo funny or charming or interesting or creative shows. But do we really need to import dreck?
Aren't we on the third season of the Sarah Silverman Program now? I know the second season premiered last October, so we're either on season 3, or we're in a second half of season 2.
ReplyDeleteThere's a DVD release next week called Season 2, Vol. 1, but I had thought the volume part was a joke on how short the seasons are (6 episodes).
The ads on the side of the buses were enough to convince me Kath & Kim was an awful show. Everytime I see a bus ad, I cringe.
ReplyDeleteHere in NZ, the original Kath & Kim are reasonably popular, and I cannot for the life of me see the appeal. It's all overdone Aussie accents, misuse of words, and women trying to wear severely inappropriate clothing. And that's it. Sounds like the remake is not that much better.
ReplyDeleteI am a fan of the original Australian "Kath & Kim" - I find the two comediennes extremely funny, especially in scenes where they play directly off each other. One of the conceits is that the actresses are nearly the same age - it doesn't really translate to the U.S. version, where Selma Blair is only 8 years younger than Molly Shannon, but is still stuck playing 20-somethings - I bet most viewers easily accept that she could be Shannon's daughter.
ReplyDeleteI'm disappointed to learn that the U.S. version is that bad, although I feared it would be. For the record, I was a huge fan of the British "Coupling" (up until Richard Coyle's character "Jeff" left the show) too.
Aus person dropping by.
ReplyDeleteThe first couple of seasons of the original Kath and Kim are pretty hilarious social commentary on Australian 'aspirational' suburban life. I doubt it would translate well. It's very specific. That doesn't mean there's no comparable comedy to be found in US suburbs. It's just that I bet no one creating and writing and performing in the US version actually came from the right environment and it's a commitee cash-in stew like most remakes.
I dunno how to compare it; the thing that springs to mind is it's somewhere between My Name is Earl and Arrested Development. But that could create all sorts of images. Plus there's a lot of the english mock-doc craze in it as well, like 'People Like Us' and 'The Office'. People might say "Yeah but all of those have jokes", well the orig. Kath and Kim is thick with jokes, believe me.
It could just be because I have always had a bit of a crush on selma blair, but I think her and Molly Shannon are funny on Kath and Kim. I think it has potential to get better.
ReplyDeleteBut then, what do I know. I like entourage too.
I think, "I declare.... bankruptcy" should be one of those quotes that we use in everyday life...
ReplyDeleteI forgot just how awesome Michael Scott can be.
Tried to watched Kath & Kim last night, but couldn't make it past the first 15 minutes.
ReplyDeleteDidn't watch K&K, but watched Testees instead. Didn't laugh once, and after sometime I was so bored that I actually checked how much longer I should stand. May be it is "comedy for men", may be I was not in the mood... probably won't watch it again.
ReplyDeleteLove: Sarah Silverman program, Life & Times of Tim
ReplyDeleteHate: Kath & Kim USA, Little Britain USA