NBC has just ordered a full season (nine more episodes) of the new comedy Kath & Kim, starring Molly Shannon and Selma Blair.

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There was so much exciting information spinning out of the TCA press tour last week that it was kind of like being on a 12-day sugar buzz — especially because so much of the news revolved around some of my favorite former Saturday Night Live ladies. Let me condense a week's worth of information for you: Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, and Molly Shannon will be lining up side-by-side with their own NBC comedies this year.

Tina Fey will, of course, be back as Liz Lemon for the third season of 30 Rock. She'll return to the set with her TCA award for for individual achievement in comedy, and probably at least one more Emmy. In April Entertainment Weekly asked, "Is it hot in here or is just Tina Fey's career?"

It is hot in here, Entertainment Weekly, but it's not just her career.

Molly Shannon will be staring alongside Selma Blair in NBC's remake of the popular Australian comedy Kath and Kim about a dysfunctional mother-daughter team. NBC's hopes, it seems, are even higher than mine. They've slated Kath and Kim to anchor their legendary Thursday night of Must See TV. … continue reading

The Australian TV industry just held its annual awards, the Logies (named after a guy we can all thank — or sometimes hate — who made television a workable medium). Some of the faces from the red carpet should be familiar to AfterEllen.com readers outside of Australia. Here's one: Demi Sorono, the out lesbian who made it to the final four of Australia's first season of So You Think You Can Dance. This was the final four:

The references to Demi's sexuality disappeared after the first few episodes, but the subtext was there the entire season. Speaking of shows with gay themes, some of the ladies of Satisfaction made the ceremony.

No Logie for the lesbian prostitute (possibly because her character was constructed entirely of clichéd craziness), but Alison Whyte took home a Silver Logie for Most Outstanding Actress. … continue reading

For those of you not familiar with the accent, that's moi with an exaggerated Australian o in the back of the throat, sort of a “mioye.” And here's a bit of wackiness that doesn't need translation. A couple of months ago, the linster informed us that the Australian comedy Kath and Kim will be remade by NBC for U.S. audiences, with Molly Shannon starring as Kath. Well, now she has her Kim. Meet the mother-daughter pair:

You're not imagining things. That is Selma Blair. She's just landed the role of Kim. To put this in perspective, let's take a look at the Australian originals.

Even though I've been happily catching up on the originals here, I'm sorry I'm going to miss the U.S. debut. The weirdness of the pairing with Selma Blair is reason enough to tune in, at least for a start. Originally, Joan Cusack was set to play Kim. Picking Blair instead is taking, well, a slightly different direction. I only hope she has the comedy chops to keep up with Molly Shannon. … continue reading

Earlier this year, I was mindlessly channel surfing when I happened on what I thought was a British comedy on the Sundance Channel. After my Southern ears adjusted to the accents, I realized two things. First, the show was Australian, not British. And second, it was very, very funny. But word of a U.S. remake of that show, Kath and Kim, by NBC brings mixed feelings. First, the good news: One of my favorite funny ladies will costar.

Molly Shannon will play Kath Day-Knight, whose relationship with her adult daughter Kim is the heart of the show. As Kath would say, “Noice.”

I’m less enthusiastic to learn that Michelle Nader wrote the latest script for Kath and Kim instead of Nancy Pimental, who penned the original adaptation. Why? Pimental used to write for South Park; Nader for King of Queens. Not a good sign. Especially given the challenge of translating such a distinctively Australian show for U.S. viewers. … continue reading