Phil's Got Kath Babe... and Kim

Tonight's Kath & Kim bachelor and bachelorette parties were a mixed bag of the ridiculous (the women get high on tea and spend hours in a pet store, missing their Cher concert), the hilarious (Tina "gets self confidence") and the somewhat sweet (Phil fights for Kath after getting a breakup voicemail from his high fiancee). I definitely like this show more than I care to admit. That said, I'm totally OK with admitting that I think Phil's bachelor party looked like a lot of fun! There was name-that-ingredient, truffle mashed potatoes and a refreshing lack of nudity. Contrary to popular belief, Phil's not gay at all, he's just sweet (and dorky as all get out); when he asked the stripper her name and life story I was really quite touched.

Thursday Night TV by the Numbers

6 Actors Who Shone This Week

Michael Urie (Ugly Betty), Joel Grey (Private Practice), Chandra Wilson (Grey's Anatomy), Ana Ortiz (Ugly Betty), Jane Krakowski (30 Rock), Amy Brenneman (Private Practice). 

5 Interesting Developments

Violet is pregnant (Private Practice), Izzie is sick (Grey's Anatomy), Suzuki is straight (Ugly Betty), Charlotte wants to get married (Private Practice), Kim has a photographic memory (Kath & Kim). 

4 Touching Moments

Marc stands up to Wilhelmina (Ugly Betty), Michael struggles with deceiving good people for his own advancement (The Office), Liz takes a hit to save Jack's dignity (30 Rock), Violet and Cooper have a best friends moment in her office closet (Private Practice). 

3 Ridiculous Plots

Kim tries to become the nightly news anchor woman (Kath & Kim), Lexi breaks Mark's penis (Grey's Anatomy), Kenneth tries to get Tracey to eat his vegetables (30 Rock). 

2 Promising Characters Who Kinda Stink

Betty (Ugly Betty), Addison (Private Practice). 

1 Real Question

Is Hilary Swank hot? (The Office). 

Love Hurts

It seems that one of my favourite new shows of the season (one of very few) has bitten the dust this week, proving once again that in order to survive on The CW you have to feature filthy rich teenage girls and hot guys in expensive cars. 

With the loss of Valentine, the TV landscape finds itself in need of a good deal of love. 

in other news, Kath & Kim, a sitcom I watch but don't care much about, has been picked up for a full season. This marks NBC's second odd pickup of the year (they've already given a full season to the critically hated and unpopular Knight Rider).  

for the full story click here

Kath and Kim

I cannot decide whether NBC's new show Kath and Kim is incredibly annoying or absolutely genius. Its stars, Molly Shannon and Selma Blair, are certainly fan favourites and it's based on a successful Australian show so it should lean towards genius. 

But I really hate shows about stupid people. A bit can be funny but I get tired of strictly laughing at people instead of with them. There's a bit too much My Name is Earl and not a single foil character to counteract it. Then again, there were moments of the pilot in which I couldn't help but laugh at these ridiculous characters. 

The writers are clearly smart. After all, the show did end with the characters toasting global warming- close to perfect satire. But are they smart enough to make me watch a show entirely populated with people I don't like? Only time will tell. 

So, out of respect for the brilliant actresses in the title roles and faith in the writers, I'll be giving Kath and Kim at least one more chance to impress me.