The twenty-sixth TV show: #244 The Muppet Show
The Muppet Show is an odd species. On one hand, it's fairly structured, a struggling variety show. In its most basic episodes, that's what it does - song and dance numbers, mixed with some sketches. Behind the screens there's usually a running storyline. Both involve the star, who gets a few songs if they're up for it, some sketches or other bits otherwise.
These are incredibly well produced, with an eye for style and one that's needed considering the complexities that are involved when you need to use muppets - very few errors occur here. An episode like Rita Moreno's, who won an Emmy for her appearance on the show. Once they got into that flow, however, and especially when they have a guest they can do it with, they love messing with the concept. Steve Martin's episode, for example, is one where the show is cancelled and they are auditioning new acts instead, something they seem to use as an opportunity they make fun of each other's characters while including some insight into these characters. Liza Minelli ends up in a murder mystery (with some songs thrown in still) and Carol Burnett's episode takes place during a dance contest.
Traditional episodes are still good too - Mummenschanz, for example, are weird enough that they fit into the show without many seeming changes to their act. It also means they interact less with the Muppets, which is a shame, but it's not too bad. Later seasons are far better in mixing it up like this, but most episodes are worth it, as they show always tries. As long as they focus on the comedy, and less so on the songs.
The twenty-seventh TV show: #635 Kath & Kim
Yeah, I'm finishing two comedies today. We've done a full runthrough of the Muppet Show that we finished about a year ago, so it just needed a catch up. Kath & Kim has been my personal catch up show, and my first Australian show for the list.
I remember being ambivalent about the show when I watched it a few years ago. The characters are fairly unlikeable - especially Kim - and more often, can be quite obnoxious. They try, sometimes, but it can feel like it's for show just as often. Kim especially is this - you're not rooting for her, you want her to turn around, but very rarely actually does so. Kath tries to be a good mother and cares more about people, but drops that the moment it is less convenient for her. The suffering husbands, then, are better people. They are nicer, with Kel absolutely devoted (and Brett understandably less so, he doesn't get the acknowledgement he wants).
What probably makes this work is that these were established sketch characters before they got the show. The show is a way to explore them and give them more dimensions, but they are willing to become these characters, do what they need to keep it fun, and create a fun show that you need to grow with. Gina Riley especially pulls this off. She apparently doesn't appear much out of character, but seems to relish in being irredeemable. Her rare appearances as other characters are interesting in that sense - shop staff Trude is so different that it hides her identity well for a while.
And that's what shows through and makes the core characters of the show so wrong. They clearly love playing these characters, being the semi-slobs that we all want to be, but keep in control - while knowing those people who don't keep it in check and annoy you. An amazing feat, even if you need to watch from the start to allow it to build.