NBC Hands Out Series Order to "Kath & Kim"

NBC has remained true to Jeff Zucker's words and moved away from the traditional pilot orders this season, granting comedy Kath & Kim a series order before a single frame of its pilot (set to go into production once the strike ends) has been shot.

Kath & Kim, which stars Molly Shannon (Saturday Night Live) and Selma Blair (Hellboy), has been giving the greenlight for six episodes next season. The comedy, based on the hit Australian series, revolves around the dysfunctional relationship between a divorced woman beginning to date again and her self-absorbed daughter, who leaves her perfect husband to move back in with her mother.

"This hilarious new series exemplifies how we are changing the pilot process by ordering shows that we believe in and green-lighting them straight to series," said NBC Entertainment Co-Chairman Ben Silverman, in a statement. "We are confident that this proven international hit will effortlessly translate to American audiences and we couldn't be more excited that Molly and Selma will be playing the leads."

Pilot was written by Michelle Nader (King of Queens), who will serve as the Universal Media Studios series' executive producer, along with pilot director Paul Feig (The Office, Freaks & Geeks), original Australian series creators/stars Gina Riley and Jane Turner, and exec producer Rick McKenna.