Kath Day-Knight

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Kath Day-Knight
Portrayed by Jane Turner
First appearance 1993
Fast Forward
Kath & Kim
Sex (episode 1x01)
Created by Jane Turner and Gina Riley
Profile
Gender Female
Age 54 as of 2008
Occupation Housewife
Franchisee
TAFE student
Actress
Lingerie Model
Real Estate Agent
Environmental Warrior

Kathleen "Kath" Darleen Day-Knight is a fictional character featured in the Australian television series, Kath & Kim and is portrayed by Jane Turner. Her character is one of the longest running in the show, first appearing on Fast Forward in 1993 until 1994 and then on Big Girls Blouse from 1994-1995 an then on Something Stupid in 1998 and finally her longest and most well-known run on Kath and Kim from 2002.

Kath spends most of her time doing housework, being supportive of her husband and daughter's second best friend, and disciplining her self absorbed, spoilt, lazy and ever complaining 24 year old daughter, Kim Craig. Kath lives in middle class suburban Melbourne, Australia, in a double-story townhouse with her husband Kel Knight, a butcher (or a "purveyor of fine meats" as he refers to himself as). She married him in 2002, after meeting him earlier that year. Kel is not Kath's daughters father, but from Kath's previous dysfunctional marriage with Gary Poole. The two had Kimberly in the 1970s, however Gary left when Kath became pregnant with Kim, Kim stayed with Kath for the rest of her life. She is a Richmond Tigers supporter. Her most noticeable physical feature is her famous perm.

[edit] Personality and background

Kath is a strong, successful mother who embodies the stereotypical housewife/mother personality. At times Kath is naive, and gullible to her daughter's antics, but is usually determined and strong in handling difficult situations. Kath has had her fair share of wild escapades throughout the show’s history and has had a wide-range of careers, ranging from an actress to a real estate agent. She spends most of her time being supportive to her husband, Kel Knight, whom she has a very loving relationship with and providing discipline upon her spoilt and self-absorbed daughter. Kath can be somewhat of a doormat for her daughter and husband, reasoning that they love her and mean well behind their various crazy schemes. While she puts up with a lot from her family, even she has a breaking point; she has been known to fight with Kim often. Kath is a strong supporter of the Richmond Tigers and is proud of her looks and lifestyle.

Kath's age has been the subject of some speculation, until in 'Foxy on the Run'. In the episode, it was Kel's 50th birthday which revealed that Kath had turned 50 four months before as it was revealed in season one that Kath was four months older than Kel.

In season three Kath found work with Kel becoming actors for a 'High and Dry' commercial, they were later dropped because sales plummeted. In 2005, Kath and Kel got given a franchise called The Da Vinci Code Tours. Kath is the tour guide.

[edit] Appearance

Kath is "proud of her looks" and does not care what anyone else thinks about her. She is always takes pride in how she looks, and spends much time grooming herself. She has a very noticeable, large perm which is blonde, seen as her trademark. Her clothes probably unknowingly resemble 80s fashion. It has also been revealed that she is a descendant of an Aboriginal woman — as seen from the episode of Roots.

[edit] Recurring gags and Features

Almost every character on the show has their own humorous features and Kath also, isn't without.

  • No, that'll just confuse people - Kath has referred to this quote twice. In the episode The Wedding from series one, she made an array of cocktail sausages which included "little boys" and "saveloys". Sharon asks if she's got "franks" but Kath says it will "just confuse people". In series two in the 7th episode she has an array of crackers and potato chips, Sharon asks if shes got "Lay's", but again it will "confuse people"
  • Decant the dipping sauce - A remark Kath makes when she is evidently busy.
  • TAFE courses - The programme is consistently referred to by Kath. Several courses that Kath has done are cycling and tennis, real estate, interior design and business studies.
  • Look at me - Used mostly to Kim (her daughter) when a fight has happened.
  • It's nice, it's different, it's unusual Used when she sees something she likes.