NBC handed out a full-season pickup to freshman comedy "Kath & Kim" late Friday.

The back-nine order for the UMS/Reveille-produced comedy, an U.S. version of the hit Australian half-hour, follows a Nielsen uptick Thursday night when "Kath" drew 5.5 million viewers, 2.3 ratings in 18-49.

While it has slipped following its strong premiere, "Kath & Kim" has consistently retained all of its "My Name Is Earl" lead-in among adults 18-49. In its four airings to date, "Kath" has averaged 2.6/ 6 in 18-49 and 6.0 million viewers overall.

"'Kath & Kim' is a show we love and believe in," NBC's exec vp Teri Weinberg said. "We have incredible confidence in the creative auspices of this show and we believe it's a perfect fit with our Thursday-night comedies."

"Kath" stars Molly Shannon and Selma Blair as an iconoclastic mother-daughter duo.

Michelle Nader, who adapted the Australian format, is exec producing with the original series creators and stars Gina Riley and Jane Turner along with Rick McKenna and Howard T. Owens.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/television/news/e3i63073cda9189a10c1b47ab72abc8a96c

Not to sound rude, but what is NBC thinking? Are they actually proud of 5.5 million viewers watching this show? If I was NBC, this show would have been axed following its premiere.

I'd rather watch the Ex List than this show but wait, CBS pulled it so I can't.

love molly but this show is terrible !!!

I watched the pilot, and that's as far as i got with Kath and Kim.

Molly Shannon was fun, but Selma Blair's spoiled brat shtick turned me off. Her husband should have been glad she went back home to Mom.

;)

I sure won't be crying over this show if it gets canned! I liked The Ex List a little better too & now it's gone.

maybe the storylines will improve as the season wears on. it did with garyunmarried.

U know, I will admit, the show is rough around the edges but I like the offbeat nature of the show. Besides, its no worse than anything else on NBC

U know, I will admit, the show is rough around the edges but I like the offbeat nature of the show. Besides, its no worse than anything else on NBCim glad to know someone here besides me likes the show

For some strange reason, I LIKE this quirky show & hope it lasts. But, honestly, I'm surprised it's lasted this long.

I wonder when the mother & her fiance are finally getting married or are they just going to show them planning the wedding for unteen episodes.