Kittson Fahey

1 9 9 2 – 1 9 9 3 (Australia)
14 x 30 minute episodes

This sketch show from the Australian ABC was the first television appearance for comedians Jean Kittson and Maryanne Fahey since they found fame on The Big Gig (Kittson) and The Comedy Company (Fahey),

The pair made every effort to avoid recurring characters (something they had been famous for in their previous shows), although a few appeared more than once.

Fahey played Tiffany, a soap opera star on the interview couch; Frankie, a current affairs researcher who dug up dirt on people; and a desperate six-year-old. Kittson played Candida, a cosmic airhead aerobics guru.

Kittson and Fahey also played two television publicists (both called Felicity) – all blonde bobbed hair and pink lipstick and nails – who were given to calling everyone ‘mate’: “Mate, mate, it’s me from Channel Slime”, they rapped – literally – into the phone. “One of our stars . . . you guessed who . . . is up the duff . . . what a dill . . . obviously not on the Pill . . . I will give you an exclusive . . . if you do me a favour . . . and drop that story on Steve’s behaviour.”

What was new for both women was that they also appeared as themselves. They sat at a table and chatted over a cup of tea about issues such as GST, gender-specific language, breastfeeding, and being blonde.

In another short segment called ‘I Just Thought I’d Share That With You’, one of them offered a gripe or observation.

In the second series, Fahey revived her Kylie Mole character from Comedy Company, though her life had become more complex. She had lived through her parents going through a painful divorce, and her mum was now having an affair with her best friend Amanda’s dad.

Other new characters included Kaz and Shaz, a pair of backpackers searching for meaningful one-night stands with the world; Gail and Lou, philosophising queens of the smoko; professional mistresses Priscilla Anne and Katey Jane; and Maryannae and Phil, two friends finding life after divorce (under the doona).

David Swann appeared occasionally in sketches, helping out as the “token male”.

Jean Kittson
Maryanne Fahey

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