NORMAL LIFE: All You Need Is Laughs!

Comedy goes a long way during the long, dark Finnish winters. Without it, I would surely die. You think I'm joking. It's really interesting to see how comedy has evolved over the last ten years. American comedy, Friends, took the world by storm and then the BBC added to the selection with comedies such as Absolutely Fabulous and Gimme Gimme Gimme. Much more recently, The Catherine Tate Show has joined the fold of award-winning comedy.

When it comes to originality though, relative newcomeis Kath and Kim from Down Under (that's Australia, by the way) are the bees knees. I enjoyed their episodes so much recently that I had to find their website. The minute to click on the Kath and Kim website, the laughs start straight away with Kim huffing "Keep it in your pants, it's not that sort of website!"

Australia is by no means famous for producing mainstream comedy, but this might just make it. Kath and Kim represent a mother and daughter duo, but without the maternal element; instead, they bicker and real-life issues such as splitting up with your boyfriend, putting on weight, sexuality and later-in-life marriage become the butt of jokes. When talking about sexuality, wondering whether or not daughter Kim is a lesbian, Kath says: "You know, I find sexuality to be a very fluid thing" to which Kim responds: "God, keep your fluids to yourself, Mum!"

Meanwhile, the website has some extras with Kath having an opinion (like everyone else, I supposed) about Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles' connubials. She says: Camilla finally gets to park her bowls under Prince Charles' bed. It's great to see a couple of right royal baby boomers going for it hammer and tong! Changing the subject, Kim reveals that Posh Spice has never read a book. Kath asks "What about her own autobiography?" to which Kim tells how Posh read half then lost interest! "Didn't we all!", Kath retorts.

I've asked for Series 2 for Christmas and, if it's one of the things in Santa's sack, Christmas will be laugh, eh Kimmy?!