Absolutely Fabulous?

When invited to a party in ‘the Valley’ I think twice, much as I did when I was a dowtown New York girl invited to a party in the Upper East Side, because it’s a bit of a schlep. When invited to a party ‘in the Valley’ that’s taking place at an Outback Steakhouse, I debate even longer. So was the dilemma when NBC’s Australian-adapted sitcom ‘Kath & Kim’ hosted their premiere party last week. In the end, the lure of a single night sitting on my couch won out and I missed the fete, but sources on the scene reported back that Selma Blair (who plays Kim opposite Molly Shannon's Kath), talked more than a little about the weight she had to gain for the role.

At the Outback Steakhouse – home of the French fries smothered in melted cheese and ranch dressing aka the 2900 calorie appetizer Men’s Health editor-in-chief David Zinczenko deemed the worst food served in a restaurant, anywhere, ever, aka a food I’ve eaten and liked – until I read that - Selma talked about how she struggled with having to gain weight (about 10/15 pounds on her normally lithe frame) for the role. She said her often had trouble with her character's wardrobe because she was forced to squeeze into some very tight-fitting clothes.  She admitted, "I'd have lacerations on my body from the shorts being so tight.  They'd yell 'Cut!' and people would come over with a bathrobe because I was so embarrassed about the flab rolling over."  At the Skyy Vodka-hosted celebration Selma was also heard saying one of her friends recently said to her, "Oh my, that PROSTHETIC is amazing," and she replied, "Umm, that's not a prosthetic, that's my belly."  Adding salt in the wound, co-star Mikey Day added that Selma frequently has to puff out her stomach so far that it's almost like she's on "baby bump watch." Ouch. Hope the role is worth it! See for yourself when it airs tonight at 8:30pm on NBC.