NBC has ordered an additional nine episodes of its freshman comedy "Kath & Kim" (Thursdays, 8:30-9 p.m. ET) to complete a full-season order, it was announced today by Ben Silverman, Co-Chairman, NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios.

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

In its four telecasts to date, "Kath & Kim" has retained 100 percent of its adults 18-49 lead-in from "My Name Is Earl," averaging a 2.6 rating, 6 share in adults 18-49 and 6.0 million viewers overall (live plus same day). "Kath & Kim" has built on its "Earl" lead-in among adults 18-34 by 4 percent (with a 2.4 rating vs. a 2.3) and built on "Earl" among women 18-34 by 18 percent (2.6 vs. 2.2).

"Kath & Kim" is the American adaptation of the Australian hit comedy series that stars Molly Shannon and Selma Blair as the hilarious and iconoclastic mother-daughter duo.

"Kath & Kim" focuses on Kath (Shannon), a cheerful, foxy, forty-something, and her self-absorbed daughter, Kim (Blair), who have the love/hate, push/pull dysfunctional relationship that only a mother and daughter could share.