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.