For nine years, between 1992 and 2005, comedy duo Jennifer Saunders (of French and Saunders fame,) and Joanna Lumley dazzled audiences in both Britain and America with BBC cult phenomenon, Absolutely Fabulous. Written and directed by Saunders, the two main characters, Edina Monsoon and Patsy Stone make a mockery of adulthood and parenting. Living with her teenage daughter, Saffron (Saffy) and her elderly mother, Edina struggles with her constant attempts at fame and fortune while her best friend Patsy continually encourages her to endeavor in an assortment of bad behaviors. From drunken debauchery and cigarette smoking to overeating and living well beyond their means, there was nothing the ladies of AbFab wouldn’t try and overindulge in.
Edina’s daughter, Saffron, portrayed by Julia Sawalha, often played the voice of conscience and reason for her over-the-top mother, which added abundant hilarity and drama to the series.
The role reversal between mother and daughter was one of the major humor highlights of the show. Saffy also enjoyed a loathe/hate relationship with her mother’s best friend, that often resulted in a unique brand of drama found nowhere else in television history. Viewers tuned in weekly to find out what crazy antics they could expect from Pats and Eddie, while a frustrated and mature Saffy stood on the sidelines dictating the obvious difference between right and wrong.
Since the series aired, a number of attempts to recapture its hilarity by other countries and networks have tried and failed, with the most recent attempt by FOX never even airing the pilot, as planned in May of 2009. Recapturing the chemistry between Saunders and Lumley seems downright impossible, and good thing, as there could never be another Pats and Eddie.
Comments
James Melzer
October 6th, 2009 - 7:52:22 AM
You know, I've never sen an episode of this show. I've heard nothing but good things about it though so after reading this, I'll definitely pick up some of the DVD's.
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Betsy Baker
October 6th, 2009 - 8:06:02 AM
Loving it. You nailed this on the head too. I always scheduled my telly watching around British shows aired here in US and this one was a favorite!
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John Mierau
October 6th, 2009 - 8:08:31 AM
They were diseased, horrifically egomaniacal beauties and I loved every episode! THX for the trip down memory lane!
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David Sobkowiak
October 6th, 2009 - 8:18:03 AM
Great article about a great show! I think you covered it all and the clips were priceless!
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Melinda McCloud
October 6th, 2009 - 8:24:38 AM
This was probably the funniest show I've ever been addicted to!
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Jenny
October 6th, 2009 - 8:49:32 AM
Diseased and horrifically egomaniacal! Yes! I used to have all the seasons on DVD, but not anymore. I miss this show so much. Every riotous laughfest of an episode was fantastic. The stuff good TV is made of! Thanks everyone for commenting.
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abfabfan
October 6th, 2009 - 11:44:16 AM
Patts: ''Hello, Alex. This is the mood board for the next edition: sex, b*tch, aristo, sex, punk, whore, b*tch, prossie, lezzie, punk, tart, slut. Oh but Alex, Alex, with LOVELY shoes. '' Eddie: ''I don't think that "Kylie Minogue chokes on vegetarian sausage after all-night not-drinking binge at safe celebrity nightspot," has quite the same ring about it.'' Sweetie! Dahling!
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Randi Stein
October 6th, 2009 - 2:05:22 PM
Sweetie... Dahling.... that was a fantastic article - makes me want to go watch a few episodes with my bff.
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Drew Beatty
October 7th, 2009 - 9:59:35 AM
This was, without a doubt, the most cosistently funny show on television. From the first episode to the finale, no show made me laugh as much as this one. Time to break out the champers, darling.
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