"Absolutely Fabulous" (1992) TV series 1992-2004

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | unknown

Release Date:

24 July 1994 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

Sin is in, sweetie.

Plot:

Edina Monsoon and her best friend Patsy drive Eddie's sensible daughter, Saffron, up the wall with their...

Plot Keywords:

Best Friend | Social Commentary | London England | Cigarette Smoking | Promiscuous Mother

Awards:

7 wins & 14 nominations

Cast

Jennifer Saunders	...	Edina / ... (37 episodes, 1992-2005)
Joanna Lumley	...	Patsy / ... (37 episodes, 1992-2005)
Julia Sawalha	...	Saffron / ... (37 episodes, 1992-2005)
June Whitfield	...	Mrs. June 'Gran' 'Mother' Monsoon / ... (34 episodes, 1992-2005)
Jane Horrocks	...	Bubble / ... (30 episodes, 1992-2005)

Also Known As:

Ab Fab (Australia) (short title)

Runtime:

30 min (24 episodes) | 45 min (2 episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English | French

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Singapore:NC-16 (season 5) | Singapore:PG | USA:TV-14 | Argentina:13 | New Zealand:M (seasons 1-4) | Greece:K-13 | Australia:M | UK:15 | Portugal:M/12 | Australia:PG (some episodes)

Filming Locations:

Holland Park, London, England, UK

Company:

French & Saunders Productions

Trivia:

The inspiration for casting Joanna Lumley as Patsy came from a sketch on "The Full Wax" (1991) in which Ruby Wax interviewed Joanna Lumley, where the actress (who had previously been seen as a prim and proper English rose) played herself as a drunk, cocaine addicted washed up has-been.

Quotes:

Patsy: I thought a little mosey down Bond Street, a little sniff around Gucci, sidle up to Ralph Lauren, pass through Browns and on to Quags for a light lunch.

Movie Connections:

Remade as Ab Fab (2009) (TV)

Soundtrack:

This Wheel's On Fire

Bawdy and hilarious

Without a doubt one of the most original and raucous TV series made. Though I'm not sure all American audiences understand it (I heard Joanna Lumley say in an interview "America gets the joke.") I think if you look at it more than just a couple of middle aged party girls behaving badly, and look at it as a commentary on our obsession with youth and 'perfection', it's easier to understand.

The one thing I love about this show is it's biting commentary on pop culture and the obsession on being 'thin and gorgeous!' Saunders and Lumley are both hilarious and sad as the two aging 'slags' who refuse to grow up. I also enjoy the relationship between Saunders and her TV daughter. There are great moments of real mother/daughter conflict, tempered by crass humor and genuine tenderness. Though in most cases, it would be the daughter being chastised for coming in at 4:00 AM wearing a Marilyn Manson tee shirt, and strung out on coke.

However, two things have always bothered me regarding this show: firstly, the Edina character always seems so frantic and disorganized, yet she somehow manages to run a successful(?) business. Secondly, though I love it, the earlier seasons always seem to be a 'one joke' show. Eddie and Patsy get drunk, Eddie falls out of the car, Saffy scolds her...and so on.

Wonderful supporting cast and acid wit make this a favorite !