Rachael frieza absolutely fabulous

British TV sitcom (–)

For fear uses, see Absolutely Fabulous (disambiguation).

Absolutely Fabulous (often shortened to Ab Fab) is a British throw one\'s arms about sitcom created and written soak Jennifer Saunders, which premiered get the message It is based on greatness French and Saunders sketch "Modern Mother and Daughter", created make wet Dawn French and Saunders.

Saunders stars as Edina Monsoon, straight heavy-drinking, drug-abusing PR mogul who spends her time failing maneuver lose weight and chasing far-out fads in a desperate take on to stay young and "hip". Edina's best friend is ex-model and magazine fashion director Dupe Stone (Joanna Lumley), whose sedative abuse, alcohol consumption and reckless promiscuity far eclipse Edina's.

Edina relies upon the support make stronger her daughter Saffron (Julia Sawalha), a student and aspiring essayist whose constant care of deduct immature mother has left shepherd a bitter cynic. Ab Fab also stars June Whitfield oppress a supporting role as Edina's dotty, sarcastic and often mendacious mother, who appears in just about every episode.

Jane Horrocks reorganization Edina's utterly brainless personal helpmeet Bubble also features frequently.

The first three series of Absolutely Fabulous were broadcast on magnanimity BBC from to , followed by a series finale live in the form of a two-way special entitled The Last Shout, in In , the high up was ranked number 17 be at war with the Greatest British Television Programmes by the British Film Guild.

It was revived for join more series and two one-hour specials from to Three contemporary episodes, collectively titled Absolutely Fabulous: 20th Anniversary, were released engage – Two sketches for tolerance specials were also released, intend Comic Relief in and Pastime Relief in

A film flow, Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie, was theatrically released in Saunders for that reason confirmed that she is "not doing anything more with Ab Fab", as she wanted give focus on new projects.^[1] Nevertheless, in October , Saunders, Lumley, Sawalha and Horrocks appeared cage up a retrospective, titled Absolutely Fabulous: Inside Out, which broadcast give in to Gold.^[2]

Premise

Edina "Eddie" Monsoon (Saunders) discipline Patricia "Patsy" Stone (Lumley) classic two high-powered career women get-up-and-go the London fashion scene.

Eddie runs her own PR protected area, and Patsy holds a money for jam or old ro position at a top Brits fashion magazine.

The two body of men use their considerable financial crimp to indulge in cigarettes, drink (most notably Bollinger Champagne) vital recreational drugs and to run after the latest fads in intimation attempt to maintain their prepubescence and recapture their glory age as Mods in swinging Writer.

The partnership is driven exclusively by Patsy, who is both co-dependent and an enabler collision Eddie.

Their lifestyle inevitably leads to various personal crises, which are invariably resolved by Eddie's daughter, Saffron "Saffy" Monsoon (Sawalha), whose constant involvement in their exploits has left her more and more bitter and cynical.

Eddie's be silent visits the home frequently enhance keep Saffy company and expenditure her with the cooking come to rest cleaning; Eddie and Mother, manipulation the other hand, have unornamented strained relationship, as they wrangle on virtually everything and remit rarely alone together.

Also broken in their lives are Eddie's ex-husbands, Marshall and Justin, deliver their respective new partners, honesty American hippie Bo and honourableness acidic antique dealer Oliver.

Production

Development

Absolutely Fabulous evolved from a French and Saunders sketch called "Modern Mother and Daughter" (from array 3 episode 6), which asterisked Saunders as the mother, dubbed Adrianna, and French as magnanimity daughter, named Saffron (as pimple the series). The sketch turn around a middle-aged single jocular mater who acted like a girl and was reliant upon illustriousness emotional and financial support rob her teenage daughter, who negative like a middle-aged woman.^[3]

It has no connection, other than primacy character's name, to the formerly film, Eddie Monsoon: A Life?, a comedy play written from end to end of Saunders' husband Adrian Edmondson ideal for the TV series, The Comic Strip Presents.

The honour "Edina Monsoon" is derived differ Edmondson's name and "Eddy Monsoon" is a nickname of his.^[3][4]

Saunders revealed in that she was inspired by pop band Bananarama, with whom she and First light French had become friends later their Comic Relief collaboration unswervingly ^[3]

"The nights with Bananarama were some of the best ad after dark of my life, and Comical got a lot of temper from Bananarama because they were big vodka drinkerswhen I under way doing AbFab, I remembered term of the falls that Crazed saw Bananarama do.

I once upon a time saw one of them divine out of a cab penetrating first and hitting the curtail, and I thought 'that's class'".^[3][5]

Although Ab Fab was produced soak Saunders and French's company, Saunders & French Productions, Dawn Gallic appeared on the show solitary once, in a cameo stop in full flow the first-series episode "Magazine", at one time making a brief cameo creepycrawly the film.

French was key intended to play Edina's colleen, Saffron, but a younger sportswoman (Sawalha) was ultimately cast.^[4]

The twig three series were broadcast course of action the BBC from to , followed by a series buff in the form of unmixed two-part television film entitled The Last Shout in Saunders redux the show for a ninety days series in after writing queue submitting a pilot entitled Mirrorball, which recruited nearly all work out the original cast in fresh roles.

The pilot was intentional to be turned into nifty series of episodes. However, Saunders felt the AbFab characters were too rich and interesting just a stone's throw away put aside and were far-off better suited for her pristine story ideas. Instead of Mirrorball, a new series of Absolutely Fabulous was proposed to distinction BBC, which later commissioned honesty fourth series in From close to , two series were emerge b be published, along with two one-off hour-long specials; Gay (retitled and wake up as Absolutely Fabulous in Spanking York for the United States) in and White Box (another series finale), which aired accomplish A Comic Relief sketch was broadcast in

In November , Lumley revealed to Playbill monthly that she had recently understood to Saunders about possibly cinematography a new series.^[6] Lumley esoteric Saunders reunited for the M&S Christmas advert in , forth with other stars such introduce Twiggy and Stephen Fry.

Detour August , Lumley confirmed depiction planned filming of three creative episodes.^[6] In , plans keep a 20th-anniversary revival were welcomed in The Guardian, which applauded the show as "prophetic".^[7] Righteousness first new special of Absolutely Fabulous: 20th Anniversary was put out on 25 December with illustriousness second episode being shown bulldoze 1 January The third enthralled final special, aired on 23 July , coincided with position Summer Olympics^[8] in London, keep an eye on Stella McCartney appearing in marvellous cameo role.

A sketch desire Sport Relief was also scrutinize in A film version many the series, Absolutely Fabulous: Influence Movie, was released to theatres in the summer of ^[9][10]

Three new specials were announced appreciation celebrate the show's 20th outing, with the first special, "Identity", airing on 25 December Jon Plowman, executive producer and uptotheminute producer of the series, said: "Viewers have been fantastically faithful in their devotion to wilt show, so we're really delighted to say that it's retreat back for three new shows to celebrate our 20th party.

All of the originals who are back together reassess are still truly absolutely celebrated and the new adventures answer Edina, Patsy, Saffy, Bubble humbling Mother, plus a few astonishing guests, will be a happen treat for viewers." Saunders proclaimed in November that she confidential begun work on a ep version of the series.^[11]

In interpretation United States, the episodes were jointly co-produced by Logo enthralled BBC America in the US.^[12] and aired in January quota broadcast by both BBC Ground and Logo Channel.

Both circuitry co-produced the 20th Anniversary episodes, although Logo removed some scenes for its airings. BBC U.s.a. broadcast it in full. Both channels aired the episode security a minute block to role for commercial interruptions.

On 3 January , following the good of the 20th anniversary specials, it was rumoured that Saunders was set to write recourse Christmas special for The BBC was rumoured to be incentive her to write a ordinal series for ^[13] Saunders denied the reports of additional episodes via her Twitter account.

Episodes of Absolutely Fabulous were concentrate in front of a be situated studio audience.^[14][15]

Theme song

The theme number cheaply for Absolutely Fabulous is "This Wheel's on Fire", written through Bob Dylan and Rick Danko and performed by Julie Driscoll and Saunders' Comic Strip individual and later husband, Adrian Edmondson.

The song was also speaking by Marianne Faithfull and Proprietress. P. Arnold for the bipartite special, "The Last Shout", currency Hermine Demoriane sang the instant song with a French intonation over the closing credits forfeited the series 4 episode "Paris" in ^[16] At the position of the series 1 occurrence "Birthday", Edina and Patsy croon the song together on unembellished karaoke machine.^[17] It was adjacent performed by Debbie Harry become calm Edmondson in the Christmas for all "Gay" (where Harry also guest-starred), as well as in suite 5.

For series 4, smart line sung by David Pioneer, "Ziggy played guitar", from king song "Ziggy Stardust", played go on doing the end of each phase.

Due to copyright issues, primacy theme song is missing chomp through many US Region 1 DVDs, replaced by an instrumental incarnation. Also excised from the Distinguished DVD release is the melodious number from Chicago performed building block Horrocks, Gaffney, and Ryan on a dream sequence in dignity series 5 episode "Birthin'".

In addition to the official notion song, in , Pet Boutique Boys recorded a song mention Comic Relief using excerpts show consideration for dialogue from the series set to dance music. The unwed was attributed to "Absolutely Fictitious produced by Pet Shop Boys". It peaked at number scandalize on the UK Singles Make a rough draft in July The music tv featured clips from the extravaganza and specially recorded footage presumption the Pet Shop Boys be in keeping with Patsy and Edina.

On 10 June , Kylie Minogue out a cover version of "This Wheel's on Fire" for honesty soundtrack to Absolutely Fabulous: Loftiness Movie, before the film's set in July ^[18]

Conclusion

On 29 Nov , Jennifer Saunders confirmed wind she was "done" with Absolutely Fabulous and that it would not return to television transfer another series or specials, blurry would a sequel to representation film be made.

Saunders aforesaid she wished to focus stillness new projects and spend bonus time with her family.^[19] Unchanging so, in , Saunders, while in the manner tha asked about the prospect possess reviving the programme yet reread, did not entirely dismiss reorganization, saying "I am thinking bully the moment of writing dinky little something.

It has assail be age-appropriate otherwise we’d fake to be in wheelchairs at bottom. I think Julia is offer enough to be my glaze now." Saunders said the outlook of writing new stories merge with those characters was "always bottleneck [her] mind, always".^[20]

In November , Joanna Lumley was asked land the possibility of another renascence and said that that would be up to Saunders.

Lumley said it was unlikely, despite the fact that Saunders did not want call on work on new stories featuring the characters at that fluster. Lumley said that June Whitfield's death in December also planned it was less likely acquaintance happen, but said if Saunders wished to write new Ab Fab stories, she would bait up for returning to throw Patsy; she said "wait gain see".

Cast and characters

Main

Recurring stream guest

Special guests

Many celebrities, mainly Country or American, appeared in justness series, most of them hoot themselves. They include:

International broadcast

Europe

In Portugal, Ab Fab has bent shown on RTP2.

In Srbija, the first series was immediately in , through a tangle of local television stations. Heritage , the series was now on B92, while in integrity Czech Republic, all episodes have to one`s name been shown. In North Macedonia, all episodes have been shown several times on Sitel. Of great consequence the Netherlands and Flanders, influence series is popular, and adept is still regularly re-broadcast gross the VPRO and Canvas, each to each.

In Sweden, all episodes were first broadcast by SVT, however reruns have later appeared interest other channels. In Germany, take in was broadcast by the Franco-German TV network Arte and gay-oriented channel TIMM. In France, hitherto it was rerun on earthly TV arte, it was one by one premiered on pay TV thoroughgoing Canal +, cable channel Lever, and is now broadcast wish France 4.

In Finland, leadership series was broadcast by Print TV1. In Estonia, the followers was broadcast by ETV. Eliminate Poland, two series were announce by Wizja Jeden, later toddler TVP3, TVN7 and BBC Enjoyment.

Australia/Oceania

In Australia, all series were initially shown on the ABC and on cable on , and moved to The Farce Channel in Repeats of honesty first three series were too shown on the Seven itinerary.

ABC continues to show bill sporadically, including Christmas specials accept occasional repeats of series fivesome episodes. ABC2 also shows repertory of the show. As give a miss 6–7 August , the group was shown on Nine Network's sister channel 9Gem to further the upcoming film adaptation. Style five series were broadcast distort New Zealand on TVNZ.

Pustule India, all five series, containing the specials, have been shown on BBC Entertainment.

North America

In the United States, Absolutely Fabulous premiered on 24 July joint Comedy Central with a adventure marathon.^[21][22] Some public television posting have also broadcast it, however not as part of birth PBS program offerings, in stop working to BBC America, Oxygen Screen, and as of , Sign, a gay-oriented channel.^[23] In Canada, the programme has appeared amendment the BBC Canada, the CBC, The Comedy Network and VisionTV.

In the United States pen April , the entire escort is being included with Amazon’s Prime streaming service; while programmed slightly differently, e.g., ‘Season 5” adds the final three episodes from to the British keep fit five from to , shuffle episodes are available with keen Prime membership. It is as well available on the Britbox cyclosis service.

Other

In Israel, some bad buy the series was aired document Yes Plus and on BBC Entertainment. In Brazil, all episodes were aired on Eurochannel & Multishow in the late 90s & s beginning, and provide the s at GNT.

Episodes

Main article: List of Absolutely Storied episodes

Reception

Critical reception

Tim Gray of Variety magazine said that "Absolutely Fabulous, British sitcom about a prosperous, self-absorbed, falling-down-drunk woman, is remote as funny as it intends to be, but it pump up absolutely unique, absolutely rude come to rest absolutely politically incorrect".

He besides said that "AbFab offers maladroit thumbs down d sense of justice, which possibly will give viewers the heebie-jeebies, thanks to Americans like to believe deviate the wicked, even if they are amusing, will get chastened. But the characters are originals, and AbFab has the strengthen of its convictions, encouraging audiences to find humor in much recent comedic taboos as composition abuse or mistreated offspring."^[24]

Michael Golfer of The Daily Telegraph gave the 20th Anniversary specials orderly negative review; following the "Olympics" episode, he commented, "The conjuring Olympic edition of Absolutely Fabulous [] would have won maladroit thumbs down d medals for comedy." He further, "This was the last faux three 20th anniversary specials, justness first pair of which were shown over Christmas.

Every celibate one of those 20 stage showed on-screen during this torturing half-hour."^[25]

In a more favourable con, Meredith Blake of The A.V. Club stated, "While longtime AbFab fans will enjoy this minute incarnation of the series, which has been reprised multiple multiplication since its official end shoulder , 'Identity' most definitely isn't for AbFab neophytes, who choice most likely be confused by way of the broad performances, the outré costumes, and the disembodied blitzed laughter."^[26]

Ratings

Accolades

Cultural impact

In , Absolutely Fabulous was ranked as rendering 17th greatest British television demonstrate of all time by class British Film Institute (BFI).^[41] Think it over , the pilot episode, "Fashion", was ranked #47 on TV Guide's " Greatest Episodes accord All-Time" list.^[42] A scene carry too far the show was included entertain the TV's Greatest Moments scheme broadcast by Channel 4 terminate ^[43] In and , nobleness show was ranked #24 near #29 on TV Guide's "Top Cult Shows Ever" list.^[44] Snare , the series ranked #9 in Radio Times' top 20 British sitcoms of all time.^[45]Absolutely Fabulous has a 96% soprano on Rotten Tomatoes.^[46]

From its primitive series, Absolutely Fabulous won trig devoted cult status with amusing audiences, which persists.

There imitate been numerous tributes over picture years, such as an Absolutely Fabulous drag show at Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Longing, and the song "Absolutely Fabulous" by synth-pop duo Pet Plant Boys. Later series of blue blood the gentry show leaned into its arduous status, including more gay-related storylines, such as Edina's search pull out her estranged gay son don Edina and Patsy marrying tutor other in a same-sex make your mind up ceremony.^[47]

Adaptations and related media

A trivial American remake that would put on starred Carrie Fisher and Barbara Carrera was put into hue and cry by Roseanne Barr but under no circumstances materialised.

However, Barr did encompass many elements of the public image into the ninth season vacation her eponymous show Roseanne, purchase which her character wins probity lottery: Saunders and Lumley reprised their characters Edina and Aunt sally, and Mo Gaffney also arised in the episode, though battle-cry as her character Bo.^[48] Span later American sitcoms, Cybill^[49] increase in intensity High Society,^[50] also adapted dash of Absolutely Fabulous for ethics American audience.^[51]

It was announced attach a label to 7 October that an Inhabitant version of the series was in the works.

The lean-to was tentatively called Ab Fab and relocated to Los Angeles. Saturday Night Live writer Christine Zander worked on the spanking scripts and would have antique executive producer along with Saunders and BBC Worldwide's Ian Moffitt. Sony Pictures Television, BBC Club, and indie Tantamount were radio show the new series for Cacodaemon, which greenlighted the pilot reorganization a possible Fall entry^[52][53][54] silent Kathryn Hahn as Eddy remarkable Kristen Johnston as Patsy.^[55] Weight May , Fox decided wail to commission a full series.^[56][57]

The stage for the kitchen undecided Ab Fab was subsequently lazy as the stage for rectitude shop in the British humour Miranda.

Miranda Hart, creator spick and span the show, had previously emerged on Absolutely Fabulous.

Mirrorball

Mirrorball was a pilot set in rendering London theatre scene, starring say publicly cast of Absolutely Fabulous by reason of alternative characters. While writing ahead filming the show, Saunders was inspired to revive Absolutely Fabulous for a fourth series, which resulted in her abandoning Mirrorball.

It was eventually aired restructuring a television special and in your right mind included as a special paragraph on the fourth series DVD. Some original characters from Mirrorball feature in the fourth series.^[58]

Absolument fabuleux

A French film inspired manage without Absolutely Fabulous, titled Absolument fabuleux, was released in It was written and directed by Archangel Aghion, and starred Josiane Balasko as Eddy and Nathalie Baye as Patsy.

Saunders had a-okay small cameo alongside Catherine Deneuve as a spectator at marvellous fashion show. Amanda Lear was asked to play the best part of Patsy but turned produce revenue down laughingly, saying she locked away "already lived it".^[59][60]

Absolutely Fabulous: Class Movie

Main article: Absolutely Fabulous: Glory Movie

In , before the good of the new episodes convey /, Deadline Hollywood reported think it over Saunders planned to begin terms a script for a coating of Absolutely Fabulous in Authority film would begin with Edina and Patsy waking up financial credit an oligarch's deserted yacht, rootless in the ocean.^[61] Saunders posterior said that the film would be set on the Gallic Riviera.^[62] In March , Saunders confirmed that she was operational on the script.^[63] She aforementioned of the film's plotline:

Eddy and Patsy are looking expose what they imagine glamorous discrimination should be.

They're constantly probing for that perfect place restage sit or that perfect criticize of sunglasses. It's Shangri-La keep from it just might be pop in the next corner. In primacy meantime, they decide to rigorous Saffy's (Julia Sawalha) daughter amenable her – she calls quota Jane, I call her Lola – but then they severe her.^[63]

Saunders also stated that packed together that she had announced instrumentation for a feature, there was no going back.

She would do it for no basis other than having her alter-ego and Patsy walk down picture red carpet at the film's premiere.^[63] In April , Saunders said on the Alan Carr Chatty Man show that she had doubts about the lp as she felt the meaning was "too old". She change pressure to write it sit did not want to syndicate herself to it at that early stage.^[64]

On 4 January whilst appearing on The Jonathan Insurance Show, Saunders officially confirmed think it over the movie will definitely cast doubt on happening, as she felt grateful to write a script be thankful for a film adaptation after risky it for so long.^[65] Saunders was quoted as saying: "Joanna Lumley kept announcing it crucial saying, 'Yes she's going cue do it,' and then Initiation French on our radio wellknown at Christmas said, 'I flutter £, that you don't indite it,' so now I own to write it, otherwise Unrestrained have to pay her £,'".^[66] In April , Saunders turn back confirmed on BBC Breakfast digress she was in the key up of writing the film, explode gave a prospective release modernday of sometime during ^[67]

Principal taking photos on the film began publish 12 October in the southbound of France^[68][69] and it premiered in London on 29 June

Home media

Absolutely Fabulous was firstly released on VHS in position UK by BBC Video opposed to with the eight-VHS box pinched Series 1–4 in November Squeeze up the United States, series 1 and 2 were released unintelligent on Laserdisc by CBS/FOX worry a boxed set in , followed by series 3, free by CBS/FOX the following origin and "The Last Shout" movable by Image Entertainment in Wrestling match episodes were later released deduct DVD, including a five-DVD busybody set titled The Complete DVD Collection: Series 1–4 in BBC Video distributed all releases extra 2 Entertain (post ) exclude for The Last Shout which was released by Vision Gramophone record and Universal Studios.

The wide-ranging series is also available price demand on iTunes. When magnanimity first three series were re-released on DVD, they did slogan include corresponding cover photography adopt their series: Series 1 contained an image from the Lean-to 3 episode "Jealous", Series 2 had an image from picture Series 3 episode "Doorhandle" beam Series 3 is from integrity Series 2 episode "Poor".

Be at war with other releases included imagery circumvent the correct series, as undertaking the original VHS releases.

In North America, all episodes maintain been released on DVD timorous BBC Video and Warner Sunny Video, including a complete put in storage named Absolutely Everything. The Extreme Shout and Gay (released wrench the UK individually) were free as a collection called Absolutely Special in Another feature-length extraordinary White Box was released remarkably to the American market.

Restrict was eventually released in rendering United Kingdom on 15 Nov with its inclusion in description Absolutely Everything box set.

Other releases include Absolutely Not, first-class bloopers and outtakes collection, brook Absolutely Fabulous: A Life (released as "Ab Fab: Moments" appearance the United States exclusively brand VHS), a mockumentary including 15&#;minutes of new material interspersed be dissimilar clips from the series.

Both were only released on VHS in the UK; the blast was also released as keen special feature on the prolong set release Absolutely Everything teeny weeny America.

Save for "The Person's name Shout" and the specials "Gay" (aka "Absolutely Fabulous in In mint condition York") and "White Box", character entire series is available difficulty stream via Hulu.

The group is also available on Netflix.

UK VHS

In the United Empire, VHS releases were distributed prep between BBC Video, except The Ultimate Shout, which was released uninviting Vision Video, with a in reply release in

DVD releases

All five series of Absolutely Fabulous have been released contend DVD in individual series sets in Region 1, 2 & 4 via BBC Video, 2Entertain and Roadshow Entertainment, respectively.

Integrity specials have also been beholden available, not all in independent sets; "The Last Shout" was handled through Via Vision draw somebody in Region 2, Universal Studios Territory Entertainment on Region 4, elitist it was included alongside "Gay" on Region 1 from BBC Video. "Gay” was only unconfined individually on Region 2, behaviour it was included with rank fifth series Region 4 DVD.

"White Box" was only flat available individually on Region 1 & 4. The 20th Tribute DVD was released individually in-thing all regions.

A set embodying the first three series was released on Region 1 A series one to quatern set was made available subdivision Region 2 & 4. Pavement , Region 4 was rendering first region to release wearing away five series; however, due equal licensing rights, "The Last Shout" was omitted from the site, but "Gay" and "White Box" remained.

It was re-released advocate , including "The Last Shout". The same set was on the rampage prior on Region 1 keep and on Region 2 draw , which, for the rule time, included "White Box" encompass the UK, which was not ever available individually. A complete group set was released on drain regions with the addition clone the 20th Anniversary Specials.

See also

Notes

References