Absolutely Fabulous

About Absolutely Fabulous

Absolutely Fabulous, also known as AbFab, is an iconic British television sitcom created by the comedy actress Jennifer Saunders. Premiering in 1992, the story revolves around the striking characters Edina “Eddy” Monsoon, a heavy-drinking, drug-abusing PR agent and her best friend Patsy Stone, an equally rucoholic magazine editor. Trying to keep a check on these never-aging adults is Eddy’s sensible daughter, Saffron. Known for its quick wit and unabashed comedy, Absolutely Fabulous has a special place in British television history.

Making / Production

Creator Jennifer Saunders decided to expand a short sketch she did on French and Saunders (1987) based off women who remained stuck in the swinging sixties with their lifestyle but had to live in a much different present. The sitcom was produced by Jon Plowman and directed by Bob Spiers, and it aired on the BBC from 1992 to 2012, including specials.

Actors

• Jennifer Saunders as Edina Monsoon: One of the main characters, always seen in the most outrageous outfits and living life in the fast lane, portrayed splendidly by Saunders.
• Joanna Lumley as Patsy Stone: Lumley's performance as the hard-drinking, chain-smoking Patsy is riveting and remains a high point of her career.
• Julia Sawalha as Saffron Monsoon: Edina's sensible daughter who is usually the voice of reason among the main characters, played convincingly by Sawalha.
• June Whitfield as Mother: Eddy’s often confused mother, a character brilliantly portrayed by June Whitfield.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The series was based on a sketch from French and Saunders, another iconic British comedy.
• It was initially rejected by the BBC commissioning team.
• In 2001, a US version of the series was planned but never materialised.

Awards

Absolutely Fabulous has won several awards, including the BAFTA TV Award for Best Comedy Series and internationally recognized Emmy Awards. Jennifer Saunders also received a BAFTA for Best Comedy Performance for her portrayal of Edina.

Quotes

• “Sweetie darling!” - Patsy
• “Cheers, thanks a lot.” - Eddy

Music, Soundtrack

• The main theme music for Absolutely Fabulous is "This Wheel's On Fire," originally by Bob Dylan and Rick Danko, but performed by Julie Driscoll and the Brian Auger Trinity for the series.
• Various artists contributed to the soundtrack over the years resulting in a eclectic mix of music spanning several decades.