------------------- Absolutely Fabulous ------------------- Guide Compiled by Dave Chapman {dave@cheers.demon.co.uk} 02 Apr 1995 Starring: Edina Monsoon ................................. Jennifer Saunders Patsy Stone ....................................... Joanna Lumley Saffron Monsoon ................................... Julia Sawalha June Monsoon (Mother) ............................ June Whitfield Recurring Guests: Bubble ............................................ Jane Horrocks Based on an original idea by .. Jennifer Saunders and Dawn French The airdates in this guide are the dates the episodes were first aired in the UK. Season 1 was originally shown on BBC2 and then repeated on BBC1 between 16th Sep 93 and 28th Oct 93 (not 7th Oct). Seasons 2 and 3 were shown on BBC1. The character of Bubble only appears in 10 of the 14 episodes listed in this guide -- hence the "recurring guest" listing. The main four characters appeared in all the episodes. Edina and Saffron live at the fictional address 34 Claremont Avenue, London, W11 4BS. The series currently airs on the cable channel Comedy Central in the US. On 9th January 1995, the New York Times reported that Roseanne has acquired the rights to make a US version of the series. The theme tune is entitled "This Wheel's on Fire", and is sung by Julie Driscoll & Adrian Edmondson. The lyrics are: Wheels on fire, Rolling down the road. Best notify my next of kin, This wheel shall explode. "This Wheel's on Fire" is written by Bob Dylan and Rick Danko (from The Band), and is available on Dylan's "The Basement Tapes" and The Band's "Music from Big Pink". In Spring 1994, the Pet Shop Boys released a charity single for Comic Relief entitled "Absolutely Fabulous", which featured sampled dialogue from the series. In the UK, the CD single featured four different mixes, and it's catalogue number is CDR 6382. All 12 episodes from the first two seasons are available on four videos in the UK. They are released by BBC Video, half a season per tape, and the catalogue numbers are (in order of half-seasons) BBCV 5124, BBCV 5125, BBCV 5412 and BBCV 5413. In the US you can buy the UK-released tapes from Laughinghouse Video (714-956-9032) for $29.99 each. The price includes a NTSC copy of each tape, in addition to the PAL original. They cost about 12 pounds ($18) each in the UK. I've heard rumours that the series will be getting an official US video release - can anyone confirm this ? The scripts for the two seasons are available in two books written by Jennifer Saunders. They are called "Absolutely Fabulous" (BBC Books, 1993, ISBN 0-563-36976-0) and "Absolutely Fabulous 2" (BBC Books, 1994, ISBN 0-563-37086-6). The January 1995 issue of the glossy "womens' magazine" Marie Claire (UK edition) included a 16 page magazine called "The Marie Claire Ab Fab Mag". It is written by "Edina and Patsy", and was published on 9th December 1994. The supplement isn't being distributed in the US, but once the issue goes into back-issue status (about middle of Jan '95), you should be able to order it from +44 (0)181-519-3969. Thanks to Wesley Kim and Melinda Casino's Britcom Booklist for helping me fill in the details of the above merchandise. Guide (C) Dave Chapman 1994. Permission is granted by the copyright holder to distribute this guide on the sole condition that it is unmodified and no fee is charged. -------- Season 1 -------- 1.1. "Fashion" - 12 Nov 92 -------------------------- Edina hits a bottleneck in her attempt to give up drinking: she doesn't want to quit. Guest Stars: Jonny .............................. Nickolas Grace Recurring: Bubble Written By .................................... Jennifer Saunders Directed By .......................................... Bob Spiers Nickolas Grace has said that he was originally going to be the third lead in the series, but Jennifer Saunders rewrote the first episode and he was left out apart from his single scene. 1.2. "Fat" - 19 Nov 92 ---------------------- Edina weighs the possibility of exercising to shed pounds. Guest Stars: Justin ........................ Christopher Malcolm Penny ........................... Alexandra Bastedo Georgy ............................. Anthony Asbury Surgeon ......................... Russell Kilmister Recurring: Bubble Written By .................................... Jennifer Saunders Directed By .......................................... Bob Spiers 1.3. "France" - 26 Nov 92 ------------------------- A holiday in Provence goes awry when the ladies find themselves suffering through second-class accomodation. Guest Stars: Customs Officer ................. Geoffrey McGivern Air Hostess ......................... Juliette Mole Old Frenchman ......................... Robert Ripa Recurring: Bubble Written By .................................... Jennifer Saunders Directed By .......................................... Bob Spiers This episode was listed in "TV Quick" when it was first shown as having the title "A Week in Provence" - has anyone seen this title used elsewhere ? The UK video release uses the title "France". 1.4. "Iso Tank" - 03 Dec 92 --------------------------- Edina's new isolation tank seems to be the perfect thing for life's problems, except for one thing: she hates being alone. Guest Stars: Headmaster ........................... Tim Woodward Sarah .................................. Naoko Mori Joanna ............................... Lisa Coleman James ......................... Adrian Ross-Magenty Daniel ................................ James Lance Teacher #1 ...................... Paul Mark Elliott Teacher #2 ............................ Sidney Cole Headmistress ..................... Annabell Hampson Secretary .......................... Melanie Jessop School Secretary .................... Tricia Aileen Recurring: Bubble Written By .................................... Jennifer Saunders Directed By .......................................... Bob Spiers 1.5. "Magazine" - 10 Dec 92 --------------------------- Patsy's jealousy over Edina's boyfriend results in a plan to split them up -- and an appearance on a TV show. Guest Stars: Magda ................................. Kathy Burke Fleur .............................. Harriet Thorpe Catriona Kirk ....................... Helen Lederer Patsy's Mother ....................... Eleanor Bron Hamish ........................... Adrian Edmondson Kathy ................................. Dawn French Written By .................................... Jennifer Saunders Directed By .......................................... Bob Spiers 1.6. "Birthday" - 17 Dec 92 --------------------------- It's Edina's 40th birthday, and Saffron learns that planning a surprise birthday party is no piece of cake. Guest Stars: Justin ........................ Christopher Malcolm Bo ..................................... Mo Gaffney Marshall ......................... Christopher Ryan Oliver ................................ Gary Beadle Written By .................................... Jennifer Saunders Directed By .......................................... Bob Spiers This episode ends with Edina and Patsy singing into a Karaoke machine. One of the songs is "This Wheel's on Fire". -------- Season 2 -------- 2.1. "Hospital" - 27 Jan 94 --------------------------- Edina enters the hospital for minor surgery and Patsy joins her for moral support -- and a facelift. Guest Stars: Magda ................................. Kathy Burke Catriona Kirk ....................... Helen Lederer Fleur Capabianca ................... Harriet Thorpe Antonia .......................... Jennifer Piercey Sarah .................................. Naoko Mori Nurse ............................. Llewella Gideon Nurse Mary ............................. Orla Brady Mr Simpson ............................ David Henry 'Patsy' ......................... Mandy Rice-Davies 'Saffy' ...................... Helena Bonham-Carter 'Justin' ......................... Richard E. Grant 'Nurse' ............................... Suzi Quatro 'Mother' ........................... Germaine Greer Voice of Lady Penelope ............ Sylvia Anderson Written By .................................... Jennifer Saunders Directed By .......................................... Bob Spiers 2.2. "Death" - 03 Feb 94 ------------------------ Saffron is devastated by her grandfather's death, while Edina can only think about her own mortality. Guest Stars: Nurse ............................. Llewella Gideon Sondra Lorrance ....................... Gwen Humble Marshall ......................... Christopher Ryan Mark ................................... Mark Tandy Art Gallery Assistant ............. Natascha Taylor Vicar ............................. Ciaran McIntyre Recurring: Bubble Written By .................................... Jennifer Saunders Directed By .......................................... Bob Spiers 2.3. "Morocco" - 10 Feb 94 -------------------------- Saffron joins a photo shoot in Morocco -- and winds up being sold to white slavers. Guest Stars: Yentob ............................... Haroon Hanif Ali .................................. Karim Skalli Uncle Humphrey ......................... John Wells Recurring: Bubble Written By .................................... Jennifer Saunders Directed By .......................................... Bob Spiers 2.4. "New Best Friend" - 24 Feb 94 ---------------------------------- A visit by an old friend of Edina's triggers a competition between Edina and Patsy -- to see who can find the better best friend. Guest Stars: Herself .............................. Britt Ekland Herself ...................................... Lulu Herself ............................. Zandra Rhodes Carmen ................................... Jo Brand Catriona Kirk ....................... Helen Lederer Fleur Capabianca ................... Harriet Thorpe Suzy ................................... Meera Syal Hamish ........................... Adrian Edmondson Bettina ........................ Miranda Richardson Mac ................................ Patrick Barlow Recurring: Bubble Written By .................................... Jennifer Saunders Directed By .......................................... Bob Spiers 2.5. "Poor" - 03 Mar 94 ----------------------- Edina's forced to cut expenses, but a jaunt to the grocery store could cost more than she bargained for. Guest Stars: Malcolm ........................... Mark Wing-Davey Justin ........................ Christopher Malcolm Woman in Car ....................... Miranda Forbes Judge ................................... Hugh Ross Old Woman ......................... Helena McCarthy Recurring: Bubble Written By .................................... Jennifer Saunders Directed By .......................................... Bob Spiers 2.6. "Birth" - 10 Mar 94 ------------------------ Edina, Patsy and Saffy are locked in the living room -- where they all become strangely introspective. Guest Stars: Justin ........................ Christopher Malcolm Fireman ............................ Wolf Christian 1950s Nurse ......................... Jane Galloway Dancer ............................. Mari MacKenzie Guitar Player ........................ Mia Soteriou 1970s Nurse ........................ Suzy Aitchison Patsy's Mother ....................... Eleanor Bron Poet ................................ Philip Franks Written By .................................... Jennifer Saunders Directed By .......................................... Bob Spiers -------- Season 3 -------- 3.1. "Door Handle" - 30 Mar 95 ------------------------------ With her kitchen destroyed, Edina is having trouble deciding how to redesign it. She finally decides on a door handle, and takes a trip with Patsy to New York to make the purchase -- and have lunch. Recurring: Bubble Written By .................................... Jennifer Saunders Directed By .......................................... Bob Spiers 3.2. "Happy New Year" - 06 Apr 95 --------------------------------- It's New Year's Eve and Edina and Patsy plan to go out to the most fabulous club on the planet. Then news comes of the imminent arrival of Patsy's long-lost sister, Jackie -- a woman with a reputation even worse than her own. Guest Stars: Jackie ................................ Kate O'Mara Marshall ......................... Christopher Ryan Justin ........................ Christopher Malcolm Cherysh ............................. Rebecca Front Oliver ................................ Gary Beadle Sarah .................................. Naoko Mori Recurring: Bubble Written By .................................... Jennifer Saunders Directed By .......................................... Bob Spiers Temporary Episode Guide. The show was written by Jennifer Saunders, produced by Jon Plowman and directed by Bob Spiers, for BBC-TV. Edina hits a bottleneck in her attempt to give up drinking: she doesn't want to quit. Edina becomes obsessed with her weight and makes up her mind to do something about it. The question is what? Surgery, liposuction or perhaps even diet and exercise. Edina and Patsy set off on holiday to Provence in France. Things go from bad to worse when their luxury chateau turns out to be a second class chalet with only ping pong for amusement. Luckily Saffron rescues them with supplies of cigarettes, wine and food. Edina's new isolation tank seems to be the perfect thing for life's problems, except for one thing: she hates being alone. Patsy is jealous of Edina's new boyfriend and tries to split them up. Patsy does a deal with Saffron who helps her do a make-over for the magazine which involves Saffron, Mother and Patsy appearing on TVAM. Edina is turning 40 and she is depressed. Saffron organizes a surprise party with just the family. Eddy spits the dummy and plans to spend the entire day in bed. 2.1: Hospital Patsy is the centre of tabloid attention after a drunken night with an MP. Edina has an ingrown toe nail and has to go to the hospital for a minor operation; Patsy decides to go along for a face-lift after seeing her pictures in the papers and her age in print. 2.2: Death Edina's father has died. Saffy tries, amid the usual chaos and disinterest, to organize the funeral. Edina begins to think about her own mortality. 2.3: Morocco Patsy has a photo shoot Marrakech. Edina sees it as the perfect opportunity to get her Pop Specs into a glossy mag. Saffy wants to go to study the indigenous population, and is given first hand experience when Patsy sells her to the white slavers. 2.4: New best Friend An old school friend of Edina's comes to stay and Patsy is neglected. Things, of course do not go to plan, and Pats and Edds find themselves friendless in London, but not for long. 2.5: Poor Harrods have stopped delivering, and Edina must cut back her expenditure. While Saffron has the accountant telling Edina she is poor, Eddina is discovering the wonders of the supermarket. 2.6: Birth When Pasty burns down Edina's kitchen they are all forced to move into the living room. When confind in a small space, with nothing to do, Edina and Patsy become strangely introspective... 3.1: Door Handle Things are going downhill, while Edina is trying to organise her life (and find that doorhandle) Saffron is left to clean up the mess, and celibrate her birthday without her mother. 3.2: Happy New Year Despite the arrival pf Patsy' long lost sister (or perhaps beacuse of it) Edina and Patsy spend New Years Eve in front of the Teli. 3.3: Sex Pasty and Eds are busy planning an orgy, Saffron is planning a lecture on genetics and mother is just a little confused. 3.4: Jealous It's awards time of the month in PR land. Edina seems set to sweep the board, especially as she's paid for the awards -- but arch-rival Claudia Bing has other ideas. Meanwhile, Saffy received extra special tuition from her psychology lecturerer. 3.5: Fear Patsy moves in to live with Edina when Saffy moves out. However it proves to be a turbulent arrangement, especially when they can't find the tin opener. Further trouble errupts when Lulu arrives at Edina's office to terminate her contract and sign with a high-powered American agency. Patsy loses her job when her magazine folds, leaving the high-living pair contemplating old age and a crossroads in their lives. 3.6: The End Patsy and Edina go there seperate ways, but can they live without each other?