Fashion
Despite giving up coffee and alcohol and taking up colonic irrigation and Buddhist
chanting, Edina is panicking about a fashion show she's organising, Princess Diana has
turned down an invite, and the only celebs who can be bothered to attend are Sinitta and
Anne Robinson.
Fat
Edina needs to get slim quickly because she's expecting a visit from old friend Penny
Casper-Morse (Alexandra Bastedo), who used to tease her about her weight. She contemplates
a regular fitness routine, but then Patsy suggests something much easier.
France
Edina and Patsy go on holiday to France but the luxury they've booked turns out to be the
ramshackle servants quarters. Unable to negotiate the local shops, Edina orders Saffy
bring food from England. Bubble turns up, too, with news that Edina's interior design
business has hit problems.
ISO Tank
Edina buys an isolation tank where she suffers from claustrophobia
and has dreams about a bizarre world in which Bubble is efficient and Saffy is
interesting.
Magazine
Edina has a date. Meanwhile, Patsy has to find her own way to the magazine where she works
and organise a fashion show on television. But all her models refuse to take part, leaving
her to call on Saffy and Mother. Features Kathy Burke, Helen Lederer and Harriet Thorpe as
Patsy's colleagues Magda, Catriona and Fleur and Eleanor Bron as Patsy's mother.
Birthday
Saffy plans a surprise birthday party for Edina. Mother, Bubble, Justin, Oliver, Marshall
and his new wife Bo attend, but Edina has got a complex about being 40 and refuses to show
up.
Season 2
Hospital
Edina goes to hospital for minor surgery on a stubbed toe. Patsy needs to lie low
following the revelation of her affair with a politician – and the revelation of her
real age – so she joins her and has a face peel. Features Germaine Greer (as Edina's
ideal mother), Helena Bonham-Carter (as Edina's ideal daughter), Richard E Grant, Suzi
Quatro, and Mandy Rice-Davies. Plus Kathy Burke, Helen Lederer and Harriet Thorpe appear
as Patsy's colleagues Magda, Catriona and Fleur.
Death
Edina's father dies but all she can worry about is her mortality and her weight –
much to the disgust of Saffy. Edina's solution to her woes is to spend thousands of pounds
on pieces of art so she can have something to leave in her will.
Morocco
Edina goes with Patsy to Marrakech for a photo shoot to promote Popspex. Saffy comes, too,
and ends up being sold into slavery. Features John Wells as Uncle Humphrey.
New Best Friend
Patsy is hurt when Edina asks her to leave the house so she can make it minimalistic
enough to please old friends Bettina (Miranda Richardson) and Max (Patrick Barlow), who
are coming to stay. But the fashionable pair now have a baby and have learned to live with
clutter. Meanwhile, Edina has no work for Bubble so she sends her to Marie Claire
magazine. Features Britt Ekland, Lulu and Zandra Rhodes.
Poor
Saffy and her accountant Malcolm (Mark Wing-Davey) force Edina to economise, but a trip to
the shops in the new car costs more than Edina bargained for – an appearance in
court.
Birth
Patsy has burned down Edina's kitchen by falling asleep with a cigarette in her mouth.
Then Mother accidentally locks the pair in the living room with Saffy, who has to endure
some motherly advice. Features Eleanor Bron as Patsy's mother.
Season 3
Door Handle
Edina has a nice new pocket organiser – but what she really needs is the perfect door
handle for her new kitchen (the old one was burned down by Patsy) so she flies Concorde to
New York with Patsy to find it. Amid the shopping, she finds time to have her navel
pierced.
Happy New Year
Saffy is going to have a quiet New Year's Eve with Gran, her father Justin and his
boyfriend Oliver, while Eddie and Patsy are planning to go to the hippest club in the
universe (in an underground car park). Those plans fly out of the window, though, thanks
to the arrival of Patsy’s long-lost sister Jackie (Kate O’Mara), who is 72.
Sex
When Edina explores Serge's abandoned room, she finds a copy of Razzle (not the one Patsy
was in) and realises it's been a long time since she had sex. So, while Saffy is giving a
lecture on genetics and ethics at university, Patsy and Edina hire a pair of male
prostitutes – Hilton (Idris Elba) and Geoff (Andrew Loudon) – recommended by
Edina's hairdresser Christopher (James Dreyfus). They plan to set the mood with home-made
video of an orgy the pair attended in the Sixties, but Saffy has accidentally swapped it
with a tape she needs to illustrate her speech.
Jealous
The PRs’ PR award is being presented by Naomi Campbell at a bash that is so posh that
Lulu's there. Edina is desperate to win – after all, she chose the judges – but
she faces a tough rival in Claudia Bing (Celia Imrie). When the inevitable happens, Edina
is determined to gain revenge and devises the global integrated tele-satellite projection
system. Meanwhile, Saffy invites her psychology lecture Gerard (Simon Stokes) back for
coffee – and tea.
Fear
Saffy's departure from home forces Edina to go the the university when she needs a tin to
be opened, but it also gives her the freedom to indulge in whisky, ice cream and techno
music without incurring her daughter's disapproval. Edina manages to keep number one
client Lulu by joining forces with US giant PRM, while Patsy is offered a job as fashion
director on HQ in New York. Features Kathy Burke, Helen Lederer and Harriet Thorpe as
Patsy's colleagues Magda, Catriona and Fleur.
The End
A lonely Edina joins a new-age commune while Patsy is in New York and Saffy is at
university. Mother stays at home and becomes addicted to a shopping channel (which Josie
Lawrence presents). But Edina gets bored trying to find her inner self and hires a
helicopter to track down Patsy, who is also fed up after losing out in a bid to win the
wealthy but ailing publisher Mitchell (Max Brant). Also featured a frightening look
forward to 25 years' time.
Parralox
Edina has taken up all the latest fads – yoga like Madonna, Jamie Oliver-style
cookery, a scooter and a life coach – and diversified her business into design, the
internet and TV production (Radical TV). She hasn't made any shows yet, but is booked to
make an appearance with client Twiggy on This Morning with Richard and Judy to promote
Fists Across America, a radical gay campaign. Patsy has had undergone the anti-wrinkle
treatment parralox; New Labour follower Saffy has been working at the Millennium Dome and
now wants a job promoting British art and culture abroad; Mother has become a silver
surfer, looking at shopping sites and porn on the net. Also featured appearances by It
Girl Lady Victoria Hervey, EastEnders' Michael Greco and pop star Stephen Gately.
Fish Farm
Edina and Patsy go mosh-pitting at a Marilyn Manson concert. Then Edina falls for
landscape gardener Jago Balfour (Crispin Bonham-Carter), who Saffy has hired, once she is
told how to get into the garden. Meanwhile, Mother and her pal Dolly (Dora Bryan) are
hired as film extras by the smooth-talking Bryce (Tim Wylton).
Paris
Patsy reminisces about her modeling days when she, Edina and Saffy are invited to Paris to
be in a fashion spread. But Patsy discovers that she can't turn back time and can't get on
with fussy photographer Rimmer (Dave Gorman). Features supermodel Erin O’Connor,
Sasha Distel and Christian Lacroix.
Donkey
After Fleur (Harriet Thorpe) and Catriona (Helen Lederer) tell Edina she's fat, she goes
on the detox diet recommended in Katy Grin's book Grin And Bare It and undertake a
military fitness routine. While exhausted, she falls into a sleep and dreams of God
(Marianne Faithfull) and the Devil (Anita Pallenberg). Meanwhile, Saffy has written an
autobiographical play, Self-Raising Flower, which the Royal Court Theatre wants to
workshop, and has been reunited with old schoolfriend Taylor Johns (Julian Rhind-Tutt), an
actor who seems to be going nowhere.
Small Opening
Edina is desperate to become a celebrity, spurred on by the fact that Katy Grin is
presenting Children In Need. She'll even pose naked for Cosmo. But she is distracted when
she discovers, via an accidental mobile phone call, that Saffy has not only written a play
but that it is going to be staged. When they turn up at the theatre, Edina is upset that
the actress playing her is huge and Patsy's upset because she is being played by a man.
Features a dream sequence, to the tune of Adam & The Ants' Prince Charming, in which
Edina and Patsy take infant Saffy to the playground.
Menopause
Patsy is misbehaving more than usual after entering menopause so Saffy sets up a Menopause
Anonymous meeting in the house. Bubble ruins Edina's business by e-mailing the client list
to deadly rival Claudia Bing (Celia Imrie), but Edina gets another chance and sets out to
attract the attention of Madonna. Featuring Twiggy, Leigh Lawson, Dale Winton and Ruby
Wax.
Season 5 Cleanin'
Singer Emma Bunton, playing herself, arrives for a business meeting with Edina and is
horrified to find the house is a complete mess. Indeed, everything has gone to pot for
Edina. Apart from Emma, her only other client is Queen Noor; she's taking no care of her
personal hygiene; and since Saffy went to Iraq on a humanitarian mission, there's been no
cleaning down. But now Saffy's due back.
Book Clubbin'
Edina is having nightmares about becoming a grandmother and is having little success with
the celebrity book club; Saffy tells John (Felix Dexter), the father of her child, that
she's pregnant; and Patsy and Edina and get advice on the latest health fads from
journalist Plum (Kristin Scott-Thomas). Mariella Frostrup plays herself and Jeanette
Krankie appears as a mad midwife.
Panickin'
Edina now has a panic room in her home. It comes with champagne, toilet paper and a
high-tech surveillance system, so she's very proud of it. Obviously, it all goes wrong and
a Big Brother scenario results. Meanwhile, Patsy tries to impress actress Minnie Driver
when she pops into her Bond Street boutique. Huntin', Shootin', Fishin'
In a bid to become part of the gentry, Edina and Patsy try out horse riding and clay
pigeon shooting when they spend the weekend on a country estate where the host is Clarissa
Dickson Wright. Meanwhile, singer Emma Bunton is being stalked by Saffy's lfriend Sarah.
Birthin'
Saffy prepares to give birth, with Mother messing things up before Bo, Marshall and Justin
arrive to create more chaos. Meanwhile, Patsy's plans to host the prestigious
International Style Awards at the Royal Albert Hall are ruined by an unexpected arrival,
and Katy Grin lands a part in Chicago.
Schmoozin'
Edina's new boyfriend is the owner of the lost Beatles tapes so she agrees to host a party
to play the tracks to a select group of record producers. But her hopes of success –
and a wedding – are dashed. Guest stars are Elton John and Robert Lindsay.
Exploitin'
Eddie is getting frustrated with the baby’s crying and there are toys
everywhere, taking over her house. However it all seems worthwhile when Patsy books the
baby for her first modelling job – a photo shoot at the zoo with Jean Paul Gaultier.
The only problem is getting the baby past Saffy and out of the house, as she doesn’t
trust either of them with her daughter. Their cunning plan pays off and they arrive at the
photo shoot, but will baby Jane survive a day at the zoo with Patsy and Eddie?
Part 1
Edina has a dolphin living in the bathroom; Patsy has been evicted from her flat above
Oddbins; Bubble is working for French Vogue and Saffy is planning to marry boyfriend Paolo
(Tom Hollander). Edina and Patsy decide to get away from it all with a ski-ing holiday in
Val d'Isere.
Part 2
Edina returns from her holiday – and a narrow escape from death – to find a
friend of Mother is living in a camper van in front of the house. Preparations for Saffy's
wedding begin, including a trip to Christian Lacroix for the wedding dress. Features
Marianne Faithfull as God, Marcella Detroit as an Angel, Kathy Burke, Helen Lederer and
Harriet Thorpe as Patsy's colleagues Magda, Catriona and Fleur, Dora Bryan, Ed Devereaux,
Nicky Clarke, Suzy Menkes, Christian Lacroix, Bruce Oldfield, Christopher Biggins and
James Dreyfus. Gay (December 2002)
Edina and Patsy head to New York to find Edina's long-lost son Serge (Josh Marshall).
Meanwhile, Bubble is being retrained, Saffy is suffering for her art, and Bo and Marshall
are fronting a Christian television show. Whoopi Goldberg, Debbie Harry and Graham Norton
make guest appearances, along with famous faces from the fashion world.
Drinkin' (December
2003)
It's been a big year in the
Monsoon household, Saffy has got herself a boyfriend and given birth to a baby girl. Edina
has come to terms with becoming a grandmother - but not with her grand-daughter's name
Jane, she prefers Lola. Even more surprisingly she's developed a closer relationship with
Saffron. Patsy meanwhile is feeling put out and neglected, particularly after failed
attempts to move into celebrity styling and awards presenting, not to mention the
discovery of those porn movies. However Christmas is guaranteed party time - Patsy and
Eddie always go away to somewhere hot and exotic and drink themselves into a stupor. Patsy
hates Christmas and refuses to acknowledge its existence. Unfortunately Eddie has other
plans this year and for the very first time, she wants to stay at home with Saffy and her
grand-daughter. She's even applying her usual restrained shopping style on Christmas
presents. Saffy is thrilled with her Mum's new found interest in Christmas but is getting
tired of her attempts to commercialise the day. Bubble meanwhile is less impressed with
her new role as the Christmas Fairy while Bo and Marshall are working on a fantastic new
product "Staylene" - ideal for dealing with Christmas excesses. John is
fascinated to find out that Eddie's first husband is gay and has a lot of questions to
ask. All of this Christmas spirit is too much for Patsy, she starts hallucinating about
past Christmas' with her mother and sister. She collapses and has to be rushed into
hospital. Has 43 (67) years of drug and alcohol abuse finally taken its toll - is this the
end for Patsy?
The Story of AbFab(2003)
Was Patsy once a man? Who
nearly put Joanna Lumley off taking the role? Who was originally going to be Saffy? And
what do Marisa Berensen, Jennifer Saunders and Lynne Franks all have in common? How is
Ruby Wax involved? Those and other burning questions are answered in The Story of
Absolutely Fabulous the definitive film of one of British comedy's most definitive
sitcoms. From how it came into being, to how it manages to stay at the top of its game,
this entertaining documentary follows the antics of the Ab Fab crew, and sheds some light
on some of comedy's most blurry, far-out characters.
Featuring behind-the-scenes footage and drunken outtakes, The Story of Absolutely Fabulous
tells you everything you needed to know and a little bit more.
