Absolutely Fabulous... the movie? Joanna Lumley confirms partner in comedy Jennifer Saunders IS penning a screenplay (MAIL ON LINE)

Absolutely Fabulous film due out 'in time for 2014 Oscars'

By DENI KIRKOVA
PUBLISHED: 13:31 EST, 25 January 2013 | UPDATED: 13:31 EST, 25 January 2013

 'Is champers all right with you, Pats?', 'Lovely darling.'

The unmistakeably posh lexicon of hit TV series Absolutely Fabulous, also known as Ab Fab, is set to return to screens as soon as next year, in the form of a feature film, it has been revealed.

The woman behind lead character Patsy Stone - a botox, champagne and drug addicted magazine editor - has confirmed an Ab Fab movie is on the way.

Joanna Lumley, 66, confirming the news reported in the Mail last year that a film was in the pipeline, told the Telegraph: 'We've talked about it, Jennifer [Saunders] is writing the film.

'Although yesterday the press were saying it's a musical now! But whatever it is, I'll be there.'

She also said while she's alive no-one but her will play Patsy, even if that means brushing up on her all but non-existent singing and dancing skills.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2268259/Absolutely-Fabulous--movie-Joanna-Lumley-confirms-Jennifer-Saunders-writing-screenplay.html#ixzz2J5vYKLjI 
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Saffy’s back and Absolutely Fabulous By Rob Salem (TORONTO.COM)

Ignored, insulted, breastfed by strangers, sold into white slavery, exposed from atop the Eiffel Tower . . .

Julia Sawalha had finally had enough.

“When I was asked to do the 20th anniversary special, I was reticent about it,” confides the actress who has, as Safflower “Saffy” Monsoon, barely tolerated the antics of her fictional mom Edwina (Jennifer Saunders) and chain-smoking nemesis Patsy Stone (Joanna Lumley) in several seasons and specials of Absolutely Fabulous, the cult-hit Britcom about the rich and toasted.

“I felt I had put Saffy to ‘sleep’ and wasn’t sure if I could resurrect her,” she says. “It was kind of like she had turned into a ventriloquist’s dummy that was lying in a dusty old box, and if I got her out I would just be working her like a puppet.

“But as Jennifer emailed me a couple of ideas she had planned for Saffy, I immediately roared with laughter and everything sprang to life.”

The first of those ideas, and the starting point for the first of two half-hour AbFab specials airing on Vision TV this Thursday and July 5: Saffy has just spent two years in prison on fraud charges.

Sawalha, like Saffy, takes these things in stride. “I don’t have a reaction to storylines, as we have quite a thin grasp of the text/plot when we first start,” she says. “I never get attached to certain lines or plots, as things get cut and changed right up to the last minute.

“Though you can get a recurring joke that pops up in the next script, then gets cut again, that always makes me laugh.”

Laughter sets the tone on the AbFab set. “There is an awful lot of laughing that goes on during rehearsals . . . what I really love is seeing Jennifer laugh; it is very infectious. Also, when she is laughing, of course it is going to be at something very funny.”

Memories of those days made the decision to come back a no-brainer. “Jennifer’s enthusiasm to work with us all came across very clearly,” she says.

“I thought, ‘Are you crazy, Julia? You love working with the girls, Go have some fun.’

READ MORE:http://www.toronto.com/article/734561--saffy-s-back-and-absolutely-fabulous

AB FAB sneak peek - Kardashians and the Royal Wedding

FESTIVE DOWNTON ABBEY A WINNER (spoilers) (Express.co)

Matthew (Dan Stevens) and Lady Mary (Michelle Dockery) finally find happiness

NOT SINCE Del Boy and Rodders got lucky with that £6million watch in their Peckham lock-up has there been such an uplifting Christmas special.

Writer Julian Fellowes couldn’t have crammed more festive cheer into this crowd-pleasing, feature-length episode of Downton Abbey (ITV1, Christmas Day) if he had promised a yule log and a fireside chat with Lord Grantham to every viewer.

Downton just had it all and seemed especially gift-wrapped for the season.

It even resolved (for now) several plotlines that have kept us hooked, with added period flummery along the way.

We had an engagement, a nasty cad, a flirty bit, a dognapping, much business with a ouija board, a shooting party and finally a fist fight. carson even received that spiffing present from his Lordship, a book about european royalty, a real must-have. “i will certainly be enjoying that m’lord!” he chuntered. Hilarious.

I defy anyone not to have been entertained by this episode, even if they were sleeping off Christmas.

Downton brought a warmth to the room.

We even caught sight of a christmas pudding, although we missed out on seeing the entire christmas table. Mrs Patmore must have had an attack of the vapours.

So what of the engagement?

Matthew Crawley and Lady Mary, in true Mills and Boon style, finally had an impediment to their happiness removed: a nasty newspaper baron.

With Iain Glen’s sir Richard Carlisle off the scene, Matthew did the decent thing and forgave Lady Mary for her dalliance with turkish diplomat Mr Pamuk.

We don’t wish to hear about that again, thank you.

Ever the gentleman, but with prompting, Matthew went down on bended knee in the fake snow to ask for her hand in marriage.

Before she said yes, we expected Mrs Patmore to rush out and declare her buns were on fire or that Lavinia had suddenly been found alive in the pantry.

As it turned out, nothing happened to spoil themoment. However, this was far from the highlight of the episode.ere are precious few punches thrown on television nowadays (unless it’s in eastenders) so the sight of two gentlemen “duking it out” on primetime TV in the Downton Abbey drawing room was a delight.

For some reason (important research), I’ve caught two John Wayne films recently and Matthew crawley wouldn’t have been out of place in the shootist. the poor dear even broke the skin on his knuckles. Bless. the only thing that would have topped this was a gentlemen’s duel on the front lawn with pistols. next series, please, Mr Fellowes.

THERE was much to applaud in Great Expectations (BBC1, Tuesday).

This new adaptation over three nights comes to the small screen with the long shadow cast from David Lean’s wonderful film still with us.

Although that film first aired on Boxing Day 1946, it is impossible to forget the image of John Mills as Pip.

It also chills me when the BBc says it is going to remake a classic using the words “bold” and “visceral” in the same sentence.

There was no need for concern, however, as the BBC treated us to the most atmospheric Dickens for many years.

there were some splendid performances too from both Pips in the first episode but the BAFtA- nudging turn came from Gillian Anderson as Miss Havisham. she was mad, intriguing, devilish and creepy; pure Havisham.

Ray Winstone’s Magwitch, too, was like a grease monkey who had been dragged backwards through a car engine. His scenes with Pip on the marshes were chilling and tormenting.However, it was the very words of Dickens that shone brightly through the mists of the marshes.

“If you can’t beat a boy at Christmas, when can you?” barked Pumblechook excitedly.

We all cheered for the seasonal return of corporal punishment or for Estella’s coldness to innocent Pip: “I suppose you don’t have time for the modern wonders of the world.”

There is nothing more enjoyably manipulative than a well-turned Dickens at Christmas.

When is a sitcom dead? Happily, we can report that there seemed to be much life left in Absolutely Fabulous (Christmas Day, BBC1). Indeed, the older the characters get, the funnier it becomes.

Jennifer Saunders’s writing is better than ever with pretty much a gag a line in this rollicking 30 minutes of comedy.

It is hard to believe that Ab Fab has been around since 1994. There were great performances too from Saunders, Joanna Lumley and Julia Sawalha (who had successfully escaped from the post office in Candleford).

Jane Horrocks also did a marvellous cameo, mocking Pippa Middleton’s walk down the aisle at the Royal Wedding. However, it was the topical gags which made the episode so funny, not least the new disease called “the Kardashians, multiplying before our eyes”.

The dream sequence involving the star of gritty Danish drama The Killing was inspired. Could there be scope for a new series? We hope so.

Finally, Laurence Fox was allowed out of Oxford and away from Lewis for Fast Freddie, The Widow And Me (ITV1, Tuesday), the made-to-order Christmas weepie.

You know that if a child walks into a hospice in the first five minutes you are not in comedy-drama territory.

Despite the bizarreness of the idea, in which millionaire Fox “hired a family” for the dying teenager, you kept watching and wondering when Freddie would twig. He did, eventually, and the nasty posh car salesman (Fox) was redeemed.

Expect a sequel in which he gives a Bentley to a starving tribe in Africa.

http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/292841/Festive-Downton-Abbey-a-winner

Two New Clips From ‘Absolutely Fabulous’ Christmas Specials & New Years Day Marathon Announced (BRITSCENE)

Written on December 22, 2011 by Paul

Not the greatest of teasers, but the BBC has released a couple more clips from the ‘Absolutely Fabulous’ Christmas specials. The good news is that unlike Sherlock and other British TV shows we don’t have to wait months to see them in the US as these two specials will premiere on BBC America and Logo Sunday, Jan. 8 at 10/9c.

The Christmas specials will see Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley reprising their roles as Edina Monsoon and Patsy Stone, together with original cast members Julia Sawalha as Saffy, June Whitfield as Mother and Jane Horrocks as Bubble.

There is also going to be a chance to catch up on all the old episodes, as we just noticed that ahead of the specials, BBC America are running an all-day marathon of Absolutely Fabulous on New Years Day. According to the press release the marathon will feature every episode, every hilarious moment and everything fabulous.

The Absolutely Fabulous Marathon airs Sunday, January 1, 7:20am to Monday, January 2, 6:00am ET/PT on BBC America.

Take a look at the two new clips below, but for a better preview, in our opinion, head back to see Edina and Patsy making fun of the Kardashians here, or you can see our full Ab Fab coverage here.

http://www.britscene.com/2011/12/two-more-clips-from-absolutely-fabulous-christmas-special/30980

We're still Ab Fab, 20 years on: Comedy cast reunited for three-part Christmas special

By Sara Nathan

Last updated at 11:32 AM on 21st November 2011



Sweetie, darling... we’re back! Two decades after they first took a swig of Bolly, the stars of Absolutely Fabulous have returned – and they barely look a day older.

Jennifer Saunders has resurrected outrageous fashion PR Edina Monsoon and reunited with Joanna Lumley, Jane Horrocks, Julia Sawalha and June Whitfield.

And posing with a rictus grin on her seemingly-Botoxed face, while clad in what looks like a dead ferret and Bacofoil, it’s like Miss Saunders's most feted character never left our screens.

Still Fabulous: Jane Horrocks, 47, Julia Sawalha, 43, Jennifer Saunders, 53, June Whitfield, 86, and Joanna Lumley, 65, will reprise their roles in a festive comeback

While her best friend, alcoholic fashion editor Patsy Stone, played by Miss Lumley, still seems sozzled as she grimaces in black leather with her trademark bleached beehive backcombed into submission.

Miss Saunders, 53, wrote three new episodes which will be aired at Christmas, while recovering from breast cancer.

The series, affectionately nicknamed Ab Fab, followed the lives of the fashion and fad-obsessed Eddy and Patsy - not forgetting Edina’s long-suffering daughter Saffy, played by Miss Sawalha and dippy assistant Bubble, played by Miss Horrocks.

Bubble now seems to be taking fashion tips from a Japanese schoolgirl, while Saffy still has that same disapproving glare.

Mother - or Gran – is played by Miss Whitfield, who at 86 really does not seem to have aged in the intervening years.

Then: The cast (minus Miss Horrocks) hardly seem to have aged since the first series of Absolutely Fabulous in 1992

Absolutely Fabulous was first broadcast in 1992 and ran for three series and a two-part special until 1996. It returned for two more series and another two specials between 2001 and 2004, with a Comic Relief edition on BBC1 in 2005.

And this reunion might not be the last, as Miss Saunders has spoken of an Ab Fab film.

'We thought it would be hilarious if [Edina and Patsy] went to a party on an oligarch’s yacht, got drunk, fell asleep and woke up in the middle of the ocean,' she said.

Satire: Miss Saunders and Miss Lumley's roles in Absolutely Fabulous poked fun at the arrogance and vanity of the fashion industry in Nineties London

Christine Langan, head of BBC Films, then appeared to confirm the film deal, saying: 'I think Jennifer’s a genius. I can’t imagine anything more exciting than working with her.'

Mother-of-three Miss Saunders earlier this month broke her silence on her cancer battle, and claimed that it would be 'ghastly' for her to 'evoke sympathy' as many people have 'much worse times'.

Cancer battle: Miss Saunders with her husband, the comedian Adrian Edmondson, who nursed her through her battle with breast cancer

The star, who is the most successful female comedian of the last 25 years, said that she kept her illness private rather than secret and she did not mind when it came out – or even losing her hair.

'I think the idea of losing your hair is still very potent, emotional thing,' she said.

'Not for me, I didn’t mind so much. What I didn’t realise was that every bit of hair would go.

'Then, when it comes back, it comes back a lot.

'Every hair you ever had is suddenly back, reborn.'

Miss Saunders may just be putting a brave face on her suffering as her husband, the comedian Adrian Edmondson, last year told how it was 'low, miserable grind' during her treatment and recovery.

Speaking in November 2010, Mr Edmondson said: 'It was horrible for her and for us, because it’s very hard to support someone and make them feel better through


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2064098/Absolutely-Fabulous-cast-reunited-Christmas-specials-BBC-unveils-festive-schedule.html#ixzz1eLvCWorP

Colin Firth - 'Pride and Prejudice': Tube Talk Gold

Published Saturday, Nov 12 2011, 4:00am EST | By Catriona Wightman | 11 comments

 

 

 

© Rex Features / Everett Collection

Oh yes. It's a bit of a classic, isn't it? The BBC has always been known for its lavish costume dramas, but the absolute stand-out has to be its 1995 adaptation of the Jane Austen classic Pride and Prejudice. But what was it that made the miniseries quite so special? Let's cast our minds back...

Pride and Prejudice: Originally broadcast from September 24, 1995 to October 29, 1995

Say Pride and Prejudice these days, and it's hard not to think of Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle. The pair have become the definitive Mr Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet, and not even the likes of Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen could steal their crowns.

Obviously, a lot of the work was already done for the BBC - Jane Austen had written a blindingly good yarn, and there's a lot of story to stick your teeth into. But Pride and Prejudice must have had something else, or why would we still be swooning over the boxset more than 15 years later?

Part of the show's success has to be down to the chemistry between its leads - Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle. Ehle is the perfect Elizabeth, confident and snarky but still loveable. And as for Firth, he was a revelation as Mr Darcy - grumpy as hell but also kind of attractive. He's the 19th century bad boy.



And it's at this point that we must absolutely mention the iconic moment of Pride and Prejudice - that lake scene. I'm not saying getting his shirt wet is the reason why Colin Firth is now such a huge A-list star, but let's be honest - it had an impact.

Suddenly, after starring in shows like The Ruth Rendell Mysteries (really), Colin was popping up in movies such as The English Patient. That Oscar win this year? It all began with Darcy.

That lake scene is ridiculous - Jane Austen didn't exactly write it, let's put it that way. But for some reason it just works. Funnily enough, Andrew Davies - who wrote the screenplay - intended it to be a humorous, bumbling, awkward moment. Instead, it got women across the country a little hot under the color and assured Pride and Prejudice's legendary status.



That's really the secret of Pride and Prejudice's success - it's as escapist as you can get. It's comforting. Like modern Sunday night favorite Downton Abbey, it's another world of big dresses and big houses and big carriages; a world where women faint at the slightest provocation; a world where getting a bit wet lands you in bed with a fever; a world where, crucially, love triumphs over all and there's a happy ending.

Yes, we always knew what we'd get with Pride and Prejudice. A lot of us already knew what happened because we'd read the book, but even if you hadn't, you could be certain that there wasn't going to be a massacre at the end where everyone died horribly (I haven't read Pride and Prejudice and Zombies yet, but I'm guessing it might be a bit more brutal.) Sometimes all you want is comfort blanket television, and Pride and Prejudice could provide that.

So we knew we'd get a "happily ever after" conclusion, but that doesn't mean there wasn't a bumpy ride along the way. There were refused proposals, dances, and, of course, the naughty Mr Wickham (elopement and all). Plenty, then, to enjoy. And audiences agreed - millions watched the show, the first run of the original VHS box set sold out within two hours, and awards followed (a BAFTA and an Emmy among them).



What's wonderful about Pride and Prejudice is that it hasn't dated. Watch it today - preferably with a mug of hot chocolate on a rainy day - and you'll enjoy it just as much. Part of that is because of the endless appeal of the costume drama - it's not like the references can become old-fashioned. But it's also due to the wonderful cast, the beautiful cinematography, and the fabulous writing. It's not unheard of for fans to plough through the entire run in one sitting.

And no-one can deny the impact Pride and Prejudice had more generally (and no, we're not just talking about the lake scene). It justified investment in costume drama (and, really, big drama productions in general); further adaptations followed, like the Keira Knightley vehicle or Bollywood-style Bride and Prejudice; and it was even the inspiration for Bridget Jones (which is why casting Colin Firth in the film was so darn inspired).

So go on. Go on! It's getting colder, the nights are drawing in, and Pride and Prejudice is waiting for you on DVD like a nice warm bath. Settle in and enjoy.

 

 

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