Search - Absolutely Fabulous - Complete Series 5 on DVD

Eddy and Patsy are back!

Byron Kolln | the corner where Broadway meets Hollywood | 04/16/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS returns for a fifth series of unbridled fun and hilarity, with 8 superb new episodes. Join Eddy and Patsy as they sink even lower into the abyss..."Cleanin'" - With Saffy gone on a long-overdue holiday, Patsy and Eddy have the house to themselves, though curiously it isn't everything they imagined it would be. Eddy has moved her PR business into her living-room, with several high-profile new clients on the books including Emma Bunton. Suddenly Saffy returns..with an announcement that will send Eddy's world into a tailspin."Book Clubbin'" - Eddy and Patsy's little book club meets to discuss their latest selection, an abridged mini version of 'The Picture of Dorian Gray', though Mariella Frostrup fails to bring her celebrity pals. Meanwhile Saffy invites her boyfriend around to break the big news."Panickin'" - Eddy installs a panic room, whilst Patsy tries to get chummy with Minnie Driver. Real panic ensues when a lockdown occurs leaving Eddy and Patsy trapped in the high-tech fortress, leaving Minnie in the 'capable' hands of Bubble."Huntin' Shootin' Fishin'" - Eddy is doing some Royal PR so she and Pats decide to travel down to the country to see how the other half live. Saffy holds her baby shower with Emma Bunton and her ever-bizarre old school friend Sarah (aka 'Titty KaKa')"Birthin'" - Saffy has gone into labour, ruining Patsy's expensive outfit when her water breaks. Marshall and Bo stop by for another strange interlude, whilst Katy Grin has been cast as Roxie Hart in 'Chicago'."Schmoozin'" - The lost Beatle tapes have been found, and Eddy's in love again, this time with an old school flame. Patsy's old sex films get released by a Japanese company including 'Boobarella'."Exploitin'" - Patsy has signed up baby Jane (or Lola) with an infant modelling agency, and a job has come up for a Jean Paul Gautier photo shoot at the zoo. The only problem is getting around Saffy..."Cold Turkey" - Christmas has come again, and this time Eddy's staying home with the family. Patsy, in a moment of sheer rage, finally lets Eddy have it before mysteriously passing out. In the hospital, Patsy is told she is dying. Her wayward sister Jackie comes to visit, but does she have a more sinister motive? Is this really the end for Pats....?AB FAB finally raises the bar after the lacklustre Series 4. Once again Jennifer Saunders has given us a hilarious, laughter-filled ride. Longtime fans rejoice: Series 5 is one to treasure!Starring Jennifer Saunders, Joanna Lumley, Julia Sawalha, Jane Horrocks and June Whitfield. Guest starring Kate O'Mara as Jackie, Elton John, Clarissa Dickson Wright, Kristen Scott Thomas, Mariella Frostrup, Emma Bunton, Minnie Driver, Jean Paul Gautier and Naoko Mori as Sarah.
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AbFab 5, the real Edina!

Byron Kolln | 03/23/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am one of those AbFab fans who believes series 1 and 2 were the absolute best, particularly because Edina had such funny manneurisms that I don't believe were reflected as well or as much in series 3 and series 4. Series 5, however, brings back those body twitches, idiosyncracies, and outbursts. In Exploitin' the episode begins with the most hilarious 'stair' foible I think I've ever seen on all series. It's great. The actresses seem to have returned to the style of acting seen in earlier series. If you are an AbFab fan and thought series 4 was ho-humm and are contemplating not spending the money for series 5, take my advise and buy it. It is worth the money."

Absolutely, Completely, Totally, Utterly Fabulous

Byron Kolln | 04/01/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When Absolutely Fabulous `ended' it's 18 episode run in 1995, I was somewhat pleased. It has to be one of the funniest, most incisive, brilliantly constructed and performed TV sitcoms of all time but I was thrilled that writer and co-creator Jennifer Saunders recognized that time was up and too much of a good thing will ultimately lead to disappointment. Like other Britcom classics `Fawlty Towers,' `Black Adder' and `Dinnerladies' AbFab wrapped while still way ahead of the pack. I didn't mind terribly when it came back in a two part special in 96 to wrap up some loose ideas, but I was hugely (make that HUGELY) disappointed when a new batch of 6 episodes aired in 2001. It just wasn't the same and although brilliant in places, overall it was lacking the edge that had made it great. Another one-off special aired in 2002, which was frankly bizarre and then came news of Season 5 in 2003. I wasn't expecting much. Here was a brilliant idea now well past it's prime. But I was wrong. The fifth season of AbFab is quite simply the best set of episodes yet. Saunders creative genius has kicked in once more and the treading water and re-visiting old ground and old jokes of the last season has given way to a new direction for all the characters and the best laughs to date. I can hardly believe that any series in its twelfth year could possibly exceed all that has gone before. But it has. Whereas all the characters in the 4th season had stagnated and seemed rudderless, they've all moved on to new comic heights and been given situations hitherto unexplored. Saffy in particular is in a situation that could never have been envisaged back at the start in 92 and Edina and Patsy have evolved into even more outrageous pastiches of themselves. Saunders' incisive eye for the ridiculousness of current trends and fashions has returned in full and everything from fake tans, false boobs, celebrity greed, panic rooms and the tedium of reality TV are all ruthlessly explored and viciously exposed with the most cutting humor possible. I won't give anything away, but the fifth episode of the season for me is the single best episode of the entire AbFab canon. I've seen it about a dozen times now and still laugh out loud. There are a few weaknesses; the celebrity guests playing themselves just can't match the skill of the regular cast. The possible exception being Minnie Driver who steals the show in episode 3. Alas, Elton John, Mariella Frostrup and Emma Bunton seem quite uncomfortable in their roles. Kristen Scott-Thomas' character is just horribly conceived. I'm not sure I totally like the direction Bubble (played so wonderfully by Jane Horrocks) has taken either, but she's still worth many laughs along the way. Kate O'Mara returns as Patsy's hideous sister Jackie, but misses the mark somewhat and her scenes with Patsy end up rather confused.What may well irritate those American viewers who had access to the UK tapes is that not only has the title vocal by Debbie Harry had to be eliminated, but the ecstasy induced excerpt from `Chicago' in `Birthin' has also had to hit the cutting room floor. Both due to copyright issues. Contrary to other reviews, the UK broadcasts do NOT exceed 30 minutes and the `Chicago' scene is the only cut. The exception being the final episode `Cold turkey' which was extended to 40 minutes and is included in it's entirety. Not many extras on this disc set other than some still photos and 15 minutes of terrific out takes. Unlike the fourth season, alas there is no commentary from Saunders. The picture quality is excellent and both discs contain 4 episodes each. I'm still not sure I would want to see a season 6. You just never know when you're pushing your luck. But if this season is anything to go by it will be well worth finding out."

Good for AbFab Fans

Daniel Peake | College Park, MD USA | 02/01/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Saw the series on the BBC while studying in Britain. While devoted AbFabers will appreciate the humor here, some of the jokes have lost their appeal. Saffie gets pregnant by an aid worker while on a humanitarian mission in Iraq and Patsy has left the magazine business to work at Jeremey's -- a London Bond Street shop. Still, with many guest stars such as Minnie Driver and Elton John this a worthwhile purchase if you want to keep-up with the happenings of Patsy and Edina."