Hedda Dishes :: Has ’Ab Fab’ jumped the shark?
Hello gentle Americans. In the mid 90s nothing made me laugh more than two aging fashionistas, living in a world of depraved excess, in a tawny part of London. The BBC TV show "Absolutely Fabulous" aired from 1992-2002. It starred Jennifer Saunders as Edina, the pudgy and privileged, redheaded fashion road kill, and Joanna Lumley as Patsy, the fried-bleached-blond-beehived, drug addled fashion editor.
They were so over, over the top that I recall one episode where Patsy was in Edina’s kitchen when she lit it on fire. There she is, slumped over the table, with half of her Chanel-clad body covered in soot, lit cigarette hanging out of her mouth. I am giggling just thinking about it.
As a gift to their many fans the BBC has brought back the dynamic duo, along with the original cast, for a handful of half-hour episodes. Instead of having them stuck in the past, they are thrust into the present still covered in gads of labels, piled up and obsessed with the Kardashians like the rest of the world.
In the first new episode, Safy (Julia Sawalha), Edina’s daughter, is released from a 2-year prison stint, returning home to receive the respect from Pasty, her former archenemy, for her prison street creds. One of Safy’s closest friends from prison pays a visit to Edina’s home and that’s when all hell breaks loose. It turns out she was Patsy’s old drug dealer, whom she owes 50,000 pounds. Until Patsy pays up she holds the family hostage.
It was wonderful to see these two old broads unchanged after so many years. But sadly something had changed: me. A ten-year absence is a long time, especially in drag years (3 years for every one year). Now you understand why Lady Bunny and RuPaul look so old. How do I retain my freshness? MSG darlings. By the end of the first episode a wave of disappointment rushed over me. Reminds me of the time when a wave rushed over me in Fire Island, knocking my bikini off, revealing my luscious bosom to the adoring onlookers. Not to mention my well manicured clam. At least that time I got date. Watching the current episode of "Ab Fab," all I had were some polite chuckles.
Will I continue watching the rest of the episodes? Of course! Perhaps that old spark will reignite and that torrid love affair will glisten once more, like a shiny new condom on a seasoned tricks prick.
"Ab Fab" airs every Sunday on Logo and the BBC @ 10 pm. Check your local cable company for the channel in your area.
Watch a classic moment from "Absolutely Fabulous" (mentioned above):
