Last October we learned that the brilliant British comedy Absolutely Fabulous was gettin’ a US make-over and would be remade here in America. At the time, there was no word on casting but we were told that production on the series had entered the early production stages and might be ready for 2009. Today we get our first look at filming of the series with Kristen Johnston (3rd Rock from the Sun) in the role of Patsy and Kathryn Hahn (Crossing Jordan) in the role of Edina:
Um … HMMM. On the one hand, they’ve got the costumes down … but I just cannot imagine how the show will be able to retain it’s amazingly hilarious humor after it has been Americanized. Trust me, I’m not knocking American humor … there are some things we do better than anyone else (Friends, for example) but there are other things that we do not (the US version of Kath & Kim still pales in comparison to the original Aussie version). I am very worried that this new venture will fall flat on its face. The only encouraging thing I’ve heard about this remake is that original series creator Jennifer Saunders (Edina) is executive producing. I guess we’ll have to wait and see. I’m really skeptical. The original AbFab is just so damn good … I’m not sure it’ll translate to an American audience and still have the same success. What do y’all think … do any of y’all have faith that this remake will work?
[Photo credit: Splash News]
I don’t know how I feel; I agree, a big part of AbFab’s hilarity was the accents, the smoking, the drugs! However if they give it an American irreverence, it could work. But they should keep it dirty!
(On another note, Bubbles always annoyed me!)
I agree with Julie,
Coulpling was a UK ripoff of Friends, but at least in the first few seasons is far funnier…the US Coupling was sooooo terrible, except Lindsay Price made an excellent Jane…the rest sucked
I like that Kristen Johnson will have played a character who used to be a man in two TV shows now. :-P
Also, I think US Kath & Kim is waaaaay better than the Australian.
I love american comedy like you say friends etc…but I really really wish they would leave foreign comedy the eff alone, they just butcher classic shows…I don’t think it would make much difference if they were executive producers…werent gina riley and jane turner executive producers of kath and kim???
If they touch the vicr of dibley I will cut myself!!! grr
Katie Hahn is a phenomenal actress. So underrated. So fantastically talented.
NOOOOO!!! The only decent British remake they’ve managed in the states is The Office. It’s such a classic show, I don’t see how they can even think it’ll be good. That would be like trying to make a British version of Seinfeld! ACK!!
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Well, Patsy looks perfect, not so sure about Edina though.
I hated Friends, but Coupling, which is the British version, is sooo good.
It can’t be any worse than a lot of remakes though, like Red Dwarf, or Fawlty Towers, ugh. At least the Spaced remake never made it off the ground, that one was infuriating.
I really am interested to see how we do with this remake. I freaking loved Ab Fab back in the day when it was on all the time. That show was so funny and over the top and I think the whole Britishness of the series just added to the hilarity. I agree with Trent that there are some things we just get right (and whole heartedly thank you for citing FRIENDS, which is my favorite show EVER) and agree that it’s going to be completely interesting… those are two funny ladies so we will see what happens!
Oh and Jennifer Saunders and FRIENDS reminded me of the ep she guest-starred in back in Season 4… classic!
I predict a total flop. For one, they casted the big boned chick from Third Rock, Kristen Johnston, as Patsy!!!
Did they ever watch the UK version!
Patsy is an ex model that just parties, smokes and drinks that famously replied to Edina that she hasnt eaten since 1973.
These are thin pants that Johnston needs to fill!!
And a reply to Paul (above) Patsy was NEVER EVER a man! Dont know where you got that??
I think if it’s in the same language, why does it need to be “re-made”? I mean, I understand the 6,000 versions of Ugly Betty for each language, but Absolutely Fabulous is IN ENGLISH.How is this different from just out and out plagarism?
Patsy was a man, baby. The episode where they go to Morocco reveals that she had a sex change and lived as mustache-wearing dude for a while, but as Eddy says, “it fell off.”
Back to the pics, why do they look like they are going to an AbFab costume party?
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. DO. NOT. WANT. More importantly– DO. NOT. NEED.
Great casting and Jennifer Sauders as exec. producer, is it, gives reason to believe the American version will have a chance. ~ Kimba