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"Ab Fab" is getting an American makeover (again)My general understanding of why makeovers exist is for the purpose of taking something that could use a little improvement and, well, improving upon it. With that concept in mind, I was bemused when I found out that the Fox Broadcasting Company is going to be remaking Absolutely Fabulous. That’s right, the hugely successfully British sitcom is coming to America (Los Angeles, to be specific). Again. Although the location will be very different, the basic plot will stay the same, following the shenanigans of two 40-year-old, booze-loving best friends obsessed with trends, image … and did I mention booze?
Maybe you guys can help me because I don’t know what to make of this news. On one hand, I love the characters of Patsy and Edina and to see them in action again would be dreamy. On the other hand, how could a different version of an already perfect show be better? It’s like when they tried to improve upon the flavor of Coke all those years ago with "New Coke" — was it any more delicious? (I’ll let the more than 10-year absence of the beverage speak to that question.) I know it’s cynical, but I have huge reservations that anyone could play Eddie and Pats better than Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley. If pressed to think of a cast that could muster as much chemistry as the fabulous original players, I would have to pick a dream cast. In which case I think the following actresses would be a good start: Edina: Megan Mullally If you have seen Megan Mullally as Karen Walker on Will and Grace, you know that this lady can play a great drunk. Patsy: Kim Cattrall The key to my casting seems to be picking actresses who have played characters that have had their share of drinks. That principle in mind, we all know that Kim Cattrall has had many, many cosmos on Sex and the City. And I can definitely see her deliver the lines “sweetie” and “darling” better than anyone. Saffie: Jenna Fischer I know Jenna Fischer has a pretty successful gig on the The Office, but perhaps if tempted she would be open to playing dual roles. She is a perfect fit to play the loveable but prudish Saff. Bubbles: Cameron Diaz
OK, it’s a long shot. I know Cameron Diaz has a big movie career and is an A-list star, but look what TV has done for Glenn Close, Kyra Sedgwick and Holly Hunter. Come on, Cameron — we know you are great at playing silly. (We’ve seen you dance in your underoos on Charlie’s Angels, after all.) I think Bubbles would be right up her alley. There is a small ray of hope for this American remake. Jennifer Saunders (Eddie) will be on board as executive producer, so the series will definitely be in good hands. Other attempts at remaking the series have failed in the past, but with Saunders at the wheel I think the show will finally get its fair shake to succeed in America. The key will definitely lie in the casting of the series. Whether Jennifer Saunders reads this blog and heeds my advice or decides to go off and choose her own cast (which, Jen, you are more than welcome to do), I will reserve judgment of the show and pray for the best. Until then, I have my original Ab Fab episodes on DVD to keep me bloody happy. I’m no casting agent (clearly), but what do you think of these suggestions? Who would you like to see fill these shoes? Submitted by on October 10, 2008 - 11:00am. |
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I can't see it being an improvement
But I also didn't find the american remake of teachers or coupling as good either. They were both too polished.
I can't imagine anyone who could be better than Joanna Lumley as patsy, I adore her she is amazing. I've always thought Karen Walker seemed like she'd came out of Ab Fab.
"My life's like a romantic comedy that's never romantic! Or comedic! My life is nothing like a romantic comedy!" - Caitlin (Cashmere Mafia)
What?!
Scandal! I mean it depends on who they cast but I can guarantee the re-make isn't going to be as good as the original. I remember watching Ab Fab with my mom when I was younger, I thought it was hilarious. And this summer I got BBC America on my satellite at home so I watched it a bunch then too, still just as fabulous.
Your casting choices are pretty awesome though. I'd watch the show if they cast it like that.
___//♫♪ let your girlfriend do what your boyfriend can't
no! horrors!
Please, no, God! I'm sorry, American remakes are generally not a good idea. I don't even like the american The Office (Rainn Wilson's character makes me cringe, and not in the way that Mackenzie Crook's Gareth did). And definitely not Ab Fab - it'd be as horrific as if America tried to remake Blackadder or Fawlty Towers. It's sacrilegious, the thought! Nothing can replace Jennifer Saunders, Joanna Lumley and Julia Sawalha! Though, I have to admit, Jenna Fischer wouldn't be a half bad Saffy.
And I'm so sorry for being so anal, but Bubble's name is Bubble, as in "just the one". And no one can replace Jane Horrocks! "Is it a dwarf?"
minnie.....
ahh!
I'm with you!
I'm with you there, I can't see it working out. 'Ab Fab' is my favourite comedy ever, and even with the amazing Jennifer Saunders watching over things, I can't see the American version being as witty and sharp as the original...on Fox no less!
I shall try to be hopeful, but no show can aspire to ever reach the awesomeness level of 'Absolutely Fabulous'!!
- PKiddo
no offense...
AbFab crosses the pond. Sinks.
I've loved this show since I was in high school. It is campy and fun and well written but most importantly - it is British. Even with Saunders at the helm I am worried the show will not translate very well. I am not saying the Brit's humor is better (maybe I am a little) but it is different; image an American version of Monty Python - ick.
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Hears What that Idea Sounds Like
Honestly no matter how you
Honestly no matter how you cast this I have my doubts that it would be good.
I am a fan of very very few network sitcoms: Seinfeld, 30 Rock, Arrested Development, the Office and . . . . .? Outside of these shows I think American television humor is at it's best on cable (Curb Your Enthusiasm, Flight of the Conchords, South Park) or animated (Family Guy, the Simpsons, South Park)
I think one of the reasons that we all cross our fingers that a US remake of Absolutely Fabulous would be good, but at the same time cringe as we think about the fact that it probably won't be good is that in general US sitcoms always play it safe. The writers and actors of most sitcoms (Two and a Half Men, How I Met Your Mother, Friends etc) never really "go for it". There might be some clever writing here and there but most are more concerned with having characters that are likable and good looking first and funny second.
And Absolutely Fabulous is NOT a play it safe kind of show. That's what makes it so great! Patsy and Edina won't work if they are prettied up for prime-time.
One of the reasons I LOVE shows like Absolutely Fabulous, The Office (BBC version), Kath and Kim (AU version, the US version from last night is still sitting on my DVR and my fingers are still crossed) Little Britain, Flight of the Conchords, is those actors go all out, as so few American television actors do. I'm sure it has more to do with our networks decisions than the talent of our actors.
The best comedic actors never play it safe or rely on a laugh track. They don't create characters that are memorable just because they are good looking (The cast of Friends I'm talking to you).
Here's a prime example:
On Friends we were expected to laugh every time Joey said "How you doin'?" in his charming Joey way. Cute? Maybe. Funny? No.
Compare that to Michael Scott's inability to stop himself from saying "That's what she said" at the most awkward of times. Cute? No. Awkward? Yes. Hysterical? YES!
The Office (US) is hilarious and if you've ever watched the BBC version you'll see where those characters came from and I was so surprised to see that held over in the US version. If the true comedic genius of Absolutely Fabulous is preserved in an American version, not just the concept, it could be . . . well, absolutely fabulous.
I hope with the success of The Office and 30 Rock we can expect to see more shows like this and more actors and actresses who are funny first and attractive second.
Anyway that's just my opinion. Wow, where did that rant come from . . . .
another potential problem
Oh hell no!!
Why do they have to mess with something that's perfect!? Nobody can do it better than Jen and Joanna! Come on! Jen created the show, she IS Edina. I'm not going to watch anyone else play those roles. Sorry...The only 'good' thing about this is that Jennifer is actually on board... but still, no thanks, no matter how much I love her.
http://www.youtube.com/BetweenThaLines
Only ONE EDINA and ONE PATSY
No offense or anything, but Americans aren't very goodat doing remake for TV.
Please don't touch and ruin at the greatest TV show on earth.
Nothing can be remplace the Original, it is simply perfect the way it is!!
There is Only One Edina and ONE Patsy, so why change it.
"Chain Smoking, Pill Popping, Drunken Insanity. Sign me up , Darling"- Edina
AbFab: sin is in, sweetie
Sacrilege!!
How can this be a bad thing?
We already have the original (in our memory and/or as treasured DVD’s).
What we don’t have is an US-produced sitcom with two female leads
How can this be worse than any other pilot/new series?
/Corky
Nothing could ever ruin the original AbFab
no no no no no no....
Plz.
stop no just
NO
NOOOOOOOOOOO!!! It was fine
NOOOOOOOOOOO!!! It was fine before. Leave it alone.
I have to wonder why American companies keep importing shows from other countries only to completely remake them. Why don't they simply market the original versions to American audiences instead? I'm sure the crazy English/Australian accents will be understood. I mean, can you imagine if they'd done that to Monty Python's Flying Circus back in the '70's? Just Americanised it.
I mean, they did an American version of The Sketch Show...ALL THE SKETCHES WERE THE SAME!!! They didn't change anything from the orignal British version but the cast. Why even bother? Why not just screen the old one? This is like the Chewbacca theory; "It doesn't make sense!"
NOoooooo!!!! bad news
NOoooooo!!!! bad news man!
why why why?!!!!!!
Just like The Office!
plus part of the charm and the jokes were based on the brit accent, intonation and the stares... no one can do these things like Saunders and Lumley did it!
NOOOOOOOOO!
your family, your family, your family! - French and Saunders -
Yes but
who would play Edina's Mother?
Hmm? Hmm?
Oh god
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-Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but some abuse the privilege.
I blog, therefore, I am
pls no
This show is funny partly
This show is funny partly because of the non-stop references to sex, boooze, drugs, swearing and fags. In a country where smoking on TV is seen as outrageous, how the heck is this going to work? How can you make that work? Without that, there is indeed very little to laugh at in the show, hence the US version won't work.
Example:
Patsy: [running into the kitchen holding four cigarettes] LIGHT! LIGHT! LIGHT!
Eddie: Oh no Pats, not another no-smoking cab. They must see you coming these days.
Patsy: Bloody bastard asthmatic cab driver!
Oh boy...