Did anybody else watch Ab Fab Xmas Special and think it was disappointing crap?

[RaPaPaPumPumBootyMum]

I just expected so much more.

The jokes were lame and the laugh track inappropriate.

I mean the characters would just stand there doing something banal like smoking a cigarette and the canned audience would laugh hysterically

I ended up switching off about half way through, I think it was when the ditzy PA was doing some manic schtick which was meant to be highly amusing. Well the audience seemed to think so anyway!

Did anyone else see it and what did you think?

Ab Fab is a live show "cos DH saw one of the old eps. the laughter IS live folks!!! IMO it was okay I reckon julia S. has had a little botox help, we all get older FFS!!

i loved Bubble's 'doing' Pippa's walk up the aisle BTW that was probaby why they put Sawalha in prison for 2 years so they could describe what has happened; the funniest bit IMO.

I liked yesterday's NYD's episode better did anyone see it?

Ref. the 'canned' laughter I reckon the audience is VERY well warmed up (alcohically probably)

ABFAB did one good series at its birth. Every episode after that was a self-congratulating overworking of the initial themes and characters. I was too embarrassed in advance to even think about watching the latest episodes.

Are you sure that isn't canned laughter - the first 5 minutes in the detox scene is just MANIC laughter at nothing.

It totally put me off - I had to switch off!

Agree the first ever series was good.

It was rubbish. The only part that made me laugh was Eddie trying to speak Danish Killing stylee .

Awful.

Yes, I though last night's was loads better and we laughed out loud a lot.

But Emma Bunton and Lulu - they really can't act, can they? It's a shame, because at least they were up for a laugh.

Wish I'd watched it AFTER Eastenders instead of before but too late now.

Bubbles is excruciating in the second one, worse than the first; but I thought the mad French woman was funny. I agree that the laughter was very OTT in the first few bits, especially in the salon, it seemed to be misplaced, suggesting canned laughter.

Shame, it was one of my favourite programmes in its time.

I found last night's quite funny, but I was never into AbFab in a big way so not comparing it to how it used to be. I d laugh out loud at Bubbles singing and Jennifer Saunders (Eddie?) having to cough up. I loved Patsy, Joanna Lumley imo is a great actress anyway.

Agree that the laughter in the detox scene seemed completely over the top - the audience would have to have been drugged to find that as funny as they did. Very odd.

No idea what the point of the magazine scene was - or the interns for that matter.

Yes, I agree, why did they have to be in it? The work colleagues were the reason I went off it last time. Who was the actress who played the French actress? I can't stand lulu.

Yes, it was truly awful.

lindesay duncan

She was also in the Charlie Brooker C4 programme Black Mirror just before Xmas.

It was a bizarre way to pay homage to the fact Jane Horrocks is an incredible vocal mimic (Little Voice).

But at least they DID pay homage to Horrock's skills which are usually underused in AbFab.

Weren't they making a satirical point about the UNPAID interns doing all the work at the magazine (which is true BTW) also the 2 awful women screaming 'what credit crunch?' The point being the stupid rich people will always be with us.

katkitya I agree about Lulu why does she think it's great to look like a 16 year old when she's over 60 and think no one notices?

This used to be my favourite series and I couldn't WAIT for the next episode to come round! Unfortunately series followed series and it became duller and duller. Xmas one was boring and won't bother with the other specials. Sorry Jen!

I bet lulu is horrible in rl. She's the same age as my mother and look wise my mum is better looking, with all her lines. June Whitfielf looks fantastic for her age. It had its day years ago. I won't be watching the next one. Although we should be glad the annoying American couple weren't in it.

Am sad to agree it wasnt good,but i must remain loyal to Patsy and Eddy for all the laughter they have given me over the years.I was still glad to see it back tho.