Absolutely Fabulous

[ChickenLickn]

Is absolutely fabulous the best feminist TV show?

The main characters all women, it certainly passes the bechdel test.

Is comedy more feminist than other genres? we have many strong female characters and shows.

I loved AbFab back in the day, but I wonder about it now - you could argue that it is a mockery of unconventional lifestyles, of uppity women who think they can have it all. If you look at it that way Saffy is the voice of the establishment.

It's that the very few successful female comedians around put out some good stuff

Jennifer saunders is ace

I don't know if abfab is feminist but it's bloody funny.

yes, I impress daily on dd the importance of following Patsy as a role model...

Its quite satirical on cosmetic surgery and fashion

"Inside me there is a thin woman struggling to get out!"
"Just the one, dear?"

Yes... probably not feminist... but, as you say, bloody funny.

June Whitfield is a goddess.

yes, Saffy is the voice of the establishment - and she spends most of her time, each episode, being made to look fuddy-duddy, ridiculous, and dull.

Saffy's a caricature, but she does remind me of a genuine issue that the children of ultra-liberal parents have. Whats left to rebel against?

It is one of those rare beasts that has a near all-female cast that men openly and happily watch.

I think it is not so much that Saffy is the voice of the establishment but that she is the only person behaving like an adult and finds herself marooned on the self righteous higher ground.

I agree, saffron and somewherewest - normally it's the teen doing the sex, drugs, rock'n'roll and irresponsible behaviour with interesting dress style - but her mum's donig that already so she has to do the opposite to be different!

I had a friend whose mum was the untidiest person - my friend was consequently the tidiest of teenagers!

Not sure it qualifies as a good feminist show though - but still one of my all time favourites!

I always thought that Saffy and Gran were portrayed in a sympathetic light, and Edina and Patsy were caricatures. Do I get the prize for over thinking things

I'm looking forward to the new AbFab coming out.

"Bastard asthmatic cabdriver!"

I thought it was a joke about role reversal - with eddy taking the role of godawful teen with her wild best mate leading her astray - while saffy is the grown up.

I always felt terribly sorry for saffy.

I see it as challenging gender roles;

Patsy is 'the beautiful model', but shes also a raging foulmouthed alcoholic.

Edina is 'the mother' but that doesnt mean apple pie and domesticity. She runs her own business and is economically independent.

Saffy is the teenage daughter but that doesnt mean boys/makeup/looking 'hot'.
etc.

None are subordinate to men. Womens reproductive rights are the norm.

The men in the show are peripheral characters - there is no patriarchy here.

(Shows often have a 'token woman' who is pretty, nice, motherly, who's main role is as the love interest. so it appeals to my rebellious streak)

Yes we are laughing, but its about mother-daughter relationships, how fashion doesnt always make you look great, about mad stuff with your best mate... its all about womens lives.

Edina is dependent on her ex husbands for money I thought, and runs her business pretty much as a hobby.

I think?

My favourite line of the whole series was when Saffy turned to her mother and said furiously "Having a massage does not make you a better person!"

I often think this as I head off to have one myself.

They are all very different people with different values, but they still love each other. That is important.

I think there are feminist moments, like when Eddie thumps that awful boyfriend who attaches himself to Saffy.

@ChickenLickn

Is absolutely fabulous the best feminist TV show?

The main characters all women, it certainly passes the bechdel test.

Is comedy more feminist than other genres? we have many strong female characters and shows.

Surprised to see this endorsed here given Patsy was a trans woman!

Pasty was a trans man for one year in the 60s before it ‘fell off’.

Do keep up, dear.

Also why wouldn’t ‘we’ endorse something that included a trans person?

When Saffy gives birth in her bedroom it's Edina that ends up catching the baby, and with genuine delight says to her daughter, "It's a girl, darling, it's one of us!" and kisses her. It's a lovely mother/daughter moment despite everything else between them!

And yes, June Whitfield was incredible with the little one-liners

I once heard Julie Walters say of Victoria Wood that the great thing about her was her generosity with her material; she didn't keep all the big laughs for herself/her character but made sure the whole ensemble got to be funny. Ab Fab seems very similar. I wonder if male comedians are more likely to see themselves as the star and hog the limelight more? Generalisation maybe but it's interesting.

Pasty was a trans man for one year in the 60s before it ‘fell off’.

I don't think I knew that.

I'm looking forward to the new AbFab coming out.

Got all excited then I saw the date.

Totally OP.

Rewatched some recently.

Everything about it is bang on, and 3 women.

And so so funny so those things went often unnoticed. She got away with nobody at the time saying wtf women everywhere watm etc etc. Amazing.