Absolutely Fabulous: 20th Anniversary Specials

The television team of Jennifer Saunders ("Edwina Monsoon") and Joanna Lumley ("Patsy Stone") has rightfully claimed a top spot with their comedy chops by creating so many memorable and hilariously funny moments of laughter and lunacy. The "Absolutely Fabulous: 20th Anniversary Specials" bring back the show's creatively absurd and spot-on combo of comedic escapades as well as reunite a large majority of the ensemble cast. It's time to raise a "bit of the bubbly" to the self-absorbed and brain-addled "Patsy and Eddy" as they celebrate the release of three newly-filmed episodes.

"Identity" kicks the madness off. It seems Eddy's daughter "Saffron" (Julia Sawalha) is returning home from prison. Don't ask. As Saffron settles in, she realizes that "absolutely" nothing has changed on the home front. So, she decides to have one of her former prison-gal pals come for a visit to stir things up a bit. This is a big mistake as it seems this hardened former drug dealer recognizes Patsy. Whatever for? You may ask? "It's quite shocking," courtesy of Patsy and involves long overdue money owed on an extensive amount of drugs. Let the panicked problem-solving begin.

"Job" finds Eddy still trying to find her sense of self or as Saffron nails it, "useless agenda." At home, Eddy does everything but work even though her wacky assistant, Bubble (Jane Horrocks) is still at her beck and call. In a definitive "slap to the face" moment, Saffron verbally cuts her mother to the quick, thus leading Eddie on a desperate journey to appease her daughter.

Patsy is surviving and still calling the shots for a major high-end fashion magazine. Beginning her workday with a line of cocaine, Patsy is reminded that she really doesn't have to work, until the intern arrives. This is job satisfaction, indeed. At lunch, Patsy and Eddy discover French star, Jeanne Durand dining. Durand happens to be one of Saffron's idols. Could this legendary film goddess be the ammunition necessary to get back in her daughter's good graces?

Closing the trio is "Olympics." Rather than get caught up in the pomp and ceremony of the London event, Patsy and Eddy are more concerned with hosting film star Michael Douglas, who is renting her home. Both are expecting to be invited to a slew of high-profile parties. In the skewed world of "Absolutely Fabulous" here is where the comic realities set in. Plans change abruptly and the two must force themselves to come to terms with being now... of a "certain age."

Joanna Lumley shares a brilliant bit of her "Ab Fab" advice. Preparing for a bonus-skit included on the "Absolutely Fabulous: 20th Anniversary Episodes," she remarks, "Always when you're being properly made-up by professionals, leave some make-up on then add it. Then during the day, add more. And then, just before midnight, add more." Cheers!

"Absolutely Fabulous: 20th Anniversary Episodes"
DVD
BBC Warner
$24.98