By Emily Ashby , based on child development research. How do we rate?
Bad behavior runs rampant in outrageous UK comedy.
Parents need to know that the main characters of this popular '90s British sitcom never met a drink, cigarette, or drug they didn't like. From double-fisting mixed drinks to popping unidentified pills like candy, these women personify addiction, and their perpetual drunken/stoned state lays the foundation for the most…
Eddy and Patsy are smoking, drinking, and/or using drugs in nearly every scene.
Frequent, unbleeped use of "hell," "ass," "bitch," and "s--t."
Products & PurchasesThe ladies are big fans of the finer things in life. Some products (mostly Briti
Sex, Romance & NudityPatsy is obsessed with sex, so there's lots of talk about it, as well as slang r
Violence & Scariness Not presentNo violence, but physical comedy often includes pratfalls.
Friendship is a major theme in the show, but other dysfunctional relationships a
Positive Role ModelsEddy and Patsy are best friends but lack emotion for family and/or other friends
Eddy and Patsy are smoking, drinking, and/or using drugs in nearly every scene. They wash down handfuls of unidentified pills with bottles of champagne and mixed drinks, they smoke like chimneys, and their perpetual drunken and/or stoned state is the main source of the show's humor.
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Patsy is obsessed with sex, so there's lots of talk about it, as well as slang references to body parts like "t-ts." Two main characters -- and a host of revolving players -- are homosexual, and there are plenty of quips at thier expense. Other sensitive topics like menstruation and menopause are treated with humor.
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Friendship is a major theme in the show, but other dysfunctional relationships and irresponsible behaviors are played up for laughs.
Eddy and Patsy are best friends but lack emotion for family and/or other friends. They are also unashamedly self-absorbed substance abusers who obsess over appearance. Saffron and a few more upstanding characters are often the brunt of jokes.
Parents need to know that the main characters of this popular '90s British sitcom never met a drink, cigarette, or drug they didn't like. From double-fisting mixed drinks to popping unidentified pills like candy, these women personify addiction, and their perpetual drunken/stoned state lays the foundation for the most of the show's laughs. Strong language is also fair game ("ass," "bitch," and "s--t" are common fare), as are sexual references and slang anatomical terms like "t-ts." The main characters are selfish, irresponsible, and judgmental toward strangers and family members alike. In other words, nothing about this show is age-appropriate for kids -- but adults and mature teens who can contextualize the ladies' bad behavior and grasp the humor in it will appreciate the series' racy comedy.
Absolutely Fabulous
Official trailer
Based on 1 parent review
January 16, 2019British sitcom ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS (or "Ab Fab," as it's often called) centers on the substance-ridden, self-absorbed existence of Eddy Monsoon (played by the show's writer, Jennifer Saunders) and her best pal, Patsy Stone (Joanna Lumley). The chums bond over their shared irresponsibility, fad obsession, and multiple addictions -- much to the dismay of Eddy's sensible daughter, Saffron (Julia Sawalha), who does her best to shake her maternal demons and lead an upstanding life. With the constant comings and goings of a variety of family and friends -- including Eddy's two ex-husbands, her wacky employee Bubble (Jane Horrocks), and her increasingly senile mother (June Whitfield) -- life is never dull (or sober, for that matter) in the Monsoon manor.
Britcom fans have long embraced the outrageous character comedy that makes Ab Fab, well, fabulous. Lumley and Saunders are so exceptional in their roles that their characters' staggering drunkenness, laziness, and general apathy almost pass as endearing qualities. The blatant character contradiction between Eddy and Saffron lays the foundation for the show's cast of over-the-top characters, each apparently existing to upstage the next with improbable eccentricity. Hilarious in jokes and off-the-wall observations on life from the two opinionated, amoral main characters top off this riotous show.
That said, the characters' excessive bad behavior ensures that it's not meant for tweens or impressionable teens. Precious little of the show's content could be construed realistic -- especially Eddy and Patsy's pampered, unfettered lives -- so there's nothing here for kids to relate to anyway. Plus, the show's comedic take on substance abuse obviously sends a poor message to youngsters, and the total dysfunction within the disjointed family unit isn't any better. Bottom line? Funny, yes, but not for kids.
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
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