'Ab Fab' Remake Gets Green Light at FOX

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Jennifer Saunders would be exec producer. This could be good...

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The quest to make an American version of "Absolutely Fabulous," which has been going on for more than a decade, will continue at FOX.

The network has handed out a pilot order for a remake of the classic Britcom, with series co-creator/star Jennifer Saunders involved as an executive producer. It headlines the latest list of pilot pickups, which also include a mystery called "Happy Town" at ABC and a medical drama called "Trauma" at NBC, the showbiz trade papers report.

"Ab Fab," the tale of two besotted best friends (Saunders and Joanna Lumley) debuted on the BBC in 1992 and aired on and off through 2004. It also gained a cult following in this country through airings on Comedy Central, PBS and BBC America. Its popularity led to several stabs at Americanized versions of the show, notably a mid-'90s project produced by Roseanne Barr that was to star Carrie Fisher.

Neither that project, nor any other remake, ever made it as far as filming a pilot, although the show did seem to be a pretty clear inspiration for series like "Cybill" and CBS' short-lived "High Society."

The new version is being written by Christine Zander, whose credits include "3rd Rock from the Sun" and "Saturday Night Live." Zander will also exec produce, along with Saunders, Ian Moffitt, Mitch Hurwitz ("Arrested Development") and Kim and Eric Tannenbaum ("Two and a Half Men").

http://www.zap2it.com/tv/news/zap-foxordersabsolutelyfabulouspilot,0,4090355.story

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. I can't see it working as an American show, or with different actresses.

[Orsino]

17. I could see it translating well.

Shallow, trendy, fashion-obsessed people are alike everywhere. ;)

As with any remake of a classic, it risks falling short and stinking twice as much thereby. And it'll be Fox, so I won't watch it.

[bif]

2. What a stupid idea

The original was great, mainly because of the lead actresses.

[Oeditpus Rex]

3. With Jennifer Aniston and Julia Louis-Dreyfus, right?

And the Olsen Twins as Saffy.

[madrchsod]

4. replace the girls with who?

sounds like a disaster.

[MrCoffee]

5. Not just no, but "Oh hell no fucking way!"

[Reverend_Smitty]

6. yuck!

some things just shouldn't be re-done

[Oeditpus Rex]

7. Did you know that in Hollyweird

you can be shot just for saying that?

[Reverend_Smitty]

8. good thing I live far, far away

[MorningGlow]

9. Oh no...please no...

It can't be done, especially not at Fox. They meddle too much. Just say no to American appropriation of Britcoms! For every Office, there are 10 Kath and Kims... :scared:

[blondeatlast]

10. No. No. No.

Please no.

[flvegan]

11. We DO know how to fuck up good Brit television.

[Deja Q]

12. An episode in the 9th season of "Roseanne" was Ab-Fab themed.

It did not work.

Saunders had some involvement in that episode, along with being in it.

That's not the proposed version Roseanne wanted to do with... Carrie Fisher?!

At least it's on FOX...

[bigwillq]

37. I thought that episode was great.

I loved the final season of Roseanne and I loved how it ended.

Roseanne is my all-time fave show.

[LisaM]

13. We have tons of British remakes, including "The Office"

American Idol, Trading Spaces, etc., etc. In fact, "Three's Company" was the remake of some British show, and so was "Sanford and Son". It can definitely be done with the right actresses (Christine Baranski would be a natural, or Wendie Malick).

[whistler162]

14. Probably make the Joanna Lumley character....

a Vegan Non Smoker Exercise nut!

[racaulk]

15. This has ***disaster*** written all over it, just like the American version of "Coupling."

I think this show and its style work well with the British sense of humor, but I can't see this working with American actors. I really, really don't see how this is going to be any good, and I say this as a big fan of the original show.

[Patsy Stone]

16. Baaaaaad idea

Bad, bad idea.

[supernova]

18. No. Just no!

*face palm*


Some things are better left in the original. AbFab is one of them.

I really can't see an American version being any good.

[LisaM]

19. I support this remake!

There aren't enough episodes of AbFab and I don't think Eddie and Pats are coming back, so something needs to be done!

[martymar64]

20. Who would play Bubble?

She is such a bizarre person . . . . yet oddly compelling.
Casting this would be tough, you'd need the right ensemble.

Hmm, let me think . . .
I'd consider Christine Baransky to play the Patsy role. I think she'd do it well. It'd give her a chance to cut loose.

Eddie would have to be played by somebody capable of really broad slapstick, with all the falling down and outbursts. Any suggestions?
I'm going to take a chance and cast Laurie Metcalf. I remember her doing great slapstick in Uncle Buck. She's about the right age too.

Maybe Betty White as Gran. She's one of my favorite characters in AbFab, she always says something right to the point.

Amy Poehler might make a good American version of Bubble

Saffie could be cast from some young up and comer. Saffie is kind of the Zeppo of the ensemble. You could practicly put aqnyone in that part.

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21. I think Kristen Johnson might fit in there somewhere. Maybe as Edie?

With dark hair, of course.

[martymar64]

22. Ya know, she would be an awesome Patsy. Great suggestion!

I think she could really pull it off.
I still like Laurie Metcalf as Eddie or maybe even Kathy Najimy. Jan Hooks could do something with it too .
Decisions, decisions . . . .

[targetpractice]

25. Kirsten Johnson is a contender for Edina according to Variety...

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117999116.html?categoryid=14&cs=1&nid=256

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27. Wow. I'm on the wrong coast!

thx for the link

[targetpractice]

28. Hah! I love Kristen Johnson...

Years ago I saw Kristen interviewed on Rosie O'Donnell's show... I was surprised that she wasn't allowed to watch TV growing up... She never saw I Love Lucy, Mary Tyler Moore, Bewitched, etc., etc... She's just a natural comic actress.

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29. You're kidding?!

I loved her in 3rd Rock. That's really all I know of her.

I can't believe she's never seen I Love Lucy or Bewitched.

She is a natural.

And, hopefullly this doesn't offend, but she's one hot lady as well.

You know, a lot of people in this thread are down on the idea of a remake. But I think it could work. And if she's involved, that just makes the chances better.

I'm actually excited about this new series!


Watching Lost now, back later.

[targetpractice]

31. My opinion of remakes changed...

I was really opposed to remaking Battlestar Galactica (a childhood fave) when I read about some of Ron Moore's planned changes. However, the new Battlestar Galactica is far better than the original and is one of the best TV dramas of all time (IMHO).

That said, I can't imagine improving upon Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley. But if KJ is is in it... I'll give it a shot.

[Bucky]

23. This would probably work as an American show if they slightly changed the format, like...

Instead of being lushes, you could make them into these buddy cops who work under cover as airline attendants or maybe strippers. Also, less with the talking all the time and maybe throw in the occasional car chase or... no, wait... the occasional speedboat race... and give them a wacky streetwise side kick named "Rock-o" who's also a wiz with computers so he can help them solve their cases.

Yeh, Ab Fab could totally work on American television that way. Just make sure the stars aren't fucking dinosaurs like on the British version.

[supernova]

30. "dinosaurs"

You obviously missed the whole point of the show and the one that gives Ab Fab its Pathos.

[Bucky]

32. So you agree that the rest of my "revisioning" of Ab Fab would be an improvement?

Really?

[supernova]

33. No, I don't

You're talking about a completely different show.... a kind of WWE meets Miami Vice, or something. :P It sounds bloody awful.

You missed the point of Ab Fab and you missed the point of my post. Leave Ab Fab alone. They are PERFECT the way they are!

[Bucky]

38. okay, what about this...

You keep the two "old" ladies (just don't cast any over-35 fossils---I mean, shit, people gotta look at 'em, after all) only it's more like Mary and Rhoda, but with kids. I'm thinking three cute kids, aged 7-12 so that they still can hang onto the cute factor a few years in case the show goes into multiple seasons. Anyway, the focus would be on the kids who get into all sorts of crazy antics, except underneath it all, they're really good kids who just like to say precocious things. Then the moms can explain the moral of story at the end of each episode.

Also, you gotta expand the demographic, so throw in a zany neighbor character: I'm thinkin' a wacky streetwise dude named "Rock-o" who's also a wiz with computers so he can help the kids do their homework.

[valerief]

36. As long as they're kind to children, too. nt

[Bucky]

39. See, now you're thinkin'! Maybe in the US version they own a pet store or something

You can't go wrong with scenes involving the "Ab Fab" gals cuddling little puppies. Audiences will eat it up!

[valerief]

40. And a lovable, curmudgeony Gramps to go with the lovable Grammy.

And maybe a neighbor who's a witch, too.

God, I hate American teevee.

[KitchenWitch]

24. Why does Fox seem to want to fuck up every good British thing that comes along

[Missy Vixen]

26. FOX didn't even have the balls to keep "Action" on the air

There's no way in hell they could deal with Patsy, Edina, and the firestorm of controversy that would follow any attempt to put "Ab Fab" on the air in the USA.

If you were an "Action" fan, you'll know exactly what I'm talking about. "Action" was one of the funniest shows I've ever seen. I've always been sad that HBO or Showtime didn't pick it up.

[Bucky]

34. I never heard of "Action" before now. they have full episodes on IMBD

http://www.imdb.com/video/hulu/vi1387070233/

I'm watching an episode right now. I'm thinking maybe the show got canceled cause it's a little bit boring.

[valerief]

35. If they animate it, they can get away with a lot here in Jesusland. Just look at Family Guy.