Lananeeneenoonoo

French and Saunders

Company type	Television program
Industry	Entertainment, Comedy
Founded	1987 (1987)
Founder	Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders
Defunct	2017 (2017)
Headquarters	United Kingdom
Area served	United Kingdom
Products	Sketch comedy television series

French and Saunders is a British sketch comedy television program created by the comedic duo Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders, who also star in the series. It first premiered on BBC2 from 1987 until 1993, before moving to BBC One, where it continued until 2017. Renowned for its comparatively high production values within the BBC, the series specialized in intricate parodies and satirical takes on popular culture, cinema, celebrities, and the arts. While French and Saunders maintained occasional holiday specials for the BBC, both also developed successful solo careers.

In a 2005 survey conducted among comedians and industry professionals, the pair were ranked among the top 50 comedy acts of all time. Their last special, titled French and Saunders Christmas Celebrity Special, was broadcast on 27 December 2005 on BBC One. The following year, they declared the end of their sketch show to concentrate on projects more suited to their age. Their final collaborative tour, Still Alive, ran through late 2008 and resumed during the Australian summer of 2009. In recognition of their contributions, they were awarded the esteemed BAFTA Fellowship in 2009.

Origins (1978–1987)

Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders first crossed paths in 1978 while studying drama at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. Their partnership began shortly thereafter, focusing on comedy ventures. They rose to prominence in the early 1980s through performances at London's alternative comedy hotspot, The Comedy Store, which also inspired the television series The Comic Strip Presents.... Both comedians appeared in approximately thirty episodes each and contributed significantly as writers.

Carving out a niche within the "underground comedy" circuit, they collaborated with numerous actors and comedians over a span of two decades. In 1983, they featured in an installment of Channel 4's The Entertainers and provided comic relief on The Tube, where French notably became the first person to utter "blowjob" on British television. By 1985, they co-created and starred in Girls on Top alongside Ruby Wax and Tracey Ullman; this series ran for two seasons. In 1986, French and Saunders made their debut appearances on Comic Relief and secured a long-term contract with the BBC.

French and Saunders (1987–2007)

The duo launched their self-titled sketch show in 1987, which ran for six series plus nine specials until 2005, with compilations continuing to air through 2017. Originally conceived as a modest-budget variety program featuring elaborate but frequently unsuccessful stunts, its inaugural series included musical performances by Raw Sex (Simon Brint and Rowland Rivron) as well as dancers known as The Hot Hoofers to fulfill BBC Light Entertainment guidelines.

By its second series in 1988, the program abandoned its initial "show-within-a-show" format. With growing popularity, the BBC shifted it from BBC2 to BBC1 in 1994, enabling increased budgets that supported more sophisticated parodies targeting mainstream culture. These parodies encompassed cinematic recreations such as Thelma & Louise, Misery, Titanic, and What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, along with spoofs of notable music stars including Madonna, Bananarama, ABBA, and The Corrs. Recurring comedic motifs—such as their struggles with accents demonstrated memorably in their Gone with the Wind parody—became audience favorites.

The show frequently employed meta-humor by leveraging viewers’ familiarity with its content to extend jokes beyond simple parody. For instance, their spoof of Lord of the Rings includes a self-referential dialogue addressing a confusing line from the original text. Recurring characters featured exaggerated extras prone to overacting as well as caricatures like bald, lecherous old men.

The sixth and concluding series aired in 2004, revisiting metafictional elements by satirizing their own writing process. This installment included Liza Tarbuck portraying an invented producer role and Maggie Steed as their agent named Mo. The series wrapped up with a Christmas special in 2005, followed by a compilation titled A Bucket o' French and Saunders released in 2007.

In 2008, after performing a sketch with singer Anastacia, which left Dawn French feeling "humiliated" due to limited control over how she was comedically depicted, they decided to retire the show permanently.

Developments after the show (2007–present)

During Christmas 2010, French and Saunders appeared in a trio of two-hour radio broadcasts on BBC Radio 2, which was followed by special episodes aired during Easter and Bank Holidays in 2011.

In 2020, they introduced the podcast French & Saunders: Titting About on Audible, featuring informal and nostalgic dialogues on a variety of subjects. Subsequent Series 2 and 3 were released in 2021 and 2022 respectively, with Series 4 debuting in 2023.

Gold commissioned a unique special called French and Saunders: Funny Women in 2021, filmed on the original sketch show's set. This program celebrated the achievements of women in comedy and was broadcast on Gold on 17 July.

Cast

The series featured French and Saunders alongside a consistent ensemble chosen for their comedic skill and collaborative spirit.

Raw Sex continued as regular performers through the first four series despite a decline in musical segments. Betty Marsden portrayed Madame, the choreographer, during the initial series. Kirsty MacColl appeared as a singer in both the second and third series, occasionally joining Raw Sex for performances.

Mel and Sue worked as assistant writers and appeared in four episodes of the fifth series. The sixth series reverted to the original show-within-a-show concept, introducing Liza Tarbuck as the fictional program's producer and Lorna Brown as her personal assistant.

Numerous guest stars joined the show, including Joanna Lumley, Julia Sawalha, and June Whitfield—Saunders' co-stars from Absolutely Fabulous—who appeared prior to that show's launch. Additionally, spouses Lenny Henry and Adrian Edmondson made appearances, along with producer Jon Plowman’s occasional cameos. Recurring actors from Absolutely Fabulous, such as Patrick Barlow, Harriet Thorpe, Helen Lederer, and Kathy Burke also featured regularly. French's co-star from The Vicar of Dibley, Gary Waldhorn, as well as regulars from Jam & Jerusalem including Maggie Steed, Rosie Cavaliero, and Pauline McLynn were also part of the cast.

Regular

Actor	Role(s)	Series 1	Series 2	Series 3	Series 4	Series 5	Series 6
Dawn French	Herself / Various Roles	colspan="6" Regular
Jennifer Saunders	Herself / Various Roles	colspan="6" Regular
Simon Brint	Ken Bishop / Various Characters	colspan="4" Regular	colspan="2" None
Rowland Rivron	Duane Bishop / Various Characters	colspan="4" Regular	colspan="2" None
Betty Marsden	Madame	Regular	colspan="5" None
Kirsty MacColl	Herself	None	Guest Appearance	Regular	colspan="3" None
Lorna Brown	Abba	colspan="5" None	Regular
Liza Tarbuck	Liza	colspan="5" None	Regular

Recurring

• Kevin Allen (8 episodes, 1990–1996)
• Patrick Barlow (8 episodes, 1990–2003)
• Kathy Burke (7 episodes, 1988–1999)
• Sean Chapman (3 episodes, 1994–2002)
• Sidney Cole (4 episodes, 1993–1995)
• Brenda Cowling (5 episodes, 2004)
• Adrian Edmondson (4 episodes, 1988–2017)
• Eileen Essell (4 episodes, 2004)
• Mel Giedroyc (4 episodes, 1996)
• Lenny Henry (4 episodes, 1988–1996)
• Lulu (3 episodes, 1988–2017)
• Patsy Kensit (3 episodes, 1996)
• Kate Moss (4 episodes, 1996)
• Sue Perkins (4 episodes, 1996)
• Maggie Steed (3 episodes, 1998–2004)
• Harriet Thorpe (8 episodes, 1987–2003)
• Ian Tough (3 episodes, 1993–1996)
• Janette Tough (5 episodes, 1993–2005)
• Tim Wylton (4 episodes, 1993–2004)
• Jon Plowman (3 episodes, 2003–2017) (uncredited)
• Keturah Sorrell (5 episodes, 1987) (uncredited)

Episodes

French and Saunders first aired on BBC2 on 9 March 1987, launching with a six-episode debut season. The show's impressive viewership secured a follow-up series in March 1988, accompanied by a Christmas special that same year. Seasons three through five, each consisting of seven episodes, were broadcast between 1990 and 1996. These installments emphasized parodies of films and music while also featuring original sketches such as "Modern Mother and Daughter," which later inspired Saunders' 1992 sitcom Absolutely Fabulous. Memorable movie spoofs included What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, The Exorcist, Misery, The Silence of the Lambs, Thelma & Louise, Pulp Fiction, and Braveheart. Another Christmas special was presented in 1994.

During the late 1990s and early 2000s, the series primarily focused on holiday specials. In 1998, a parody titled "Making of Titanic" humorously lampooned James Cameron's hit film, featuring Dawn French as Jack and Jennifer Saunders as Rose. Between 1999 and 2003, five additional specials satirized movies including Star Wars: Episode I, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, and Love Actually. The show’s sixth and final season aired in 2004, followed by a concluding Christmas special in 2005. Across its run from 1987 to 2005, forty-eight original episodes were produced.

Compilation specials began in 1995 with "French and Saunders Go To the Movies," which highlighted their most popular film parodies. In 2005, two-part specials titled "I Can't Believe it's Music" and "I Can't Believe it's Not Music" showcased classic music parodies covering artists such as Alanis Morissette, ABBA, The Corrs, Guns N' Roses, and Björk. The program's 20th anniversary in 2007 was celebrated with "A Bucket o' French and Saunders," combining new content with archival footage; however, due to lower-than-expected ratings, the series was shortened from seven to six episodes. Another compilation aired on 25 December 2017 for the show's 30th anniversary, primarily featuring classic clips alongside fresh spoofs of programs like Gogglebox and Keeping Up with the Kardashians.

Live shows

French and Saunders performed live tours sporadically, staging UK tours in both 1990 and 2000. Their final tour commenced at Blackpool Opera House on 29 February 2008 and concluded in London on 9 November after touring the UK and extending to Australia. This production combined beloved sketches with new material, directed by Hamish McColl. Set design was managed by Lez Brotherstone, while lighting, video, and visual effects were created by Willie Williams.

• Live 1990
• Live in 2000
• French and Saunders: Still Alive! The Farewell Tour

Recurring sketches and characters

• Sharon and Karen (1987–1988): Mischievous schoolgirls known for shouting "Miss!" whenever chaos ensues.
• The Extras (1987–2003): Overdramatic background actors who exasperate both directors and lead performers.
• Jim and Jim (1987–1993): Dubbed "The Fat Men," these characters consider themselves irresistible to women but often behave inappropriately.
• Teen Talkers (1987–1988): Loquacious teenagers engaging in conversations about subjects like contraception.
• White Room (1988–2005): A minimalist setting where Dawn and Jennifer interact, frequently impersonating celebrities or transitioning into other sketches.
• History of Dance (1988–1996): Humorous attempts at various dance styles that invariably end in failure.
• Jackie and Leanne (1988–1996): Dramatic women fixated on planning events far into the future.
• Pear Tree Farm (1988–2005): A farm whose proprietor repeatedly alters its business focus, aided by an employee who unintentionally reveals concealed facts.
• Star Test (1990): A spoof interview program parodying celebrity guests.
• The Expert (1990–2000): A talk show host introduces Dawn as an “expert,” despite her consistent lack of knowledge on the subject matter.
• The Fat Women (1990–1998): Residents of a country house who dismiss injuries casually while insulting unwelcome visitors.
• The Sound of Music (1993): Hosts Ken and Duane discuss music history before leading into video parodies.
• Madonna (1993–2005): Frequently referenced and occasionally parodied across various sketches.
• The Stylists (1996–2004): Flamboyant wardrobe stylist Daniel and makeup artist Terry assist celebrities or Old Masters with their distinctive styles.
• Olde Elizabethan Shakespearean Times (1996): Two unhygienic Elizabethan women embracing a backward peasant lifestyle.
• Junior and Emma (1996–1999): Public school girls stranded at school during holidays.
• Special Effects Specialists (1998–2004): Prop makers notorious for producing substandard props for major films such as Titanic, The Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, and Troy.
• Catherine Zeta-Jones (2003–2004): A comedic character blending Welsh heritage with Hollywood glamour.
• Jodie & Jordan Solve Your Problems (2004): Highly sexualized cam girls providing blunt advice to viewers.
• Mother and Daughter: Frequent petty disputes between daughter (French) and mother (Saunders).

Lananeeneenoonoo

Lananeeneenoonoo was a British comedic all-female trio consisting of Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders, and Kathy Burke. This ensemble spoofed the well-known group Bananarama and made their first appearance on the 1988 Christmas special episode of French & Saunders, featuring Burke as a guest performer.

In 1989, the trio teamed up with Bananarama to record the charity single "Help!" for Comic Relief. Issued by London Records, this Beatles cover climbed to No. 3 on the UK Singles Chart and stayed on the charts for nine consecutive weeks.

The Sugar Lumps

In 1997, French, Saunders, and Burke re-emerged as the Sugar Lumps, this time joined by Llewella Gideon and Lulu, in a parody of the Spice Girls. They performed a rendition of Who Do You Think You Are for Comic Relief.

Side projects and additional roles

Saunders achieved global fame through her creation and portrayal of Edina Monsoon in Absolutely Fabulous, a series inspired by a French and Saunders sketch. She appeared as a guest star on American sitcoms such as Roseanne and Friends, lent her voice to the Fairy Godmother in DreamWorks' Shrek 2, and wrote and starred in BBC sitcoms including Jam and Jerusalem and The Life and Times of Vivienne Vyle. Additionally, Saunders served as a brand ambassador for Barclays Bank and BBC America.

French gained recognition playing Geraldine Granger in the acclaimed sitcom The Vicar of Dibley. Her acting credits also include appearances in Murder Most Horrid and films like Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. She featured in BBC productions such as Jam and Jerusalem and Lark Rise to Candleford. French became widely known for her role in adverts for Terry's Chocolate Orange, popularizing the catchphrase "It's not Terry's, it's mine!", as well as voicing commercials for W H Smith and Tesco. In 2009, she released her memoir titled Dear Fatty, which references Saunders. More recently, in 2021, French appeared in an M&S Christmas commercial alongside their mascot Percy Pig.

Projects featuring French and Saunders

• The Comic Strip Presents (1982–2012)
• The Young Ones (1982–1984) (episodes "Interesting" and "Time")
• Happy Families (1985)
• Girls on Top (1985–1986)
• Let Them Eat Cake (1999)
• Jam & Jerusalem (2006–2009)
• Coraline (2009)
• Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie (2016)
• Death on the Nile (2022)

Projects featuring French

• Murder Most Horrid (1991–1999)
• The Vicar of Dibley (1994–2007)
• Wild West (2002–2004)
• Lark Rise to Candleford (2008–2011)
• Psychoville (2009–2011)
• Roger and Val Have Just Got In (2010–2012)
• The Wrong Mans (2013–2014)
• The Trouble with Maggie Cole (2020)

Appearances Featuring Saunders

• Absolutely Fabulous (1992–2012)
• Mirrorball (2000)
• The Life and Times of Vivienne Vyle (2007)
• Dead Boss (2012)
• Blandings (2013–2014)

Video Releases in the UK

• French and Saunders: The Video (Best of Series 1 & 2) (1990)
• French and Saunders Live (4 Front Video) (1991)
• French and Saunders: Series 3 (1993)
• French and Saunders at the Movies (Best of Series 4) (1994)

DVD Releases in the UK

• French and Saunders Live (Universal) (2001)
• The Best of French and Saunders / Gentlemen Prefer French and Saunders (2002)
• French and Saunders at the Movies, including the 1999 Christmas Special (2005)
• French and Saunders: Complete Series 1–6 (2008)
• French and Saunders: Still Alive (2008)

Video Releases in the USA

• French and Saunders at the Movies (1997)
• Gentlemen Prefer French and Saunders (1997)
• French and Saunders: Ingenue Years (1998)
• French and Saunders: Living in a Material World (1998)

DVD Releases in the USA

• Gentlemen Prefer French and Saunders (2002)
• French and Saunders at the Movies (2002)
• French and Saunders: The Ingenue Years (2003)
• French and Saunders: Living in a Material World (2003)
• French and Saunders on the Rocks (2005)
• French and Saunders: Back with a Vengeance (2005)

Video Releases in Australia

• French and Saunders: Series 3 – Complete and Un-edited(ish) – Part One" (1993)
• French and Saunders: The Best of Series 4" (1994)
• French and Saunders: Series 3 – Complete and Un-edited(ish) – Part Two" (1996)
• French and Saunders: Live" (2002)

DVD Releases in Australia

• French and Saunders: Live (2003)
• French and Saunders at the Movies, featuring the 1999 Christmas Special (2005)
• The Best of French and Saunders (2005)
• French and Saunders: Complete Series 1–6 (2008)
• French and Saunders: Still Alive – The Farewell Tour (2008)
• French And Saunders: Series One Episodes 1–3 (Comedy Bites) (2010)
• Dawn French Bundle (2011)

Broadcast Networks Worldwide

Country	Television Network(s)
Australia	ABC for initial broadcasts, UK.TV/The Comedy Channel for reruns, 9Gem
Canada	BBCK on BBC Kids
France	Arte for premieres, Pink TV (France) for repeats
Germany	EinsFestival, Arte
New Zealand	UK.TV
Portugal	RTP2 for first runs, BBC Prime/BBC Entertainment for reruns
Singapore	BBC Entertainment
Thailand	BBC Entertainment
United States	BBC America

External links

• French and Saunders at British Film Institute Screen Online
• French and Saunders at BBC Comedy
• French and Saunders honored with the BAFTA Fellowship