4. "What do we think of this one, Pats?"
Last Shout Part 1
oh the ultimate comedy special. It's just SENSATIONAL. Difficult to really pick out bits because the story is so good it works so much better as a whole, but I particularly love the scene where Saffy's first proper boyfriend (the brilliant Tom Hollander, pre-Hollywood) comes to visit.
It's not just the endless run of gags, but it's the staging - it's like brilliant theatre at work. We get the usual mix of over-excited nonsense from Eddie and Patsy (Eddie's excited about their upcoming skiiing holiday, Patsy is feigning excitment for her job interview while dressing like a teenage prostitite) and Saffy's relentless putdowns and mockery aimed at the pair. However this time, the boyfriend adds a new dimension - Saffy is torn between the temptation of rising to her mother and Patsy in the usual back and forth, or focusing on her sexist, snobby boyfriend. The pacing is brilliant: Saffy wants the old pair to leave but Eddie continues to hog the limelight:
"I want to do something for the MILLENIUM commitee... the MILLENIUM... when IS that?"
Saffy can't help but get annoyed so she takes the bait, wading into Patsy:
"Come on let's face it, you're past it... sleeping with you must be akin to necrophilia!"
Which gave us the stunning moment of Patsy stabbing her in the neck with her cigarette
To which Eddie can only reply with the classic line,
"NEVER TURN YOUR BACK ON HER YOU SILLY GIRL!"
So, typical day at the Monsoon household up til now... until boyfriend steps in:
"Come on girls, can we stop this now please?"
You just know what's coming next.
"What do you think about this one, Pats?"
"Go away, he's too clever for you!"
"Too small - I suspect sex with him would be a rather LOCALISED experience..."
The pacing is just brilliant throughout. There's also tonnes of subtlety at work which is when I like Ab Fab the best - loads of subtext regarding the interaction between the characters. I love the fact that Eddie is so self-indulged she's not REALLY that interested in the boyfriend. Within seconds she's back to reality,
"remind me to tell you about Nancy Reagan's handlift on the way out!"
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if you want to watch the whole clip there are tonnes more gags to be found,
*eddie chanting*
"You still doing that Eddie?"
"Almost religiously, darling, yes."
Plus they can't stop talking about the boyfriend after they've left,
"She's not THAT unnattractive is she?"
"She is a VIRGIN in a world where men will even turn to SOFT FRUIT for pleasure - draw your OWN conclusions..."
classic.