BBC America has teamed up with Ab Fab creator Jennifer Saunders to produce two new series for the network - one of which reunites Saunders with Ab Fab's Joanna Lumley and longtime partner Dawn French. And, get this, both series are being produced by Jon Plowman, who oversaw the UK's Office and Extras. Does comedy news get much better than this?The first show - Clatterford - is being compared to the Golden Girls with Lumley and Saunders playing women's club members in a small English town. Lumley is an eccentric stirring up trouble, and Saunders is the town busybody. Dawn French and Sue Johnston are also on board.
The second series - The Life and Times of Vivienne Vyle - is being called a female version of The Larry Sanders Show. Saunders plays television "live therapy show" host Vyle, and Miranda Richardson plays her ambitious producer Helena. Should be a great opportunity to poke fun at both talk shows and the pop psychology drivel that sometimes accompany them.
Both shows have received a seven episode order. We'll keep you posted as more news on the air dates becomes available, but expect to see Clatterford sometime next year.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
12-06-2006 @ 10:16AM
Eddie Cochrane said...
This show is already on in the UK under the name "Jam and Jerusalem". I assume they changed the name for BBC America, as they also did for MI5 (AKA "Spooks" in the UK). The show is set in what they call a local church "Women's Guild", which is clearly based on what are actually called "Women's Institute" groups (commonly referred to as the WI). The WI is known for making jam (US jelly), and singing the hymn "Jerusalem" at the start of their meetings, hence the UK show title.
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12-06-2006 @ 1:41PM
Thomas said...
Clatterford airs in the UK as Jam & Jerusalem, it's got a very good cast but within 5 minutes it becomes quite clear that they're having a far more enjoyable time making it than you are watching it.
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12-06-2006 @ 4:15PM
George said...
Actually, I've found Jam & Jerusalem to be a very pleasant surprise -- a decent character-driven comedy that actually *likes* its characters. It's important to clarify, though, that Saunders, Lumley and (to a lesser degree) French play supporting roles. Sue Johnston is front and center here, with Pauline McLynn (Mrs Doyle from Father Ted) as her best friend. David Mitchell (Mitchell & Webb, Peep Show, etc.), Rosie Cavaliero (better here than in the execrable Feel the Force), Sally Phillips and Patrick Barlow are also in the cast, so it's a pretty solid slate of Britcom talent.
Mild spoiler: The programme revolves around Johnston's character, who is adjusting to life after her husband, the village doctor, passes away. She's the practice's nurse, and when her son inherits the practice (and brings in his own wife/nurse), she's left with a lot of empty space in her life. A lifelong holdout from the Women's Guild, she decides to finally join as a way of staying connected with the rest of the village.
This is a mature and often gentle comedy that's likely to perplex people looking for another AbFab, but the writing is very smart and insightful. It might take more than one viewing to catch all of the jokes and identify the various characters and relationships, but it's worth the effort, IMHO.
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