One final fling

Introduction

French & Saunders are a national institution.

They have been with us for 30 years, but have decided that now is the time to call it a day. Their sketch shows and specials have graced our TV screens for over 20 years, and their individual projects (mosta famously Absolutely Fabulous, Jam and Jerusalem and The Life and Times of Vivienne Vyle for Saunders and Murder Most Horrid and The Vicar of Dibley for French). Their last TV show aired during Christmas 2005 and they then decided to stop making any more, and to do one last tour to say goodbye.



They met in 1978 while attending the Central School of Speech and started working together instantly. They performed at The Comic Strip, and also appeared in various episodes of the Channel 4 series The Comic Strip Presents... as performers and writers. In 1984 they had a regular comedy slot on The Tube and the following year they appeared in sit-com Girls On Top, with Tracey Ullman and Ruby Wax. After that, their first BBC series of French & Saunders began in 1987.

They also appeared on various Comic Relief shows, including the very first theatre show, as well as recording a version of Help! with Bananarama (performing with friend Kathy Burke as Lanananeeneenoonoo). The B side is even more hilarious than the 12" of the A side, as long as you can get past that dated Stock/Aitken/Waterman production on the record.



This is their final live DVD, filmed in Cardiff during their final "Still Alive" tour.

Video and Audio

Nothing to complain about here, a 1.78:1 anamorphic transfer as you would expect and a DD2.0 stereo soundtrack that's just fine.

Extra Features

Just one extra here - a behind the scenes style video diary of the girls on the road. A nice little addition, and it could have been a lot longer.

Conclusion

A fitting end for a great double act. A wide range of sketches on show here, from one of their very earliest (the teenagers discussing sex, as featured on the original 1986 Comic Relief performance) to some new material, albeit rather obivous (supposed banter about the relative successes of their solo careers), as well as other classics like their "fat old men". As well as live sketches, there are also new filmed inserts (you need these things for costume changes etc.)

It is the right time to bring their partnership to a close, as they have definitely reached the end of the road. There aren't any real laugh out loud moments on this DVD, but there is still plenty to amuse you. Some of the performances don't feel quite right (their timing seems way off on the teenagers sketch), but some of them are still spot on (the posh girls at boarding school).

Obviously, two of the things they are most famous for (film and music parodies) are not on show here as they only really work with the right time, budget and trickery of studio based work. But this DVD is a fitting time capsule that captures the essence of French & Saunders live. Fans will already have it on their Xmas list I'm sure!