French and Saunders

This BBC comedy skit show is the brainchild of longtime comedy duo Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders. Each episode featured satire on British life, television, and parodies on big box-office movies such as Batman Forever (1995) and Pulp Fiction (1994). The duo also invited notable Brits such as Patsy Kensit, Lulu, and Kate Moss.

Genre: Comedy

Cast:Dawn French , Jennifer Saunders , Simon Brint , Rowland Rivron , Patrick Barlow , Harriet Thorpe , Kirsty MacColl , Lorna Brown , Kevin Allen , Kathy Burke , Liza Tarbuck , Betty Marsden , Peter Johnston , Olwyn Atkinson , Ina Clare , Brenda Cowling , June Easther , Janette Tough

1Season 1

S1.E1 ∙ Episode #1.1

Mon, Mar 9, 1987

Dawn and Jennifer are ready to launch their new show, with music from Raw Sex, variety from Madame and the Hot Hoofers, and special musical guest Alison Moyet. There's also appearances from the make-up ladies, and wardrobe ladies, Annie and Jean. Sketches feature some obnoxious schoolgirls winding up their teacher, and some scene stealing secretaries on "Sports Report". Plus some special post-end credit trailers for "EastEnders", "Ramba" and "Dawn Dares".

2Season 1

S1.E2 ∙ Episode #1.2

Mon, Mar 16, 1987

Dawn and Jennifer continue with the second episode their show, with Jen attempting some spectacular daredevil stunts that Dawn is more than happy to just introduce. Plus Madame gets to sing a duet with special guest Roy Castle, as well as more contributions from Raw Sex and the Hot Hoofers. Sketches include "It's Great!" (which includes a special preview of the new video from "The Bangles"), The Extras, and "The Brand New Avengers".

3Season 1

S1.E3 ∙ Episode #1.3

Mon, Mar 23, 1987

Dawn and Jennifer present some birth based performance art this week, as well as welcoming their guest, actress Julie T. Wallace to the show. Although Jen cannot keep her disappointment of the fact that Julie Walters is not their guest a secret, culminating in some serious friction during the celebrity interview spot. We meet the Fat Blokes, who discuss their love of the beautiful English Roses seen on page 3 of The Sun; Dawn gets some fan mail; Spirit-O-Rama presents spiritual medium Gypsy Cup of Tea; and we meet synchronised swimmers Lindsey and Tracy McDonald, who demonstrate their stunning poolside routine.

4Season 1

S1.E4 ∙ Episode #1.4

Mon, Mar 30, 1987

Dawn and Jennifer get their ratings results in and are concerned that they only have twelve viewers when there were expecting at least fourteen. A visit to the Director of Programmes is in order to see if he's found out and if so can they persuade him to keep them on? Plus a special treat in the form of the variety act extraordinaire "The Manopazzi Sisters". Sketches include Juliet Bravo send up "Bravo Bravo", and the Background Artists appear in "Carmen".

5Season 1

S1.E5 ∙ Episode #1.5

Mon, Apr 6, 1987

It appears the show has been cancelled and the studio closed, while Madame and the Hot Hoofers have walked out. Dawn and Jennifer however refuse to accept the situation and, after some stealthy intervention, decide to set up in the Blue Peter studio, where they are joined by Raw Sex and special guest Jools Holland. Sketches include Fashion with Mari and Terri, special tips for dealing with "The Curse", and the Background Artists are on the set of a WWI hospital.

6Season 1

S1.E6 ∙ Episode #1.6

Mon, Apr 13, 1987

Dawn and Jennifer are back on air due to "overwhelming popular demand", it is however only for one last episode. Jealous of Dawn's idea to give presents to all the crew for the last show, Jen steals them and gives them out as her own gifts. Dawn exacts her revenge by locking her in the toilets and taking over the show, but will she be able to cope with the wrath of Jen once released? Meanwhile, special guest Joan Armatrading gets a bit lost and relies on Madame to point her in the right direction. Sketches include Jane's Lecture and the Return of Carrie Broadway.

1Season 2

S2.E1 ∙ Episode #2.1

Fri, Mar 4, 1988

Dawn arrives to deliver Jennifer's hamburgers for lunch, but due to having lost her leg bones Jen is unable to get up to let her in. Fortunately Dawn has a plan. Also, a casual chat about weekend plans at the bus stop turns into some some serious advice on contraception; Squeeze perform "853-5937"; Raw Sex advertise their services; and "Arts Review" sees Joan Bakewell meet the uncompromising artistic duo, Muriel and Maddie. Plus some very special dance breaks, courtesy of the 1950s, '60s and '70s.

2Season 2

S2.E2 ∙ Episode #2.2

Fri, Mar 11, 1988

This week Dawn and Jennifer introduce their new Cable channel, featuring some in depth talk on women's things, some weather reports, a splash of royal news, and Dawn opens up about her dead rabbit. Plus a special performance from Peters and Lee; the Fat Blokes settle down to watch "Miss World"; we see a working morning in the life of two hotel chambermaids; the Background Artists appear in Toyah's new video; and we meet Prima Ballerinas, Natalia and Margot.

3Season 2

S2.E3 ∙ Episode #2.3

Fri, Mar 18, 1988

Dawn and Jennifer have moved into the removal business, and this week will be attempting to move a concert pianist out of his flat and into his new place in less than a 100 trips. Plus "Fred and Friends" sees a special tribute to Fred Astaire, hosted by none other than Katharine Hepburn, and including a very special appearance by Ginger Rogers; We meet two women who will stop at nothing in their love of fur; Raw Sex and special musical guest Kirsty MacColl perform "Trains and Boats and Planes"; Mavis Nicholson gives us a peek into the bodybuilding world when she talks to Eva, coach to two glorious specimens, Beth and Katrina; Jackie and Leanne plan their holiday in meticulous detail; and the Farton Sisters - Polly, Stella and Baby Sue - appear onstage. Plus some lascivious builders on the job.

4Season 2

S2.E4 ∙ Episode #2.4

Fri, Mar 25, 1988

Dawn and Jennifer poke fun at Network Youth TV, this includes a special appearance from Pet Shop Boys. We follow Karen and Sharon on their geography field trip; there is "The London Experience"; the Fat Blokes are down the pub; Jen attempts to teach Dawn (who has picked up a new obsession with Thora Hird) some new languages; there's face pulling and a touch of Wagon Wheel envy in the playground. We also get to witness the filming of a new cat food commercial.

5Season 2

S2.E5 ∙ Episode #2.5

Fri, Apr 8, 1988

This week Dawn and Jennifer go potholing, but things don't go quite as they'd hoped. Plus we meet Valerie and Donna Wilson, winners of the Young Sportswoman of the Year award, who demonstrate their acrobatic skills; there's some underground music from The Proclaimers; we meet Doreena "Memphis" Petherbridge, who shares her story of how she met and became mother to the love children of Elvis Presley; Raw Sex have a musical challenge; and Jan tries to hold a dinner party for her husband John and friends Susie and Richard, but unfortunately her neuroses keep getting in the way.

6Season 2

S2.E6 ∙ Episode #2.6

Fri, Apr 15, 1988

This week sees Jennifer in hospital, putting her complete trust in Dr French to give her a new nose, although the final results she may find to be a bit too Lulu; Dawny Seymour gives us her "Guide to a Romantic Life"; Raw Sex give us a hospital based rendition of "Mambo Italiano"; the Background Artists meet June Whitfield; "That's Hollywood!" features special contributions from Elizabeth Taylor, Doris Day, Liza Minnelli, and an especially leggy Cyd Charisse. Plus Dawn and Jen perform a special end of series version of "The Way We Were".

1Season 3

S3.E1 ∙ The Sound of Music

Thu, Mar 15, 1990

Parodies and songs from Abba, Sonia, The Sound of Music; along with the usual F&S characters including the Two Fat Ladies and Star Pets. Guest appearance from Kirsty MacColl.

2Season 3

S3.E2 ∙ Whatever Happened to Baby Dawn?

Thu, Mar 22, 1990

Satire of Bette Davis and Joan Crawford's 1962 film classic "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?"; Star Test of 80s Boy Band "Bros".

3Season 3

S3.E3 ∙ The Exorcist

Thu, Mar 29, 1990

Pastiche of 1973's horror classic "The Exorcist"; parody of BBC's consumer investigation program "Watchdog", and in rehearsal are rap duo "She Rappers" plus a performance from Kirsty MacColl. And lots of early 90s Power Suits.

4Season 3

S3.E4 ∙ Dangerous Liasons

Thu, Apr 5, 1990

Dawn and Jennifer make some Dangerous Liaisons in a wicked send-up of the Glenn Close film and they target singer Tanita Takaram and artist Andy Warhol.

5Season 3

S3.E5 ∙ Gone with the Wind

Thu, Apr 12, 1990

Replete with unforgettable costumes and just the right accents, Jennifer Saunders is Scarlett O'Hara and Dawn French is Mammy in a highly satirical take on movie classic Gone with the Wind (1939). Plus, Dawn attempts to cheer Jen up during a prison visit with a bit of inane chat and some serious interactive game playing; "Star Test" with Transvision Vamp's Wendy James; Raw Sex (and, via cassette player, Ken's girlfriend Mrs Dobson) perform "Cinderella Rockefeller"; In a cafe setting Kirsty MacColl performs "Don't Come the Cowboy"; and we meet two down-to-earth westcountry housekeepers who like nothing better than to gossip about and take advantage of their evidently pretentious and stuck-up boss.

6Season 3

S3.E6 ∙ Gentlemen Prefer Blondes

Thu, Apr 19, 1990

Dawn and Jennifer are "just two little girls" who love the spotlight, as this week they channel Jane Russell and Marilyn Monroe from their Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953) days. Plus, we encounter three frustrated actresses in their dressing room as they struggle to understand why nobody knows "what the hell is going on"; Ken and Duane are having trouble following Ralph McTell's book 100 Easy Tunes for Guitar which leads to a fantasy courtroom sequence featuring the cream of British guitar talent; There's live laughs at the Comedy Cavern with Beth ("get outta the pool") Weinblatt; Kirsty McColl performs "Still life moves on"; Two young lads enjoy a beer and potting pool while discussing their weekend plans; and in "Modern Mother and Daughter", eccentric and fun loving Adrianna is hounding her very sensible daughter as to her life choices.

7Season 3

S3.E7 ∙ Episode #3.7

Thu, Apr 26, 1990

Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders get a friendly visit from Jane Asher, and join opera singer Sarah Walker for a unique musical event.

1Season 4

S4.E1 ∙ Misery

Thu, Feb 18, 1993

Dawn and Jennifer begin their fourth series with an uncanny send up of the Stephen King thriller Misery (1990). Plus Jennifer is having "one of those Marlene days"; Jen is desperately trying to "dash" from a work meeting; Ken and Duane's The Sound of Music focuses on David Bowie, they also introduce a special guest video from Dickens' Daughters; the Fat Blokes are delivering the work mail; and Dawn joins Jennifer in her new kitchen to discuss who's "got it all", this week it's French movie icon Gérard Depardieu. There's also a new ad for "Pretty Dawny" stockings, for legs that go on forever.

2Season 4

S4.E2 ∙ The Silence of the Lambs

Thu, Feb 25, 1993

Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders pay comic homage to "The Silence of the Lambs" and give a preview of a new blockbusting Jackie Collins mini-series "Lucky Bitches".

3Season 4

S4.E3 ∙ The Seventh Seal

Thu, Mar 4, 1993

Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders pay homage to Swedish film-maker Ingmar Bergman and American rock band Guns N' Roses.

4Season 4

S4.E4 ∙ In Bed with French & Saunders

Thu, Mar 11, 1993

Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders are in bed with two Madonnas and pay tribute to Fleetwood Mac.

5Season 4

S4.E5 ∙ French & Saunders: The Special Edition

Thu, Mar 18, 1993

Dawn and Jennifer suffer an alien takeover, Mary Jennifer Hopkin and Dawn Dana go down the memory lane of their greatest hits, and a young girl's love affair with a horse is captured on film.

6Season 4

S4.E6 ∙ The House of Idiot

Thu, Apr 1, 1993

Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders pay their own comic tribute to the popular drama serial The House of Eliott and former Top of the Pops dance group Pan's People, and discuss minor members of the Royal family.

7Season 4

S4.E7 ∙ Thelma and Louise

Thu, Mar 25, 1993

Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders pay comic homage to Thelma and Louise, and are joined by Royal Ballet stars Darcey Bussell and Anthony Dowell for a documentary on the re-staging of Jennifer's famous ballet La Belle Dame sans Chapeau.

1Season 5

S5.E1 ∙ Baywatch

Thu, Jan 4, 1996

Clever send up of 90s action/drama "Baywatch", and pastiche of Lynda La Plante's TV crime drama "Prime Suspect", with the show's main star Helen Mirren trying her hand at situation comedy.

2Season 5

S5.E2 ∙ Loveheart

Thu, Jan 11, 1996

Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders present a series of new comedy sketch shows. Targets tonight include Mel Gibson's film Braveheart, the luxurious lifestyle enjoyed by Jackie Onassis , and singer Bjork.

3Season 5

S5.E3 ∙ Franco e Sandro

Thu, Jan 18, 1996

Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders pay homage to the film director Federico Fellini and indie group the Cranberries.

4Season 5

S5.E4 ∙ Batman

Thu, Jan 25, 1996

It's over to Wayne Sleep Manor where Batman (Jennifer) and his trusted sidekick Bobbin (Dawn) must put a stop to the evildoings of the Krankies in a send up of the beloved superhero franchise, also featuring Butler Jeeves and the obligatory love interest. Plus, Dawn is having another of those Sophia Loren days; The Wenches from Ye Olde Shakespearean Elizabethan times have gone into catering; Terry and Daniel give Kate Moss the Monroe treatment; and Abby and Sophie attempt to guide their respective children through some artistic and culinary endeavours.

5Season 5

S5.E5 ∙ Pulp Fiction

Thu, Feb 1, 1996

Lulu is a hostage of DawnJules and JenniferVincent. Will she make it out alive, or will one blast of 'Shout' prove to be too much?

6Season 5

S5.E6 ∙ The Quick and the Dead

Thu, Feb 8, 1996

Dawn and Jennifer are channeling Sharon Stone this week in their send up of the tough-female gunslinger Western The Quick and the Dead (1995). Plus Jackie and Leanne plan their double wedding; We join a school disco; Court TV presents "The Take Off", a Star Trek themed send up of the OJ Simpson trial; Dawn and Jen are back in the waiting room, where the subject of holidays comes up; and in "A Classic in the Making", we visit a stately home for a behind the scenes look at the filming of a new Jane Austen type drama thingy.

7Season 5

S5.E7 ∙ Dr. Quimn, Mad Woman

Thu, Feb 29, 1996

Jennifer is Dr. Quimn, the physician always there to help those in need, joined by Dawn as her faithful Fanny. Plus Dawn steps out again with Kate Moss; Dawn and Jen celebrate music in adverts; "Star Crossed lovers" tells both the Ken and Emma story and the Claudia and David story; Two Devonshire ladies discuss (and argue) about their trip to Plymouth to see the Three Tenors; the teenage bedroom girls discuss going raving; and we meet two incredibly well spoken art gallery assistants.