Your views: Absolutely Fabulous

Eddy and Pats, otherwise known as Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley, return for a fifth series of the popular BBC sitcom.

The PR darlings are as immature as ever but still manage to attract celebrity clients, including Emma Bunton in the first episode.

Elton John is also due to appear later in the series, along with Minnie Driver, Jean Paul Gaultier, Kristin Scott Thomas and Robert Lindsay.

So what did you think? Is it still funny? Or has the joke worn off? Send us your views on the form below.

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I watched the first episode and must have laughed at least twice. Sorry, but I think Miss Saunders should have bowed out gracefully at the end of the 2nd series - or possibly the 3rd. She should have treated it like Fawlty Towers or The Good Life - out on a high, instead of dreary storylines and 2nd rate celebrities to add 2nd rate sparkle...

I must admit I did switch over to BBC3 and watch the 2nd episode in this new series...oh how my paint dried beautifully on my newly decorated walls..
Simon Hoare, UK

I was unsure how the new episodes were going to be but they are back to the original AB FAB style! Catty, biting comments, shouting and Eddy going into fits, it was brilliant!
Tom Hunt, United Kingdom

A return to form from Series 4, never reaching the heights of the first 2 series, but a vast improvement on anything the BBC currently offers, especially that dire Jasper Carrott sitcom that preceded it.
In response to previous posts, it most certainly was recorded in front of a studio audience because I attended two of them. And from the two I saw recorded, the best is yet to come!
Ben, UK

Ab Fab is a good, solid comedy and I think this series deserves more praise Charlie Barron, UK

Jennifer Saunders writes witty acerbic scripts that I think work. It's just new dark comedy that maybe has one joke in it but because it's dragged out for the entire episode makes it seem funnier. Ab Fab is a good, solid comedy and I think this series deserves more praise because it has more plot than any of the other series did! Give Ab Fab a chance!
Charlie Barron, UK

A bit strained, no classic moments, but then it's early days, I'm sure it will improve as the series progresses. However even at its worst Ab Fab is still better than the rest of the unoriginal rubbish on offer.
Sarah Woolley, UK

It was like watching a bad slapstick pantomime. Emma Bunton should not try acting again, and what was the point of her character? It was predictable and the plot lacked anything new. I did laugh once or twice but I think that BBC 1 should stick to Have I Got News For You which was a lot funnier.
Becky, UK

It was originally a great idea but now the producers seems completely in awe of the US media and sees them as the target audience. This programme demonstrates this sell-out by out to the American market with American pronunciations e.g. "cigarettes" and American references e.g." cents" and the use of American icons.
Keith, UK

I am very optimistic - the timing of the old corks question by Patsy was a classic. Ab Fab is an excellent vehicle to debunk fads; tans, practice pools, celebrity shows and more...all in the first episode. Many years from now it will be seen as a valuable testament to contemporary life.
Tim, UK

To make a fifth series interesting, you have to move the characters to new settings (new jobs, new house, new lovers , Edwina to marry?) and maybe shift focus to existing side characters.
Any further venture into their spoilt-ness and hedonism - more Bolle and cynicism - will be boring.
Jon Erland Madsen, Norway

I was looking forward to the return, but sadly I found it pathetic and not at all funny.
B Glenholme, England

You bet they're still funny! I don't think the joke could ever wear off. Classic in the same manner as "Keeping Up Appearances" and other first-rate British comedies. Keep sending them over, please!
Bradley Davis, USA

This programme has never been funny. It gets played regularly as in-flight entertainment on aeroplanes to take your mind off the food. It lacks cleverness, inventiveness and, most of all, comedy.
Mike McGregor, UK

Wonderful! Bubble and Saffy ride again! And June Whitfield, bless her!
Alan Bain, U.K.

No, it's not funny. It was never brilliant, but it's actually managed to get worse. Actually, comedy at the BBC in general has taken a serious downturn in recent years. I think someone should find the person responsible for "comedy" at the BBC, and force him to sit through the shows he commissioned, for a week, solidly.
Ben Woodhouse, UK

Didn't like the previous series as it had become a caricature of itself, the new series was funnier in the first 5 mins than in the entire last series and was better for Joanna and Jennifer playing down the acting for a change. Massive improvement... FABULOUS!
Gavin Scott, England

Thought it was a bit forced at the beginning but then got back to it's normal self - great to see it back.
Susan Forrest, Scotland

Absolutely fabulous! Rachel

Absolutely fabulous! Couldn't resist watching part 2 on BBC3 and will happily watch it again on BBC1 next week. Very funny, Patsy and Edina are 'worse' than before. Fabulous stuff dahlings!
Rachel,

The programme is getting on a bit now of course, and it will always be difficult to keep old viewers and pick up new ones.
It will take some good, bold writing which doesn't just repeat (albeit good) older ideas to overcome the law of diminishing returns, but the good news is that the formula is a good one with good characters and a flexibility to accommodate good writing.
Stephen Smith, England

I watched the first of the new series last night and hardly laughed, it just isn't funny anymore. All the jokes had been done before and the storyline is thin.
Maybe it's time to put this project to rest?
Brett Baker, UK

Sad, pathetic, and past its use by date Stacey Turner, UK

When the show first premiered in the U.S., it was brilliant, fresh, and funny. What I watched last night was sad, pathetic, and past its use by date. The characters simply aren't funny anymore. They should have quit while they were ahead; now Ab Fab will be remembered for two dreadful final series instead of the brilliant TV movie that originally ended the show.
Stacey Turner, UK (ex-USA)

Sorry guys, you've really scored an own goal with this one, you really should have left it at 3 series; the 4th was a shadow of those. Last night, well I think we only giggled a couple of times, not the rolling around in hysterics of the original 3!
Martin Mace, England

Absolutely Fabulous! Best comedy on TV at moment. A breath of fresh air. May it continue forever.
Gillian Greenwood, UK

There was an episode of Happy Days where the Fonz jumps a plastic shark on a bike. This dire episode is generally accepted as the moment that Happy Days took a turn for the worse, never to recover. Since then, we talk about TV shows Jumping the Shark. Ab Fab definitely Jumped the Shark after the New York special and should have been laid to rest then. Look at Fawlty Towers - 12 episodes of perfect situation comedy, and not a single Comic Relief special, Christmas special, or "just 1 more series for the money" more.
Tony Coleby, UK

Same blurb, different series. There's nothing new here, just the same stuff from the past, dressed up and with a (slightly) different script. Come on Beeb, give us more for our ever increasing license fee.
Sharon Humble, England

I thought it was very funny, better than the previous couple of series. Emma Bunton is so lovely - and can nearly act. June Whitfield had some corkers again and Jane Horrocks was just perfect.
Stuart, England

As always Jane Horrocks steals the show.
Shane, UK

Very funny. To see Emma Bunton trying desperately not to laugh when Eddy was having a go at her was brilliant!
...and what a twist at the end of the episode...?
Fantastic - lost none of its spark.
Neil, England

Love the new macabre Patsy... Daniel Hall, UK

Incredibly tight writing, from the quality new credits it was a delight from start to finish. Love the new macabre Patsy...
Daniel Hall, UK

What a disappointment! This clearly wasn't recorded in front of a live audience so we were treated to "canned" laughter where the producer thought we should be laughing and boy, did they get it wrong. The performers also seemed to be missing the response only a real audience can give. A series too far perhaps?
Richard Atkins, UK

I felt a little disappointed by the crudity at times between 'Eddy and Pats'. I expected the humour to be better written, more subtle. 'Saffy' and her new partner brought out the best of the laughs!
EJ, Scotland

Few shows live up to such a heady title, but Absolutely Fabulous most certainly does. Keep them coming please, friends on three continents and as many generations agree, We Want More of the dysfunctional duo!
Kimberly Mathers, USA

It was dire. The characters have become two dimensional and the storylines nothing but self parody. I thought the last series was bad enough but this is worse. Please BBC bury it whilst it still has a shred of dignity left.
Phil, UK

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