French & Saunders Series 1-6 Box Set (6 discs) [DVD]

Okay - so this DVD package is basically what it says. 6 discs including all six series of French Saunders. No special features except subititles.
But some of this stuff is quite rare and never before released. And it is nice to have it as a complete set and not a compliation
So here is a quick over look of the quality of each series:
Series 1
The concept was that that girls performed in a studio with a dance troupe and Raw Sex. You also see backstage goings ons - including make up artists and costume designers. It's still a fresh looking series and it has never been released before - so it is well worth having a look at it. I think it's one of their best.

Series 2
A completely different concept. The characters in the living room first appear - and the funny dance routines. Each episode has a similar intro and theres loads of sketches in it. I think this is series is more family entertainment then the last - and this is where they started to get their wider appeal. All good stuff though.

Series 3
This is the benchmark series really. They started doing film parodies - and yes it has got The Sound Of Music completely! This series also had 7 episodes (and not the usual 6). It also has them taking the mick out of TV stars - they continue ideas from the last series, introduce new characters and it has Star Test in it. It is just a brilliant series and is the one that really made them popular. Also features the wonderful Kirsty MacColl in all the episodes.

Series 4
You can't stop them now. It's a step up from the last series - with more film parodies but they got bigger budgets. The classic Silence Of The Lambs and Misery are here. And their version of The Seventh Seal and Whatever Happened To Baby Jane? is just brilliant. As strong as Series 3.

Series 5
There was abit of a gap between this one and the last one. This also has 7 episodes in it and there loads of celebrities including Dusty SPringfield. By now Raw Sex have left the girls and they try out new ideas. It is a bit hit and miss but when it does hit - it is brilliant - Baywatch in particular.

Series 6
This series happened much later and actually purposely breaks away from the previous ones. There's still loads of sketches in it and reaccurring characters - but the girls really play on being a paraody of themselves as the whole thing is set in an office type environment at the BBC and is about the girls trying to write the sixth series. I think this is more of aquired taste and it makes more sense seeing all the episodes together more then passive watching. Still - it was a brave move and also very original.

And that's it. It is worth getting - and the great thing about them is you can dip back in and watch them again. They really do make me laugh and brighten my day. Lets hope a box set of the TV specials lands with us soon!

Brilliant brilliant boxset showing exactly what the clever ladies can do and true proof of how they've managed to achieve both comedy goddess and national treasure status. The only downside to this boxset is that there is a distinct lack of Christmas, Easter and Comic Relief specials and extras or out takes. I myself having gone to a fair few of their recordings know only too well that things go wrong or Jennifer (mainly!) forgets her lines or gets distracted by the audience because we've made her laugh! As well as this there are sketches that are still extremely funny that never make the final edit, surely a few deleted sketches wouldn't hurt?

Still a very well used and very much treasured boxset in our house, it's such a shame that the ladies are putting down their sketch writing stationary forevermore.

Thoroughly enjoyed this box set from start to finish! I'd never seen the first series which is hilarious, quite slapstick and quite different to the rest of the series! They are masters of film parody, of course, but also the white room sketches and impressions are brilliant too. There are loads of famous guest stars throughout. I really liked the last series because it's very different in style to the rest but works! As if F&S would have to beg for air-time on BBC! Ha ha! I don't think these two can help but be funny. I will treasure this!