Rating: 
Summary: ABSOLUTELY
Review: It was discouraging to read disparaging remarks here on Amazon concerning censored segments in the 5th season DVD collection of "Absolutely Fabulous", because I noticed a rude editing job during what was apparently a missing "Chicago" parody, and Deborah Harry is credited with singing the theme song which, here, is an instrumental. Strange, because I sort of liked the organ blues melancholy sound of the new instrumental theme until I realised it was in lieu of Deborah Harry's vocals. I don't like watching the show on the Oxygen cable network because there is a lack of respect for the program with crass, indiscriminate commercial interruption and an inferior video quality. So it seems it is only a matter of cost saving that these segments are missing, and it is ironic that a show which so boldly mocks greed in capitalism would find itself victimized by it. Even that though, can't stop me from singing the praises of Jennifer Saunders, creator, star and writer of the series. "Absolutly Fabulous" still stands alone in the American television wasteland as sharp social satire that manages to retain that essential element of the best sitcoms - a heart. In our cardboard cut-out, eternally politically dull sitcom saturated TV, it is a sigh of relief to find comfort, warmth, and familiarity in an alcoholic, a drug addict, insincere Christian born-agains, and the like of a more real modern life. And the program always looks so good, with bold colors, elaborate sets, and constant movement like a gentle heart beating frantically. At near the end of this collection, I was very worried that a beloved character had actually expired. That I could care about any fictional character on TV as deeply as I did watching this, is testement to the fine craft of this program. But first and foremost, this show is just so (darn) funny.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing....
Review: Let me say right off the bat that Series 4 was not that bad. Actually, on repeated viewings it improved a bit. Which is what I truly hope happens here on Series 5, because believe it or not, I think 4 was better. This time around the jokes are few and far-between and some episodes just fall flat. I am referring to the entire first disc. Premises that seemed ripe for comedy gold (Edina gets trapped in her own panic room; Edina and Pats head to the country for shooting and socializing) just don't deliver. The laughs aren't there, and when they are, it's mostly from Jennifer Saunders herself. Joanna Lumley has practically nothing to do; her character has become completely defanged. I was actually apprehensive about putting in disc two, but thankfully the episodes do get better. Once Saffy has her baby things pick up a bit, culminating in a cheerful, if not particulary funny, Christmas finale. The whole packaging is quite attractive and the episodes are in widescreen (ignore what it says on the back cover), but it's not enough. Sadly, I don't think Jennifer Saunders will ever top the first three seasons. So in conclusion, if you are a die hard fan, you'll cut this Series some slack, but others would do well to just avoid it altogether.
Rating: 
Summary: Back and Better than Ever!
Review: Ok i'm not going to bother you with the technical aspects of this DVD because several reviewers have already done a fantastic job of describing the episodes. Season 5 of ABFAB is great! Now I will agree that it is a far cry from the shows from Season 1-3, but still it is great! With a show that has gone on for five seasons it isn't just a issue of comedy anymore. People that have followed the show for years are expected to have actually grown to care about the characters, so there isn't quite the need to try so hard to get laughs. Don't get me wrong, Season 5 is hysterical. Everything from Saphie's prgency, to Eddy becoming the grandmother from hell, and Patsy being jealous the entire time. It's all gold, and if your a fan of the series you will love to see how all of this maddness unfolds. Granted your not going to laugh quite as much as you used to, but AbFab still maintains to be funnier than most of the comedies that we have currently on tv in the US.
So if your a fan of the show this is definatly a essential purchase!
Rating:
Summary: They're Back, Sweeties!
Review: One of the most original and hilarious sitcoms to come our way within the last ten years, the fifth season of Absolutely Fabulous proves that there's still fresh life of the two divas. While the fifth season will probably boast a continuity of big name guest stars following the post fourth Season, "Gay" with Elton John and Minnie Driver and Baby Spice (Emma Bunton), what makes this show precious are the total fads Edina latches onto for further success, beauty, or whatever (always doomed to backfire), Patsy's new femme dictator role running her pal Jeremy's shop (yet still has lots of vulnerability as the less liked), and Saffy's new coming to terms of becoming a mother herself, whose righteousness seems to work against her as she finds herself pregnant. Also much welcomed are Marshall and Bo whose schemes for fame to be with Hollywood celebrities have totally fallen to the absurd (adoption/"baby-napping" services for celebrities? Fake Fat Infomercials?), and in the meantime Bubble's just as airhead-like as ever, and yet somehow she has become the Shakespearean Fool, who may in fact "not be completely useless." (Jan Harooks' most funny moment, however, must be as Katy Grin providing a news report from Kuwait of the Iraq conflict in the season opener. Watch for it!)Of course, the slapstick and very cleverly scriped put downs are in fact quite fresh, and unlike Season 4 where similar references to the first three seasons seemed totally rehashed (with the exception of Saffy's play episode), any similarities here seem to be more fresh. Much kudos to Saunders who may have heard criticism that the show has come of age, and yet with this season proves it can still has quite a bit of its luster. Are the shows as say slapstick and as classic/vintage Ab-Fab as earlier seasons' "Hospital" or "Poor"? Maybe not. But this season proves that this show still has quite a bit of energy and Jeniffer Saunders still has lots of creativity and fresh ideas.
Rating:
Summary: Good for AbFab Fans
Review: Saw the series on the BBC while studying in Britain. While devoted AbFabers will appreciate the humor here, some of the jokes have lost their appeal. Saffie gets pregnant by an aid worker while on a humanitarian mission in Iraq and Patsy has left the magazine business to work at Jeremey's -- a London Bond Street shop. Still, with many guest stars such as Minnie Driver and Elton John this a worthwhile purchase if you want to keep-up with the happenings of Patsy and Edina.
Rating:
Summary: Oh, sweetie!
Review: Season five is *happenin'* babe! With that 2-3 year break, Jennifer Saunders gets these characters back to where she intended-- a comedy with unsympathetic characters. As usual, a tremedous cast of regulars, with some really *fun* guest appearances!! Jane Horrocks really cuts loose with both her Bubbles and Katy Grin. Julia Sahwala is very good at the martyered daughter and new mom. Jennifer and Joanna are excellent-- both in the physical humour and etc. Yes, it isn't 'nice' comedy (perhaps Jennifer & Ade have moved Richie and Eddie (Bottom) up several social rungs and made them women?), but it is wickedly funny, and good escapism. This is definitely not for a younger crowd.
Rating:
Summary: Back with a vengeance
Review: Sweetie darling! They are back!!! After the not so funny season 4, I am so thankful that Season 5 has regained its touch. It is so much more in line with the humor of the first 3 seasons and the excesses are once again there- from the Hummer borrowed from Jeremy's, to Gucci of babies... Season 5 is an absolutely must buy in any fabulous fan's collection.
Rating:
Summary: High Quality episodes. Poor Packaging.
Review: The episodes look fabulous. They're in widescreen, and the picture quality is top notch. Unfortunately, there is a lack of extras. The only extra is an amusing blooper reel. There's no commentary and as mentioned, the Chicago spoof has been excised. This is a disappointing set considering how great the season four package was.
Rating:
Summary: Bollocks!
Review: The fifth season of AB FAB was far zanier than the previous seasons, followed more of a plot throughout the entire season (to a degree), and was overall more hilarious. Tons of guest stars too!
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Wonderful!!!!
Review: The girls are at it again and they are funnier than ever before. These girls are like a fine bottle of wine as they grow better with age. Make that a few bottles Darling. You can't get enough of the AbFab girls and having the entire collection of AbFab is a must have in your Britcom library!!!! I give this rating of 5 stars, but truly these girls deserve much more!!!! It is so Fabulous Sweetie Darling!!!! Cheers!!!!
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