"ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS" - GUEST SPOTS

I spent the weekend catching up with "Absolutely Fabulous" - rewatching all the seasons (or "series" as they say in the BBC) and some bonus bits on DVD.

I came away astounded by two bits of info:

* Jennifer Saunders, who plays "Edina" and solely writes every script for the show, is married to Adrian Edmundson who some of us former New Wavers remember as "Vyvyan" on the 1980s BBC smash "The Young Ones." The couple has been married for more than 20 years and have three daughters.

* In the recurring dream sequences of Patsy's childhood, we see Patsy's mother, an over-the-top poet/artist gone mad (in the 1940s, or so) who's constantly espousing bohemian drivel about her need to be free and how she will not let her children spoil her freedom. (A classic scene depicts her giving birth to Patsy and immediately crying, "Bring me another lover!")

This woman is played by the reknown feminist author Germaine Greer. Which is sort of like having Betty Friedan or Gloria Steinham playing a crazy aunt on the program.

Other cameos and guest spots include:
* Helena Bonham Carter (playing Edina's dream version of Saffy);
* Richard E. Grant
* British '60s pop star Lulu (of "To Sir, With Love" fame)
* American comedian Mo Gaffney
* Christopher Ryan, who plays Eddie's ex-husband Marshall (recognize him as Mike from "The Young Ones"?).
* Adrian Edmunson (Vyvian on "The Young Ones")
* Britt Eckland
* Anita Pallenberg (who plays the Devil)
* Brit rock star Marianne Faithful (who plays God)
* Twiggy
* 1970s rocker Suzi Quatro
* Mandy Rice-Davies - yes, the girl from the 1960s British Parliament scandal
* Emma "Baby Spice" Bunton, in a recurring role as herself
* British thespian Miranda Richardson
* Naomi Campbell
* Dawn French of the famed BBC comedy series "French and Saunders" (she also co-created "AbFab")
* Whoopi Goldberg
* Debbie Harry
* Rufus Wainwright
* Nathan Lane
* Kristin Scott Thomas
* Laurie Metcalf ("Roseanne")
* Minnie Driver
* Elton John