French & Saunders

French and Saunders is a British sketch comedy television series written by and starring comic duo Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders. It is also the name by which the performers are known on the occasions when they appear elsewhere as a double act.

French & Saunders (1987-2004) is a British sketch comedy series created by Jennifer Saunders and Dawn French for BBC One and BBC Two. Written by and starring the comic duo themselves, the show runs six seasons and thirty-nine half-hour episodes, each built from a string of self-contained sketches rather than one continuing story. Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders play a shifting gallery of characters, with Simon Brint and Rowland Rivron appearing in many sketches as well, and guest stars such as Brian Cox and Michelle Collins turn up in individual episodes. The engine of each half hour is simple: a parody of a film, a television show, a famous figure or an everyday type, pushed until the joke lands. Shape and scale are that of a classic anthology of sketches, with each episode standing alone and no season arc to track. The tone is affectionate, cheeky and quick, with broad physical comedy and sharp impressions. The duo's partnership gives the show a warm, playful energy that fans of British sketch traditions will recognize. Viewers who enjoy The Fast Show, Little Britain and Smack the Pony will find a similar appetite for character comedy and parody.

• Little Britainsketch format, celebrity impressions, parody of popular culture, double act comedy
• The Fast ShowBritish sketch comedy, parody, recurring characters and impressions
• Smack the Ponyfemale led sketch comedy, parody, sharp satirical tone
• Monty Python's Flying CircusBritish sketch comedy with double act energy and absurd character parody

Created by

Jennifer Saunders, Dawn French

Release Date

1987-03-09

Episode runtime

30 min

Rating

7.6 / 10 (41)

What is French & Saunders about?

Comedy duo Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders write and star in a British sketch series of parodies and character turns.

What is French & Saunders like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of French & Saunders as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as simple.

Is French & Saunders violent?

No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in French & Saunders.

Which shows are like French & Saunders?

Shows with a similar feel include Little Britain, The Fast Show, Smack the Pony, and Monty Python's Flying Circus.

How long is French & Saunders?

French & Saunders: 6 seasons, 39 episodes.

Is French & Saunders still running?

No, French & Saunders has ended.