March 2004
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March 2004 |
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Departments |
Top 10 Funny Ladies of British Comedy 10) Joanna Lumley. She astonished everyone with her take-no-prisoners performance as that middle-aged man-eater Patsy in Absolutely Fabulous. 9) Emma Chambers. She's funny, endearing and charming as Geraldine Grainger's verger Alice on The Vicar of Dibley. 8) Geraldine McNulty. I adore Ardal O'Hanlon but have to say that Geraldine McNulty absolutely steals every scene she's in as the sarcastic Mrs. Raven on My Hero. 7) Pauline McLynn. A hoot as Mrs. Doyle, the housekeeper to three eccentric priests stuck on a secluded island off the coast of Ireland in Father Ted. Just look at the laughs she manages to get from the simple phrase "Go on." 6) Prunella Scales. Her cry of "Basil!" still raises a smile in Britcom fans everywhere and recent radio shows with Patricia Routledge (called Ladies of Letters) show that the former Sybil Fawlty has lost none of her spunk. 5) Penelope Keith. The British love to laugh at snooty, aristocratic types and no one played haughty better than Penelope Keith in Good Neighbors and To The Manor Born. 4) Dawn French & Jennifer Saunders. As a double act and as solo artistes (Dawn in The Vicar of Dibley, Jennifer in Absolutely Fabulous), these two women have done an incredible amount to raise the profile of women in comedy. Not only are they gifted performers but both are also talented writers who excel in parodying pop culture. 3) Mollie Sugden. From those looks that could kill to her patented put-downs, Mollie Sugden's portrayal of Mrs. Slocombe on Are You Being Served? was the whole package of verbal and physical humor. 2) Dame Judi Dench. What can you say? This exceptionally talented woman has excelled in everything from the classics to wonderful sitcoms like A Fine Romance and As Time Goes By. Her subtle, thoughtful performances make what is very hard (comedy) look very easy indeed. 1) Patricia Routledge. Another woman who can do it all. The sheer force of her personality shined through as she created probably the highest profile and best loved Britcom character in America -- Hyacinth Bucket. Once again a perfect blend of physical and verbal comedy. By Michelle Street |
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