The Dame Edna Experience (1987–1989)

In each of these comical talk-show-parodies, without actual script continuity, the outrageously frocked diva-type character Dame Edna Everage, a transvestite part of Australian comedian ... See full summary »

Stars:

Barry Humphries, Emily Perry, Robin Houston

4 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Barry Humphries	...	Dame Edna Everage (14 episodes, 1987-1989)
Emily Perry	...	Madge Allsop (14 episodes, 1987-1989)
Robin Houston	...	Announcer (14 episodes, 1987-1989)

Storyline

In each of these comical talk-show-parodies, without actual script continuity, the outrageously frocked diva-type character Dame Edna Everage, a transvestite part of Australian comedian Barry Humphries, receives in her exclusive, grand luxury residence, where she 'holds court' for the happy few, several international celebrities (actors, singers...) which are all expected to be humbly grateful for the priceless privilege to get an audience with her, and receive both inclusive praise ('we stars') and constant sneers displaying the host's utter superiority, while the public gets a similarly whimsical treatment. Her good-for-nothing sidekick, ancient 'bridesmaid' Madge Allsop, is another cross-dresser, whose main function is to be shamelessly abused.

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Plot Keywords:

cross dresser | gay interest | character name in title

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Genres:

Comedy | Talk-Show

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 September 1987 (UK)

Also Known As:

Dame Edna Megastar

Company Credits

Production Co:

London Weekend Television (LWT)

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Referenced in The Simpsons: Homer's Barbershop Quartet (1993)

User Reviews

Hilarious

Barry Humphries is Dame Edna Everidge in "The Dame Edna Experience," a riotously funny talk show from England. At the beginning of each episode, Dame Edna, after an introduction that has her standing with the Queen, the Prime Minster and various others, stands at the top of a tall staircase, yells "Hello, Possums!" and reveals herself in an outrageous gown and walks down the stairs to music and thunderous applause. She then introduces her former bridesmaid when she married Norm, Madge (Emily Perry) who sits straight-faced through the entire show.

Dame Edna's guests are an eclectic bunch, everyone from Sir Cliff Richard, Grace Jones, Jerry Hall, Liza Minnelli, Lauren Bacall, Tom Jones, Tony Curtis, Charlton Heston (who went careening down aforementioned staircase in a wheelchair after a tennis accident -- all a bit, of course), and some British celebrities and politicians not known in this country. She left Jane Fonda out on her stoop and never did let her in.

The guests very often are reduced to laughing out loud, obviously not knowing what's going to come out of her mouth. In the second season, Dame Edna moved her show into her luxurious apartment, 34 floors up with an elevator that winds up trapping Tom Jones and injuring British actors David Suchet, Malcolm MacDowell, and several others in a very funny sequence. It was out of service when Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. came on the show, so he walked up the 34 flights with her groceries.

There's usually a musical number at the end of a show that goes way too quickly. I can only say, I wish I had Dame Edna's legs.

Very funny and great to see if you're feeling down.