France (26 Nov. 1992)

Eddy and Patsy are off to France but find themselves staying,not in the expected chateau but a tiny cottage where they feel threatened by an old Frenchman whose language they cannot ... See full summary »

Director:

Bob Spiers

Writers:

Jennifer Saunders, Jennifer Saunders (idea),

Stars:

Jennifer Saunders, Joanna Lumley, Julia Sawalha

Cast

Episode cast overview:
Jennifer Saunders	...	Edina
Joanna Lumley	...	Patsy
Julia Sawalha	...	Saffron
Jane Horrocks	...	Bubble
Geoffrey McGivern	...	Customs Officer
Juliette Mole	...	Air Hostess
Robert Ripa	...	Old Frenchman
June Whitfield	...	Mother

Storyline

Eddy and Patsy are off to France but find themselves staying,not in the expected chateau but a tiny cottage where they feel threatened by an old Frenchman whose language they cannot understand. When Saffy and Bubble arrive,usual air-head Bubble surprises with her perfect French,explaining that he was inviting them to move into the chateau further up the road. A pleasant holiday results though on the return home Customs find a white powder in Patsy's luggage,which turns out to be perfectly harmless - to her annoyance.

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Plot Keywords:

france | table tennis

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 November 1992 (UK)

Filming Locations:

Bonnieux, Vaucluse, France

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Near the end of the holiday at the cottage, Patsy is seen reading the 30 January 1992 issue of Paris Match, whose cover announces Le Crash du Lyon-Strasbourg, La Nuit de l'Horreur.

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Goofs

When Saffy arrives with the food, Edina grabs it from her hands and drops a bread loaf on her way to the counter. When the wide shot comes up, the bread isn't on the floor.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Eddie: Come on, wake up! Come on! Come on, Bubble, try and concentrate! I've got some important information I have to tell you. I am going to be in France for nearly a whole week and I am counting on you to cope. Now, there is only one thing that you have to concentrate on this week, and that's the refurbishment of Bettina's apartment.
Bubble: The refurbishment of Bettina's apartment.
Eddie: It's very important, I promised it would be finished this week. When she said "Third world chic", I was hoping ...
[...]

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Connections

References Newsround (1972)

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Soundtracks

"Purple Haze"
Performed by June Whitfield

User Reviews

The show's first outing is a laugh-riot!

"France" is the third episode, and the destination for the show's first major outing. Edina takes a break from her brief career in interior design to go on holiday with Patsy. They go to the French countryside, but it's soon apparent their vacation isn't turning out as expected. They arrive to a cottage that has no food, and worse, no booze. In the mean time, Bubble is handed a paper that immediately needs Edina's signature. Edina calls Saffy for aid, and Saffy and Bubble soon arrive with groceries and wine. Patsy and Edina visit a château for some wine tasting, and later play table tennis and Monopoly with Saffy and Bubble. The holiday ends abruptly when it's realized Bubble forgot to have Edina sign the important paper, and they all leave in a hurry to go back to England. Customs puts our foursome in a holding tank when a white powdered substance is discovered in their luggage. Producer Jon Plowman has a cameo when Patsy and Edina are wine tasting at the château.