French and Saunders broadcast on 9 March 1987 on BBC Two, with the first series consisting of six episodes. With its popularity and high ratings, a second series commenced on 4 March 1988, followed by a Christmas special in late 1988. The third, fourth and fifth series', which broadcast between 1990 and 1996, and all consisting each of seven episodes, relied heavily on movie parodies, and some music parodies, alongside their own material such as the sketch "Modern Day Mother and Daughter" which spawned Saunders' popular sitcom "Absolutely Fabulous" in 1992. Classic movies parodied include "What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?", "The Exorcist",
Dawn French Dawn French Dawn Roma French (born 11 October 1957) is a British actress, writer, comedian and presenter from Holyhead, Wales. She is best known for starring in and writing for the BBC comedy sketch show "French and Saunders" with comedy partner Jennifer Saunders and for playing the lead role as Geraldine Granger in the BBC sitcom "The Vicar of Dibley". French has been nominated for seven BAFTA TV Awards and also won a BAFTA Fellowship with Jennifer Saunders. French was born in Holyhead, to English parents Denys Vernon French (5 August 1932 – 11 September 1977) and Felicity Roma French