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",
Gavin Petrie Gavin Petrie Gavin Petrie is a British writer and producer. He first came to prominence as creator and writer of "Second Thoughts" along with his wife Jan Etherington. "Second Thoughts" was originally a radio series (1988–1992) before being turned into a television series starring James Bolam, Belinda Lang, Lynda Bellingham and Julia Sawalha and broadcast for five series on ITV (1991-4). This husband and wife partnership also created BBC sitcom "Next of Kin" which aired for three series (1995-7) starring Penelope Keith and William Gaunt in the lead roles. Following the success of "Second Thoughts" a sequel was created in