After Dinner Speakers: Jennifer Saunders, Mel Gibson, Richard Hadlee

Jennifer Saunders met Dawn French at the Central School of Speech and Drama. Jennifer was the one who replied to an advert for comediennes at The Comic Strip, and brought Dawn along with her. Pioneers of alternative comedy, members of The Comic Strip included Rik Mayall, Alexei Sayle, and Adrian Edmonson. Saunders said their early work was so bad that Mayall recommended returning to teaching. In 1987 French And Saunders moved from the stage to TV sketch show, rapidly becoming Britain's best loved female comedy duo. Both comediennes have flourished individually. 'I don't think women being drunk is funny' was the response to Jennifer's first solo project. Absolutely Fabulous was first broadcast in 1992 and became a world-wide hit. Despite vowing to end on the highest of notes (Series 3), Edina and Patsy returned for a fourth series in 2001. French and Saunders returned to our screens for a Spring Special in March 2002 spoofing Lord Of The Rings.