Wogan: French and Saunders interview BBC1 1984

[@Bethi4WFH]

Some people commenting here don’t seem to realise that Terry Wogan was deliberately acting as their rather naive feed, and letting them shine even more brightly! He was a great chat show host.

[@simonestreeter1518]

Yes indeed, but I do think he was caught a bit by surprise at Dawn's last answer "I should think we'll have a chat show then." Inspired.

[@robertfraser9873]

Wasn't Wogan on every evening Mon to Fri? Makes you wonder how they managed to get enough guests to fill the shows.

[@SamHodkin23]

@@robertfraser98733 nights a week, Eastenders filled the slot on the other 2 weeknights.

[@pipoo1]

⁠@@robertfraser9873He was on Saturday nights upto January 1985 then went Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings at 7pm when BBC1 was relaunched under Michael Grade. This was the 80s, there were plenty of music artists old and new releasing work, loads of television and movies from both sides of the Atlantic.

[@hkburrows]

It's funny hearing them talk about Terry and June, when 'June' ended up playing Eddie's mom in Ab Fab.

[@MrAJR76]

“Mum”.

[@hkburrows]

@@MrAJR76 I'm near Brum The phonetic 'mom' pronunciation and spelling are still common in the West Midlands. The rest of England has a tendency towards 'mum', though some areas in North England prefer 'mam', which is far more common in Wales and Scotland.

[@KellieAnn71]

Terry: "Well, what're you gonna do when you grow old?" Dawn: "First thing, we'll have a chat show." Best. Comeback. Ever. Hahahahaha!!!

[@enriquebonifacino9939]

Yes, perfect reply. She is very clever.

[@Ladyofshalott55]

She's the best!

[@Bahleaver]

she actually says "i should think we'll have a chat show" which is every funnier. using posh english to the posh man who calls them girls. all in good fun of course.

[@susanwoltman1401]

And they did…in a way. Catch “French and Saunders Titting About” podcast!

[@_dakota_298]

Thank You for uploading this !

[@wordup1944]

40 years ago , crazy .

[@garyparker2541]

38 years ago…..makes me feel so old! Weirdly, still looks relatively modern and broadcast quality even today!

[@koitorob]

A French and Saunders chat show? I'd watch that!

[@rickplant36]

Thank you so much for posting this - I saw a clip years ago and have been looking for the full interview for ages. You are a star xxx

[@houseofiight2880]

And what are you going to do when you grow old? “Host a chat show!” 😂 so lovely to see these two at the beginning of their careers and then recall all the laughs that followed such as girls on top, their own series, Ab Fab and dibley. Thank you for sharing xx

[@robertfraser9873]

And of course Jam and Jerusalem. ❤❤

[@zacmumblethunder7466]

​@@robertfraser9873Murder Most Horrid as well.

[@karenjimenez7346]

Thank you! I've heard them talk about this interview in so many other interviews. Always wanted to see it. Thank you!

[@gospelaccordingtojohn8959]

I absolutely fell in love with these two back in the 80’s, they are still hilarious.

[@Joanna7428]

They absolutely are, I remember discovering them from about 88, they were such a funny inspiration X

[@sfoster.23]

Love how they go into the Mother-Daughter sketch straight away

[@simonestreeter1518]

"What are going to do when you grow old?" And to think I watched this immediately after watching Jennifer being interviewed by Rob Brydon at age 64. And more lovely and relaxed and youthful than ever.

[@robertfraser9873]

I think they are both more comfortable in their skins now. ❤❤

[@lesleythompson6801]

I think I saw this on TV when I lived in England that year. (I'm American.) I didn't realize the connection for a long time after I became a fan of Ab Fab, which is still the funniest thing seen in my life.

[@alias3660]

Dawn is absolutely shining here, and Jennifer is adorably shy/quiet! I love them.

[@vasp99]

All three of these people are absolutely adorable! I'll bet you thought I'd say fabulous, which they also are.

[@teslaandhumanity7383]

38 years later and still popular

[@rinawaller1830]

My daughter served Jennifer coffee when she was in Australia, I was so jealous and upset she didn’t get her autograph. Worse I missed her show, didn’t even know she was here🥲

[@ladybaabaa3294]

Was that a few years ago?? I saw their live show in Brisbane! Was excellent!

[@bridboland8839]

Don't know how Jennifer can manage to relive these scenes repeatedly - I would be in tears if I had to go through these

[@Joanna7428]

Awe. This is a great interview from that year, they didn't disappoint! They went on to become bonkers silly and highly hilarious XxX

[@atticusvilly888]

That was wonderful!

[@lucyroberts2800]

Always liked them from the beginning so funny . When they take of films or daytime tv just makes me roll with laughter .

[@kettle2293]

That one little break in the act at the end of the bit. Priceless. They're not jokes against women. About women. Fabulous.

[@ForceFreeTrainergirl06]

I'm pretty sure Terry didn't foresee that all these years later they would still be going strong. They've been fabulous always. 😍😍😍

[@zacmumblethunder7466]

I saw this at the time and rememver hoping that tgeyd be on again sometime. I've never forgotten the mother and daughter sketch, as my first job was in retail and I'd seen the real life versions many times.

[@kbhprinsesse]

I love Dawn's reaction to "jokes against women". So intelligent and classy

[@lisabruce7381]

Just Absolutely Fabulous!

[@michellenorris8471]

Thank you, girls, I come from a whole family who loves you!

[@retrogal96]

They are amazing one of a kind!!!

[@freyabaxter9333]

So weird watching this now in 2018, they are so young. Jennifer Saunders just turned 60, Dawn is 60 and Terry Wogan died.

[@raeturner8711]

Dawn is a year older than Jennifer. But yes they are getting up there but still looking abfab and of course im not as youmg myself. Ill be 40 next year. Just in 3 months.

[@kh-19636]

I miss Terry 😢

[@brianwilkinson6891]

Didn’t realise how beautiful they were back then. Amazing I simply thought they were plain.

[@chelseapoet3664]

It's very simple, you were young and you compared them to young women their age, now you compare these young women to women your age. So of course they seem more beautiful now.

[@jeremysanderson9673]

I grew up with Wogan but didn’t realize at the time what a brilliant interviewer he was. Absolutely amazing at making his guests look good.

[@deegeraghty9426]

Saw these 2 amazing comedians at Edinburgh Fringe early 1980's. Knew instantly they were going to be famous because they were so good & different to comedy at the time. French & Saunders are incredible.

[@rhymeandreasoning]

very cool. thank you for posting

[@victoriabishko4359]

Thanks,never knew about these two...

[@JustBlondie]

This is beautiful to watch ❤❤❤

[@raeturner8711]

I love how we both American and English country are backwards as i always call it. Its cool. We call their biscuits cookies, drive opposite sides, oir sports: our football is their soccer, and viceversa, we use $ sign they use £ its just amazing. Love being different. I would love to have seen Dawn in america wonder when she came in. I was born 1980.

[@gnothiseauton8684]

Ohhhh girls please bring french and saunders back pleeeeease

[@dayandnight8805]

They need to re enact this interview complete with hair and outfits.

[@ellisivy4303]

I love that idea. Would be briliant!

[@MsPinkwolf]

They might have trouble getting hold of Terry

[@aw-h3875]

@@MsPinkwolf Vic Reeves in THAT wig!

[@fatnsassy99]

Loved french in this 😂🥰🎉

[@teresawalters6358]

Dangly bits !! Hahahahaaaa Love these two!!

[@markholmes8803]

class

[@weezydee4452]

Aww miss those days

[@kitschntiles]

Love these babes! As Jen says in her book, the only thing that will end their comedy partnership is death. ❤️

[@joannehetherington3907]

Aww did she say that?

[@vashnanerada8757]

They not jokes AGAINST WOMAN they are jokes ABOUT WOMAN.... PERFECTLY SAID

[@hannahwootton6491]

The cleaning line is pretty genius after he asks if they go there own way that he has been sort of patronising

[@andrewmihalik7575]

Wow. Like a decade before I was born. I've never seen them like this; they both, really look quite unrecognisable. They both look better now!

[@lorrainedowning2623]

Well that's the most important thing! That they look better 🙄🙄

[@Bethi4WFH]

How strange.......I think they looked great then AND now.

[@firewoman2863]

Now we know where Jennifer got the idea for how Patsy Stone would behave in a chat show setting!

[@judistench2167]

Yeah cheers…thanks a lot

[@silva-anderida7695]

So old fashioned.Slightly reminds me of a famous interview with the sex pistols when they said boo to a goose.Both equally sweet.

[@SimderZ]

How the times have changed, thank goodness.

[@Kim-lc3fv]

Yes, indeed! It makes one grateful for growing older. I appreciate all the success they've enjoyed since then.

[@EricPollarrd]

Damn shame u mean

[@survivor648]

Wow look at the 80s early 90s hair

[@koitorob]

So that's where Comic Strip Presents... name came from

[@RagenRibbonz]

Savants at playing the awkward comedy bit in front of an audience as though it were real. So ahead of their time.

[@SonjaDawn]

I wonder if they made it?...

[@robertfraser9873]

I can't imagine Girls on Top being called anything else. ❤❤

[@lucyroberts2800]

Girls on top loved this

[@ianmason2964]

Bear in mind that Terry read Janet & John before 8 am on the radio 😂

[@SophieCrane-o7v]

Have you got the interview Terry had with Roger Cook from that same show?

[@maxbitrate]

Sorry, no, I only recorded that clip.

[@bcoolfool1014]

Terry completely n woefully out of his league here bless him.

[@EricPollarrd]

Dawn’s fkn hilarious like 24 7. Usually comedians aren’t anywhere near as funny ad lib as their written gigs, but Dawn’s the total opposite, way funnier than her writing.

[@grandmalovesmebest]

Her husband, Lenny Henry, even said she's just naturally funny besides getting all the awards for being funny. I don't think i ever saw them before reruns on comedy central and Vicar of Dibley. This is great and a bit of a stun to see them so young and Jennifer plump and Dawn skinnier. They certainly are a well matched pair.

[@lifegood1712]

"Girl's On Top" was the title chosen for their sitcom, and "Four-Play was the first episode. The flat the four women shared was on the upper level and the first episode was on how the four came to be roommates. The concept of "Foreplay" must have been still trending on daytime talk shows and magazines. It was identified as a key part of sex that women valued and men neglected. Dawn, being brilliant, does the faux submissive, perhaps you could choose a title for us, then comes out with two titles related to asserting feminine sexuality. The host eventually suggests "Take Four Girls" to reassert his toxic masculinity but fails. French has established her place and he even let's her introduce the band. Don't bother labeling French and Saunders "feminists", just understand them as a force countering the baseless stupidity of male chauvinism. If this video makes you cringe you should be grateful for people like French and Saunders who moved with the times while helping steer them to a better place.

[@sexobscura]

Well put

[@francisbtube]

I have no idea what interview you were watching but certainly not this one.

[@aw-h3875]

This didn't make me cringe. It delighted me. Well, Terry's hair made me cringe but apart from that the interview was a delight.

[@crazyspice3951]

Oh my God, that's Ginger Sugar Lumps & Posh Sugar Lumps from the Sugar Lumps!!!! 🤣😂🤣😂🤣

[@SarahSmith-nr2wj]

Jeez, poor Terry can only ask questions from the reference point of the known established mainstream past🤪 the limitations this puts in his mind and questions are next level cringe. F & S deal with it nicely.

[@sexobscura]

The Alternative Comedy label just meant humour that wasn't male chauvinist/sexist

[@blahblog4322]

Idiotic ststement

[@jaymcd8577]

the hairstyles...scream 80s

[@davidcowan4378]

God, Terry is so patronising. what rubbish questions. Dawn and Jen deserved better.

[@DistantCousin]

Bloody hell - could have predicted that. He was awful - but very much of his time. looks even worse looking back at his style.

[@Swissspookie]

These two are funnier than Morecambe and wise

[@Andrea-jg8ri]

Saunders is so uncomfortable during this interview, now she's a pro.

[@lasejanus]

I think the squirming and shyness is put on.

[@krisshannon5424]

@@lasejanus i just saw an interview where she said she was very uncomfortable. And sweating in that red dress.

[@sexobscura]

Jennifer was always stilted in interviews. It was a pity because on screen she was hilarious. I've only seen her animated and relaxed while with Joanna Lumley

[@daviddelaney6757]

It's a well known fact that many actors and performer's are a little shy at heart - this is no different 😉

[@grandmalovesmebest]

@@sexobscura I saw one interview w Joanne and she was such a sweet loving person that I imagine she mixes well w lots of personality types. She was like the best friend for life that you have or wished to have had. I thought she was like a well bred, posh, ex hippy.🤗 Amazed me as I've only seen her as Patsy, Patsy Stone😁. Its even funnier, having seen her out of character, to watch her spit bile at poor Saffron.😄

[@happydays7143]

Oooh that was awkward ,🙈. Jennifer is like Lady Di !

[@bink865]

Wogan sadly seems to be struggling a little

[@3506Dodge]

That is a bizarre set. It almost looks CGI, but it's certainly not.

[@yvonnekelly1345]

I found that interview very awkward

[@ameliaxfanx7126]

Dawns hair omg yess but Jennifer tho

[@bernlin2000]

That hair lol...very 80s

[@stayjit1]

I've never seen this, I would never recognize Jennifer Saunders. Same voice though.

[@KarmasAbutch]

“Isn’t it more likely that you’ll go your separate ways... it is, pretty unusual to have a comedy duo that’s female.” That’s right everybody, only 35 years ago, 2 *Lady-sandwich Owners* being funny in the same room at the same time was a akin to a rebel uprising. 🤯 Even when they mock him for that Wogan is too thrown-back to an obsolete era to get it. LOL. He’s so fkn defensive and threatened.

[@maakeklein4073]

Yeh he was better on radio.

[@wollysocks1]

Evenback then Terry tried to put them down saying as females it was unusual & they may find it difficult to be successful, oh if only knew then how great they would be& perfect their act.

[@carolburke9153]

This is painfull .

[@sarahp007]

How misogynistic these questions are. Love these women, but the shit women have had to put up with.

[@katycheeseburger]

If you read this before you watch the video, DON’T! You’ll never see them in the same way again. Cringe.

[@bcoolfool1014]

This was a great interview. I mean not Terry, obvs, but Jen and Dawn were, no pun intended, absolutely fabulous.

[@OTR353]

This show is too stiff, too appreciate the humour of French and Saunders.

[@ericplunder2744]

What a woeful interviewer

[@gjmay78]

They're still the cat's meow. Hr was always overrated. What a tiresome man.

[@jasoncollins1702]

I love F&S, but this is excruciating to watch. Who shanghai's the host's talk show? Bad form. Play it straight for once, ladies. I think I stopped watching just in time!

[@Tigerland1962]

A perfect reason why there are few female comics, Dawn French and Lenny Henry have got to been the least funny ever, do they not realise they got famous as part of a tick list at the start of PC control. Henry must be the bigest fraud ever. THEY ARE NOT FUNNY.

[@grandmalovesmebest]

You don't think the vicar of dibley and chef are funny? Do you think anything Richard Curtis did was funny? Im really in awe. I think all three of them are sweet and funny ppl. But then, in an American Anglophile.

[@goodiesguy]

Wow, they were just as painfully unfunny at the beginning of their career.

[@blacklightning298]

At least its not as sexest as show from 70s like benny Hill chasing woman in kinky underwear.. Iv never seen these 2 do thing like that. But that's my opinion..

[@blacklightning298]

Yes we had Kenny everest who was hilarious but he was actually forced to have sexy woman in underwear on his show. He talks about it in interview..

[@gallopinivintage]

More like they had to spend the entire time deflecting the idiot host's sexist questions. They didn't have time to actually be themselves. That man is a waste of everyone's time.

[@raeturner8711]

Not so. Some things they did was funny. They got better as they went along. Ty

[@ericplunder2744]

Why are you watching then?