Girls On Top

Girls On Top

1985
Girls On Top
Girls On Top

Girls On Top

6.5 | en | Comedy

Girls On Top is a British sitcom that was shown on ITV from 1985 to 1986. It starred French & Saunders, Ruby Wax and Tracey Ullman, and was written by French, Saunders and Wax with additional material from Tracey Ullman. Despite a low budget and poor critical reception, the series was a ratings success. It was made for the ITV network by Central Independent Television. The show focused on four female flatmates and their landlady. The characters were stereotypes with little depth and the comedy focused on conflicts from their personalities. It was an attempt at a female version of The Young Ones, two series of which were made in 1982 and 1984. Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders had both appeared on it and, like most of its stars, were members of The Comic Strip group. The theme tune was written and performed by Glenn Tilbrook and Chris Difford from the British band Squeeze.

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Seasons & Episodes

2
1
EP6  Lower the Donkey
Dec. 11,1986
Lower the Donkey

Lady Carlton wins a new luxury kitchen, but her failure to understand the basics of operating a microwave oven result in a blackout. Mistaking the explosion for nuclear disaster, Amanda and Shelley hole themselves up in a homemade fallout shelter in their front room and send Jennifer foraging for food.

EP5  Mr. Yummy Brownie
Dec. 04,1986
Mr. Yummy Brownie

Shelley's mother arrives unexpectedly, under the impression Shelley's playing Ophelia at the Palladium when in fact the only part could land was that of a singing tadpole at a grammar school. After learning the truth about her daughter's failure to make it as an actress, Mrs DuPont uses the persuasive power of chocolate to try to coax her into returning to Beverly Hills to marry a dull liver manufacturer. Determined to prove her talents, Shelley crashes a Royal Shakespeare Company production of ""The Importance of Being Earnest"" and literally steals the show.

EP4  Bring Me More Flamingoes
Nov. 27,1986
Bring Me More Flamingoes

Shelley goes on an animal-theme redecorating kick to set the mood for her ""Let's Welcome Shell to Showbiz"" exclusive celebrity party. Amanda reaches the limit of her patience when forced to camp out with Jennifer in Shelley's room while she's on safari in the living room. A vicious slagging match ensues, and Amanda and Jennifer move out of the flat. But they soon find themselves at Shelley's mercy when they're arrested for vagrancy and can't make bail.

EP3  Who's Ya Uncle Shelley?
Nov. 20,1986
Who's Ya Uncle Shelley?

After being convinced by Shelley of the value of Capitalist worker exploitation, Amanda orders that Jennifer take a job cleaning offices at the stock exchange to help pay the rent. Amanda and Shelley entrust Jennifer with their complete savings when it comes to light that she's a financial genius at playing the stock market.

EP2  Big Snogs
Nov. 06,1986
Big Snogs

Smitten with an electrical handyman, Amanda lures him home to tend to her fuse box. Aroused by the scent of his dirty socks, she is transformed overnight from militant man-hater to Fifties TV house-wife, and she besieges and bewilders the unsuspecting Tom with her feminine wiles. Shelley must teach Amanda the facts about nookie.

EP1  Mr Fluffy Knows Too Much
Oct. 30,1986
Mr Fluffy Knows Too Much

The girls receive word that Candice has been rushed to hospital and has died mysteriously. They struggle to determine which of their vindictive practical jokes may have been to blame for her untimely demise, and more importantly, how to destroy any lingering evidence that might implicate them.

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6.5 | en | Comedy | More Info
Released: 1985-10-23 | Released Producted By: , Country: United Kingdom Budget: 0 Revenue: 0 Official Website:
Synopsis

Girls On Top is a British sitcom that was shown on ITV from 1985 to 1986. It starred French & Saunders, Ruby Wax and Tracey Ullman, and was written by French, Saunders and Wax with additional material from Tracey Ullman. Despite a low budget and poor critical reception, the series was a ratings success. It was made for the ITV network by Central Independent Television. The show focused on four female flatmates and their landlady. The characters were stereotypes with little depth and the comedy focused on conflicts from their personalities. It was an attempt at a female version of The Young Ones, two series of which were made in 1982 and 1984. Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders had both appeared on it and, like most of its stars, were members of The Comic Strip group. The theme tune was written and performed by Glenn Tilbrook and Chris Difford from the British band Squeeze.

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Cast

Dawn French , Jennifer Saunders , Ruby Wax

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Reviews

manimal99 I hadn't seen this series since it was first shown in the eighties, so what an absolute joy it has been to rediscover it. Although recorded in the mid-80s, the humour hasn't dated one jot - there are few contemporary references which has helped the show stand the test of time remarkably well.For me the star of the show was Tracey Ullman though. It wasn't long after this series that she defected to the US and it shows what a sad loss to British TV comedy she was. Its also interesting to see Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders so early in their careers, although they seem to play "second fiddle" to Tracey Ullman and Ruby Wax in series one.All in all, this show comes highly recommended.
luvinasda Well, what can i say about Girls on Top then? OK, its not as funny as Ab Fab or anything that Dawn French or Tracey Ullman have been in recently, but still, it was an enjoyable comedy. Now everyone says Ruby Wax, who plays the eccentric, failed American actress Shelly, and Tracey Ullman the typical London, bimbo slag as the most annoying of the girls, but i found these two to be very funny in deed, and nice to see Jennifer Saunders at her ditsy best. And what can i say i say about Joan Greenwood? hilarious! and the thing with her dead stuffed dog Joesphine is simply pure comedy! i loved this programme i really did, but it ain't Ab Fab believe u me. but if your a fan of any of the girls, then i would recommend it! 4**** out of 5*****
FUNCHO MCLALA Possible spoilers so be warned!This is a fascinating series, for its eighties nostalgia and the opportunity it gives to see these famous women "before they were stars". The guest stars are also a handful of success stories - Hugh Laurie, Alan Rickman, Robbie Coltrane and OMG Katherine Helmond, like you have NEVER seen her before, as Shelley's American mother!I agree that the comedy is uneven - some episodes lack that spark, but others are totally over the top, giving us a glimpse of what is to come from these women. There are moments of inspired insanity though, which is why I recommend it.Strangely, (and I am a big Tracey Ullman fan), although the series was supposed to be a TU vehicle, she has the least to do and is really the least interesting character. I think the show takes a huge leap forward in the second season after she leaves. It seems edgier, crazier and funnier. At this point I have seen the entire series, bar three episodes, and I am enjoying it a lot.Dawn French is the sort of "sane" one and is somewhat typically herself until they let her go man crazy in the second season.Jennifer Saunders is also better in the second season when she gets more to do and her speech becomes a bit clearer, but as one of the odder characters, she is also one of my faves.I LOVE Ruby Wax, and although she may be a sterotype, I know plenty of Americans just like her! Plus I love how her character, Shelley, always sinks her own boat with her pushiness and outright stupidity!Like I said I think Tracey Ullman doesn't get the opportunity to shine here.She's okay and appropriately "bimbotic" but wish we had seen more.Finally, Joan Greenwood's Lady Carlton is OUT THERE! In outer spaaaaace! We LOVE her! Her over-dramatic entrances, her dead stuffed dog she carries around with her, how she always calls TU's character, "the Slut" all over-enunciated and wonderful! She is this gay man's camp dream! You have to see her in action.All in all, I think that had this series continued, it would have improved. But it's a valentine, and you should give it a try. Stop by when you're in Boston and we'll invite you for a viewing!
Rich Meyer I can only say that I was very disappointed with Girls on Top. I recently watched the first DVD with the first three episodes and found it to be more annoying than watchable. I expected a lot more, considering what a big French and Saunders fan I am, but even knowing that this series was created before their more-celebrated partnership began doesn't make this show any funnier. Dawn French has the only semi-likable character on the show ... with Tracy Ullman and Ruby Wax being completely over the top in their portrayals (Wax is an American, and I shudder to think what the British must really think of us). Sure, I laughed a couple of times, but most of the time I just strived to try and understand what was being said. It was interesting to see Alan Rickman (one of my favorite actors) in a bit part in the first episode as well, but there really wasn't much to redeem this britcom. If you like these actresses, check out their later work ... avoid wasting your time with Girls on Top.