4/5 absolutely hilarious!
  by Byron Kolln (the corner where Broadway meets Hollywood)
This ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS special originally aired during Christmas in 2004.

With Saffy (Julia Sawalha) in Africa getting married, Eddy (Jennifer Saunders) decides to renovate the kitchen...again. She calls in her old friends Bettina and Max (Miranda Richardson and Patrick Barber), but Bettina's concept of "white box" soon causes more trouble than Eddy wants. Meanwhile Patsy (Joanna Lumley) is in hospital for some "pay as you go" procedures. Adding to the chaos are Marshall and Bo (Christopher Ryan and Mo Gaffney), on the run from the authorities following their latest fraudulent television ministry.

Needless to say, by the time Saffy returns home, the kitchen is still in a shocking state. Convinced the answer lies in one of her myriad past lives, Eddy organises for a regression to find the kitchen of her dreams...

It's fun catching up with old characters Max and Bettina (previously seen in the "New Best Friend" episode from Season 2), plus there are some great cameo roles for Nathan Lane as an eccentric designer, and Laurie Metcalf ("Roseanne") as Eddy's psychic medium. Home design guru Sir Terence Conran also puts in a fleeting appearance. And don't forget the always-hilarious Mother (June Whitfield) and Bubble (Jane Horrocks).

It's been a long time in coming to DVD, but fans of AbFab are sure to love it!

4/5 The Ongoing Lives of Edina Monsoon, Patsy Stone & Edina's Daugher Saffy
  by M. Hart (USA)
The 2004 "Absolutely Fabulous" special entitled "White Box" was another hilarious look into the lives of the fictional characters created originally by Jennifer Saunders (who plays Edina Monsoon) and and Dawn French (who played the original Saffy, Edina's daughter, but that role was revamped & recast for the series with Julia Sawalha). "White Box" begins with Saffy planning a trip to Africa to marry the father of her child. Edina was supposed to go, but instead remains in London with her long-time friend Patsy Stone (Joanna Lumley). Against Saffy's wishes, Edina decides to yet again redecorate the house, starting with the kitchen. The result: a near-featureless white room thanks to the efforts of Edina's friends Bettina (Miranda Richardson) and Max (Patrick Barlow). Of course, Saffy is not at all happy at this latest change upon her return, but her disgust is temporarily thwarted when Bo (Mo Gaffney) and Marshall (Christopher Ryan) show up while hiding from the law due to their illegal money-collecting activities for their latest phony televangelist show in the states. Meanwhile, Patsy has undergone a partial surgery ("pay as you go") and is dripping profusely where ever she goes. This time, however, Saffy may do something a bit rash to change things for herself and her young daughter.

Other returning characters included Bubble (Jane Horrocks) and Edina's mother (June Whitfield). Guest stars included designer Terence Conran (as himself), Laurie Metcalf as a regression "expert" and Nathan Lane as a designer named Kunz. Overall, "White Box" was a very funny, earns a rating of 4 out of 5 stars and is highly recommended to any "Absolutely Fabulous" aficionado.


4/5 I could not stop laughing
  by K. Hand (CA)
I have always heard about Absolutely Fabulous but never saw an episode until today when the WHITE BOX came in the mail. After a horrible day at work I found myself howling with laughter.

Yes, it is horrible and irreverent, but it is SO funny! These 2 women are so over the top that everything that is offensive is somehow forgiven.

I just know it was exactly what I needed after the day I had today!

2/5 Sad, Sad, Sad
  by James Donovan (Plainfield, Vermont USA)
My, how far we've fallen. I remember when this show was sharp, well written and hilarious. Sadly, none of what made the original series so brilliant is on display here. What we get is a plot lifted from earlier, better episodes, secondary characters with nothing to do but make an appearance for nostalgic's sake, and a main character (Patsy) who no longer resembles herself. And it all plays out with nary a laugh in sight. How disappointing! Jennifer Saunders is an undeniable talent, but she seems determined to drag the memory of this once ground-breaking show through the dirt with these senseless "Specials". If you absolutely have to see this (and if you're a long time fan, you will feel like you have to), then rent it first. And be prepared to be let down.

5/5 Back on Form
  by R. Ruiz (San Francisco, CA)
I found White Box to be great fun and absolutely hysterical in parts.

The funny thing is that now as everyone's aged it's Edina who's the voice of reason amongst this group of eccentrics.

Unfortunately, Julia Sawalha is still allowed to play Saffy with too much anger and throws off the whole balance of the show (and the comedy). (In the first three series she was annoyed by her mother but always clearly had tolerance, patience, and love for her, while in the later series she's just too bitter and angry ALL THE TIME for the show's own good.)

Kudos to Jennifer Saunders for getting Ab Fab back on track. If Saffy were just tweaked a little this could be a great show again -- especially now that Edina's got a granddaughter and (flashing forward a few years) Eddie and Patsy could be a wonderful pair of Auntie Mames.

Kudos also to Laurie Metcalfe as a past life regressor. She's proved to be quite a talent in this, even with very physical comedy like slipping out of a shiny-surfaced plastic white chair (where every single move and eye movement was perfectly choreographed).