Dame Edna Buzz

Hello Darlings! Hello Possums!

You gorgeous things! You've been desperate for another update, haven't you? Well, there's nothing like a little news of Australian megastar glamour to brighten up a day, is there?

Well, lucky for you, here at The Untamed Edna Experience office, we've been keeping track of all the glad tidings of the gladioli guru, and have found that the internet is a-buzz with lucky possums galore who have been fortunate enough to see Dame Edna's show "Back With a Vengeance" which is back on tour down-under, creating show business history.

Quicksticks, Darlings! Check out these links to the reviews and blogs of the possum-passionate:

Wave That Glad and Grab Life by the Stalk

The Stage Blog

Live - Barry Humphries - Back With a Vengeance

Edna: Gigastar. Humphries: Genius.

50 Glorious Years of Dame Edna

She's Back - Radio Interview

Dame Edna is "Back With a Vengeance" in Sydney!

You little darlings!

This week we bring you news of the triumphant return of our favourite giga-star to her antipodean roots as she returns to her Australian tour and opens her latest show "Back With a Vengeance" at the Capitol Theatre in Sydney.


We could sense your anticipation and desperation for this news as the show opened this week on Thursday, 17th May, and so we've compiled a collection of web coverage for you to probe to your hearts content! Quicksticks, Possums! Click on the links, you little minx:

Sydney Morning Herald (video clips!)

Sydney Morning Herald - more caring and sharing!

The Daily Telegraph - with photo slide show!

ViewImages - collection of images from the show

And "what news of our own Dame Edna impersonator Simon?", I hear you cry. Well, darlings, he's been a busy ole giga-star impersonator, and has been bringing Dame Edna's unparalleled wit and wisdom to grateful non-entities around the country. We'll post some gorgeous photos soon, but in the meantime, why not check out our quotes page to read how we've been helping out these countless desperados - transforming their otherwise dull gatherings into glittering events of glamour and hilarity, Dame Edna-style!

Til next time, Possums!

Rumours of Dame Edna and k d lang...

Hello, Possums! Hello, darlings!

You gorgeous little mites! You've been desperate for more news of our favourite giga-star, haven't you? It must be difficult these days, being a dull, boring non-entity in a country once blessed, for 6 glorious weeks at least, by the return of Dame Edna to our television screens. My hope, strength, and understanding go out to you, Possums!

But you needn't worry, because we here at The Untamed Edna Experience are always on the look out for news of the woman who is probably the only wisteria-locked personal adviser to little Benny, the current Pope.

In fact, we've heard that Benedict was desperate for Dame Edna and Valmai to join him on his current tour of South America. You see, Benny has been trying urgently to convince his little flock in Brazil to honour the teachings of abstinence....and Dame Edna is happy to point out that Valmai is surely a prime example of the disastrous results that come from having "relations"...in fact, Valmai's the ultimate poster child for abstinence! But I'm sure she means it in a caring way.

But I digress, as the main news I want to bring you is from a news article we found featuring Dame Edna, who has returned triumphantly to Australia from the United Kingdom to resume her "Back with a Vengeance" tour in Sydney. The article refers, of course, to her hugely successful new TV show, The Dame Edna Treatment, and speaks of her various vocal duets with the likes of Shirley Bassey and Fergie.

But wait, Possums! Included in the list of singers is also k d lang!!! Could this mean that the 7th, and yet to air show (a 50th Anniversary retrospective), will feature singing diva k d lang? Exciting news to be sure! We'll keep our ears to the ground, and let you know if we hear anything further...

You'll find this gorgeous little article here, my darlings: The Sydney Morning Herald . Enjoy! And until next time, Possums, we'll leave you with this hilarious quote from the article:

"I still pinch myself, darling, to think it was a little over 50 years since I stepped onto the boards in Melbourne, a painfully shy woman," she says, adding that it is now the audience who are shy. "And I'm still so humble, though I don't think humility is one of the great virtues. Like chastity, it's one of the ... well, it's not even a virtue any more. It's almost a drawback."

The Dame Edna Treatment - Episode 6 Review

Oh, Possums!

I'm a weepy ol' mega-star fan....call me old fashioned, my darlings, but I am! I am!

It's hard to believe that we've already reached the final episode of what has undoubtedly been a landmark event in television history - the glorious return of Dame Edna to our tv screens in "The Dame Edna Treatment". It's spooky how the time flies!


Now, before some of you dedicated members of the Possum Posse cry out "But wait! There was a 7th episode filmed, wasn't there?", let me reassure your gorgeous little hearts. Yes! There was, indeed, a 7th episode filmed, but it was a special episode to celebrate Dame Edna's 50 years in entertainment. (Click here to discover more of the glamorous ways the world has been celebrating this fabulous anniversary!) My little Edna-spies tell me that this may be aired in June, so keep your eyes on the listings.

But back to the matter at hand....Episode 6 from Spa Edna:

This show was a joy from start to finish! But it almost started in disaster, Possums! As Edna made her gorgeous entrance (ahem!) in a resplendent blue feathered dress, she was horrified to discover that Spa Edna had been ransacked. She cried out "I turn my back for 5 minutes...I pop over to Switzerland to visit my money and this happens...."

Who could have been responsible? Well it turns out it was Valmai (of course!). In an hilarious nod to current events, the story was that Valmai posted a notice on MySpace for a party at the spa, and a whole host of non-entities and hoodies came to party and wrecked the place. Poor Dame Edna discovered Valmai in a drunken stupor with a bottle of date-rape drugged alcohol (she should be so lucky!).

So Dame Edna immediately called the police and reported that her inner sanctum had been violated! Hilarious!

At last, when Valmai got things tidied up, Edna was able to invite her first superstar guest to the treatment couch - Alan Alda!


This was a brilliant interview, not least because Alan Alda was having so much fun!!! Dame Edna introduced him, in typically irreverent fashion by saying, "..he's the star of MASH and other shows that, actually, I can't remember..." , and the scene was set for a lot of laughs.

Among other things, Edna's probing uncovered the fact that Alan had some emergency bowel surgery recently. She told him about her many prostate charities, in memory of her husband Norm (whom she said was the very image of Alan Alda, "except for the looks...and the wit...and the talent."). The best line came when Edna said that in fact, she started the whole "prostate movement", and then asked Alan if he thought of starting a "bowel movement"....to which he collapsed in laughter. Classic Edna!

The caring and sharing continued apace, and Edna told him (in a nice way, of course!) she was never a fan of MASH, although she saw it's merits... I'm sure he appreciated her honesty. Well after all, she's a busy ol' gigastar, and she doesn't have the time to watch every little show on TV, does she?

Musical entertainment for Episode 6 was provided by gorgeous little Sophie Ellis-Bexter, whom Edna declared she had been a fan of ever since she heard "Murder on the Dance Floor"...which meant she had been a fan for about 20 minutes....Brilliant introduction!

After performing her new single, little Sophie explained that she had co-written the song. Dame Edna, never one to let the details go astray, asked "Did you write the good bits or the bad bits?"

Sophie looked gorgeous. Dame Edna noted that she's had 2 years off to have a baby, and then asked "have you had it yet???"

This gorgeous interchange was then rudely interrupted by cricketer Shane Warne, who entered the spa, beer in hand, looking for the MySpace party Valmai hosted earlier... But as he is a fellow Australian, Dame Edna quickly forgave him and he joined them on the couch.

This was a brilliant interview, as Dame Edna didn't miss a single opportunity to roast her fellow countryman over the Australian coals! She noted, for example, that " lots of sports stars let themselves go when they retire, but not you! - because you were never in great shape to begin with! "


In another exclusive revelation, we learned that someone is writing a musical about Shane's life. Edna mused the casting might be difficult: "...I mean, Pavarotti has the build, but he doesn't have the hair..." Poor little Shane didn't quite know what to say, but the audience loved every minute of it!

Another interruption came, when the police arrived to investigate Dame Edna's earlier complaint about the party. Edna, ever the caring and protective parent declared " You'll never get to know my daughter's whereabouts from me..." ...while pointing them in the right direction. Well, after all, she noted that Valmai has " been looking forward to a women's prison for years ". It was hysterical!

The final patient in treatment at Spa Edna was bumbling Boris Johnson. Sadly, even Dame Edna and her spa centre couldn't do much to help the likes of Boris Johnson. As he was rattling on about some bizarre political opinion, the camera followed the faces of his fellow guests, and their looks of confusion and utter bewilderment were absolutely fantastic - so, so funny!

Edna' opinion of Boris was made clear when she brought out his book and told the audience "..this is obtainable...you can leave your name at a bookstore... and a couple of weeks later they'll get you a copy..." Wondrous!

The crowning glory to this brilliant show was a duet featuring Dame Edna, Sophie, and the cast of Fame performing "Fame - I Want To Live Forever!"


As Dame Edna is clearly the world's most famous and popular housewife and international phenomenon, "Fame" was the perfect ending to this seminal series. It's been absolutely wonderful having Dame Edna back with us again, and there have been so many moments of absolute brilliance!!! Here's hoping the series will be out on DVD very soon - we'll let you know as soon as we see it.

And don't forget, Possums, we still have the 50th Anniversary show to look forward to. Check back often, and we'll post the details as soon as we have them.

We'll also soon have more postings with Simon's Dame Edna news. He's been a very busy ol' gigastar impersonator lately, and we have lots to tell you about!

Bye, bye for now, my darlings! Bye, bye!

The Dame Edna Treatment - Episode 5 Review

Hello, Possums! Hello darlings!

How the time is flying - we're already to episode 5 in what thankful non-entities all over the country are calling Dame Edna's triumphant, ground-breaking, and life-altering return to our previously dull TV screens - The Dame Edna Treatment !

What a great time we've been having with Australia's gigastar/housewife! Clearly, the press couldn't agree more. The Telegraph's TV magazine writes "Edna has been in formidable form throughout this comeback run; time (even this much time) hasn't mellowed her a bit." And aren't we a grateful bunch of Possums for that!


At this point in the series, Dame Edna's juices are really flowing, and her adoring audiences are lapping it up (if you'll excuse the expression...)!

In treatment at Spa Edna this week were superstar Susan Sarandon, Ian McShane, Rod Stewart's little mite Kimberly, and singing diva Dame Shirley Bassey. Fabulous!

The show got off to an hilarious start when we discovered Valmai, looking suitably hideous in a 'nightclub' outfit, trying to sneak out of the spa for a night on the town with Kimberly. Edna aborted this plan immediately, with a scene that really defies explanation...suffice it to say that Valmai was given a ground level security sweep with a mirror, and either the mirror was cracked, or she was attempting to go out 'commando'....oh dear! It was truly hysterical!

First on the couch was little Ian McShane who's show Edna kept thinking was called 'Driftwood' (aka 'Deadwood'), has been a huge hit stateside. Edna's gentle probing of little Ian was thorough, to say the least. She adores Ian, and told him "You're attractive, but in a funny way...not to me!". She went on to say that he reminded her of her late husband Norm: "When I look at you and close my eyes, I can see Norm....and yet if I open them...you're nothing like him at all!" Classic Edna!


This gorgeous session of caring and sharing also revealed that Ian had dipped his toes into the world of popular music some years ago. With typical sensitivity to a subject Ian might have found embarrassing, she produced a record album he recorded in the 80s, asking "Do you remember when albums were this size?" She told us it was one of the few that actually sold, and that they found that copy at a 'Help the Aged' shop....but she meant it nicely, I'm sure!

Next up was Hollywood superstar Susan Sarandon. This was a fun interview! With 4 films coming out in the future, Dame Edna theorised as to the secret behind Susan's success: "...while other actresses are busy having reconstruction and surgery...you've let nature take it's course and you have vacuumed up all the mature parts!" She meant it in a caring way, of course! Heaping further praise (in her own gentle style) she added, "I like your face more now than I did in your earlier films....because I've got used to it!"

Dame Edna also had a fabulous surprise up her (Kenny Everage original) sleeve for little Susan, in the form of Richard O'Brien - creator of the Rocky Horror Show! For old time's sake, Richard got Susan and the whole studio up to do a little 'Time Warp'ing. Apparently Valmai loves doing the 'Time Warp' in her room...which is why Dame Edna has had to have her house underpinned!

The icing on the cake of this delicious show was, of course, the performance by Shirley Bassey! In addition to singing her Bond-styled new single, she also wowed us with a duet of "Big Spender" with Edna!


Dame Edna introduced this show-stopping finale in typically humble fashion telling us: "It's the moment you've all been waiting for. It's the biggest Dame in show business, and she's back...and thank goodness I am! And accompanying me tonight is that other Dame - adorable Shirley Bassey." Quite right, too!

This was a gorgeous night on the tele, Possums! International glamour, in-depth probing, and the sage widsom of an international guru and gigastar. Can't wait for next week, my darlings! See you then!!!

The Dame Edna Treatment - Episode 4 Review

Oh, Possums! What a treat we had on Saturday night with episode 4 of The Dame Edna Treatment!


When we heard that giga-star Dame Edna Everage was going to be inviting the Little Britain boys to her exclusive spa treatment centre, we knew it was going to be fun, but this episode turned out to be best so far in this ground-breaking series! From the outset, when Dame Edna greeted her adoring studio audience, looking resplendent in a "Kenny Everage Original", our favourite Australian housewife was on a roll. She declared that spring was in the air, and that her sap was rising and her pheromones were moaning! Marvelous!!!

It was such a great night, and the laughs were fast and furious. Dame Edna's first guests, Matt Lucas and David Walliams of "Little Britain" fame, were up to mischief right from the start, with Matt doing a great impersonation of Valmai at the Treament Centre desk, and David snogging Valmai centre stage (perhaps he didn't have his contacts in?)



During her time of caring and sharing with the boys, Dame Edna professed to never missing an episode of Little Britain...because she is a big fan of Tom Baker! She also loves the catchphrases created by the series, and told them her favourite was "Am I bovered?". Hilarious! David said that fans often shouted "I'm a lady" to him, but Matt admitted he doesn't like it when men dress as women...that he finds it a little yukky! Dame Edna agreed immediately, and said she felt that when men behave like that, it indicated that something had gone wrong in their home life.

Dame Edna has such a knack of getting to the heart of an issue, don't you think? Classic!



Always with her finger on the pulse of current issues, Dame Edna enquired if Matt had been bullied at school, pointing out that he was slightly "unusual" looking (she did it nicely, of course!). She then went on to reveal that as a child Valmai had been bullied, bullied, bullied...that's why Dame Edna sent her to school....in the mornings she didn't have any more energy to bully Valmai any longer! It was brilliant, and the audience collapsed into laughter.

It was such a joy to watch Matt and David during this segment, as they were clearly having as much fun as we were!

Next on the treatment couch was Piers Morgan, and Dame Edna obviously enjoyed making little Piers squirm during his time in her presence. The scene was set beautifully when she asked him to sign a confidentiality contract so that the revelations from their interview wouldn't make into the country's gutter press. She then told him that she had been watching his long career, and that she still wasn't sure who he was and what he does....and having perused some of his publications it seemed to her that he was as much in the dark as she was! Go, Edna, go!!!

But as Edna's way is always to be so nice, she did have some kind words for Piers, the poor little mite. She said that his new book was ideal....for pressing flowers, declaring "Whoever would have thought Piers Morgan's career would lead to beautiful things...".

No question, then, that Piers Morgan got The Dame Edna Treatment!!!

Edna's final guest was pop superstar Deborah Harry, who first met our Australian international phenomenon in her dressing room after one of her life-changing shows in San Francisco. Gorgeous little Debbie chatted about her days as a Playboy bunny and her film roles. Dame Edna probed further, and enquired about any piercing she might have. Valmai, we learned, has her naval pierced...that way if she breaks down it's easier to tow her away. Fabulous!!!


This hysterical evening ended with a duet of Dame Edna and Deborah Harry singing the Blondie hit "One Way or Another". Dame Edna's prowess as a dancer had me laughing out loud - and I mean that nicely, Possums, I do!

It was the most enjoyable night in Spa Edna yet, and next week promises to be amazing too - with guests Dame Shirley Bassey, Susan Sarandon, Ian McShane, and Rod Stewart's gorgeous little girl Kimberly. Don't miss it, you little darlings - Saturday at 10 pm on ITV1.

And don't forget, Possums - if you've been to a taping or want to share your favourite moments of The Dame Edna Treatment, get in touch with Simon or Dale here. Quicksticks, darlings! It's always gorgeous to hear from you!

Are you missing Dame Edna, Possums?

Hello, Possums!

You little darlings! With the absence of Dame Edna from our TV screens over the Easter weekend, are you suffering from DEDS (Dame Edna Deprivation Syndrome)?

Well, worry not! I found a gorgeous little clip on YouTube featuring Barry Humphries discussing Dame Edna and Sir Les from the TV program "100 Greatest Stand Ups". It's the perfect antidote to a nasty case of DEDS, and should see you through until the next episode of The Dame Edna Treatment on Saturday night (21:40 ITV1). Enjoy!

The Dame Edna Treatment - Episode 3 Review

Oh, Possums! What a glamorous ol' week it was in at Spa Edna!

This week, our celebrity healer, swami, and international heroine welcomed some fabulous stars to her treatment centre, and she gave them all a gentle, if not thorough probing.

First in treatment was Alec Baldwin, who joined Dame Edna on set in a bathrobe following his steam room session. This was a wonderful segment, and we really saw Dame Edna on top form.


Revelations were the order of the night! First, we learned that Alec is "OC/DC", that is to say that he suffers from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Dame Edna, simply to clarify, wondered what the difference was between being OC/DC and being anally retentive...and suffice it to say that the conversation went deeper and deeper (now don't twist my words!)


We also learned that Alec played with dolls as a child, and in a funny coincidence, so did Dame Edna's son Kenny! Who would have guessed? And moreover, Alec's doll was named Kenny, and he apparently tended to put various parts of the doll in his mouth...truly, these are disclosures no other show could have achieved...

Next on the couch was Amanda Holden who, although in this correspondent's opinion is not exactly A-list, was great fun.

In going through Amanda's records as she entered Spa Edna, Dame Edna asked her which part of her body she least liked. She replied that it was her feet, and Valmai quickly brought in a foot spa with "Ednox" soak.

At this point we learned that Dame Edna is blessed with a fortune-telling gift passed down to her from the ancient Hittites in which she "reads shoes"- hilarious! - so while Amanda was soaking her tootsies, Dame Edna proceeded to give her a reading. She then went into a trance (an hysterical sight!) and in a vision saw two words.....Shoe Express....

It was classic Edna!

Other guests included Tim Allen (whose films include The Santa Clause, The Santa Clause 2, and The Santa Clause 3....oh, dear!), Shane Ritchie (who was fast-tracked by Dame Edna from the waiting room into a sunbed appointment, only to be burned to a crisp by a negligent Valmai), and a Naomi Campbell lookalike who was polishing Edna's brass as part of her community service.

The icing on the cake of this delicious Dame Edna show, was singer Engelbert Humperdinck, who didn't quite seem to know what was going on exactly (memories of Gina Lollobrigida from 'A Night on Mount Edna'...).

As Dame Edna was looking over his new CD of greatest hits, she noted that the cover said "36 Greatest Hits"....then added "...not all of them yours...". I'm sure she meant it nicely!

To cap off the evening, we were treated to a fantastic duet between Dame Edna and 'Eng', singing "Quando, Quando, Quando". It was a fabulous Dame Edna extravaganza, with the audience swaying gladis, the guest stars doing the conga and shaking their maracas, and the backing dancers giving it their all in wisteria hair. She and Eng gave an energetic and vocally charged performance, topping off a fantastic evening!


Simon and I were at the taping of this episode, Possums, and it was a really great night. The audience had such fun, and the things that didn't make it into the final show kept us laughing long after we left the studio. Maybe that will make another posting in the future...?

I see from the TV listings, that due to the Easter weekend, we won't get the next episode until the 14th of April. Whatever will we do without Edna's gigastar glamour on our TV screens until then?

The Dame Edna Treatment - Episode 2 Review

Call me old-fashioned, Possums, but I think the idea of a man getting dressed up in women's clothing is a little bit yukky! I'm sorry, but I do...

But I have to admit that the sight of Martin Sheen dressed up as Dame Edna at the start of the second show was hilarious! Little Marty was in for a bit of a rough ride, but he enjoyed every minute of Dame Edna's gentle probing!

In the second episode of her ground-breaking new series for ITV, "The Dame Edna Treatment", Edna fans around the country watched as she cared and shared (as well as offering a spa treatment of lymphatic drainage) to her celebrity guests including Martin Sheen, Fergie (from the Black Eyed Beans, or was that Peas?), Tracey Emin, and Ronnie Corbett.

Marty was brilliant on the sofa, so to speak. I loved the discussion of his name, when Dame Edna suggested that "Martin Sheen" was a good choice for a stage/screen name, as it was easier to say than "Martin Non-Abrasive-Cleaner". Fabulous! As they were chatting later about his work in "Apocalypse Now", she mused that it seemed odd for them to name a film using a word most Americans couldn't pronounce. The audience, of course, roared with laughter!

Dame Edna introduced her next guest, Fergie from the Black Eyed Peas as both a pop star and a vegetable (not unlike Ozzy Ozbourne). She was a fantastic guest - bright, talented and game for a laugh. When chatting about reincarnation, she asked Edna if she'd like to come back as a man...Edna replied that "..we all have men inside us from time to time...". Classic Dame Edna - brilliant!!!


The next guest, was the polar opposite to Fergie in that she wasn't bright, talented or game for a laugh. In fact, Tracey Emin's presence on the show seemed to be, as Dame Edna would say, "a little bit unnecessary...a little uncalled for..." Here's hoping the producers don't repeat that kind of mistake in future episodes!

But aside from that, the show was fabulous! The final picture of Ronnie Corbett coming on stage having been rescued from the gates of Spa Edna by Valmai's powertools, was priceless. If you missed this great episode on Saturday night, be sure to catch it tonight at 23:00 on ITV1!

All hail, Dame Edna, the queen of Saturday night TV! Long may her reign continue!

And if you'd like to add your comments about the show to the show's official message board, check it out here. Or drop us a note via our website here . Until next time, Possums, bye-bye! Bye-bye!

The Dame Edna Treatment - A Truly Gorgeous Opening!

Good news, Possums!

I've just found the wonderful intro clip for The Dame Edna Treatment on YouTube. With a fantastic new song by Robin Gibb, and some gorgeous graphics truly befitting a global entertainment phenomenon like Dame Edna, it's a brilliant opening (now, don't twist my words!). Great lyrics and hilarious images of Dame Edna - enjoy!!!

The Dame Edna Treatment - Episode 1 Review

Hello Possums!

You lucky darlings! This past weekend, you witnessed the return of our favourite housewife/gigastar Dame Edna Everage to TV screens across the UK in her new ITV series "The Dame Edna Treatment".


And what a fabulous return it was! From the minute the opening credits began, it was a triumph! With music from the Gibb brothers, and a riot of colourful graphics depicting Dame Edna at her celebrity treatment facility, it was clear that ITV had spent some serious money on the return of the world's most famous international phenomenon, healer, and guru!


The set looked fantastic, and aided by her troubled daughter Valmai (brilliantly played in the Madge Allsop deadpan style!), Dame Edna was ready to "Care and Share" and offer a number "treatments" to her guest stars. Patrick Stewart, for example, was offered treatment in Edna's state of the art "radical follicle resuscitation unit" at the start of the show, and Nancy Del'Olio came for colonic irrigation in the "Niagara Suite".

Dame Edna's razor sharp wit and wisdom were evident from the start, with some brilliant lines and timely pearls of wisdom. She told viewers during her opening chat not to call in to the show: "No phone calls! I'm rich enough already!" - a fabulously barbed poke at the audience call-in rip-offs recently in the news. The gags continued to flow, and when introducing a sour and troubled Valmai, she explained that Valmai was "electronically tagged - one on each ankle - so we always know how far apart they are". Brilliant!

The spa set was gorgeous, with the audience hilariously all in robes - their treatment obviously
consisting of a healing hour in the company of Dame Edna. Of course, she protects the privacy of her clients carefully, as they are among the most famous and powerful in the world - but we then witnessed the Queen entering the spa, apparently to have some "work" done to make her look more like Helen Mirren! Hilarious! (I'm quite sure the Queen was played by the well known Jeanette Charles, who does the same kind of work Simon does as a celebrity lookalike and impersonator.)

With all of this going for it, I was expecting the show to be flawless. Unfortunately, as much as I wanted to love every minute, the guests joining Dame Edna at her spa really weren't up to the challenge.

Poor old Sigourney Weaver, the gorgeous little minx, was slightly perplexed during her interview with Dame Edna, although she was a good sport! In her inimitable style, Dame Edna observed that actresses of a certain age "find their parts starting to dry up". What could poor little Sig say to that?

The other two guests were, to my mind, a total disappointment (call me old-fashioned but they were...I'm sorry, but they were!), and not up to Dame Edna's level of fabulousness: Mischa Barton ("Who?", you ask), a young actress who was somewhat dazed and confused throughout; and Michael Bolton, who Dame Edna announced has this year had 9 hits...on his website! Thankfully Dame Edna was able to probe a little and bring a smile to our faces despite Mr Bolton's slightly clueless and serious demeanor.

A fabulous show like this needs truly huge guest stars who are bright enough to play along! I'm praying that the producers realise this quicksticks and provide our megastar with some guest stars befitting the occasion - how about Liza Minnelli, Omar Shariff, Joan Collins, Twiggy, etc, etc. The possibilities are endless, so fingers crossed we see some gorgeous names in the weeks to come.

But despite this small complaint, the show was a breath of fresh air for Saturday nights, and for the next 7 weeks, a truly must-see event! What more could we want at the end of a busy week that a little TLE - Tender Loving Edna! Our favourite gigastar has returned to a grateful public, and we are thrilled, thrilled, thrilled!

Be sure to check out the new Dame Edna ITV website and probe all it's nooks and crannies, Possums! And don't forget to pick up this week's issue of Radio Times too - there is a fabulous article about Dame Edna and Barry Humphries. Our Australian megastar is the talk of the town!

Drop me a line to let me know how you liked the show! Until next week, Possums, bye-bye!

"The Dame Edna Treatment" Unveiled

Hello, Possums!

You little darlings! You must be a-quiver with excitement! The British press were awash today with news of the highly anticipated return of Dame Edna to TV screens across the country with "The Dame Edna Treatment".

The cover of The Daily Mail's "Weekend" magazine is adorned by Australia's First Lady and most popular international phenomenon, and the cover story features Dame Edna and news of the new show. In it she discusses her enduring popularity, her family and high-powered friends, as well as a number of secret treatments at her spa, including a beauty range that's made with wombat spleen (apparently the wombats don't need them!) and an organic coffee enema. Isn't that gorgeous?


Run out now and buy a copy of the Mail, Possums - if they're not already sold out! Or perhaps if you have a New Zealand bridesmaid, you could send her out to get one for you....they're good for that kind of thing!

The Sun also featured an article and picture of Dame Edna with some Edna-ettes, perhaps on the set of this glittering new show. Check it out on the web here! No doubt as the week progresses, there will be countless articles and pictures - aren't we lucky?

And so it begins - Dame Edna's triumphant return to British entertainment! Goodness knows after months of Jade Goody, we need a gorgeous glimpse of glamour, Dame Edna style. After fifty years in entertainment, she's happy to tell us that all her juices are flowing and she's at the pinnacle of her powers - so the time is right to be invited into her inner sanctum once again!

Dame Edna's Road to Glory

The road to fame and fortune, for a mere non-entity such as you, dear reader (and I mean that nicely!), is often a rocky one. If you are the world's most talented woman and international phenomenon, however, that road is naturally smooth and nothing short of meteoric. And if you happen to be Dame Edna Everage - housewife/gigastar - you'll find they will change the name of that road in your honour!

So it is in Melbourne, Possums, where Lord Mayor John So officially opened the newly renamed Dame Edna Place to mark the contribution our favourite gigastar has made to putting his city on the map. For although she has risen to unparalleled heights, she still remembers her roots and is still "Edna from the block", despite the blindingly beautiful bling!

To celebrate the official renaming of Dame Edna Place yesterday, the city gathered together 10 Dame Edna lookalikes (none of them a patch on Simon, of course!) to unveil the new street. I'm not sure Dame Edna would have approved, quite frankly, as she has always found the idea of men dressing in women's clothes just a little bit yukky!

I suspect that Dame Edna was unable to be there in person as she is currently preparing for her long awaited new ITV series, "The Dame Edna Treatment" . We've been very excited to learn that the show will hit the airways on 17th March at 9:40 PM. The country will be so grateful!!!

We've shared some of the guests who are rumoured to join Dame Edna in her exclusive health spa in earlier blogs, and we understand the list has grown to include Susan Sarandon, Martin Sheen, Alec Baldwin, and Engelbert Humperdinck. Won't that be gorgeous! No doubt these busy stars will be grateful to enter Dame Edna's inner sanctum for some much needed R 'n R. Unfortunately, they may not get any, as we understand that Dame Edna's disappointing daughter Valmai will be on hand, as will Sir Les Patterson. Oh, dear!

So mark your calendar for 17th March, Possums! When the show goes to air, be sure to let us know how you're enjoying it, and how having Dame Edna in your life again is making you a better person (of course!). I expect that having her on our screens this spring will be the highlight of your year - I know it will be for me.

Dame Edna going disco with the Bee Gees?

News this week, Possums, that Dame Edna is staying faithful to her Australian roots in the choice of her new theme music for "The Dame Edna Treatment", ITV's new series set for this spring.

While steering away from a Rolf Harris didgeridoo tune (that would have been a little bit yucky!), she has asked Gibb brothers Robin and Barry Gibb to write the new theme music! This will mark the first time the brothers Gibb have made a foray into television music, so we can't wait to hear the result. Will we be lucky enough to hear Dame Edna singing the theme tune herself? She is, of course, known around the world for her voice (among a never-ending list of glittering talents). It's said that she taught little Kylie everything she knows.

We'd also like to send congratulations this week to Dame Helen Mirren on her recent Oscar win. She'll be thanking her lucky stars, won't she... After all, they begged Dame Edna to take the role of her good friend Lillibet, but she turned them down, of course, and said "Give it to Helen Mirren - she needs the work". Dame Edna's selfless devotion to those less fortunate than herself is to be admired, isn't it? It's also rumoured, Possums, that the gown Dame Helen wore for the big event was, in fact, not a Christian Lacroix, but a Kenny Everage original. What do you think?

Dame Edna for Prime Minister?

Hello, Possums!

News this week from Australia that Hillary Clinton has been urging Dame Edna to run for the top position (now, don't twist my words) in Australian politics!

While promoting her upcoming Brisbane and Sydney appearances in her incredibly successful show "Barry Humphries and Friends – Back With A Vengeance", Dame Edna revealed that Hilary has been badgering her to run for Prime Minister, adding "You're lucky because your husband is dead!"

Australia's own gigastar/housewife continues to enjoy a triumphant return to her grateful homeland. Audiences have been clamouring for more of her glamourous caring and sharing, and after taping her new ITV series here in the UK this spring, she'll be returning to the land down under for more performances of her hit show. In a display of utter selflessness, she proclaimed she isn't doing the show for her personal gain: "I don't need the money, I'm a squillionairess," she said. "I'm doing this because you need me. You need me more than water."

And speaking of the new ITV show, we've learned that taping of "The Dame Edna Treatment" will begin on the 15th of March, with the show due to go out on Saturday nights this spring. Our gladis are quivering with excitement, Possums!!! Click here to see the official announcement of the show on the Dame Edna website, my darlings.

Australia Day photos!

Hello, Possums!

I'm sure you all remembered that last Friday, the 26th of January, was Australia Day!


Here at The Untamed Edna Experience, we get very excited about Australia Day. Call me old-fashioned, but we do! And this year, to mark the day, we went to Harvey World Travel in Norwich to celebrate with some adoring Norfolk non-entities...


Simon was invited to Castle Mall in Norwich by Harvey World Travel to help commemorate Australia Day, and to do some caring and sharing with Dame Edna's devoted public. Needless to say, it will prove to have been the highlight of their entire lives! I mean, how could anything possibly compare to running into an international gigastar at your local shopping mall??

Someone is not impressed that they're promoting New Zealand too....I mean, Madge is a celebrity in New Zealand, so that tells you quite a lot about the kind of people you'll find there....

An unhappy moment for our Gigastar as she remembers the first time Rolf Harris offered to show her his didgeridoo...

Our thanks to these gorgeous little mites from Harvey World Travel and to Seal Communications for the photos! If you'd like to check out more shots of Simon in action, just go to our Picture Galleries. Until next time, Possums, bye-bye!

"The Dame Edna Treatment" - new TV show details!

Hello, Possums! Hello, Darlings!

I first reported here that the new year would bring us a landmark new television series from our favourite ground-breaking gigastar. Well, I'm thrilled to report that our Dame Edna spies are reporting back to us now with some exciting news about the new ITV Dame Edna show.

The word is that it is to be called "The Dame Edna Treatment", and will be set in a spa - isn't that spooky! Memories of little Mel Gibson in Dame Edna's TV special called "A Night on Mount Edna" come to mind - do you remember, Possums? Gorgeous Mel spent the entire show in Edna's hot box (now don't twist my words, you little minx - I mean her sauna, of course!)

It's the perfect setting for Dame Edna to probe all the nooks and crannies of her special guests. And as she declared on Parkinson last year, she won't be interviewing any of these non-entity celebs we see so much of nowadays. Oh, no! Only top level stars for our Australian legend. We've heard that the likes of Jane Fonda, Charlton Heston, Liza Minnelli, and Sean Connery are already lined up, and no doubt, international superstars around the globe will be clamouring to get The Dame Edna Treatment! Sadly, I doubt that little Mel Gibson will get a look in, particularly after those rather "uncalled for" remarks he made about the Red Sea pedestrians... Dame Edna is a Red Sea pedestrian you know...or at least she thinks she might be... In any event, she might think about inviting some other Australian stars to join her. What about Russell Crowe? After all, they're both Gladi-ators!!!!

I also wanted to bring you news of some website updates, my darlings. First, you'll find a new up-to-date touring schedule on the official Dame Edna website. You'll also find some new photos in the photo gallery section of The Untamed Edna Experience website. Scroll down to see some of the gorgeous shots from our recent VIP day at John Lewis on Oxford Street. You'll also find the site easier to navigate with improved links to help you probe our space (web space, that is).

Well, that's all for now, Possums! We're so excited about the new TV series!!! And if you hear any news yourself, be sure to let us know!!!

Dame Edna in the West End in 2007?

Happy New Year, you darling little mites!

Welcome to a glitteringly gorgeous new year! Have you recovered from all of the fabulous festivities yet?

Dame Edna had a busy festive frolic, as she was both on stage in her fabulous show "Back With a Vengeance" in Melbourne, and spent the rest of her time receiving and cataloging expensive Christmas gifts from admirers all over the world. In fact, Madge is still in the basement of Edna's Melbourne villa (well, the basement is the best place for Madge really...), preparing extensive lists of all the loot for the Smithsonian Institute who have been begging Dame Edna to lend them her collections of rare and priceless gifts for a landmark exhibit in the United States. She has finally relented, because it's clear the world is clamouring for more of the legend that can only be Dame Edna, and also because there just isn't any more room in her homes around the world (unless of course she were to oust a certain New Zealand bridesmaid, which be assured, has been considered on more than one occasion...)

And speaking of Dame Edna's current run of "Back With a Vengeance" in Australia, a dear friend of ours who has recently returned from a trip down under where she caught the show, tells us that there was talk of the show coming to London's West End!!! This would be amazing news if it is true, and it has to be said that the West End could use a dash of delicious delight these days in a dismal field of current offerings including Dirty Dancing and the upcoming Lord of the Rings - sigh!

We've probed all the nooks and crannies of the net in search of some kind of confirmation of this wonderful news, but to no avail. So we're counting on you, Possums: Keep your eyes and ears to the ground, and if you hear anything at all, please get in touch with us here!!!

In the meantime, we have found some truly gorgeous sites celebrating Dame Edna's current run in Australia, as well as the 50th anniversary of her life as an entertainer and a saviour to nations around the world!

First, there is the site created by Victoria's Cultural Network called Virtually Edna. It features some wonderful new videos on the Edna Cam, as well as some fantastic pictures of Edna through the years and costume designs and snaps. Brilliant!

The next is the Dame Edna Live site, which has two sections: One for the amazing Back With a Vengeance show, and the other for the landmark Ednafest, Melbourne's celebration of Dame Edna's 50 golden years.

Quicksticks, Possums! Check it out! There are listings of events and exhibitions, including Ednaville (a chance to walk back in time into Mrs Norman Everage's Mooney Ponds home) and a display of our favourite megastar's astounding and ground-breaking dresses and gowns. I wonder if Kenny was involved in setting up that exhibition?

Well, darlings, I must run...there are squillions of web pages to scour for more news of our glittering gigastar. And remember, Possums, if you hear any news of an upcoming West End run in London, get in touch!

Christmas message from Dame Edna in the Radio Times!

Merry Chrissie, you little darlings!

It's not long now til the big day! Have you been good? Are you expecting some nice pressies under the tree?

Well, we must have all been quite good, because there is a gorgeous little gift for us all in the 23rd December Christmas edition of the Radio Times - it's an interview with our favourite giga-star Dame Edna Everage:

photo credit: Radio Times

Turn to page 44 for the best read of the season. Never mind the Queen's message, this is one that matters! Dame Edna reveals all in this hilarious interview, including confirmation of plans for her new chat show in 2007 (which we first announced here ) - and there will be no non-entity z-list celebrities for Dame Edna! There's also a little insight into her plans for Christmas (in a truly charitable gesture, she'll be spending it with her disappointing daughter Valmai...)

So, possums, with the promise of a fabulous new Dame Edna TV series, 2007 is already shaping up to be a truly gorgeous year!

Happy Chrissie to one and all! See you in the New Year!

Caring and Sharing at John Lewis

Hello, darlings!

Well, John Lewis' VIP event on Saturday was a huge success! And of course, our Australian giga-star (lovingly impersonated by Simon) was at the centre of it all, caring and sharing with all of the gorgeous little possums who came to the John Lewis beauty department looking for a dash of delicious Christmas glamour. Dame Edna is often asked for beauty tips from women all over the world, taking calls from Kate Moss, Iman, and Elle McPherson on an almost hourly basis (she's stopped trying to help Victoria Beckham, because honestly, folks, some people just can't be helped - I mean, look at Madge!), so shoppers were delighted to be in the presence of one of the world's classic style icons...

Hmmm...darling...is this a gift from Ann Summers....it looks a little bit yucky...call me old-fashioned, but it does!!!

These gorgeous little senior citizens don't really have any idea what's going on - they're just enjoying the movement and the colour! Someone call the maximum security twilight home and let them know we have the escapees!

The amazement in understandable...it's not every day you meet someone who was the spiritual adviser to Mother Theresa!

A fellow lover of face furniture!

Is this your father, darling? You might be interested in my work as chairwoman of the Friends of the Prostate!

Darling, you look wonderful... I remember when a coat like that was fashionable!

For a look at more photos of our gorgeous giga-star, click over to this web-page !

Bye-bye, darlings! Bye-bye!

VIP Dame Edna!

Hello, Possums!

Just a quick reminder to all you gorgeous little mites that Simon will be appearing as Dame Edna tomorrow at John Lewis during Oxford Street's VIP (Very Important Pedestrian) Day. We've been told that Australia's greatest gigastar will be on the main floor in the beauty department (no doubt, lots of Kenny's friends will be working there too!), and the appearance will be taking place from approximately 2 - 5 pm.

As Dame Edna always looks so ravishing, I'm sure all sorts of complete non-entities will be clamouring to ask her beauty advice. But sometimes, all the beauty advice in the world won't help if you don't have the bone structure - just look at Madge! Hopeless. So we're leaving her at home to dust and wash the floors.

But never mind about Madge. I think it's going to be a fantastic day - call me old fashioned, but I do! See you there!