Dame Edna as Nancy?

You little Darlings!

Well, Possums, the search is over. We have our new Nancy.

The winner of BBC's "I'd Do Anything!" is that gorgeous little minx from Blackpool, Jodie! Regular readers of our "I'd Do Anything" blog entries might have guessed we were crossing our fingers (and gladis!) for her, and we're thrilled that she was victorious!

But wait, Possums....could this be the wrong result? Dame Edna recently revealed a startling secret during her triumphant appearance on The Graham Norton Show last week...

We'll let Edna explain in her own words:

"They've got the wrong idea about Nancy.

I believe in the past life thing. I've had had many past lives. I've been many famous, wonderful people..... I was once married to Charles Dickens!

So I know what he wanted Nancy to be like... He modeled her on me.

Nancy, in his mind, was a mature Australian woman. Graham, I could have been Nancy!"

So now we know the truth about Nancy. But never mind. Even though Cameron Mackintosh has decided not go with an Australian Gigastar in the role, we'll be thrilled to have Jodie taking centre stage. Congratulations, Possum!

And speaking of Dame Edna's visit with Graham on his gorgeous little show this week, wasn't it fantastic? In addition to spots with Ray Mears and Alanis Morissette, Dame Edna's glittering brand of caring and sharing made for a truly hilarious night.

One of our favourite lines came when Edna was discussing "I'd Do Anything!", and Barry Humphries' fellow judge, John Barrowman. Edna told us:

"I bumped into John Barrowman the other day. I said a few lovely things to him; paid him a few compliments.

But you know, there isn't any compliment you can pay to John... that he hasn't paid himself."

Classic Edna. Brilliant!

Here's a quick look at another fabulous segment of the show, courtesy of our friends at the BBC, in which Edna discusses Australia and her beloved Norm. Til next time, Possums, enjoy!

Dame Edna on The Graham Norton Show!

Hello Possums! Hello Darlings!

Isn't is exciting? International Phenomenon and Gigastar Dame Edna Everage will be featured on "The Graham Norton Show" tomorrow night (BBC Two, 9:45 pm)! Mark your schedules and don't miss it!


It seems likely that Dame Edna took pity on poor Graham, as he has had to work with Edna's 'manager' Barry Humprhies on "I'd Do Anything" these past weeks. Everyone knows that Edna doesn't think much of little Barry, and so probably agreed with a glad heart to save Graham's show this week in a typical act of selfless giving.

But wait! There's another exciting TV moment this week... Gorgeous Julie Walters is starring in Filth (the story of Mary Whitehouse) tonight on BBC Two. We mention this not only because we adore Julie, but of course because Dame Edna interviewed Mary Whitehouse on her history-making series The Dame Edna Experience.

Mary looked slightly bewildered throughout her time with Edna, poor little mite. Anyone could tell, looking at Mary's sensible wardrobe (well, at least they were washable fabrics!), that she had never come across anyone so glamorous as Gigastar Edna before. Sadly, Mary's life was probably all down hill after meeting Edna. It happens to so many...

It's a week of fabulous TV highlights, Possums! Rejoice!

Dame Edna News Abounds!

You little Darlings!

Aren't we all lucky Possums these days? The web is awash with all things Dame Edna and Barry Humphries, and we feel ourselves better people for it, don't we? I mean, apparently even Mother Theresa said that after she met Dame Edna she was much improved for the experience, and who can blame her?

Of course we have all been enjoying Barry on BBC One's "I'd Do Anything", but there's much, much more!

First, there's a fantastic interview with Barry on the Independent.ie site. Check it out, Possums! He talks about his legendary spat with Salma Hayek, his recent time in the hospital, his painting and latest project with Hewlett Packard, as well as future plans. How gorgeous!

There's also Dame Edna's recent appearance on CNN's "Quest" program, in which host Richard Quest speaks to the world's most famous "Dames" in the episode "Quest for an Honour".

And last but not least, in the UK's Independent, a fun article entitled "How We Met: Barry Humphries and Jeffrey Archer". Of course, little Jeffrey has been a regular guest on Dame Edna's many TV programs. So to end today's post, here's a glimpse of Jeffrey and a host of celebrities on "One More Audience with Dame Edna". Enjoy, Possums!

Sir Les Patterson Appears With a Nancy?

Hello, Possums!

Well, my little darlings, what did you think of the latest episode of I'd Do Anything on BBC One? For us, the highlight was undoubtedly the performance from the gorgeous Jodie.




She's definitely got Gigastar quality, that girl! And we know a Gigastar when we see one!

Barry Humphries was adorned in a fabulous Dame Edna-inspired wisteria coloured ensemble this week. But when Barry was providing his feedback to Jodie, it wasn't Edna but Sir Les Patterson who seemed to, ahem, rise to the occasion. Commenting on Jodie's performance, Barry said:

"I always thought of you as 'jolly Jodie' - like a barmaid - so (you'd) say 'Make mine a large one please, Jodie!"

He went on to say some very nice things to Jodie, Possums, but there was definitely a whiff of Sir Les about that comment, don't you think?

In celebration of Sir Les, a great Australian diplomat and tribute to his country, here's a great clip featuring Joan Rivers and Australia's Cultural Attache in action:

Thank Goodness for Barry, Possums!

Hello Possums!

You little darlings! Like you, we've been keeping up with the latest on BBC One's "I'd Do Anything!", if only to enjoy a little quality time with Dame Edna's 'manager', Barry Humphries.

And although Dame Edna rarely has a good word to say about him, we say "Thank Goodness for Barry!" While his fellow judges are taking the proceedings (not to mention themselves...) just a tad too seriously, blessedly, we have Barry to add a touch of levity to the scene! Most of his fabulous comments to the Nancy hopefuls fall into a wonderful Dame Edna-like "..and I mean that in a nice way..." category.

Here are some of our favourites from the most recent show:

• (to Francesca) "...Nancy's a gin drinker...you look a bit 'dairy-fed' to me..."
• "Jodie was very raunchy indeed...congratulations!"
• (to Ashley) "...wonderful red hair...you're like an attractive Fergie..."

And then an hilarious comment which Dame Edna would surely have declared "a little un-called for" and perhaps a bit yucky:

• (to Samantha) "You're like a kind of young - and more interesting - Catherine Zeta-Jones. I don't know if you share her taste for older men..."

Keep 'em coming, Barry! We'll be back next week to see you keep these gorgeous little non-entities laughing!

A Touch of Dame Edna in "I'd Do Anything!"

Hello Possums!

Well, we've all just watched the first live show of BBC One's "I'd Do Anything!" competition, and wasn't it gorgeous to see our Barry Humphries at the centre of things at last?!

He was given a truly glittering introduction, with a touch of Gigastar glamour in the form of our favourite Australian housewife and international phenomenon, Dame Edna Everage, at the beginning of his intro!


But did we also detect a little touch of Dame Edna in Barry's comments to the Nancy hopefuls? Was he channeling Australia's first lady of comedy during the broadcast? You be the judge:

After the first two girls, Jessie and Jodie, sang their songs, Barry's first comment was:

I would hate to be Fagin on stage with either of you girls....no one would look at me!

....was that Edna's tendency to think about others shining through? He went on, commenting to Jessie:

Jessie...you had vulnerability and a touch of the gutter snipe...and I mean that in the nicest possible way!

Following Niamh's performance, he noted:

There's something a little bit spooky about you...I can see you in a musical version of The Adams Family!

Perhaps it was Barry's choice of the trademark Edna colours in his wardrobe for the evening - pink and purple - that brought out his inner Housewife/Gigastar. Definitely a touch of Australian caring and sharing there, Possums! And we wouldn't have it any other way!

Here's a slightly edited version of the first two girls with some of Barry's reactions at the end. Enjoy, Possums, and see you next week...

The World Needs More Dame Edna!

Hello, Possums!

You poor little darlings! You've been waiting for weeks now to see the wonderful Barry Humphries appear on the BBC One show "I'd Do Anything!", and up until now, we've only had a tantalising glimpse of our Barry. (Quite frankly, we suspect he had far more important things to do than sit through the auditions of thousands of non-entities....and I mean that nicely! I do!)

Thankfully this past Saturday he joined the show at last, and we even had a brief mention of our favourite housewife/gigastar as he was introduced! We'll look forward to much more of Dame Edna's 'manager' in the weeks to come...

And in the meantime, we all need a little more Dame Edna in our lives, so here's a fabulous look at Dame Edna's 2005 appearance at the Just For Laughs Comedy Festival. Enjoy, Possums! Enjoy!

Barry Humprhies - I'd Do Anything!

You little Darlings!

With only a day until the first episode of "I'd Do Anything" on BBC One tomorrow night, you must be counting the minutes until the fabulous Barry Humphries graces our TV screens once again! As we reported in an earlier post, Dame Edna's estranged 'manager' Barry is to be one of the judges of this Saturday night show, in search of new talent to star in the musical "Oliver" in the West End.

In addition to being a show business veteran, Barry comes to the panel with an expert eye, as he was a member of the original London cast of "Oliver". Isn't that spooky, Possums?

BBC Entertainment - Doing Anything for West End Fame

We hear that Dame Edna was originally begged to take the role of Nancy for this new production, but she insisted that her Gigastar calendar was far too busy, and that besides, she's obviously too young for the part!!!

We suspect that she lobbied to get Barry the job of judge on the show, saying, "...he needs the work...". I'm sure she meant it in a very kind, compassionate kind of way...

While we await Barry's return to Saturday night television, here's a gorgeous clip from another show that also celebrated complete non-entities:

Dame Edna's Neighbourhood Watch

Enjoy, Possums!

Barry Humphries to be Oliver! Judge

You little Darlings!

News this week that Dame Edna's "manager" Barry Humphries is returning to his UK roots this spring.

No, you little minx, I don't mean that Edna is lending him to the Queen to be a gardener at Buckingham Palace. I refer instead to his theatrical roots. Call me old fashioned, but I do!

Humphries first broke into the UK entertainment scene with a role in the original London cast of Oliver! in 1960. And now the BBC have just announced that Humphries will be a judge on the upcoming talent search program "I'd Do Anything" (...well from what Dame Edna has to say, Barry Humphries is a desperate sort...and she means that nicely!). He'll join fellow West End judges in search of the new stars to play the roles of Nancy and Oliver.

BBC Entertainment - Humphries Joins Oliver! TV Search

The BBC press release tells us:

His first break on the British stage was as creator of the role of undertaker Mr Sowerberry in the original 1960 London stage production. He recorded Sowerberry's feature number That's Your Funeral for the original London cast soundtrack album, and went on to reprise the role on Broadway in 1963.

In 1967 he starred as Fagin in the Piccadilly Theatre's revival, and subsequently reprised the role in Cameron Mackintosh's award-winning staging at the London Palladium.

The program is due to start next month on BBC One. Barry Humphries back in the UK! Don't miss it, Possums!