Jennifer Saunders to spoof Abba film Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again for Comic Relief ten years after original sketch for first movie
I CAN’T believe it’s ten years since Jennifer Saunders and Dawn French did a spoof of Abba film Mamma Mia! for Comic Relief.
And now following the release of the movie’s sequel last year, comedy legend Jennifer is making part two.
I’m told the sketch, called Mamma Mia! Here We Go Yet Again! will be one of the standout moments of this year’s charity drive.
Like the original, Jennifer has pulled in a load of celebrity pals for the one-off that will air on March 15 on BBC1.
She will be playing Meryl Streep’s Donna, Alan Carr as Colin Firth’s Harry and Philip Glenister playing Pierce Brosnan’s Sam.
Written as a tribute to last summer’s box-office smash, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Yet Again! it will see the cast recreate top moments from the film — and even attempt to sing some of the Swedish band’s songs.
Jennifer said: “If I could have lived on the fake Mamma Mia set for the past year, I would have been very happy. This is one of the silliest things I’ve done. But, my God, I enjoy it.”
Jennifer’s long-time writing partner Dawn is not in this sketch, unlike the original, due to her busy work schedule.
But Miranda Hart and Sue Perkins will be returning as the producer and director.
Comic Relief bosses have also ransacked their little black book for hosts, too. I’m told that alongside co-founder Sir Lenny Henry, they have got Emma Willis, Rob Beckett, Paddy McGuiness, Zoe Ball and Joe Sugg in as presenters.
It sounds as if it has the makings of another great night, for a great cause.
READ ON FOR MORE OF ANDY HALLS' BIZARRE TV COLUMN
Niece to see you, Norris
CORRIE favourite Norris Cole is back on the cobbles.
It has been well over a year since I revealed Malcolm Hebden, the actor who plays him, was taking time off after a near-fatal heart attack.
He returned to the Coronation Street set on Tuesday for his first scenes since being put in an induced coma in December, 2017.
And I’m told his character Norris didn’t arrive alone – but with a woman in tow who he is now engaged to.
My source says Norris, who has been a familiar face in the soap since 1994, is now about to marry Emily Bishop’s deaf niece Freda, played by Ali Briggs.
An ITV source said: “Norris’s first scenes were never going to go under the radar.
“But no one thought he’d come back an engaged man.
“He turns up with Freda and reveals they are getting married and want to buy a house together. She’s been in the show before – Freda Burgess, the niece of Emily.
“She and Norris have got closer while he has been staying with her and Emily in the time Malcolm needed off for his condition.”
In a world of flash-in-the-pan no marks, it is good to have a genuine soap legend returning to the screen.
bizbit
NEWSREADER Kate Silverton has tweeted of husband Mike Heron’s upcoming heart procedure: “He’s currently playing me his choice of funeral music just in case . . . Dear Lord . . . now he’s handing me financial details.”
Teens fat lot of help
SPOILT teens will be seen blaming their parents for making them overweight in a new Channel 5 show.
It’s Your Fault I’m Fat will focus on six youngsters who have been allowed to eat whatever they like and are now struggling to shift the pounds.
With the help of diet and fitness experts, the teens will have three months to start eating better and exercising more as their guilty parents look on.
A source said: “These teens are tired with being overweight. It’s Your Fault I’m Fat gives them a chance to do something about it.”
The show is expected to air this spring.
Sounds like they need Joe Wicks on board.
bizbit
NETFLIX has released a documentary about the real life Dirty John after the success of a podcast and drama series about the US conman who ripped off a posh designer. Dirty John, The Dirty Truth, has eight episodes.
Toffs to live on street
PAMPERED millennials are about to be put through their paces – by being turfed out of their mansions and forced to sleep rough for a new documentary series.
Privileged youngsters will give up their posh cars and lifestyles to live on the streets in 5Star series Rich Kids Go Homeless.
It is due to be broadcast in the summer.
A TV source said: “Each episode will see one minted youth dropped into a homelessness hotspot and attempt to get back on their feet in just three days.
“They’ll do whatever they can to make money while sleeping rough, scavenging for food and surviving the coldest months of the British winter, while also meeting real-life homeless people along the way.
“During filming they will have nowhere to live, no cash and none of their home comforts.”
It sounds like the sort of lesson that many people could learn from.
must avoid
WHAT? Child Genius, Channel 4, 8pm.
WHY? If only C4 bosses were as bright as the children on this exploitative show and axed it. With kids at breaking point due to pushy parents, it’s no surprise its audience has fallen to 700,000.
soapbox special
EMMERDALE producer Kate Brooks has revealed – partly – a major storyline that will change the lives of at least ten characters this spring.
Jacob, David, Maya, Tracy, Rhona, brothers Billy and Ellis, Robert, Aaron, Victoria, Leyla and Amy will all be involved in the drama, which starts with a boozy evening out.
Kate said: “We’ll find out a week later what’s gone on during that night out, in a series of flashbacks.
“Ostensibly it’s, ‘Hey, Emmerdale are out having fun in a club,’ but then it will be revealed that it will change some of our characters’ lives for good.
“There’s a lot of drama involved in that night, and because we’re Emmerdale we’re telling it in a kind of different way.
“There will be a lot of shenanigans. It will be a lively, fun couple of episodes in the nightclub but ultimately it will be revealed that there’s been a lot of stuff that’s gone on.”