Sundance Sundays star Saunders

It looks like The Sundance Channel is turning to BBC America to anchor its Sunday night comedy block. The show is The Life and Times of Vivienne Vyle and stars Jennifer Saunders of Absolutely Fabulous fame.

The show revolves around a fictional TV personality named Vivienne Vyle (who hosts a Jerry Springer-like program) and her on-screen and off-screen life. The series is a black comedy (much like AbFab) and a study in pop psychology. It was co-created by Saunders with psychologist Tanya Byron.

Following this, Sundance will show the Australian sketch show Big Girl's Blouse and follow that with a theatrical release. Films scheduled include Sarah Silverman: Jesus Is Magic, Safe Men and Adaptation. Sundance has also announced a December 3rd premiere date for its new talk show titled Spectacle: Elvis Costello With ....

I haven't yet seen this particular program, but it's now on my list. I'm a long-time Jennifer Saunders fan and the subject matter sounds exactly like her cup of tea (to the point where perhaps she's being typecast). She's used to playing superficial people in the media industry. I'm actually very glad she's getting away from AbFab, as towards the end (much as I love Julia Sawalha) it felt like she was milking that particular cow for all its worth.