New Fox Ab Fab remake update - Kristen Johnson as Patsy, Kathryn Hahn as Eddie

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As was reported earlier this week by the Hollywood trades, 3rd Rock From the Sun alum Kristen Johnson is -- as she told EW just yesterday -- "99.9 percent" locked for the pilot of Fox's remake of the British cult hit Absolutely Fabulous. And here's just a little bit of back-patting for us here at EW: "The funniest thing is, EW is how I found out about Absolutely Fabulous," she says. Supposedly, Johnston read about the plans for the remake in the pages of our dear little magazine. Score one for us! Because, the general consensus is that she's perfect for the project. Glad we could help.

But anyway, I had the opportunity to catch up with her earlier this week, and she dished about why she's getting back into regular TV (provided Fox picks up the pilot, once it's made) and her role as Patsy. Originally, there was a report that she would be playing the role of boozy fashion publicist Edina, but Revolutionary Road's Kathryn Hahn will actually fill that spot, while Johnston will play best friend Patsy. About the casting mix-up, she says, "Have they seen me?" Exactly. She's no Eddie, but definitely a Patsy.

You might realize that besides a few stints on shows like ER and Sex and the City, Johnston hasn't really done much TV since her long-running stint as the alien Sally on 3rd Rock From the Sun ended in 2001. But after shooting a guest spot as a neurotic friend to Julia Louis-Dreyfus on CBS's The New Adventures of Old Christine (which airs Feb. 18), Johnston realized it was time for her return to the small screen. "I hadn't been on a sitcom set since 3rd Rock, so cable leads and network run-throughs, it was like, what?" she says, referring to shooting Old Christine. "It was the funnest. I thought, "Oh f---, this is where I need to be." But is she ready for the grind that comes with a weekly series? "Oh yeah, I'm ready," she adds. "You know what I'm ready for? The money." Totally blunt and real! That's the Johnston we all know and love.

Johnston also revealed more about her character and the script, which has been modified quite a lot (with the help of exec producer and star-of-the-original Jennifer Saunders) for American audiences. "I think they captured the exact amount of sweetie-darling," she says. "I mean, it's a totally different element, it's a totally different show. We don't smoke, we are hungover all the time, we chew Nicorette, we're trying to be more PC, but I think it really works. It's one of those scripts that's like my favorite kind because on paper you're like, Oh, this is funny, but when you read it out loud with two actresses, it's, like, the funniest s--- ever."

http://popwatch.ew.com/popwatch/2009/01/absolutley-fabu.html

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[Critters2]

1. That should be great. She's wicked funny! nt

[applegrove]

2. I loved that show.