I have to admit, I’m probably one of about only ten people in the entire Western hemisphere who hasn’t watched the film Mamma Mia, but last night’s Five documentary about the phenomenal success of the film was interesting enough – thought not exactly gripping – as it revealed how the three women behind the movie’s production “battled the might of Hollywood to make their dream a reality”.

It also told how boozy parties on the set helped to make the movie into the massive success it was and is… and I can believe it. Let’s face it, there’s not much a boozy party doesn’t improve.

Mamma Mia is the biggest grossing movie of all in time in the UK and apparently, one in every four households owns a copy of the DVD … but I’m one of the three who doesn’t. Around the world 17,000 people watch the stage version every night it plays and in Britain, the movie’s taken over £68 million at the box office…

There were various commentaries and critiques from the likes of Pete Waterman and Zöe Salmon amongst others, but even though all had to admit it had been hugely successful, they weren’t all complimentary about it. One interviewee remarked that the storyline was see-wrap while another said that Pierce Brosnan’s vocal talent on the film was “Just like watching one of your mates down the pub on karaoke night”. I wish I had mates who looked like Pierce though; he could sing as badly as he wanted, I wouldn’t mind.

What nobody seemed able to actually put their finger on though was why it’s been such a runaway success but of course, it has. There was an interview with someone who’d seen the stage show no less than 60 times so it’s got to have something pretty appealing both as a stage show and a movie…

The Abba impersonation band Björn Again’s Benny reckoned he understood why it was a huge hit though; “Doing the music really well and getting the imagery right, but also taking the pi*s a bit.” Not the most eloquent of critiques but possibly the most appropos.

And one of the real Abba fellas – I can never remember which is which though – said he thought a sequel could do equally as well and suggested the title should be ‘Mamma Mia: Here We go Again’ which I thought was a stroke of genius!

I have a few suggestions of my own however; how about Mamma Mia, You Are The Dancing Screen? No? Ok, well how about Mamma Mia, Can You Hear At The Back Fernando? Ok then… last attempt, Mamma Mia, Money Money Money? I suspect that one would be the most appropriate given that it’s making more money than a money making factory on money making Monday in Money Makingsville Arizona.

Having watched this documentary – which didn’t actually answer the question in its own title – I’m definitely going to watch the film… I feel left out that I haven’t and as if there’s a gap in my life. Not that I have a life, but you know what I mean.

Here’s the original trailer for the show which is part of the reason I never got round to watching it; yes there’s some huge names in it – Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosna, Colin Firth and Julie Walters – but from the trailer, it looks kinda pants…

And this is an extract from the stage show, which, sorry to repeat myself, also looks a bit pants…

However, as I said, I haven’t seen either so maybe my opinion would change when/if I do…

Has anyone else not seen it and has now been persuaded to by last night’s documentary? Or if you have seen it, do you know the answer to the question, Where Did It All Go Right? Answers on a comment box please