Father Ted (Father Ted)

Member Name: blissman70

Product:	Father Ted
Date:	15/07/08 (66 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: fantastic British humour at its best

Disadvantages: the passing of Dermot Morgan

Creators: Graham Linehan and Arthur Mathews
Stars: Dermot Morgan, Ardal O'Hanlon, Frank Kelly and Pauline McLynn.

This fantastic sitcom was released in 1995 and ran for 3 series until 1998, giving out 25 episodes.

It was centred around the lives of three quite useless Irish catholic priests who were sent to live on the remote Craggy Island off the west coast of Ireland.

**MAIN CHARACTORS.....

*Father Ted Crilly, (played by the brilliant and well missed Dermot Morgan, who sadly died of a heart attack the day after finishing the third series)

Ted plays the leader of the trio, but has a tendency to panic under the slightest pressure.
He was sent to Craggy Island when some funds intended for a poor boys education made its way into his personal bank account, (referred to as the Lourdes thing), Ted constantly explains that the money was just resting in his account...
Regarding his life as a priest as second rate he is always coming up with some crack pot scams to either escape the Island or to make some money for himself.

*Father Dougal McGuire,(played by Ardel O'Hanlon).

He is the not so bright member of the trio with his ability to ignore any situation around him, be it dangerous or not.
He is on the Island because of an incident involving a group of nuns and a ferry???? (referred to as the Blackrock incident) but the full story is never revealed.
Dougal doesn't really believe he is a priest and is always opening his mouth before putting his brain into gear, creating many hilarious scenarios as he plods through life on the island, living in his own fantasy world in his head.

*Father Jack Hackett, (played by Frank Kelly)

He is the oldest member of the group, being an alcoholic with foul mouth and a dirty mind, He is on Craggy Island because of his alcoholism and his lascivious ways towards women.
He is almost always sat in a grubby looking chair in the corner of the front room, unconscious due to being drunk. (he does sober up in a couple of episodes but not for long). His drinking problem is so bad that when he runs out of alcohol he will satisfy his desire with other liquid refreshment such as cleaning solutions brake fluids, medicines, anything that will blow his mind.
He has a strange fear of nuns and often runs away from them screaming "nuns" as he often jumps through windows.
He doesn't say much, apart from "feck", "girls" and his favourite "drink"

*Mrs Doyle, (played by Pauline McLynn)
She is the housemaid to the three priest and is constantly offering cups of tea and sandwiches, if you refuse her offer she can become quite persistent.
She does everything around the house, from cooking and cleaning to retiling the roof, but she does have a habit of falling off things...
On one occasion it is believed that she stays awake during the night in case one of the priest wakes up and wants a cup of tea.
In one scene you realise just how dedicated she is to the three priest as you see her acting more like a mother to Dougal..???
She also has a terrible hatred of the opposite sex (and the actual sex 'thing' itself) unless they are in the priesthood.


**OTHER CHARACTORS....

*Bishop Len Brennan, (played by Jim Norton)

The Bishop is Ted's superior and doesn't hide the fact that he hates visiting Craggy Island and the trio of washed up priest. The Bishop terrifies Ted but has no affect on Dougal whatsoever, much to Lens annoyance.
He most hates it when Dougal simply calls him 'Len' instead of Bishop Brennan.
Although he constantly chastises Ted the Bishop is not so squeaky clean, with his secrets being revealed in some episodes.


*The priest from Rugged Island...

*Father Dick Byrne, (played by Maurice O'Donoghue)

Dick is Teds arch rival in the priesthood and is constantly in competition with him, from giving things up for Lent to football competitions. He is the head of the household on his own little island, living with two other priest.
Ted thinks "as priests go...Dick is really a bad priest...

*Father Jim Johnson, (played by Chris Curran) and Father Cyril MacDuff are the other residents of Rugged Islands parochial house, they happen to be of similar character to Father Jack and Father Dougal so the household are not so different at all.


*Other Priests......

*Father Noel Furlong, (played by Graham Norton)
Father Noel is a rather over active person who is constantly dancing and singing, much to the annoyance of others around him, especially Ted.
He runs a youth group who members secretly detest the irritating priest and want to escape from his annoying habits.

*Father Larry Duff, (played by Tony Guilfoyle)

Father Duff is rarely seen in the episodes but he is the priest whom Ted is constantly phoning for advice, unfortunately Ted always phones at the most inappropriate times causing Larry some terrible misfortunes, from car crashes to skiing accidents.


**The other Residents of Craggy Island.....

*John and Mary O'Leary, (played by Patrick Drury and Rynagh O'Grady)

This not so happy couple run the Islands only shop. When alone they are always bickering and harming each other but when they are in company they are seen as the happiest couple in the world.

*Tom, (played by Pat Shortt)

He is the Islands strange character with a friendly personality. He comes across as a bit slow minded with a bit of a horrid past.
But as Tom is not adverse to a little slapstick violence he tends to create some rather funny situation, including a post office withdrawal with a shotgun...? Although he is well known on the Island.

**THE SHOW**

Series 1 (1995)

Episodes

1...Good Luck, Father Ted...(April 1995)
When Father Ted is asked for an interview for a television program he offers to do it at Craggy Islands annual funfair, only for a mix up with by the film crew to create chaos on the island.

2...Entertaining Father Stone...(April 1995)
When Father Stone, a rather boring Welsh man, visits Craggy Island Father Ted feels obliged to house the priest, only to regret it when he asks God for some salvation from the tedium.

3...The Passions of St Tibulus...(May 1995)
Bishop Leonard Brennan come to stay at the house with orders for the priests to protest against a Blasphemous film which is being shown at the local cinema.
Sadly, things don't go quite to plan for Ted and Dougal as they seem to creating the opposite affect, thus upsetting the rather angry Bishop Brennan.

4...Competition Time...(May 1995)
The annual 'All Stars in their eyes lookalike competition' is happening on the Island and Father Ted is hoping to beet his arched rival, Father Dick Byrne from Rugged Island. But things go wrong when a lack of communication between Ted, Jack and Dougal brings mayhem in the parochial household.

5... And God create Woman...(May 1995)
With Novelist Polly Clarke staying on the Island preparing for a book signing for her latest novel, it is not long before Father Ted is falling in love with her. His plans to 'seduce' the young lady are interrupted much to Teds utter dismay.

6...Grant unto him Eternal Rest...(May 1995)
When Father Jack is found unconscious the other priest thinks he is simply drunk again, it soon transpires that he may be more ill than everyone first thought

Series 2

Episodes

1...Hell...(March 1996)
Ted and Dougal are in their annual holidays when they bump into Father Noel Furlong (played by Graham Norton), the most annoying, hyperactive priest to ever spend a night in a caravan with, and a night in a caravan is what Ted and Dougal have to abide.

2...Think Fast, Father Ted...(March 1996)
The prize for the Island raffle is being looked after by Father Ted, unfortunately, Ted accidentally damages it ever so slightly.

3...Tentacles of Doom...(March 1996)
When three Bishops arrive on the Island to bless a stone Ted panics and tries to get Father |Jack to say more than he can handle. Things go from bad to worse when Dougal starts chatting to one of the priest, creating doubts in his mind.

4...The old grey whistle test...(March 1996)
With Dougal becoming friendly with a rather wild priest, Father Damo Lennon, it soon turns to trouble as someone steels a rather special whistle.

5...Song for Europe...(April 1996)
With Ted and Father Byrne still competing against each other at every turn it is comical affair as the Eurosong is being held on Craggy Island. The hosts have ulterior motives regarding the contest and chose a rather peculiar winner.

6..The Plague...(April 1996)
Bishop Brennan visits at just the same time as the house becomes infested by rabbits, unfortunately for Ted, the Bishop has a growing fear of rabbits after an incident years before.

7...Rock-a-Hula Ted...(April 1996)
Ted is asked to judge the annual 'Lovely girls' contest but things become difficult when the house is taken over by a visiting feminist singer who is already unhappy about the treatment she first got from Dougal and a comment about a bra.

8...Cigarettes and Alcohol and rollarblading...(April 1996)
With Easter just around the corner it is time for the priest to give something up for lent, it is soon turned into a competition when Dick Bryne taunts the men from Craggy Island. Sadly, Ted, Jack and Dougal soon fail in their quest and call on outside help in the shape of a rather sadistic Nun.

9...New Jack City...(May 1996)
With Jack turning hairy he is sent to a hone for hairy priest and is replaced in the house by a rather mean and angry priest, Father Fintan Stack (Brendan Grace) and his love of Jungle Music played very loud. It is not long before Ted and Dougal realise how much they miss Father Jack.

10...Flight into Terror...(May 1996)
When a plane full of priest runs out of fuel in mid flight it seems unlikely that they will survive. With only two parachutes on board the priest decide to have a vote on who should use them. Jack soon finds a bag full of booze and decides the passengers fate from their.

1996 Christmas special...
When a group of priest become lost in Irelands biggest lingerie department it is up to Ted to get them out before a scandal rockets through the priesthood. Meanwhile Mrs Doyle is busy putting up the Christmas decorations in the house and is none too happy about her Christmas present.

Series 3

Episodes

1...Are you Right there Ted?...(March 1998)
When a series of misunderstandings sees Ted being accused of being a racist he does his best to convince the new Chinese community that he is not. Unfortunately, a gift from an old friend hampers his efforts.

2...Chirpy Burpy Cheap Sheep...(March 1998)
With the annual 'King of Sheep' competition is being held on the Island Ted happy to bet on the favourite sheep called Chris. Unfortunately, Chris is nervous after hearing rumours about a beast who devours sheep and it is effecting his abilities to win. Ted steps in to help, more to save his bet than to help the sheep.

3...Speed 3...(March 1998)
When Pat Mustard, (played by Pat Laffan), a womanising milkman, loses his job because of his philandering Dougal steps in to help deliver the milk. The trouble starts when Pat takes revenge and plants a bomb on the milk float which will explode when the milk float goes below 4 mph. Ted steps in to help rescue the terrified Dougal from the float with some crazy ideas, including watching a video and saying Mass???

4...The Mainland...(April 1998)
A visit to the mainland turns to chaos as Mrs Doyle gets herself into trouble with the law, Jack accidentally joins alcoholics anonymous and Ted gets himself lost in some caves whilst trying to avoid the very angry Richard Wilson, who Ted did anger. Whilst in the caves Ted and Dougal bump into the annoying Father Noel Furlong again and are forced to endure his irritating manner.

5... Escape to Victory...(April 1998)
It's the annual 'All-Priests over 75s Five-a-side football championship' nears, Ted is again in competition with Dick Byrne. But Teds star player, Jack, is unconscious after drinking some sleeping medicine, and Ted is forced to use inappropriate and unusual methods.

6...Kicking Bishop Brennan up the arse...(April 1998)
With Ted losing the bet with Dick Bryne he is forced to do the ultimate forfeit...hence the title.... With Dougal taking a photograph as proof. As Ted is terrified of the Bishop he has to pluck up the courage to fulfil the quest, almost crying to the point of hysteria as he plans it.

7...Night of the nearly dead... (April 1998)
When Eoin McLove, (played by Patrick McDonnell), a baby faced star, visit's the Island his appearance causes chaos amongst the old folk as they become like Zombies to try and mother the star.

8...Going to America...(May 1998)
When Father Buzz Cagey,(played by Jeff Harding) offers Ted the chance of a new life in America he jumps at it, unfortunately Jack and Dougal are not invited, leaving Ted with a difficult decision to make.


**IN CONCLUSION**

What a fantastic comedy and such a simple format, with the show based on a fictional remote Island, (and Craggy Island is as remote as you can get with its rocky landscaping and it's very few habitants), you would not think so many laughs would come out of it...but how wrong you would be....?

Dermot Morgan plays the part of the rather stressed out, and sometimes crafty, priest to perfection, being able to create such a character takes great acting and this man is (or sadly was) a fantastic actor with many talents, his grey hair and various facial expressions giving him a gift from the gods to make people laugh.


Together with Ardel O'Hanlon, as the rather stupid Father Dougal, and Frank Kelly, who plays the constantly drunken Father Jack, and the ever so faithful Pauline McLyn as housekeeper Mrs Doyle, the show was always destined to be a great hit with the audience.

Every episode is as good as the previous, they are all side splittingly funny due to the complete incompetence of the three men and the antics that they seem to have to deal with.
Through the entire 25 episodes there is not one episode that will not make even the hardest of people laugh out load.
The idea of combining these actors was pure genius, (or pure luck) and was bound to create a lot of hilarious scenes, let alone 3 series worth....


There are one or two incidents with-in the series which some people may find offensive, or even blasphemous, but the comedy which screams from the screens certainly makes the offended feel better.

The show could, and should have carried on with the hilarity and the stupidity of the priesthood on the Island, but sadly Dermot Morgan passed away, apparently the day after finishing the final series.

Would I recommend this....?
Yes, defiantly. This is something that all avid DVD enthusiast should have in their comedy collection at home...
It'll cheer you up on them sad, rainy days.

Summary: What possible trouble could three priest get into....????