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May 15, 2012 4:51 PM Subscribe
Small, Far Away - The World of Father Ted: Graham Linehan and Arthur Mathews revisit Craggy Island 15 years after the premiere of the classic Irish comedy, Father Ted.
Feck! Arse!
posted by [expletive deleted] at 4:54 PM on May 15 [+] [!]
Eponysterical etc etc
posted by Corduroy at 4:56 PM on May 15, 2012
posted by [expletive deleted] at 4:54 PM on May 15 [+] [!]
Eponysterical etc etc
posted by Corduroy at 4:56 PM on May 15, 2012
Huh. Was this show based on Bless Me Father? Same exact setup, as far as I can tell.
posted by Gator at 4:59 PM on May 15, 2012
posted by Gator at 4:59 PM on May 15, 2012
Don't tell me I'm still on that feckin' island!
God, I loved that show.
posted by RakDaddy at 5:05 PM on May 15, 2012
God, I loved that show.
posted by RakDaddy at 5:05 PM on May 15, 2012
Gator, cross Bless Me, Father with The Simpsons and make sure no one ever, ever learns an Important Lesson. And then set it in the middle of nowhere.
posted by infinitewindow at 5:05 PM on May 15, 2012
posted by infinitewindow at 5:05 PM on May 15, 2012
Tea, Father?
posted by subbes at 5:08 PM on May 15, 2012 [3 favorites]
posted by subbes at 5:08 PM on May 15, 2012 [3 favorites]
hm, just started watching the Linehan-produced Black Books, for reasons entirely unrelated to Father Ted.
posted by mwhybark at 5:12 PM on May 15, 2012
posted by mwhybark at 5:12 PM on May 15, 2012
I think this was the only show I ever started watching based on a 404 error.
posted by maudlin at 5:15 PM on May 15, 2012 [5 favorites]
posted by maudlin at 5:15 PM on May 15, 2012 [5 favorites]
It's so, so weird seeing Frank Kelly and not Father Jack.
posted by synecdoche at 5:16 PM on May 15, 2012 [3 favorites]
posted by synecdoche at 5:16 PM on May 15, 2012 [3 favorites]
You'll have some tea... are you sure you don't want any? Aw go on, you'll have some. Go on go on go on go on go on go on go on go on GO ON!
posted by sswiller at 5:20 PM on May 15, 2012 [8 favorites]
posted by sswiller at 5:20 PM on May 15, 2012 [8 favorites]
You will, you will, you will, you will.
Oh, and a 15 year overdue . for Dermot Morgan.
Also: Fuck, I am old.
posted by Artw at 5:22 PM on May 15, 2012 [6 favorites]
Oh, and a 15 year overdue . for Dermot Morgan.
Also: Fuck, I am old.
posted by Artw at 5:22 PM on May 15, 2012 [6 favorites]
Just in time for Eurovision, too.
posted by overeducated_alligator at 5:49 PM on May 15, 2012 [9 favorites]
posted by overeducated_alligator at 5:49 PM on May 15, 2012 [9 favorites]
Aww, I was just thinking about Father Ted last night, after I found a column about Ireland's only kung-fu movie. It struck me as something that Dougal would try to make.
As a hibernophile, I naturally loved this show. It occurs to me, though, that a houseful of priests who misbehaved so badly that the Church "exiled" them would not be such an adorable sitcom premise today.
posted by Countess Elena at 6:33 PM on May 15, 2012 [3 favorites]
As a hibernophile, I naturally loved this show. It occurs to me, though, that a houseful of priests who misbehaved so badly that the Church "exiled" them would not be such an adorable sitcom premise today.
posted by Countess Elena at 6:33 PM on May 15, 2012 [3 favorites]
Oh God, here comes that "My Lovely Horse" earworm again.
posted by Madamina at 6:38 PM on May 15, 2012 [9 favorites]
posted by Madamina at 6:38 PM on May 15, 2012 [9 favorites]
“I hear you're a racist now Father?”
It's a strange thing to have a comedy so perfectly capture a certain milieu that society itself embraces that lens and echoes it back reinforcing the entire thing (Does that makes sense? Somewhat sleep deprived). Anyway it's hard to overstate the importance of Father Ted as a categorising force in rural Ireland, even now.
/Grew up in a small parish scarily similar to that depicted in Father Ted
posted by nfg at 6:41 PM on May 15, 2012 [6 favorites]
It's a strange thing to have a comedy so perfectly capture a certain milieu that society itself embraces that lens and echoes it back reinforcing the entire thing (Does that makes sense? Somewhat sleep deprived). Anyway it's hard to overstate the importance of Father Ted as a categorising force in rural Ireland, even now.
/Grew up in a small parish scarily similar to that depicted in Father Ted
posted by nfg at 6:41 PM on May 15, 2012 [6 favorites]
I loved it when I first watched it, but now I can't watch sitcoms with laugh tracks anymore. I wish Graham Linehan re-released Father Ted and the IT Crowd minus the laugh track. At least I would like to think that I would know when to laugh.
posted by kandinski at 6:45 PM on May 15, 2012
posted by kandinski at 6:45 PM on May 15, 2012
Theme song adapted from this tiny masterpiece by The Divine Comedy.
posted by Conductor71 at 6:52 PM on May 15, 2012 [2 favorites]
posted by Conductor71 at 6:52 PM on May 15, 2012 [2 favorites]
I want to shower this post with sugar...
(chord change)
cubes.
posted by en forme de poire at 7:02 PM on May 15, 2012 [1 favorite]
(chord change)
cubes.
posted by en forme de poire at 7:02 PM on May 15, 2012 [1 favorite]
I haven't even watched the video yet, but just the title makes me smile. Me and a small group of my UK friends use "this cow is very small, but that cow is very far away" as a sort of shorthand for humor that we find hilarious, and many of our US co-workers are just befuddled by. To me, it is the essence of Father Ted's humor.
posted by Joh at 7:11 PM on May 15, 2012 [3 favorites]
posted by Joh at 7:11 PM on May 15, 2012 [3 favorites]
Joh, me too, it's become shorthand for me and my wife. Great post, it brought a grin to my face.
. Dermot, you're hugely missed.
posted by arcticseal at 8:55 PM on May 15, 2012
. Dermot, you're hugely missed.
posted by arcticseal at 8:55 PM on May 15, 2012
I always thought Dougal should have met Alice from "The Vicar of Dibley"....
(hides fanfic)
posted by The otter lady at 8:55 PM on May 15, 2012 [4 favorites]
(hides fanfic)
posted by The otter lady at 8:55 PM on May 15, 2012 [4 favorites]
Grew up in a small parish scarily similar to that depicted in Father Ted
This. Foreigners often see it as a wildly surrealist takedown of the Catholic church, whereas many Irish people see it as an accurate, if slightly exaggerated, portrayal of small-town life.
posted by kersplunk at 8:58 PM on May 15, 2012 [10 favorites]
This. Foreigners often see it as a wildly surrealist takedown of the Catholic church, whereas many Irish people see it as an accurate, if slightly exaggerated, portrayal of small-town life.
posted by kersplunk at 8:58 PM on May 15, 2012 [10 favorites]
You don't have anything from the Allied side, do you?
posted by Esteemed Offendi at 9:08 PM on May 15, 2012 [3 favorites]
posted by Esteemed Offendi at 9:08 PM on May 15, 2012 [3 favorites]
.
posted by fairmettle at 9:18 PM on May 15, 2012
posted by fairmettle at 9:18 PM on May 15, 2012
I'm protesting this YouTube video as blasphemous!
Down with this sort of thing!
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 9:54 PM on May 15, 2012 [3 favorites]
Down with this sort of thing!
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 9:54 PM on May 15, 2012 [3 favorites]
Carefull now.
posted by Artw at 10:26 PM on May 15, 2012 [6 favorites]
posted by Artw at 10:26 PM on May 15, 2012 [6 favorites]
I like cake!
Girls!!
I smell wee
/other Father Ted one liners, etc.
posted by Ms. Moonlight at 12:24 AM on May 16, 2012
Girls!!
I smell wee
/other Father Ted one liners, etc.
posted by Ms. Moonlight at 12:24 AM on May 16, 2012
They have no morals, and no respect for human life, but what they do have is the best boilers in the world. And I include Canada in that!
posted by veedubya at 12:39 AM on May 16, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by veedubya at 12:39 AM on May 16, 2012 [1 favorite]
HE DID KICK ME UP THE ARSE!
posted by Decani at 1:18 AM on May 16, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by Decani at 1:18 AM on May 16, 2012 [1 favorite]
Graham Linehan and Arthur Mathews meet Alan Partridge ((gob)shite quality video, but audible).
I remember watching Father Ted with my Irish housemate who was in awe of the accuracy of the sets and the representation of village life.
posted by asok at 2:29 AM on May 16, 2012 [1 favorite]
I remember watching Father Ted with my Irish housemate who was in awe of the accuracy of the sets and the representation of village life.
posted by asok at 2:29 AM on May 16, 2012 [1 favorite]
Ah Father Ted. That's some comedy gold right there. The characters and setting were just so perfect and brilliantly written - none of the jokes or catchphrases ever got old. I still use the "the money was just RESTING in my account!" joke in reference to any suspected financial malpractice.
posted by EndsOfInvention at 2:58 AM on May 16, 2012 [2 favorites]
posted by EndsOfInvention at 2:58 AM on May 16, 2012 [2 favorites]
I don't belieeeve it ! Thanks !
posted by nicolin at 3:54 AM on May 16, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by nicolin at 3:54 AM on May 16, 2012 [1 favorite]
Such a fun cast. The actor playing Dougal, especially, has the sort of earnest dimness that's carried Hugh Laurie far. For me, "this cow" was the joke that led me to the good Father, though I first heard it at Roy Edroso's blog.
posted by ThatFuzzyBastard at 5:18 AM on May 16, 2012
posted by ThatFuzzyBastard at 5:18 AM on May 16, 2012
I think this is from a Father Ted night that was shown on one of the digital channels a couple of months ago (probably E4). After the documentary they showed the favourite episodes as chosen by an online vote and as chosen by the writers. Me and the SO had a vigorous argument about which episodes these should be. In the end, we both got our wishes, as Speed 3 won the audience vote, and the writers chose my favourite, Kicking Bishop Brennan Up The Arse.
posted by Jakey at 5:53 AM on May 16, 2012
posted by Jakey at 5:53 AM on May 16, 2012
The actor playing DougalThat would be one Ardal O'Hanlon, awesome Irish stand-up comic.
posted by DaveChild at 5:55 AM on May 16, 2012 [7 favorites]
My brother-in-law introduced me to the joys of Father Ted. I'd always lumped it with the other British sitcoms that were played on my local public television station, the catchphrase-heavy wheezy stereotype carnvials that were spoofed in the second series of Extras. I had no idea it was this brilliantly surreal show a la Black Books and Spaced.
And you can stream it on both Hulu and Netflix!
posted by cottoncandybeard at 6:58 AM on May 16, 2012
And you can stream it on both Hulu and Netflix!
posted by cottoncandybeard at 6:58 AM on May 16, 2012
I just watched the caravan episode last night (small... far away...) and I had totally forgotten that was Graham Norton as the youth group leader.
For some reason this documentary is making me a little sad. Maybe it's because Father Ted didn't have the chance to run for years and become terrible and unfunny.
posted by betweenthebars at 7:20 AM on May 16, 2012
For some reason this documentary is making me a little sad. Maybe it's because Father Ted didn't have the chance to run for years and become terrible and unfunny.
posted by betweenthebars at 7:20 AM on May 16, 2012
It occurs to me, though, that a houseful of priests who misbehaved so badly that the Church "exiled" them would not be such an adorable sitcom premise today.
Child sex abuse scandals and herarchical coverups were already a serious issue when the show was made. There's even an episode where C.P. Grogan guests as a Sinead-like musician who makes a comment about hoping Ted isn't "one of those pedophile priests".
posted by Lentrohamsanin at 7:30 AM on May 16, 2012 [1 favorite]
Child sex abuse scandals and herarchical coverups were already a serious issue when the show was made. There's even an episode where C.P. Grogan guests as a Sinead-like musician who makes a comment about hoping Ted isn't "one of those pedophile priests".
posted by Lentrohamsanin at 7:30 AM on May 16, 2012 [1 favorite]
At some point I will be 75. Perhaps I can take part in an Over-75, Five-a-Side football match.
Except I'll have to become a priest, somehow.
posted by droplet at 7:40 AM on May 16, 2012 [1 favorite]
Except I'll have to become a priest, somehow.
posted by droplet at 7:40 AM on May 16, 2012 [1 favorite]
I've now taken to saying Dougal's catchphrase "Oh ... right." whenever I'm being particularly dense.
I happened to be in England on the night of the final series premiere, very sad as Dermot Morgan had passed not too long before it aired.
This is one of my go-to shows when I need a good laugh. Thanks for sharing this!!
posted by kuppajava at 7:58 AM on May 16, 2012
I happened to be in England on the night of the final series premiere, very sad as Dermot Morgan had passed not too long before it aired.
This is one of my go-to shows when I need a good laugh. Thanks for sharing this!!
posted by kuppajava at 7:58 AM on May 16, 2012
I have much to thankful for my parents for but for clueing me into Father Ted after I missed it first time around I will be eternally grateful for 'I know it sounds like a rubbish idea - three priests in a house in Ireland - but it's hilarious!'
The 3 Ages Of Elvis
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 9:55 AM on May 16, 2012 [1 favorite]
The 3 Ages Of Elvis
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 9:55 AM on May 16, 2012 [1 favorite]
Nuns! Reverse! Reverse!
Thanks so much for this. I know what we're watching tonight.
posted by cereselle at 11:34 AM on May 16, 2012 [1 favorite]
Thanks so much for this. I know what we're watching tonight.
posted by cereselle at 11:34 AM on May 16, 2012 [1 favorite]
Ye do know that yer man from Grey's Anatomy, Owen, was in the lost in the lingerie episode? Fecking brilliant.
I've been accepted as Irish after 12 years here, because I have a Father Ted quote for every situation. And each time I see Pauline McGlynn in our shop, I resist saying something stupid (tho last time she was in, I did say "Ah, you will...", without meaning to!)
posted by piearray at 12:17 PM on May 16, 2012 [2 favorites]
I've been accepted as Irish after 12 years here, because I have a Father Ted quote for every situation. And each time I see Pauline McGlynn in our shop, I resist saying something stupid (tho last time she was in, I did say "Ah, you will...", without meaning to!)
posted by piearray at 12:17 PM on May 16, 2012 [2 favorites]
"Ye do know that yer man from Grey's Anatomy, Owen, was in the lost in the lingerie episode?"
I knew he looked familiar!!
posted by TwoWordReview at 1:40 PM on May 16, 2012
I knew he looked familiar!!
posted by TwoWordReview at 1:40 PM on May 16, 2012
Grew up in a small parish scarily similar to that depicted in Father Ted
...many Irish people see it as an accurate, if slightly exaggerated, portrayal of small-town life.
I know three (British, Anglican) priests who were completely obsessed with Father Ted, and a big part of the appeal was that "it's practically a documentary". For exactly the same reason, I've seen one of these guys reduced to tears of laughter by the parish council scenes in The Vicar Of Dibley.
As sitcoms Father Ted and Vicar of Dibley were pretty good, and there's no denying that there's some good humour in the slapstick, jokes and the simple "authority figures doing silly things" angle. But yes, their real strength is that they're brilliantly observed but still sympathetic caricatures of the smallish church-centred communities that make up so much of the Irish and British cultural background. Anyone who's spent a decent amount of time in that sort of community can't help but be slain by these shows.
posted by metaBugs at 6:22 AM on May 17, 2012
...many Irish people see it as an accurate, if slightly exaggerated, portrayal of small-town life.
I know three (British, Anglican) priests who were completely obsessed with Father Ted, and a big part of the appeal was that "it's practically a documentary". For exactly the same reason, I've seen one of these guys reduced to tears of laughter by the parish council scenes in The Vicar Of Dibley.
As sitcoms Father Ted and Vicar of Dibley were pretty good, and there's no denying that there's some good humour in the slapstick, jokes and the simple "authority figures doing silly things" angle. But yes, their real strength is that they're brilliantly observed but still sympathetic caricatures of the smallish church-centred communities that make up so much of the Irish and British cultural background. Anyone who's spent a decent amount of time in that sort of community can't help but be slain by these shows.
posted by metaBugs at 6:22 AM on May 17, 2012
While I was watching this doc I was thinking 'I've not watched Ted in ages, possibly from when it was first on... I wonder why?' Then when it came to the bit about Dermot Morgan dying I remembered why. The final series had been tough to get through, not because it was any less funny, but just because I was thinking the poor guy had died. But I'm sure I'll go back to it one day (slowly rewatching Still Game at the moment)
Oh and I'd totally recommend Rev, not quite as surreal as Father Ted but it's about the best comedy I've seen in the last couple of years.
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 8:40 AM on May 17, 2012
Oh and I'd totally recommend Rev, not quite as surreal as Father Ted but it's about the best comedy I've seen in the last couple of years.
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 8:40 AM on May 17, 2012
Oh god, Father Ted, so fecking awesome. I only have to think about Ted and I start giggling. And "Feck! Arse! Girls!" is in regular use here.
posted by t0astie at 4:37 PM on May 18, 2012
posted by t0astie at 4:37 PM on May 18, 2012
@Glinner: The header on my Guardian interview ('Twitter made me: Graham Linehan'), is now on my wall to remind me not to do Guardian interviews
(The interview)
posted by Artw at 8:09 PM on May 27, 2012 [1 favorite]
(The interview)
posted by Artw at 8:09 PM on May 27, 2012 [1 favorite]
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posted by [expletive deleted] at 4:54 PM on May 15, 2012 [13 favorites]