Talk:Father Ted/Archive 1

Archive 1

The Minor Characters

I was looking at this list, it's terribly long, maybe we should split it into recurring minor characters and minor characters. I'm gonna set about it now but I won't be able to get them all right off the top of my head. Bandraoi 00:07, 26 November 2005 (UTC)

the major characters

Could we list a few of the big things that happened to each character under their descriptions? Like the fact that Father Jack once died, or that Mrs Doyle had a crush on the milkman. The sort of one that reveals more about who they are.

No objections to that; go ahead and put some in! :D Keithlard 13:30, 29 October 2005 (UTC)

The "Banned in Ireland" claims and RTÉ

The claim that Fr. Ted was banned in Ireland is ludicrous nonsense. In fact it is one of the most popular TV shows on Network 2, the second Irish state channel. Some senior Irish Roman Catholic clerics have even described it as their favourite comedy show.

The original idea was not picked up by Radio Telifís Éireann (RTÉ) for reasons other than merely that it was criticising the Catholic Church, which in any case suffered major loss of respect and support in the 1990s due to sex and paedophile scandals. RTÉ had a poor record in producing sitcoms and comedy so lacked confidence in its ability to launch any sitcom. As a result, it opted not to pick up the options on any potentially controversial series, whether in religion, politics, sport or whatever. Only in the last few years has that changed, with successes like the series 'Bachelor's Walk'. In contrast, Britain's Channel 4 had a proven record in comedy and a confidence in its own abilities. As it was a Channel 4 Show, RTÉ didn't initially broadcast it, but that made no difference as 90% of Irish homes watch Channel 4 anyway and so could see the series from the start.

To claim that because it dealt with a religious topic, Irish TV banned Fr. Ted is not just wrong but appeals to the standard clichéd image of a Catholic Church-dominated Ireland, which is as phoney as a Britain full of people wearing bowler hats or a France peopled by men wearing striped jerseys with onions around their neck. (Ireland has some of the most progressive gay rights laws, unlike some US states, hardly a sign of catholic dominance. The Catholic Church also endorsed the first Nice referendum in Ireland. Yet few voters bothered to vote, and those that did voted 'no', even though the Church urged a 'yes' vote. ). JTD 01:31 Jan 29, 2003 (UTC)

Sorry. I wrote that, and I'll admit it was based on my memories of a news report (which may itself have been innaccurate, I don't know) from the time. By the way, do you mean 90% can get Channel 4? If so I've a feeling that the original thing I saw had something about the remaining 10% complaining about not being able to see it. Anyhow, sorry again. Bagpuss 15:50 Jan 29, 2003 (UTC)

I think that 90% of households having Channel 4 wouldn't be completely unreasonable. Just about anyone can get it; most do (either by cable, satellite or terrestrial from NI or Wales. And as a gay male in Ireland, I disagree with the "some of the most progressive" comment. We have among the worst gay rights laws in Europe (they're better than those in the US, but then so are those of a number of developing world countries). In any case, the series was very quickly picked up by RTE.

... I'm sure that I read in an interview with either Matthews or Linehan that they never even considered offering Father Ted to RTÉ. They were encouraged to expand a sketch with priests into a series by Hat Trick Productions, or someone they were working with at the time.

I can't find a URL to back this up, unfortunately. Nevertheless, they had had all their previous comedies produced in the UK, so the idea that they would take a step backwards and offer a promising comedy to a much smaller outfit like RTÉ isn't really believable, thought it is very widely believed in Ireland, mostly because, if true, it would encapsulate perfectly so many things that are wrong with RTÉ's approach to dramas and comedies. ...

There's an interview here with Dara O'Briain (Irish comedian who is reasonably popular in the UK), in which it the claim that Father Ted was originally offered to RTE is described as "erroneous". http://216.239.57.104/search?q=cache:MQPyqH9UFsIJ:www.wow.ie/comedy/index.php%3Finterview_id%3D1259+%22father+ted%22+rte&hl=en&ie=UTF-8

I'm quite sure that, while this canard is very entrenched (googling turns up dozens of references to RTE getting egg on their face, etc.), it is simply not true. I think it has become somewhat confused with RTE being reluctant to broadcast 'Father Ted', which certainly seems to be true, but is not quite the same as turning down the opportunity to make the series in the first place.

Ok: I've checked it with RTE, and here's their reply: >> From: info@rte.ie

Dermot

I believe you to be correct in your suggestion.

To the best of my knowledge, RTÉ was not approached by the producers of Father Ted, they went directly to Channel 4.

I have forwarded your e-mail to Cathriona Edwards, the Manager of Publicity, RTÉ Television who I expect will respond to you directly.

I would safely say, that you should remove that comment from the encyclopedia, and thank you for giving RTÉ this option to respond to clarify the situation.

Kind Regards

Brigitte Murphy RTÉ Communications <<

In the light of this, the comment about it being offered to RTE first should be taken out (at the time Father Ted was pitched "the Irish networks" were just RTE). I'll have a shot today, if no-one else does. (I'm sorry I haven't signed any of these posts; I haven't had time to get a user ID and son on.)

'went frantically running to buy the rights' is a bit harsh, and definitely non-NPOV. Will tone down slightly.

The editing of Father Ted, after the death of Dermot Morgan.

The idea that series three was 'heavily edited, especially the last episode' after the death of Dermot Morgan has been widely disseminated, but is simply not true. Two very short edits were made in two scenes from two different episodes. The final scene of the last episode (showing Ted, one year on from the rest of the story, joining the depressed priest on the window ledge, in an apparent suicide bid) was removed altogether, but that was because it didn't work in plot terms - the audience in the studio didn't get the gag, and we didn't have the shots to salvage it. I hope this will quash what seems to be a growing myth - and I know it's a myth because I did the edits: I was the producer of series two and three.

(This last comment by User:217.169.47.206).

It certainly was never banned in Ireland but I do remember hearing that when they tried to show the original series in Boston it got cancelled because so many people wrote in complaining about its portrayal of the Catholic church and the Irish. While the catholic Irish loved it, Irish emigrants and people with Irish heritage hated it. Can anyone confirm this?

"While the catholic Irish loved it, Irish emigrants and people with Irish heritage hated it. Can anyone confirm this?" I don't know, it was a popular TV show. I find that kind of hard to believe. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 89.124.84.10 (talk) 19:52, 18 December 2009 (UTC)

Source for Divine Comedy correction

"Songs of Love" was based on the Father Ted theme tune, not the other way around. This sounds quite implausible, so I will defend this edit with a source from the Divine Comedy's official web site. [1]

Quotes

Is anyone else getting tired of people (mostly anonymous users) added quotes to this article? Most of them are not really funny when read out of context, and a number of them are not verbatim quotes from the series. I think we should perhaps decide which quotes are the best to leave in and wipe the rest. Anyone else agree? -- OwlofDoom 07:07, 29 July 2005 (UTC)

Agree, absolutely. I'm not overly happy with a quotes section anyway -- that's what the IMDB is there for. The JPS 10:08, 29 July 2005 (UTC)

Right, I'm sick of people just adding crap to this section, so I'm going to delete it altogether. Prepare for an edit war :( -- OwlofDoom 20:40, 29 July 2005 (UTC)

http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Father_Ted is just waiting to be started by all you eager Ted quoters. -- OwlofDoom 20:44, 29 July 2005 (UTC)

Vaguely related to quotes - I've amended (slightly) the section on Tom in terms of the quote about his unseen scar. According to the DVD subtitles, it was his 'own dad' that did it, not his own dog. Now I know DVD subtitles aren't always reliable (my edition of Pirates of the Caribbean has Jack Sparrow declaring an intention to "rape, pillage and plunder my weaselly black guts out", rather than raid, and I'm fairly sure that's not what Disney would have intended, undead skeletons or no), but the commentary seems to agree that it was Tom's dad. Slightly grimmer than before, admittedly, but if we can laugh at the O'Learys...! Cheers - M., from 128.241.45.240 00:45, 10 January 2007 (UTC)

Hi. Per a previous discussion on this on my talk page (And as noted in various edits [2], [3], [4], [5], [6]) I also checked the DVD subtitles and reviewed the Close Captioning from an RTE showing. They all reflect the line as "Dog". Because the sources obviously vary (and so is unlikely to ever be verifiably confirmed as one or the other), is likely to be the subject of the silliest revert war ever ( :) ) and because the quote doesn't really add that much to the context of a general Fr.Ted article anyway, it's probably best just to remove it altogether. Guliolopez 12:05, 10 January 2007 (UTC)

Agree. It's a completely non-notable snippet of pseudo-information. The JPS^{talk to me} 17:18, 10 January 2007 (UTC)

This isn't relevant to Father Ted, but "rape and pillage" is what Captain Jack actually does say in POTC. 'Rape' means to violate, not necessarily a person in a sexual way, but to a town or country as well, in the sense of trashing it. 'Rape and pillage' is a common phrase. ProfPirate 19:48, 6 May 2007 (UTC)

Shot where?

The article says "while all of the location footage was shot in Ireland". It would be nice if you could say where in particular. -- Finlay McWalter | Talk 17:24, August 13, 2005 (UTC)

It would be an useful addition, yes. Why don't you research it and add it to the article? The JPS 18:22, 13 August 2005 (UTC)

Done. Incidentialy, I made a redirect from parochial house to rectory (where manse already redirects). I don't know if there's enough of a difference for parochial house to warrant its own article. -- Finlay McWalter | Talk 19:34, August 13, 2005 (UTC)

Excellent edit - the article is in much better shape now. The JPS 19:39, 13 August 2005 (UTC)

Nationality of the show

The following was merged from previously separate sections to keep this discussion in one place.

dealing in fact and not opinion

The purpose of Wikipedia is to deal with fact and not opinion. When stating the nationality of any Television or Film production, ALL Wikipedia articles state the nationality of the production company/companies. Therefore a if an American production company made a film about Greece, starring Greek actors, set entirely in Greece, made in the Greek Language with an entirely Greek born crew it would still be correctly listed as an American film. Therefore it doesn't matter if the entire cast and crew of Father Ted had to show an Irish passport to get the job. The production company was British and therefore it is a UK production. Please refer to the IMDB listing fr the show as further evidence of the correct etiquette in this regard. Captainbeecher (talk) 10:29, 23 August 2015 (UTC)

Irish Television programmes

I see this all the time on WP, people trying to remove Father Ted from lists of British TV programmes because they think its Irish. I realise it is culturally Irish, but it isn't an Irish production, so is Category:Irish television programmes appropriate? JW 10:38, 22 August 2005 (UTC)

No it's not appropriate. Father Ted was produced by a UK production company for a UK channel. -- Arwel 12:48, 22 August 2005 (UTC)

Well, yes technically it's a British TV programme but it was written by Irish writers and starred an Irish cast. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 89.124.84.10 (talk) 19:24, 18 December 2009 (UTC)

It is NOT technically a British programme, it IS a British programme. Commissioned by a British television network, financed and produced by a British television company, recorded at studios in London using a predominately British production crew. The fact it is set in Ireland and uses an Irish cast does not make it an Irish programme; it makes it a British situation comedy where the situtation is based in Ireland. Indeed the copyright and ownership belongs to a British TV network. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 82.29.64.26 (talk) 21:19, 1 January 2010 (UTC)

I would classify Fr Ted as an Anglo-Irish TV production. While not co-produced by an Irish Company like The Irish R.M. however it was written by and starred a group of Irish people I don't think the British would have written a similar show without being insulting aka Ballykissangel is hugely twee Irish. It didn't seem to use the Irish tax breaks for Film and Television production. But then is The Tudors an Irish TV programme? after all it is produced in Ireland with the use of tax breaks and by and Irish company?. Also much of the on location filming was done in Ireland for Fr. Ted IrishTV (talk) 12:58, 4 July 2010 (UTC)

British?

All exterior shots filmed in Ireland, written and created by Irish people and filmed with Irish Actors, it is hard to see why it is called a British television program. Interior shots were filmed in London, and the production company to which it was contracted was British, but does this serve to make it British?

Well it was produced by Channel 4 (a British company), but written by Irish writers. The actors were (almost entirely) Irish, but the crew were mixed British/Irish. It was filmed in Ireland and London. What's wrong with the idea of two countries cooperating on this? garik 11:33, 24 June 2006 (UTC)

Actually, it was produced for Channel 4 (a British company) by Hat Trick Productions (also a British company). Channel 4 does not produce programmes. --Bonalaw 13:31, 24 June 2006 (UTC)

Yes, sorry, you're quite right. Either way, the point is that it seems rather silly to debate whether it's Irish or British, when it could quite happily be understood to be both. garik 16:01, 24 June 2006 (UTC)

Best we not accuse others of being silly when we are part of the reverting ourselves. Calling "Father Ted" British is like calling "Braveheart" Irish, because some of the same principles are present. I do believe that Wikipedia is nothing if it's not accurate, so the two country compromise should do here with provenance going to Ireland, so I'll do a small edit and put Ireland first. Hope that's okay with everyone. Taramoon 16:36, 24 June 2006 (UTC)

Well, OK. Maybe 'silly' was an unfortunate word, though I meant it gently - I apologise if it wasn't taken as such. I can't help feeling, however, that to consider "Father Ted" as Irish or British, rather than both, is actually inaccurate, at least in the absence of criteria limiting nationality to that of the writers or the production company (or whatever). After all, if the rest of this talk page is to believed, it was shown on Channel 4 before it was shown on RTE. Out of interest, by the way, what's the Irish connection with "Braveheart"? I was under the impression it was pretty much an American film, but I know very little about it. In any case, I wholeheartedly agree that Ireland should be first on the Father Ted page. garik 17:59, 24 June 2006 (UTC)

Well just on the "Braveheart" question. Over 90% of filming was done in Ireland, over 90% of the actors were Irish, and the main production company was Irish. Yet, quite correctly, it's not classed as an Irish film. That was my comparison. Taramoon 18:19, 24 June 2006 (UTC)

Braveheart unlike Fr. Ted is set in Scotland. But then do we consider The Quite Man an Irish film? I agree that no nationality needs to be mentioned IrishTV (talk) 14:19, 18 July 2010 (UTC)

This has been changed yet again back to British. I have changed it to Irish/British as it is the fairest thing to do. Irish writers, Irish actors, British TV station & production company. Dornálaíocht (talk) 00:05, 18 July 2010 (UTC)

I've checked some foreign language versions of this article and they agree on Father Ted being Brish and Irish. I would like to remind editors that English is an official language in 56 UN member states and I don't think that there is any universally accepted criterea on the nationality of a TV show. (Tk420 (talk) 13:24, 13 February 2011 (UTC))

Foreign language versions are still Wikipedia though, and therefore are not reliable sources, see WP:CIRCULAR. --Redrose64 (talk) 13:45, 13 February 2011 (UTC)

IP edits on drive by agianst source. From the authors mouths [7] "We wanted to make an Irish sit com with all the insanity of 'The Young Ones' and the cleverness of 'Blackadder' and 'Fawlty Towers' but with all the Irish madness," explains Linehan". So any other rational? Murry1975 (talk) 00:43, 21 May 2012 (UTC)

British production company and filmed in the UK, as explained above. But I suppose you'll just discount anything you don't like as being a "drive by agianst source" (what source?). 128.114.59.168 (talk) 21:40, 22 May 2012 (UTC)

The source in the article atributed to the authors. Murry1975 (talk) 01:31, 23 May 2012 (UTC)

BTW filmed in the UK and Ireland [8], written by Irish,starring Irish and as the qoute from the author you keep ignoring was an Irish sitcom. Murry1975 (talk) 01:40, 23 May 2012 (UTC)

Ultimately, the reason the show exists, is because Channel 4, a British company, commissioned it. The show is made from British money. The Irish cast and writers were paid with money that came from the UK. Had this been RTE or another Irish network instead of Channel 4, this would be a very different story, but it isn't. Yes it was shown on RTE, but that's solely because Channel 4 sold them the rights to air the show. Look at the Wikipedia article of the recent film from Disney called 'Brave' - Predominantly British cast, set in Scotland, yet still an American film, made with Disney's money. 82.44.72.174 (talk) 01:22, 11 September 2012 (UTC)

It's pretty much fine the way it is now. Not calling it Irish in some way would be weird, really weird... It's obviously an exception to list it as being an Irish show when the production is entirely British, but a very good and well-reasoned exception I feel it is. --Τασουλα (talk) 02:31, 11 September 2012 (UTC)

Surely in Wikipedia terms this is a British comedy because the production company, Hat Trick Productions is British? For example, Hit British film Slumdog Millionaire 79.97.154.238 (talk) 18:38, 16 November 2012 (UTC)

No one in the UK would consider Father Ted culturally British - I certainly don't. As its so heavily culturally Irish, that's pretty accurate to make an exception and describe it as Irish first and foremost. I went off on one and thought someone had removed British because of primitive nationalism. I was wrong! A storm of raging nationalists tried to get any British mention removed because they cannot get over the fact it refers to the production...--85.210.97.143 (talk) 21:50, 24 December 2012 (UTC)

Is 'Allo 'Allo a French comedy? --81.136.143.173 (talk) 09:03, 23 August 2013 (UTC)

So? Anyway, describing Father Ted as a "British Sitcom" in the lead is confusing, easily misleading someone to believe that the style of humor/setting etc is British. Monty Python is British Humour, this is mostly certainly Irish Humour. --Somchai Sun (talk) 10:10, 29 August 2013 (UTC)

It's a UK production, thus a British show. It is customary to show country of origin in the lead sentence. Whether it is "British humour" or "Irish humour" is irrelevant, and also POV. --Rob Sinden (talk) 10:22, 29 August 2013 (UTC)

Of course it's Irish humour -__- - Country of origin? Well, the writers/creators are Irish, and it's filmed in Ireland. "It is customary" - we should be looking to see what the manual of style says about this, if any. --Somchai Sun (talk) 12:08, 29 August 2013 (UTC)

As far as the MOS goes, try WP:TVLEAD. Country always refers to production country, not filming location or nationality of the individuals involved. --Rob Sinden (talk) 12:12, 29 August 2013 (UTC)

Thanks, I didn't know that existed (well, I knew that WP:MOSFILM covers lead material, should of guessed one existed for TV!). It's obvious that the manual of style widely used across the board is that the country of origin = production coutnry only. I don't agree with that at all, but hey - it's the MOS and I respect the MOS. I'll back down. I'm just trying to be "inclusionist"...so to speak. --Somchai Sun (talk) 12:22, 29 August 2013 (UTC)

I do see your point - sorry if I came across a bit brusque - that a show as "Irish" as Father Ted should be described as "British", but as it is made by a British production company for a British TV station, it can't really be anything else. --Rob Sinden (talk) 12:26, 29 August 2013 (UTC)

No problem, and not really - I don't tend to judge people's tone on the internet as it's not easy to tell. And I'm glad I was making a bit of sense! --Somchai Sun (talk) 12:35, 29 August 2013 (UTC)

In all of the other discussions on this talkpage, most editors have opposed calling the show "British" alone. For most of the time, the article has called it either "Irish" or "British-Irish". Father Ted was produced by a British production company, but it was written by Irish writers, directed by Irish directors and had an all-Irish cast (not to mention being set and filmed mostly in Ireland). Calling it "British" alone is thus misleading. A more accurate description would be "British and Irish" or "Irish and British". Most TV shows are written, directed and produced wholly within one country by people of one nationality. However, in the case of Father Ted only the production company and original station was British while almost everything else was Irish. Because of this, I think we should avoid giving a nationality to the show itself. Leave the nationalities to those involved. ~Asarlaí 01:13, 1 September 2013 (UTC)

I would still support an exception in this case. --Somchai Sun (talk) 12:17, 1 September 2013 (UTC)

Somewhere in the special features of the 2012 DVD release Graham Linehan describes Father Ted as an Irish programme with British resources. I am now not sure if nationality should be included in this article. (Tk420 (talk) 20:07, 7 October 2013 (UTC))

Searching for an analogy to use in this debate: although Wikipedia policy prefers international terms to be used to avoid conflict between different English dialects it does allow a country's dialect to be used where there are strong national ties to a topic (see Wikipedia:Manual of Style#Strong national ties to a topic for more information). However this should not be used to claim national ownership of an article. Could the same criteria be used for the nationality of a TV series on Wikipedia? (Tk420 (talk) 21:09, 16 November 2013 (UTC))

Fact remains is that it is a British production. We've taken it out of the lead, but there's no need for a note in the infobox, as this is specifically for country of production. --Rob Sinden (talk) 13:55, 19 November 2013 (UTC)

I found Graham Linehan's view in the Interview with the Writers on Disc 1 in the 2012 DVD boxed set. In the section Representinting the Irish near the end (about 21 minutes in) Linehan said they got into trouble in Boston when someone called it an English programme. Linehan resented this because in his words the show was Irish made, wrtten, directed and starred Irish actors. Arthur Matthews added 'with British resources' and Linehan admitted they used British resources. Besides the writers' views I have yet to meet a Briton who associates Father Ted with the United Kingdom. Besides that I am not convinced that the nationality of the show should be included in the article if the dispute cannot be resolved. Tk420 (talk) 20:37, 7 March 2015 (UTC)

I would agree that it is a British show. Where do we draw the line? Does the nationality of the writer determine the 'nationality' of the show, of course not. Does the shooting locations, nope. Game of Thrones is largely shot in Northern Ireland, using local crews, props, production facilities and actors, but its still a HBO show and thus an american show. We have also had this problem with 'The Fall' series, many people seem to assume RTE had a part to play in its production, which is untrue - BBCni and a British production company made it. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 81.136.115.113 (talk) 22:15, 19 August 2015 (UTC)

As of this writing, the first sentence in the article is "Father Ted is an Irish sitcom that was produced by independent production company Hat Trick Productions for Channel 4.". So, it was produced by a British company for a British channel. How is it Irish then? The reception section also gives a strong impression that this is a British show, talking about Greatest British TV Programmes and the British Comedy Awards and the like. The article is directly contradicting itself here. Adam9007 (talk) 15:41, 19 June 2016 (UTC)

RfC: Nationality and edit notice

The consensus is that the show is British because "the nationality of a TV programme or film is determined by who pays for its production (UK's Channel 4 in this case)" (quoting Dr Greg). The present compromise that the sitcom was "produced by a British company but scripted and performed by Irish writers and actors and filmed in Ireland" is a good compromise. Cunard (talk) 00:08, 1 August 2016 (UTC)

The following discussion is closed. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.

---

There's a long-running dispute as to whether this show is British or Irish (see the above discussion). Editors have been reverting back and forth for a while now, and this shows no sign of stopping any time soon. There seems to be a widespread belief that because this was produced by a British company for a British channel, it's British. I'm proposing that we settle this dispute once and for all and put an edit notice on the page explaining the decision. Adam9007 (talk) 17:17, 19 June 2016 (UTC)

• While I am not familiar with the show, the nationality of the production company is typically the deciding factor for the nationality of a film or television program. In this case, Hat Trick Productions is British and no Irish co-producer is named. I do not see what this show has to do with Ireland at all. Dimadick (talk) 10:08, 20 June 2016 (UTC)

The confusion comes from the show being set in Ireland, shot largely on location there, and being scripted and performed mainly by Irish writers and actors. The nationality of the production company is something most people don't really consider. Speaking anecdotally, Father Ted is still massively popular in Ireland 20+ years on, the Irish identify very strongly with it, and some are surprised or even offended when they perceive it as being credited to the Brits. Basically, this is an edit war that will never end. —Flax5 12:41, 20 June 2016 (UTC)

• Agree with Dimadick that on WP and the world at large, the nationality of a work is based on who foots the bill (the production studio(s)), not where it is filmed or the nationalities of who actually works on it. This seems fully a British work, even though its cast and crew and location are Irish. --MASEM (t) 17:00, 20 June 2016 (UTC)

• It's a matter of convention that the nationality of a TV programme or film is determined by who pays for its production (UK's Channel 4 in this case). This convention seems to be followed by Wikipedia and lots of other publishers, too. Note that after the first sentence of the article states this is a British show, the second sentence does make clear the close connection with Ireland. (On a technicality, only the pre-filmed external scenes were filmed in Ireland. Most of the scenes were recorded in a London studio in front of an audience.) -- Dr Greg  talk  18:11, 20 June 2016 (UTC)

• Perhaps this could be solved by moving the word "British": "Father Ted is a television sitcom that was produced by independent British production company Hat Trick Productions for Channel 4." —Anne Delong (talk) 08:41, 28 June 2016 (UTC)

• It seems the rational solution to this would be to note in the lead that it was produced by a British company but scripted and performed by Irish writers and actors and filmed in Ireland. A bit wordy but you get my point. This would resolve both sides of the dispute. Meatsgains (talk) 22:14, 7 July 2016 (UTC)

The lead has contained most of that information for ages (just not the "filmed in Ireland" detail), and an IP changed British to Irish again literally last night. I don't think anything short of actually locking the article will prevent these drive-by edits. —Flax5 17:05, 8 July 2016 (UTC)

• I would probably go with Anne Delong's suggestion. We traditionally go by the sources, but there don't seem to be any authoritative sources on the country of origin for television shows, unlike film (for example, the American Film Institute or European Audiovisual Observatory). The usual solution is to go by production company, but since that's leading to extensive edit warring, maybe Anne Delong's wording will resolve some of it. NinjaRobotPirate (talk) 18:26, 13 July 2016 (UTC)

• British per 'he who pays the piper' but the present compromise of 'produced by British comp , scripted by, starring' seems a good compromise. Pincrete (talk) 11:57, 15 July 2016 (UTC)

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The discussion above is closed. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.

Blue Nun?

I'm not too sure, but it seems more likely that the "blue nun" reference is to the cheap german sweet wine rather than "blue as in sexually promiscuous". Any ideas?

Both, I think; I'm sure it's a double entendre. -- Finlay McWalter | Talk 17:54, September 1, 2005 (UTC)

Although really "blue" just means "rude", not necessarily "sexually primiscuous" (unless there's more from the context in which the phrase was used). -- Finlay McWalter | Talk 18:01, September 1, 2005 (UTC)

Parishioners

Just a minor point...I don't think Fr. Noel Furlong and Fr. Larry Duff are technically 'parishioners' (surely they'd be in Craggy Island Parochial House if they were - moreover, Ted only seems to meet Noel when he leaves the island and I can't recall Noel ever appearing in a scene on the island at all) - although they're certainly worth mentioning as characters. Perhaps a future edit could distinguish between the parishioners and other characters?

Featurable?

It's a way off yet, but wouldn't it be fecking great? :D Happy to help with any FAC drive --PopUpPirate 00:47, 11 October 2005 (UTC)

Yes, Yes it would, count me in Bandraoi 06:55, 11 October 2005 (UTC)

I've created a subpage for minor characters for starters --PopUpPirate 13:52, 7 February 2006 (UTC)

Submitting to Peer Review - won't do any harm will it! --PopUpPirate 00:30, 8 February 2006 (UTC)

Location

Are you sure Craggy Island is on the west coast of island. I seem to remember Ted saying something like it was near where the English ships come to dump the old glowy-glowy

That'd be off the continental shelf - the West coast of Ireland. The sort of scenery shown in the series, the attitudes of the people, the weather, the fact that the opening shots show Inis Oírr which is off the west coast of Ireland, the fact that nearly all the islands in Ireland which are inhabited by small isolated populations are off the west coast of Ireland . . . . Yes Craggy Island is off the west coast Bandraoi 21:00, 3 January 2006 (UTC)

• • I can confirm this; I've physically walked on the shipwreck, which is on Inis Oírr in Aran. Further, the islanders mostly talk in west coast accents. See Image:Thap_aranisland_wreck.JPG. --Kwekubo 01:06, 8 February 2006 (UTC)

Adding the locations shown in the title sequence would make a valuable addition to the article, if you'd care to make it. FYI, we already have articles on Inisheer and Aran Islands to which you might like to link. -- Finlay McWalter | Talk 21:06, 3 January 2006 (UTC)

Irony

POV and not really irony - I'll remove the following if no one objects. "Nevertheless, it is a rich irony that what went on to be one of the most popular TV shows in Ireland, performed largely by an Irish cast, and containing so many accurate (albeit comically exaggerated) depictions of national Irish eccentricities, was paid for and shot by a British broadcaster."--YellowLeftHand 16:44, 29 May 2006 (UTC)

ha ha, sounds like someone was trying to get a cheap shot at the English. I don't mind where the cast come from, I'd pay for a television programme of that quality any day of the week. Though I do agree it isn't so much surreal as it is an exaggeration of Ireland. I see that in a lot of my relatives.--Crestville 16:47, 29 May 2006 (UTC)

I don't think it's a cheap shot at the English, if anything it's a shot at the Irish TV industry for failing to take advantage of the talent available. --Ryano 13:37, 13 July 2006 (UTC)

The use of the word "irony" in the context as you suggest may be inappropriate (or possibly just plain wrong). However, I would suggest that the sentence be reworded rather than removed. I would suggest that it was included by an editor - probably not as a "cheap shot" - but because, at the time of it's release and quick and dramatic rise in popularity (both in Ireland and the UK), there was some debate in the media (and pubs) in Ireland about (POV warning) how such a fantastically funny show by and starring Irish writers and actors, and about the peculiarities of (granted very specific) aspects of Irish life and mien came to be made outside the country. There was even debate and suggestion (as evidenced by the "turned down/refused by RTÉ rumour" referenced in the article) that it could not or would not be "allowed" to be made in Ireland. (Irreverent as it is about insitutions and occupations in Ireland that would previously have been "off limits" in mainstream media.)

So, in short, ("too late" I hear you say) if we can find a way to reword the sentence to remain true to the context, but avoiding POV and mis-use of the term "irony", then I would hope it stays in! Guliolopez 19:11, 29 May 2006 (UTC)

--- def.n of irony on m-w.com: 3 a (1) : incongruity between the actual result of a sequence of events and the normal or expected result (2) : an event or result marked by such incongruity

I think the word "irony", in this sense, in the context of the above-mentioned sentence, is accurate: shows commissioned and made by agencies outside a particular country usually would not succesfully and amusingly highlight and make fun of rather obscure aspects of that country.

I wrote that sentence a long time ago, and I certainly did not intend a cheap shot at anyone; I was just trying to preserve the flavour of the previous section about the "turned down by RTÉ" rumour, mentioned by Guliolopez above. I also was the person who contacted RTÉ to confirm its inaccuracy (c.f. the "Banned in Ireland" claims and RTÉ section above), so I did go to some trouble to tidy up this section. 213.131.238.25 13:00, 13 July 2006 (UTC)Dermot

Reception

The article makes barely any mention of the show's reception upon broadcast, its popularity, its status as one of the most successful and well-loved British sitcoms of the '90s, the fact that people like Steve Coogan and Armando Iannucci have gone on record saying things along the lines of it being the standard by which all other work of the time must be judged, that sort of thing. Some citations from places like the BBC Comedy Guide, and mention of its placing in the 100 Best Sitcoms, etc., would also be useful to back this up. I think it's a bit of an oversight, frankly, that the article barely makes any mention of the show's (very significant) status in the context of British sitcom history, so if no-one objects I'll probably tackle doing so quite soon. Seb Patrick 09:47, 8 June 2006 (UTC)

Canned Laughter

Does this sitcom have canned laughter? Loserdog³⁰⁰⁰ 20:42, 12 June 2006 (UTC)

No, it has genuine laughter. --Bonalaw 10:02, 13 June 2006 (UTC)

It was mostly filmed in front of a audience, but in the dvd commentary they said that sometime, from having to retake etc the laughter heard in the used piece was not enough, so they cut the bigger laugh from the unused take and stuck it on the final one. im not sure about the laughter for the outside shots. Seabhcán 10:55, 13 June 2006 (UTC)

Wikiproject: Father Ted

Hello, I'm hoping to set up a Father Ted wikiproject to enhance the standard of the articles, create definitive episode guides, related pages, templates, stubs etc. Father Ted was ingenious, a one of a kind sitcom unlike anything ever seen before or since - I believe it deserves higher recognition on Wikipedia, if you want to join my proposed project go to: Wikipedia:Wikiproject/List of proposed projects, (it's towards the bottom of the page), and sign your name. It may also be worth (if you want to) signing on for a similiar project I'm hoping to undertake: that of Fawlty Towers thanks.. Foxearth (logged out for the moment).

I'll support this if and when I can. How did the Fawlty Towers one go though?--Crestville 13:42, 14 June 2006 (UTC)

Still waiting for enough names to start both projects... I thought more people would be interested - I'm trying to advertise - but still nothing...! Foxearth

Have you tried Wikipedia:WikiProject British TV shows? The JPS^{talk to me} 12:58, 15 June 2006 (UTC)

Song For Europe

"Ted is goaded by Father Dick Byrne into attempting to write a song for "Eurosong '96" (spoof of the Eurovision Song Contest)"

the name of the show which chose the song for the eurovision was called eurosong and that year would have been eurosong 96 so its not a spoof in the way that sentence makes it out to be Owwmykneecap 02:36, 20 June 2006 (UTC)

In the script as published in The Complete Scripts, the selection programme is called "A Song for Ireland 1996" and the final contest is called "Eurosong". So the evidence is not on your side. --Bonalaw 09:12, 20 June 2006 (UTC)

Wikipedia: WikiProject Fawlty Towers

If you're interested in sitcoms you may wish to join my new Fawlty Towers-based wikiproject to maintain the standard, and create fabulous new articles based upon this milestone in British Comedy. If you are interested, and woud like to bcome a member, please enquire at the above link, or on my talk page for more information. Thanks Foxearth 02:48, 18 July 2006 (UTC)

Dave, I'm pretty sure you're right in saying Mrs Doyles first name is Joan. I thought the same thing myself.

Way, way too long summary additions of August 21

They are. BabuBhatt 22:28, 21 August 2006 (UTC)

Agree. Article is possibly going down the wrong path. While User:Algebra man's additions to the structure of the "season summaries" (by adding tables) are probably a good idea, the extension of those summaries is probably not. The depth of detail added is not appropriate to a general article about the program. If an extensive description of each episode is required for wikipedia, then they should likely be carved out into separate aricles as "List of Father Ted Episodes" or "Father Ted Episodes (Season 1)", etc. This is the standard for other TV programs - see Lost (TV series) + related articles, Friends, etc. Will revert until consensus here Guliolopez 23:29, 21 August 2006 (UTC)

Agree with above. The JPS^{talk to me} 23:36, 21 August 2006 (UTC)

Agree too. --Archeus 15:29, 22 August 2006 (UTC)

I did originally think that it was to big for the page, but since there was nowhere else to put the info and I didn't yet know how to create a new page, I just put it all there. Well now I have created a new page, Father Ted Season 1, and have put all the info there. Would appreciate some help on wikifying the page.--Algebra man 19:25, 22 August 2006 (UTC)

Probably a good idea to have a link to it on this article? --Archeus 18:32, 28 August 2006 (UTC)

Edited Ted Crilly bio

To add that he would like to retire to a small parish in Las Vegas, quoted from the DVD insert of "The Best of Father Ted".

81.104.187.185 22:41, 3 October 2006 (UTC)

Hell

Should it be mentioned somewhere that when they went on holidays in the episode they went Killkenny as seen in the book ted was reading-the-muffin-man- 22:19, 12 December 2006 (UTC)

James Joyce's "The Dead"

In the closing scene of the first series ("Grant Unto Him Eternal Rest"), as the "boys" keep vigil on Father Jack's coffin, and as it snows everywhere outside, the narrative sounds suspiciously like a parody of the end of Joyce's "The Dead." Then like Tim Finnegan, Father Jack arises, resurrected from the dead!!! Is this coincidence? or maybe a little in-joke???--PeadarMaguidhir 18:40, 18 January 2007 (UTC)

Father Ted festival

Any chance someone could write a little bit about the Father Ted Festival that's happening this month? WindsorFan 22:04, 25 February 2007 (UTC)

Trivia section

Requesting an inclusion of a trivia section. It was deleted before for being unsourced but some of the trivia is seen on the show, Such as how Mrs Doyles mole changed from a different side of her face between seasons and also graham linehan and arthur matthews appeared in the show as teenagers pranking the priest chat line. V* Discharge 18:04, 11 March 2007 (UTC)

WP:AVTRIVIA. Trivia sections are considered unprofessional. They should be avoided in "mature" (developed) articles. Relevant information should be incorporated into a proper section. The JPS^{talk to me} 18:10, 11 March 2007 (UTC)

Fair use rationale for Image:PriestHouse.jpg

Image:PriestHouse.jpg is being used on this article. I notice the image page specifies that the image is being used under fair use but there is no explanation or rationale as to why its use in this Wikipedia article constitutes fair use. In addition to the boilerplate fair use template, you must also write out on the image description page a specific explanation or rationale for why using this image in each article is consistent with fair use.

Please go to the image description page and edit it to include a fair use rationale. Using one of the templates at Wikipedia:Fair use rationale guideline is an easy way to insure that your image is in compliance with Wikipedia policy, but remember that you must complete the template. Do not simply insert a blank template on an image page.

If there is other fair use media, consider checking that you have specified the fair use rationale on the other images used on this page. Note that any fair use images uploaded after 4 May, 2006, and lacking such an explanation will be deleted one week after they have been uploaded, as described on criteria for speedy deletion. If you have any questions please ask them at the Media copyright questions page. Thank you.

BetacommandBot 16:36, 24 October 2007 (UTC)

Father Ted's faith

For starters, a lot of the character summary consists of original research, but I wanted to point out that the question of Ted's faith is dubious at least, and the fact that he was a fan of Jesus has nothing to do with his faith. Richard Dawkins is a fan of Jesus, and that should be enough to prove my point! 193.132.159.170 09:52, 4 December 2007 (UTC) Oops, that was me. AstarothCY 09:54, 4 December 2007 (UTC)

Irishness of writers

First off, apologies to User:89.100.253.60 - I meant to say in my latest edit summary that it's inconsistent, not irrational, to emphasise the Irishness of the writers. (Damn that Windows auto-form-filling, or my fingers therewith!) Wikipedia doesn't generally mention the nationality of writers, directors, actors etc. in passing references unless it's of obvious notability or significant to understanding of the article. In this case, the fact that two Irish writers produced a TV series about some Irish characters in Ireland seems quite non-notable - there are many, many similar cases - and for anyone interested in their nationalities, the facts are available in the articles about the two writers. Indeed, it would be probably be more notable if they were not Irish! Barnabypage (talk) 00:35, 19 December 2007 (UTC)

Moving father Dick up

I did it because it is safe to say he is the most recurring character, at leas more than the ones he has below of.--20-dude (talk) 10:18, 24 May 2008 (UTC)

Question that has been annoying me

Which episode does Tom hit Ted with his car and then says sorry father while ted is clutching at the windowscreen? The clip was on comedy connections episode of Father ted, which is also on the newer complete colection dvd pack.Darkside2000 (talk) 13:04, 8 December 2008 (UTC)

The one that comes to mind is "Hell" where Ted hits a naked man with his car and he hangs onto the windscreen. 4I7.4I7 15:46, 8 December 2008 (UTC)

nope not that one. It's when ted tries to get a lift from the driver of a car, keeps on saying please and then the car hits him and tom says sorry about that father.Darkside2000 (talk) 09:14, 10 December 2008 (UTC)

You could try asking at the Entertainment Reference desk, see if anyone there might know. 4I7.4I7 13:32, 10 December 2008 (UTC)

Blackrock incident

Several wikipedia articles suggested that the Blackrock incident involved a Sealink ferry. This, however, is an erroneous conflation of two separate incidents - the Blackrock incident as mentioned by Bishop Brennan in The Passion of Saint Tibulus and the Sealink incident mentioned by Ted in Flight into Terror. There is no canonical link between the two, and good reason to assume that they must be two unrelated incidents, since the implication in Flight into Terror is that Ted witnessed the Sealink incident, meaning that it was just another of Dougal's wacky misadventures since being sent to Craggy Island, and not connected to the reason he was sent there in the first place. So to cut a long story short, I've removed any references to the Blackrock incident involving a Sealink ferry as this simply isn't supported by the script. --Walnuts go kapow (talk) 11:49, 16 May 2009 (UTC)

Sounds fair to me. It's all fiction anyway! Sillyfolkboy (talk) (edits)^{WIKIPROJECT ATHLETICS NEEDS YOU!} 09:33, 17 May 2009 (UTC)

Certainly not controversy

It seems like every subject on Wikipedia, no matter how benign, must have a controversy section. What is this, TV news? I think the Controversy section on this page should be renamed (or not included at all). 66.41.253.22 (talk) 17:32, 24 June 2009 (UTC)

Reasons for exile - when are they first given?

I'm watching the third ever episode The Passion of St Tibulus where Brennan first appears and relates the backstories. Would it be correct to say that this was the first time it is established on the show why the priests are on Craggy Island? I don't want to add it on the off chance that they themselves refer to it in the first two episodes, I don't recall they did, but its been a while, so if anybody's got the box sets that would be great. MickMacNee (talk) 02:20, 2 January 2010 (UTC)

You Bet Section?

Just read the article but have no idea what this section is about? Needs an explanation. Where were the letters found? In the title cards? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.171.23.219 (talk) 16:44, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

I have no idea what that is either, it was added by an IP in this edit about a month ago, and has somehow gone unnoticed. I'll remove it for now, and anyone who can try and explain it please do so. Thanks for the tip-off. —Half Price 18:17, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

BAFTA

Something ain't right. Mannafredo (talk) 10:51, 29 October 2010 (UTC)

Contradiction on who show was pitched to

The "Production" section states (with a cite) that it wasn't actually ever pitched to RTÉ. However, the whole "Religious sensitivity in Ireland" section suggests the complete opposite, without any sort of actual cite regarding whether it was pitched to RTÉ first. The discussion on the Talk page above, in the section "The "Banned in Ireland" claims and RTÉ" even shows that it wasn't pitched to RTÉ. However, for some reason, the "Religious sensitivity in Ireland" section remains. It really needs rewriting, or it's simply contradicting the earlier statement. Smoothy (talk) 18:54, 5 May 2012 (UTC)

OK, I've made the bold decision to remove the section. It seems the section was added towards the end of April (a week ago) but it doesn't actually have any cite to back up the assertion that the show was pitched to RTÉ, whereas the "Production" section states the opposite, with an actual cite. As mentioned earlier, the Talk page above also has a discussion back in 2003 where several people give evidence that the "RTÉ pitch" is a myth. The "Religious..." section then seems to segue into something I would say was sailing close to what I might call "original research". I feel that if the section needs to be there, it really needs rewriting and to avoid stating anything about any pitch to RTÉ. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Smoothy (talk • contribs) 19:13, 5 May 2012 (UTC)

Hi, I was the one who cited the claim in the Production section that they didn't offer it to RTE. They didn't, here it is from the horse's mouth: here "And there's another one, about him and Mathews having originally offering Father Ted to RTE, the Irish station. "We'd as soon have offered it to Waterford Crystal," he jokes. "They'd have had as much idea what to do with it." But still the rumours go on." I looked into the cite for the religious section and the whole bit was lifted from here (p253), I don't know how reliable this piece can be seeing as they put forward the incorrect RTE myth, as well as that, they claim that they got all their Father Ted info from a website called "The Craggy Examiner". It is an academic work so apart from the RTE myth, it could possibly be cited. HylandPaddy (talk) 20:31, 12 June 2012 (UTC)

More on cultural impact

Considering it seems every Irish person can quote every line of the show and recently Irish supporters in Poland were holding signs saying "Down with this sort of thing" for example. The impact on Irish culture should be expanded upon. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 193.120.103.156 (talk) 04:11, 1 July 2012 (UTC)

Does Mrs. Doyle live with them?

I ask because Catholic priests are not allowed to live in the same house as their housekeeper, nor their mother or sister for that matter, because any woman living with a priest was likely to be sexually abused (or, rather, to tempt him to sin). Monado (talk) 19:26, 26 February 2013 (UTC)