Father Ted (Channel 4 1995-1998, Dermot Morgan, Ardal O’Hanlon)

A Channel Four sitcom about three nearly-defrocked Irish Catholic priests who are sent to a remote island for their sins. Father Ted is the most “normal,” though prone to temptation through opportunism; Father Jack is a cranky drunk and spends most of his time asleep in a chair; and young Father Dougal brings a new definition to the word “dim.” The first episode opens with a visiting Cuban priest who speaks Spanish but is overdubbed like a BBC newscast.

It only gets stranger. Ordered by the Bishop to protest a “sacrilegious” movie opening in town results in it only becoming a huge hit (after the priests check out the movie for themselves, of course). Everyone else on the island is just as weird, including a married couple on the verge of mutual homicide who, in the presence of the Fathers, give off the impression of martial bliss.

Dermot Morgan died tragically young just after completing the third series with his potential as a big star just about to be realised. The premiere of the third and final season was delayed for a week out of respect.

production details
UK / Channel 4 – Hatrick / 1×50 minute episodes 24×25 minute episodes / Broadcast 21 April 1995 – 1 May 1998

Writers: Graham Linehan, Arthur Matthews / Music: The Divine Comedy / Producer: Geoffrey Perkins

cast
Dermot Morgan as Father Ted Crilly
Ardal O’Hanlon as Father Dougal McGuire
Frank Kelly as Father Jack Hackett
Pauline McLynn as Mrs Doyle