'Father Ted': Tube Talk Gold

We went all wealthy, sunny and Californian with our nostalgia trip to The O.C. last week, so it's time for something a little different. Well, kind of the opposite, actually. Yes, we're visiting Craggy Island (where an infinity pool would look a little out of place) to celebrate the wondrous sitcom Father Ted.

It's consistently named as one of the best ever comedies... but why?

Father Ted: Originally broadcast from October 21, 1995 to May 1, 1998

Was it really that long ago? Yes, it's hard to believe that Father Ted first aired in 1995 - watching it now, it's just as funny as ever and seems remarkably modern. That partly must be down to the genius of writers Graham Linehan and Arthur Mathews, but maybe it's also because Father Ted already partly seemed set in the past.

After all, it's not like the residents of the Parochial House were living in the lap of luxury - that awful '70s wallpaper comes to mind right away. And as for Craggy Island, it's kind of a surprise that they've even got electricity.

In fact, Craggy Island's desolate nature is one of the funniest bits of the series. It's there right from the very first instalment, when Dougal is desperate to visit the travelling fair Fun Land - a depressingly dull affair, with attractions such as a bench on a rope as a ferris wheel, a tunnel of goats, freak pointing, and a cat on a turntable. If that doesn't tickle your fancy, you can always visit the ridiculously rocky, windy, unappetising picnic area (and get scared by an officious man with a whistle).



But Father Ted would, of course, be nothing without its absolutely brilliant central characters. Ted, Dougal and Jack - along with housekeeper Mrs Doyle, naturally - were utterly bizarre, but also strangely loveable.

Take Ted, who just feels like life hasn't given him the best chance. We do root for Ted, even though he can be horrid to poor old Dougal and there was that strange incident with the Lourdes donations (that money was just resting in his account, honest). Things just never go right for Ted, which might be bad for him but is absolutely super fun for us. He's an island of sanity in a big cesspit of madness - or at least, that's how he sees things.

Then there's Dougal. Oh, Dougal. He's ridiculously over-the-top, but it doesn't matter. Whether he's struggling with perspective ("these cows are small, but the ones out there are far away") or idolising his naughty new friend Damo, Dougal is endlessly stupid - and endlessly adorable.



How could you not love his wide-eyed innocence, his children's bed covers and his dreams of Blockbusters? He's basically a kid, but it's so brilliant to watch (and the fact that he doesn't even really seem to believe in the Catholic faith adds to the surrealism. How on Earth did he end up a priest?).

Of course, we can't go any further without mentioning Father Jack - the booze-soaked, cigarette-puffing, women-adoring, absolutely disgusting one. The fact that his utterances largely amounted to "feck" and "girls" just made it even more brilliant when, for example, Ted trained him to say: "That would be an ecumenical matter." In fact, "feck" never got old - quite a feat for a catchphrase. And Jack also provided Father Ted with its gross moments - could there be a more unhygienic, scab-covered man?

But there were some great recurring characters in Father Ted, too. How about the rivalry between our heroes and their Rugged Island counterparts Dick Byrne, Cyril McDuff and Jim Johnson? Or the evil Bishop Brennan (who didn't cheer when Ted kicked him up the arse, or when Jack discovered his secret lovechild on an ill-advised home video?)



That's not all, though. There's poor, unfortunate Larry Duff, who is always called by Ted at precisely the wrong moment. Or John and Mary O'Leary, the local shopkeepers who absolutely hate each other, but pretend they're happily married in front of Ted. Or even bizarre Tom, the terrifying, 'I Shot JR' T-shirt wearing island oddball. Graham Norton also puts in a fabulous performance as the unbelievably irritating Father Noel Furlong (just mad).

As for episodes, there are too many fabulous moments to mention. Who could forget the fantastic Eurovision-based instalment 'Song for Europe'? Hands up if you know the words to 'My Lovely Horse' (which was actually co-written by Neil Hannon of The Divine Comedy, the band behind that unforgettable theme song).

One of my favourites is 'Are You Right There, Father Ted?' when Ted unsuccessfully tries to prove he's not racist (after doing something racist). Who knew that a square piece of dirt on a window could cause such hilarity? As if that wasn't enough, there was the spoof of Speed - with Dougal looking terrified on a milk float - or the superb Christmas episode, where we could basically just laugh at a bunch of priests getting lost in the lingerie department of a big store.



You can't deny that Father Ted had a real influence on popular culture. Sure, "feck" was used in Ireland, but it was Channel 4 that really brought it into common parlance, right? And a protest these days isn't a protest without someone holding up a placard reading: "Down with this sort of thing."

Of course, the untimely death of the brilliant Dermot Morgan shortly after finishing the final episode always adds a tint of sadness now that you watch Father Ted, but it's also a great memorial to him. And if you want to see it, well, it's easy! Whether you're watching for the first time or just reminding yourself of its brilliance, you can buy the complete series on DVD or catch it on 4oD. Ah, go on. Go on. Go on, go on, go on, go on, go on, go on, go on...

Were you a fan of Father Ted? Leave your comments below!