This is an episode guide for the sitcomFather Ted created by Arthur Mathews and Graham Linehan, and starring Dermot Morgan, Ardal O'Hanlon, Frank Kelly and Pauline McLynn. The series aired on British broadcaster Channel 4 between 21 April 1995 and 1 May 1998.
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- 1Series overview
- 3Best episode
Three seasons of Father Ted were produced between 1995 and 1998 before actor Dermot Morgan who played Father Ted Crilly died of a heart attack after completing filming on the third season. Father Ted was one of the most successful and critically acclaimed British sitcoms of the 1990s. Notably, only one of these nine episodes was from Series 1 ('Good Luck, Father Ted'). Ted Fest 2007. At the inaugural Ted Fest, 'New Jack City' was voted best episode. Father Ted Night 2011 (Channel 4) Father Ted Night, broadcast on New Year's Day 2011 on Channel 4, named 'Speed 3' as the fans' favourite episode.
Series overview[edit]
| Series | Episodes | Originally aired | Christmas special | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Series premiere | Series finale | ||||
| 1 | 6 | 21 April 1995 | 26 May 1995 | No special | |
| 2 | 10 | 8 March 1996 | 10 May 1996 | + 24 December 1996 | |
| 3 | 8 | 13 March 1998 | 1 May 1998 | No special | |
Series 1 (1995)[edit]
| No. | # | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original airdate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 'Good Luck, Father Ted' | Declan Lowney | Graham Linehan & Arthur Mathews | 21 April 1995 | |
A television programme offers to interview Father Ted, who goes to extreme lengths to ensure the other members of the clergy on the island do not interrupt his moment in the spotlight. Meanwhile Craggy Island hosts Fun Land, a fun fair to which Dougal is desperate to go. Ted takes the film crew to the fair, leading to a massive mess. Guest stars (in order as credited): Gerard Lee as Terry MacNamee, Pat Shortt as Tom, Noelle Brown as Teaching Nun, Blanaid Irvine as Tarot Reader, Patrick Drury as John O'Leary, Rynagh O'Grady as Mary O'Leary, Mark Murray as Surly Youth. | ||||||
| 2 | 2 | 'Entertaining Father Stone' | Declan Lowney | Graham Linehan & Arthur Mathews | 28 April 1995 | |
Ted and Dougal are devastated as an inoffensive but unbearably boring priest, Father Stone, arrives on Craggy Island for his annual visit. Ted prays for Father Stone to be taken away, but is later wracked with guilt when Father Stone is struck by lightning. The title is a pun on the Joe Orton play Entertaining Mr Sloane. Special guest star:Michael Redmond as Father Paul Stone. | ||||||
| 3 | 3 | 'The Passion of Saint Tibulus' | Declan Lowney | Graham Linehan & Arthur Mathews | 5 May 1995 | |
Bishop Leonard Brennan arrives at the parochial house on an official visit with news that a blasphemous film, condemned by the pope and banned everywhere, is being shown in Craggy Island thanks to a loophole. He orders the priests to make a stand and protest at the cinema, but they discover secrets about the Bishop's past. Special guest star:Jim Norton as Bishop Brennan | ||||||
| 4 | 4 | 'Competition Time' | Declan Lowney | Graham Linehan & Arthur Mathews | 12 May 1995 | |
Ahead of the annual 'All Priests Stars in Their Eyes Lookalike Competition', Ted, determined to beat his arch-nemesis Father Dick Byrne from Rugged Island, reveals his Elvis costume, only to find that Dougal and Jack have the exact same costume for themselves. Meanwhile, television celebrity Henry Sellers stays at the house. Special guest star:Niall Buggy as Henry Sellers | ||||||
| 5 | 5 | 'And God Created Woman' | Declan Lowney | Graham Linehan & Arthur Mathews | 19 May 1995 | |
Father Ted meets novelist Polly Clarke at the book signing for her latest novel Bejewelled with Kisses. Ted then finds out that Polly is renting a cottage across the island as he begins to fall for her, and she invites him for more 'book chat'. Meanwhile Dougal, Mrs Doyle and Father Jack get in the way of Ted's plans, causing disruption. Special guest star:Gemma Craven as Polly Clarke | ||||||
| 6 | 6 | 'Grant Unto Him Eternal Rest' | Declan Lowney | Graham Linehan & Arthur Mathews | 26 May 1995 | |
Father Ted is unconcerned when he discovers Jack has drunk a bottle of floor polish, but Sister Monica realises that a lack of pulse and no breathing can only mean one thing, Father Jack is dead. However, Jack has left some money in his will for Ted and Dougal. But will he stay dead enough for them to get it? Guest stars (in order as credited):Mairead McKinley as Sister Monica, Zara Turner as Laura Sweeney, Kevin Sharkey as Donegal Priest, Tommy Duggan as Father Paul Cleary, Jimmy Keogh as Father Fintan Fay, Shay Gorman as Father Jim Sutton. | ||||||
Series 2 (1996)[edit]
| No. | # | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original airdate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 1 | 'Hell' | Declan Lowney | Graham Linehan & Arthur Mathews | 8 March 1996 | |
Ted, Dougal and Jack take their annual holiday and encounter Father Noel Furlong. Guest stars (in order as credited):Pat Shortt as Tom, Joe Taylor as Sewage Supervisor, Luke Hayden as Mr. Gleason, Ann Hayden as Mrs. Gleason, Robert English as Policeman, Tony Guilfoyle as Father Larry Duff, Graham Norton as Father Noel Furlong, Tom Farrelly as Gerry Fields, Yvonne Shanely as Janine Reilly, Stephen Gallagher as Tony Lynch, Sharon Carroll as Nuala Ryan, Laura Bermingham as Woman on Yacht. | ||||||
| 8 | 2 | 'Think Fast, Father Ted' | Declan Lowney | Graham Linehan & Arthur Mathews | 15 March 1996 | |
When Ted holds a raffle, he destroys the prize - a new car. The title is a play on the novel 'Think Fast, Mr. Moto', by John P. Marquand and the film of the same title starring Peter Lorre. Guest stars (in order as credited): James Benson as Father Liam Finnegan, Gerry O'Brien as Father Billy O'Dwyer, Ben Keaton as Father Austin Purcell. | ||||||
| 9 | 3 | 'Tentacles of Doom' | Declan Lowney | Graham Linehan & Arthur Mathews | 22 March 1996 | |
Three bishops visit the island. A worried Ted gives Jack elocution lessons beforehand. Guest stars (in order as credited): Malcolm Douglas and Mark O'Regan as Vatican Priests, Kevin Moore as Bishop O'Neill, Denys Hawthorne as Bishop Jordan, Tony Guilfoyle as Father Larry Duff. | ||||||
| 10 | 4 | 'Old Grey Whistle Theft' | Declan Lowney | Graham Linehan & Arthur Mathews | 29 March 1996 | |
Dougal starts hanging around with a rebellious priest, Father Damo Lennon. Meanwhile a valuable whistle is stolen. The title is a pun on the BBC music show The Old Grey Whistle Test. Guest stars (in order as credited):Joe Rooney as Father Damien Lennon, John Olohan as Seargeant Hodgins, Tony Giilfoyle as Father Larry Duff, Rio Fanning as Father Frost, Arthur Mathews and Charlotte Bradley as Picnic Couple, Mal White as Benson, Don Foley as Jim, Patrick Drury as John, Rynagh O'Grady as Mary, Ann Rowan as Mrs. Glynn. | ||||||
| 11 | 5 | 'A Song for Europe' | Declan Lowney | Graham Linehan & Arthur Mathews | 5 April 1996 | |
Ted is goaded by Father Dick Byrne into attempting to write a song for 'Eurosong '96' (spoof of the Eurovision Song Contest). Despite having a song with only one note, Ireland's fear of winning again (and having to fund it) plays into Ted and Dougal's hands. This mirrors the real life belief that Ireland chose the 1994 Eurovision entry, 'Rock 'n' Roll Kids', which was thought to differ greatly from the typical winning song, so as to ensure that they did not have to host the contest again. Guest stars (in order as credited):Maurice O'Donoghue as Father Dick Byrne, Don Wycherley as Father Cyril MacDuff, Peter Caffrey as Charles Hedges, Jon Kenny as Fred Rickwood. | ||||||
| 12 | 6 | 'The Plague' | Declan Lowney | Graham Linehan & Arthur Mathews | 12 April 1996 | |
The parochial house is infested by rabbits, just as the very rabbit-phobic Bishop Brennan plans a visit. Guest stars (in order as credited): James Rymer as Father Brendan, Arthur Mathews as Father Ben, David Heap as Mr. Noonan, Joan Sheehy as Mrs. Noonan, Jim Norton as Bishop Len Brennan, Tony Guilfoyle as Father Larry Duff, Paul Wonderful as Paddy Jordan, Pat Shortt as Tom. | ||||||
| 13 | 7 | 'Rock a Hula Ted' | Declan Lowney | Graham Linehan & Arthur Mathews | 19 April 1996 | |
A female singer (a parody of Sinéad O'Connor) visits the island just when Ted is judging the annual Lovely Girls competition, a parody of Ireland's Rose of Tralee festival. Guest stars (in order as credited):C.P. Grogan as Niamh Connelly, Alan Shortt as Interviewer, Maggie Conway as Deaf Singer, Dermot Crowley as Father Liam Deliverance, Eddie Bannon, Joe Gallagher, Mick Nolan and Joe Taylor as The Lads, Dawn Bradfield as Imelda. | ||||||
| 14 | 8 | 'Cigarettes and Alcohol and Rollerblading' | Declan Lowney | Graham Linehan & Arthur Mathews | 26 April 1996 | |
In a game of one-upmanship with Dick Byrne, Ted decides the three priests must give something up for Lent. Father Jack gives up alcohol, Dougal gives up rollerblading and Ted gives up smoking. The title is taken from that of an Oasis song, 'Cigarettes and Alcohol'. Guest stars (in order as credited): Maurice O'Donoghue as Father Dick Byrne, Patrick Drury as John, Rynagh O'Grady as Mary, Irene Warren as Singing Nun, Nuala Walsh as Sister Mary Gondola, Rosemary Henderson as Sister Assumpta, Tony Guilfoyle as Father Larry Duff, Don Wycherley as Father Cyril MacDuff, Chris Curran as Father Jim Johnson. | ||||||
| 15 | 9 | 'New Jack City' | Declan Lowney | Graham Linehan & Arthur Mathews | 3 May 1996 | |
Jack's hairy hands get him sent to an old priests' home. Unfortunately his replacement, Father Fintan Stack, is much worse. An avid fan of jungle music, he doesn't take kindly to the other inhabitants of the parochial house. The title is taken from the movie New Jack City. Guest stars (in order as credited): Vass Anderson as Doctor Sinnot, Brendan Grace as Father Fintan Stack, Fred Ridgeway as Father Ken Dillon, Noel Slattery as Father Rory Shanahan, Tony Guilfoyle as Father Larry Duff, Fidelma Meehan as Sister Monica, Larry O'Brien as Father Walton, Paddy Joyce, Declan Mulholland and Ultan Ely O'Carroll as Shouting Priests, Desmond Jordan as Posh Priest. | ||||||
| 16 | 10 | 'Flight Into Terror' | Declan Lowney | Graham Linehan & Arthur Mathews | 10 May 1996 | |
A flight back from a pilgrimage runs out of fuel and there are only two parachutes. Meanwhile Jack discovers a supply of alcohol in the luggage compartment of the plane. Only one man can save the passengers... Passenger Father Gallagher. Guest stars (in order as credited): Paul Hickey as Father O'Shea, Patrick Duggan as Father Joe Briefly, Graham Norton as Father Noel Furlong, Jimmy Keogh as Father Fintan Fay, Gerard Murphy as Pilot, Liam O'Carroll as Priest with Sunglasses, Nick Wymer as Toilet Attendant, Jonathan White as Father Flynn, Graham Linehan as Father Gallagher, Kevin Gildea as Father Cave, Tony Guilfoyle as Father Larry Duff, Dave Dale as Big Nun. | ||||||
Christmas Special (1996)[edit]
| No. | # | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original airdate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | — | 'A Christmassy Ted' | Declan Lowney | Graham Linehan & Arthur Mathews | 24 December 1996 | |
Ted's quick thinking whilst lost in a department store's lingerie department earns him the coveted Golden Cleric award. So why doesn't he feel happy? Mrs Doyle's attempts to hang up the Christmas decorations become undone around her. She's also none too pleased at her Christmas present. Meanwhile, an 'old friend' of Ted decides the time is ripe for a visit. When first shown, this hour-long episode attracted Channel 4's largest ever non-film audience viewing figures. Special guest star:Gerard McSorley as Father Todd Unctious. | ||||||
Series 3 (1998)[edit]
| No. | # | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original airdate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | 1 | 'Are You Right There Father Ted?' | Andy De Emmony | Graham Linehan & Arthur Mathews | 13 March 1998 | |
Ted's 'Chinaman' impression goes down badly with Craggy Island's newly arrived Chinese community and he is branded a racist. In an attempt to prove he isn't a racist, Ted decides to hold a presentation on multiculturalism in Craggy Island to the Chinese. The title is a play on 'Are Ye Right There Michael', a comic song by Percy French about the West Clare Railway. Guest stars (in order as credited):Patrick Kavanagh as Father Seamus Fitzpatrick, Vernon Dobtcheff as Old Nazi, Ozzie Yue as Mr. Yin, Peter Sakon-Lee as Son Yin, Eamon Rohan as Colm, Ann Callanan as Mrs. Carberry, Des Keogh as Older Dublin Priest, Simon Nelson as Younger Dublin Priest, Denis Quilligan as Parish Accountant, Frank Keane as Delivery Man, Royan Lee as Man in Audience. | ||||||
| 19 | 2 | 'Chirpy Burpy Cheap Sheep' | Andy De Emmony | Graham Linehan & Arthur Mathews | 20 March 1998 | |
Ted makes a large bet on the King of the Sheep competition. Unfortunately, Chris, his chosen sheep, has heard rumours about a sheep-eating beast and isn't feeling at all himself. The title is a pun on a 1970s bubblegum pop song, 'Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep'. Guest stars (in order as credited):Peadar Lamb as Fargo Boyle, Peter Dineen as Giant Reid, Pat McGrath as Hud Hastings, Patrick Drury as John, Rynagh O'Grady as Mary, Eamon Rohan as Judge, Pricilla as Chris the Sheep. | ||||||
| 20 | 3 | 'Speed 3' | Andy De Emmony | Graham Linehan & Arthur Mathews | 27 March 1998 | |
When Ted and Dougal expose a philandering milkman, Pat Mustard, he takes revenge on his replacement, Dougal, by putting a bomb on the milk float. If Dougal's speed drops below 4 mph, the bomb will explode, taking Dougal with it... Guest stars (in order as credited):Pat Laffan as Pat Mustard, John Rogan as Mr. Fox, Eamon Morrissey as Father Beeching, Arthur Mathews as Father Clarke, Gail Fitzpatrick as Mrs. Millet. | ||||||
| 21 | 4 | 'The Mainland' | Andy De Emmony | Graham Linehan & Arthur Mathews | 3 April 1998 | |
When Ted, Dougal, Jack and Mrs Doyle go on a trip to the mainland, all kinds of trouble ensues. Guest stars (in order as credited):Richard Wilson as Himself, Graham Norton as Father Noel Furlong, Doreen Keogh as Mrs. Dineen, Mary Ann O'Donoghue as Optician, John Henderson as Tour Guide, Stephen Gallagher as Tony Lynch, Tom Farrelly as Gerry Fields, Yvonne Shanley as Janine Reilly, Sharon Carroll as Nuala Ryan, Richard Buss as AA Chairman, Conor Lovett as Ronald, Owen Kavanagh as First Policeman, John Macguire as Second Policeman, Anna Livia Ryan as Check-In Woman, Frank Murray as Waiter. | ||||||
| 22 | 5 | 'Escape from Victory' | Andy De Emmony | Graham Linehan & Arthur Mathews | 10 April 1998 | |
Part 1 of 2. Ted takes great steps to ensure he wins a bet with Dick Byrne on the outcome of the All-Priests Over-75's Five-a-Side Football Championship. The title is a pun on the football movie Escape to Victory, about a football game played between prisoners of war and their guards in World War II. Guest stars (in order as credited):Maurice O'Donoghue as Father Dick Byrne, Don Wycherley as Father Cyril MacDuff, Stephen Brennan as Father Niall Haverty, Birdy Sweeney as Father Cullen, Charles Simon as Jim, Conor Evans as Father Romeo Sensini, Peter Dix as Craggy Island's Goalkeeper, Jason Byrne as Referee, Doreen Keogh as Mrs. Doyle's Friend, Miriam Kelly as Mrs. Doyle's Other Friend. | ||||||
| 23 | 6 | 'Kicking Bishop Brennan Up the Arse' | Andy De Emmony | Graham Linehan & Arthur Mathews | 17 April 1998 | |
Part 2 of 2. The only episode to follow on directly from the previous one. Exposed as a cheat at the end of the previous episode, and with this episode's title as his forfeit, a terrified Ted tries to draw upon his courage to complete the deed. Guest stars (in order as credited):Jim Norton as Bishop Brennan, Ian Fitzgibbon as Father Jessup, Paul Tylak as Warrior, Sharon Devlin as Air Hostess, Aislinn Sands as Check-In Woman, Tim Dry as Aide in Vatican, Paul Woodfull as Taxi Driver. | ||||||
| 24 | 7 | 'Night of the Nearly Dead' | Andy De Emmony | Graham Linehan & Arthur Mathews | 24 April 1998 | |
Thanks to Mrs. Doyle winning a poetry competition, young TV presenter Eoin McLove pays a visit to Craggy Island, causing excitement for the island's aging females, who beseige the Parochial House. The title is a pun on the movie Night of the Living Dead. McLove is a parody of Irish singer Daniel O'Donnell. Guest stars (in order as credited):Patrick McDonnell as Eoin McLove, Maria Doyle Kennedy as Patsy, Elva Crowley as Mrs. Boyle, Vincent Marzello as Television Psychiatrist, Maggie Shevlin as Mrs. Collins, Rosemary Kennedy as Mrs. Dunne. | ||||||
| 25 | 8 | 'Going to America' | Andy De Emmony | Graham Linehan & Arthur Mathews | 1 May 1998 | |
Ted gets the opportunity of a lifetime, but can't bring himself to break it to the others that they're not invited. The title is a pun on the movie Coming to America. Musician and artist Brian Eno appears as 'Father Brian Eno' at the 'It's Great Being a Priest!' convention. The episode ends with a montage containing one clip from every previous episode, in reverse order. Guest stars (in order as credited):Tommy Tiernan as Father Kevin, Jeff Harding as Father Buzz Cagney, Hugh B. O'Brien as Eugene, Mark Doherty as Father Alan. | ||||||
Comic Relief[edit]
Father Ted was included as part of Comic Relief on 14 March 1997, in which Ted and Dougal are enlisted to host the annual Comic Relief telethon. Ted is baffled as to why Comic Relief would select two unknown Irish priests for the job. Dougal theorises that God planned the event as an opportunity for Ted to atone for stealing money from a charity. Ted decides God may forgive him if they succeed in raising the target £8 million. This is sometimes included as a tribute or lost episode. No series was made in 1997.
Best episode[edit]
Most popular episodes[edit]
A 1999 poll conducted by the popular fansite The Craggy Island Examiner concluded that the best episodes were:[1]
- 'Song For Europe' (22%)
- 'Are You Right There, Father Ted?' (19%)
- 'Good Luck, Father Ted' and 'Speed 3' (11% each)
- 'Night of the Nearly Dead' '(10% each)'
followed by:
- 'The Old Grey Whistle Theft'
- 'New Jack City'
- 'The Plague'
- 'Kicking Bishop Brennan up the Arse'
- 'Cigarettes and Alcohol and Rollerblading'
Notably, only one of these nine episodes was from Series 1 ('Good Luck, Father Ted').
Ted Fest 2007[edit]
At the inaugural Ted Fest, 'New Jack City' was voted best episode.
Father Ted Night 2011 (Channel 4)[edit]
Father Ted Night, broadcast on New Year's Day 2011 on Channel 4, named 'Speed 3' as the fans' favourite episode. 'Kicking Bishop Brennan Up The Arse' is named as the writers' favourite episode.
References[edit]
- ^'Father Ted: News and Facts'. The Craggy Island Examiner. 6 January 1999. Archived from the original on 30 September 2011. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
External links[edit]
Father Ted Youtube Episodes
- List of episodes at the Internet Movie Database.