Whilst the world was busy celebrating Queen Elizabeth’s 89th
birthday yesterday, the 20th anniversary of the first airing of
Father Ted somewhat slipped under the radar.
The show might not be as well-known as other sitcoms of its
time, but it certainly has to rank amongst the funniest. Depicting Roman
Catholic Irish priests on a miserable, distant island far off the west coast of
the mainland may not sound all that favourable for comedy, but those who have
seen the sitcom will know otherwise.
The main characters couldn’t contrast with each other more:
Father Ted Crilly being the sanest of the bunch yet so deeply flawed, Father
Dougal McGuire who has little grasp of Catholicism and is simple beyond belief,
Father Jack Hackett the raging alcoholic with a fiery, obscene temper, and not
forgetting Mrs Doyle the housekeeper who is always on hand to tease them all
with cake and “a cup of tea”.
The comedy is surreal, slapstick, stupid and simply superb, and
the storylines are so far-fetched yet simple to the point that you often know
what will happen, but this never stops hilarity ensuing.
You have to watch it to fully appreciate it, but this
snippet should get you in the mood:
(Must be read in an Irish accent!)
Mrs. Doyle: There's always time for a nice cup of tea. Sure,
didn't the Lord himself pause for a nice cup of tea before giving himself up
for the world?
Father Ted Crilly: No, he didn't, Mrs Doyle!
Mrs. Doyle: Well, whatever the equivalent they had for tea
in those days, cake or something. And speaking of cake, I have cake!
[She holds up a cupcake]
Father Ted Crilly: No, thanks, Mrs. Doyle.
Mrs. Doyle: Are you sure, Father? There's cocaine in it!
Father Ted Crilly: WHAT?
Mrs. Doyle: Oh, no, not cocaine. God, what am I on about?
No, what d'you call them. Raisins.
Watch the scene here:
Mark Savile
Brak komentarzy:
Prześlij komentarz