Is Father Ted British?

cri · 17-02-2008 12:29pm #1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280201151499&_trksid=p2761.l1259

I came across this in ebay, an ex Dublin guy selling Father Ted DVD's as great British comedy. What do you think? Is it too nationalistic to think this is an Irish comedy? Should we be embarassed about standing up for 'Irishness'. If someone said that 24 was anything other than American do you think they would have any qualms putting it right?

I wrote to this guy to change his listing and his response was to suggest I was the one with the issue! He already committed the cardinal sin of saying this was a BBC comedy, maybe as a Ted fan that is even worse as without the bravery/foresight of Channel 4 this would have gone no where.

Any ideas? Also, if you want why not bombard him with requests to change the listing?

From an adent Ted!

Mr E · 17-02-2008 12:33pm

Ah this old Chestnut. There are arguments for both sides.

It was written by 2 Irish guys, and starred mainly Irish actors. The exterior shots were in Ireland.

However it was aired on and funded by Channel 4, and interior shots were done in London.

Contrary to frequent rumours, Mathews and Linehan did not originally pitch the series to the Irish network RTÉ, but rather offered it directly to Hat Trick Productions and Channel 4 in the UK. 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 produced by a British broadcaster. Somewhat controversially, RTÉ initially did not buy the rights to broadcast the show in Ireland, perhaps for fear of offending more conservative viewers.However, Channel 4 was and remains available on cable and MMDS in very many Irish homes and the show became a hit in Ireland without any help from RTÉ, who eventually responded to the obvious demand and broadcast the show themselves (and continue to do so).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Father_Ted

masseyno9 · 17-02-2008 12:33pm

Made by irish company with irish actors. Sold to british tv station (because rte didn't want it?) and then bought back by rte iirc. could be wrong though.

ejmaztec · 17-02-2008 12:36pm

Wasn't it Irish writers, Irish cast, Irish location and British finance? Overall I'd say that it was an Irish comedy.

Made by Hat Trick Productions

http://www.hattrick.com/

is_that_so · 17-02-2008 12:43pm

It's the finance they tend to look at . The Commitments has picked up awards as a "British" film in its time. I would also say the fact that a British broadcaster picked it up fully entitles them to call it British.

bartholomewbinn · 17-02-2008 12:43pm

Irish, British, sure arent we all the same?:)

ejmaztec · 17-02-2008 12:50pm

bartholomewbinn wrote: »

Irish, British, sure arent we all the same?:)

Trek over to the History Forum and you might find that there are very very slight differences:p

mike65 · 17-02-2008 12:55pm

Ted was a West Brit

Mike.

bartholomewbinn · 17-02-2008 12:57pm

ejmaztec wrote: »

Trek over to the History Forum and you might find that there are very very slight differences:p

Just checked my history, found out we were British until 1922, and a sizable part of the island is still British. And also checked out the soccer forum, seems like a sizable portion of us regard themselves as British. (Chaps on the Liverpool forum say “us” when they are referring to the club.)Best of luck to them, sure it just makes for a more interesting world!

chikuu · 17-02-2008 1:00pm

I think that guy on ebay is a bit confused.

he says at the end, that it is a BBC series. :rolleyes:

zAbbo · 17-02-2008 1:04pm

British comedy is a genre, thats why its classed as such, that and it was originally broadcast on British TV.

I suppose 'Allo 'Allo is a French comedy ?

BostonB · 17-02-2008 1:15pm

zAbbo wrote: »

British comedy is a genre, thats why its classed as such, that and it was originally broadcast on British TV.

I suppose 'Allo 'Allo is a French comedy ?

British Comedy, in film, radio and television, is known for its consistently quirky characters, plots and settings, and has produced some of the most famous and memorable comic actors and characters in the last fifty years.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_comedy

Seems a very loose and not all that useful or accurate way of classifying comedy. A lot of US comedy would fall under the same umbrella. I would say there are cultural differences and the cultural differences in Father Ted are very Irish. But does it really matter? At the end of the day it was made and produced by a British company. If it had been left in Ireland it would never have been made. Bit late in the day to be claiming it now.

cri · 17-02-2008 1:17pm

Yes but is the funding and location of the studio what determines it's nationality?

If you go the studio route then these movies/TV shows are Irish:

The Tudors (English)
Saving Private Ryan (American)
Braveheart (Scottish)
Excalibur (English)

If you go the funding route then these movies are all American
Lord of the Rings (Usually attributed to New Zealand although more tenuous link than Ireland and Ted)
Elizabeth
James Bond (latterly at least)

Is Ghandi an Indian film, or is it English because the lead actor was english?

The answer is surely based on what one sees on the screen, not where the studio was situated or where the location of the business that happened to have the cash to fund its production................

ejmaztec · 17-02-2008 1:20pm

zAbbo wrote: »

British comedy is a genre, thats why its classed as such, that and it was originally broadcast on British TV.

I suppose 'Allo 'Allo is a French comedy ?

I don't think that Father Ted fell into the British comedy genre, the only British provision being the funding. Had some Irish production company the guts to go for it, Irish TV comedy would have been a lot better for it, instead of that dire crap being spilled out of the RTE studios at the moment.

cri · 17-02-2008 1:23pm

Another Idea:

For pig irons sake, I just looked up Ballykissangel on the web and it is listed as an Irish show. It was shot in Ireland, largely Irish actors and writers etc. but it was a BBC production.

Is it because Ted has gained such a following that it is claimed to be British while Ballyk can be left to the Irish?

BostonB · 17-02-2008 1:26pm

cri wrote: »

...Is it because Ted has gained such a following that it is claimed to be British while Ballyk can be left to the Irish?

Thats always been the way. Its hardly news is it. Same in sports and almost everything.

ejmaztec · 17-02-2008 1:28pm

cri wrote: »

Another Idea:

For pig irons sake, I just looked up Ballykissangel on the web and it is listed as an Irish show. It was shot in Ireland, largely Irish actors and writers etc. but it was a BBC production.

Is it because Ted has gained such a following that it is claimed to be British while Ballyk can be left to the Irish?

Wasn't Ballyk a BBC NI production, thereby making it an "Irish" show? (not that splitting hairs makes much difference).

BostonB · 17-02-2008 1:29pm

cri wrote: »

Yes but is the funding and location of the studio what determines it's nationality?....

What do you mean by a TV Show/Film having a nationality?

mike65 · 17-02-2008 1:33pm

If you look at credits its where the money comes from that determines the "nationality" of a production - thats why the The Three/Four Musketeers films of 1973/74 are Panama/Spain/UK. Its also why Bond movies are American.

Mike.

darkman2 · 17-02-2008 2:00pm

Its an Irish comedy by virtue of the fact that it was written by Irish writers and the core subject is the West of Ireland (somewhere) and its played by Irish actors. If it was to be construed as British then the stereotyping of the Irish as 'a bit thick' would infact be seen as being, well, racist. Saying its Irish lets C4 off the hook with that because we are slagging ourselves then! Which is fine. Saying its British gives the series overtones that I dont really like.

BostonB · 17-02-2008 2:30pm

I think people have got to get over a show as having nationality. Its a product at the end of the day. Why does a product have nationality? or have to have nationality?

Robbo · 17-02-2008 2:44pm

masseyno9 wrote: »

Made by irish company with irish actors. Sold to british tv station (because rte didn't want it?) and then bought back by rte iirc. could be wrong though.

It was never pitched to RTE.

Boardsbud · 17-02-2008 4:28pm

masseyno9 wrote: »

Made by irish company with irish actors. Sold to british tv station (because rte didn't want it?) and then bought back by rte iirc. could be wrong though.

Yes in fact you couldn't be more wrong. Why post at all if you're not sure of the facts and just type a load of nonsense that suits people when they want to bash RTE over the head ?

Father Ted was commissioned by Channel 4, a British Broadcaster, from Hat Trick who employed Irish writers Graham Linehan and Arthur Matthews to develop their script. The show was NEVER presented to RTE as a script idea from either the writers or Hat Trick, a British Company. Its worth pointing out that the commissioning editor in Channel 4 that "bought" the show was Seamus Cassidy, now back home and running Happy Endings, the company that make The Panel for RTE.

Father Ted, whether we like it or not is a British show, made for British TV with British money. The Irish Film Board or no other Irish funding was contributed (or sought) for the show. The nationality of the writers or the location of the show is of no consequence. The exteriors could have been shot anywhere in Britain just as easily. The average British viewer wouldn't have known or much less cared if it wasn't Ireland. The views of Irish viewers weren't a consideration. Get over it.
Its true to say that Irish crew were used for these location shoots and obviously the Irish cast too.This alone does not make an Irish show.

In recent years lots of British TV shows have been shot and edited in Ireland. Most of these shows are set in Britain and use Irish locations for Britain. The only reason they're being made here is due to the funding being made available by the film board. Like Father Ted, none of these shows are Irish. If RTE or TV3 buy them down the line it doesn't make them any more Irish.

The important fact from all of this is that at least talented Irish crews are getting employment. Thats all that matters.

If Father Ted had been a disaster would we be so keen to claim it as our own ???

Dodge · 17-02-2008 5:04pm

Anybody who cares about the "nationality" of a tv show or a film should take a long hard look at themselves

BostonB · 17-02-2008 9:34pm

Dodge wrote: »

Anybody who cares about the "nationality" of a tv show or a film should take a long hard look at themselves

Very true.

mikemac · 17-02-2008 9:37pm

Channel 4 bought it and so it is a British comedy.

He who pays.........

You could have filmed this is some bleak area of the Scottish Highlands as easily as Co. Clare

Utopia Parkway · 17-02-2008 9:53pm

Well it was produced and televised on a British station but the writers and actors were nearly all Irish and much of the humour in it is very informed by Irishness and growing up in Ireland. Thankfully that doesn't stop it from being enjoyed by all sorts of people.

Aedh Baclamh · 18-02-2008 10:18pm

Haha, this is ridiculous...haven't heard this rubbish in years. The answer is quite obvious.

Kur4mA · 19-02-2008 11:47am

I don't care whether or not the show is British or Irish but just wanted to clear this up. The part of the guys listing where it says that it is a BBC comedy is actually provided by a third party so it wasn't him that put it in there.

It's these guys:
"Portions of this page Copyright 1981 - 2008 Muze Inc. All rights reserved."

Dodge · 19-02-2008 8:45pm

For the record it was shown on BBC America in the USA so maybe thats where the BBC thing came from

Jerichoholic · 20-02-2008 10:00am

I think you are nitpicking a bit by e-mailing him about it, I wouldn't e-mal people selling westlife cd's telling them that using the word "music" to describe it was wrong.

Anyway, it's both Irish and British. Not that it should matter in any way what it is, it's brilliant, timeless comedy. I suppose though it's necessary to make it fully Irish as it in fact is the only funny Irish sitcom in history.

estebancambias · 20-02-2008 12:39pm

Its an Irish comedy. British comedy could imply that the charachters in the show were British.

Richard · 06-04-2008 12:38pm

estebancambias wrote: »

Its an Irish comedy. British comedy could imply that the charachters in the show were British.

Ah, so 'Allo 'Allo is French and German, then?

Not that it really matters, but if you are classifying it, it's a British production for British TV with Irish actors set in Ireland.

So it's both British and Irish.

Sherifu · 06-04-2008 12:48pm

This old chestnut. Didn't comment last time so here goes; Irish creativity with British backing. Win win.

kevmy · 07-04-2008 12:49pm

Can't compare Ted to 'Allo 'Allo. British guys wrote, starred, directed, produced and paid for it. It's 100% British.

Ted was either an Irish comedy funded and produced in Britain or a British comedy which was set in Ireland and which was written starred and directed by mainly Irish people.

odyssey06 · 07-04-2008 1:44pm

In media industry terms, it is British not Irish. It was produced by a British production company (Hat Trick) for a British station (Channel 4). It was eligible for the British Comedy Awards, and such awards usually have strict enough rules about what qualifies. So insofar as a tv program can have a nationality\passport, it would have a British one.
The setting and nationalities of the 'talent' (writers, actors) do not determine the nationality of a production.

jor el · 07-04-2008 2:01pm

It's a British show, set in Ireland. This is a pointless argument which has been done to death. Still amusing though.

tintin67 · 07-04-2008 4:34pm

So that's all settled now isn't it? Ireland has decided. Brits v Paddies. Strewth!

Brint · 07-04-2008 11:52pm

Boardsbud wrote: »

Yes in fact you couldn't be more wrong. Why post at all if you're not sure of the facts and just type a load of nonsense that suits people when they want to bash RTE over the head ?

Father Ted was commissioned by Channel 4, a British Broadcaster, from Hat Trick who employed Irish writers Graham Linehan and Arthur Matthews to develop their script. The show was NEVER presented to RTE as a script idea from either the writers or Hat Trick, a British Company. Its worth pointing out that the commissioning editor in Channel 4 that "bought" the show was Seamus Cassidy, now back home and running Happy Endings, the company that make The Panel for RTE.

Father Ted, whether we like it or not is a British show, made for British TV with British money. The Irish Film Board or no other Irish funding was contributed (or sought) for the show. The nationality of the writers or the location of the show is of no consequence. The exteriors could have been shot anywhere in Britain just as easily. The average British viewer wouldn't have known or much less cared if it wasn't Ireland. The views of Irish viewers weren't a consideration. Get over it.
Its true to say that Irish crew were used for these location shoots and obviously the Irish cast too.This alone does not make an Irish show.

In recent years lots of British TV shows have been shot and edited in Ireland. Most of these shows are set in Britain and use Irish locations for Britain. The only reason they're being made here is due to the funding being made available by the film board. Like Father Ted, none of these shows are Irish. If RTE or TV3 buy them down the line it doesn't make them any more Irish.

The important fact from all of this is that at least talented Irish crews are getting employment. Thats all that matters.

If Father Ted had been a disaster would we be so keen to claim it as our own ???

Exactly - I can't believe people are actually arguing against these hard FACTS & logic! Case closed, IMO. Good post, and same to "odyssey06".

Livvie · 17-04-2008 9:36am

As a Brit, I've never thought of Father Ted as a British show. I don't care who financed it, produced it, or whatever. If it was written by Irish writers, filmed in Ireland, and with Irish actors, then I can't view it as British.

I know there's British involvement, but that's just the way I see it.

Malice · 17-04-2008 10:31am

It's a British show as explained by Boardsbud and odyssey06. Why people appear to have an issue with this I don't know.

bren2002 · 17-04-2008 10:41am

Seriously lads have you nothing else to worry about? It's a British show, end of. No arguments can be put against this, and anyone who does is plain and simply wrong.

Now go and worry about something important, like the Miss UCD contest!!

Sarn · 20-04-2008 2:15pm

Ah but if there's an Irish grandmother involved then Irish citizenship could be claimed.

Mr.Nice Guy · 20-04-2008 11:37pm

Is Father Ted British? I believe Ted Crilly was Irish.

As was the show by the way. Case closed.

kerash · 20-04-2008 11:44pm

Mr.Nice Guy wrote: »

Is Father Ted British? I believe Ted Crilly was Irish.

As was the show by the way. Case closed.

oh yes lets carry on round in circles till we all puke:pac::pac::pac:

Actors=Irish
Production company=British
Writers=Irish

Make what you will of that...

Basq · 20-04-2008 11:46pm

They can claim 'Upwardly Mobile' if they wish!

Our man in Havana · 21-04-2008 11:27am

basquille wrote: »

They can claim 'Upwardly Mobile' if they wish!

I would not stand in their way.

Latchy · 21-04-2008 11:33am

masseyno9 wrote: »

Made by irish company with irish actors. Sold to british tv station (because rte didn't want it?) and then bought back by rte iirc. could be wrong though.

Correct .Think rte were testing the waters to see reaction it would get on c4 and then decided to buy it .

I am informed that the late frank hall had nothing to do with any censorship

Malice · 21-04-2008 1:18pm

Mr.Nice Guy wrote: »

Is Father Ted British? I believe Ted Crilly was Irish.

As was the show by the way. Case closed.

:rolleyes: Seriously, did you read the rest of the thread?

jor el · 21-04-2008 3:08pm

latchyco wrote: »

Correct .Think rte were testing the waters to see reaction it would get on c4 and then decided to buy it .

Incorrect. Hat Trick are a British production company. RTE had nothing to do with the production of Fr Ted, it was always being produced for Channel 4.

Mr.Nice Guy · 21-04-2008 9:03pm

malice_ wrote: »

:rolleyes: Seriously, did you read the rest of the thread?

Yes.

Nice use of the sarcastic smiley by the way. You're a modern day Oscar Wilde you are. Oh wait was he Irish or British? :eek:

Is Father Ted British?

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