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WATCH: Arthur Mathews answered the nerdiest Father Ted questions readers could think of

Who was Henry Sellers based on? Will the US version ever happen?

WANT TO KNOW which reader’s question got this reaction from Father Ted co-creator Arthur Mathews?

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We asked you to send us the nerdiest Ted questions you could think of, before Arthur dropped by TheJournal.ie’s offices for a chat this afternoon.

We got some really interesting ones too. Although several of you just wanted to know “where do you get the ideas for your sermons”?

Before we got to the fan questions (we had a few of our own too) we talked to the writer about the inspiration for ‘Ted’, how the idea progressed from its initial form – a mock-documentary – to a traditional studio sitcom set-up, and what he thought about how the comedy was received in Ireland…

Video TheJournal.ie / YouTube

In case you’re on a bus (or wherever) and don’t have time to watch the full videos right now – here’s a sample of Arthur’s answers to some of our reader questions…

Whatever happened to the massive photo of Ted kicking Bishop Brennan up the arse?

It was probably too big to store anywhere so they probably just broke it up.

And that tiny (creepy) painting of Ted with Father Stone?

I think Ardal’s got it.

Oasis or Blur?

Oasis.

Is that mooted American re-make ever going to happen?

I’ve heard all kinds of rumours over the years. There was one that Steve Martin was going to be in one, but they never happen. I think religion is too delicate a topic in America.

Was there ever going to be a fourth series?

No I think we decided to stop after three…

Did Brendan O’Carroll play a nun?

No. (But he read for the part of Pat Mustard – the milkman. Arthur thinks he’s “a great performer”).

We also spoke about which well-known Irish TV personality inspired the character of Henry Sellers (Arthur’s not saying, sure Henry was a “terrible alcoholic”) and to tell us his favourite ever ‘Ted’ episode…

Watch:

Video TheJournal.ie / YouTube

Video by Nicky Ryan

Go on, go on, go on: Check out our Father Ted 20th anniversary magazine

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16 Comments
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    Mute Red Line
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    Dec 20th 2022, 8:08 PM

    The Greens will be struggling to survive after the madness they have put us through since they got into power.

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    Mute Ollie O'Cleirigh
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    Dec 20th 2022, 8:30 PM

    @Red Line: Can’t you not focus on the subject being discussed instead of taking potshots?

    Take your frustration out in the polling booths instead of ruining the comments thread. The destruction of nature threatens our very existence.

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    Mute Red Line
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    Dec 20th 2022, 8:47 PM

    @Ollie O’Cleirigh: The Greens are fake environmentalists. For example they approve of mass immigration, no matter of the impact on Ireland’s carbon footprint.

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    Mute Allora
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    Dec 20th 2022, 9:23 PM

    @Ollie O’Cleirigh: public discourse is far more important than voting even though both are important. The greens have set back the green agenda in Ireland for decades with lazy and incompetent political leaders and party members. They constantly commentate on our emissions and come up with no strategy as to how to mitigate them. Not one word from them on nuclear power and investment in our grid which cannot even connect new wind farms as its totally ineffective and at its capacity already. Then when asked about public they talk about hydrogen trains when electric trains would transform the islands public transport. Bicycle lanes painted on the side of roads and south facing window boxes. They are done. Get them out. Impoverishing the poor further particularly rurally will not help.

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    Mute Paul Gorry
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    Dec 20th 2022, 9:34 PM

    @Allora: 100%. There a bunch of amateur politicians that got lucky in the last election.

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    Mute Kevin Beattie
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    Dec 20th 2022, 8:24 PM

    Malcom why is your so called Green party destroying wildlife habitats ,biodiversity killing trees wasting millions of taxpayers money at Lough Funshinagh flood crisis causing the demolition and flooding of homes farmyards and villages in a National housing crisis !! By not allowing the lake return to its natural level!!! Is there a hidden agenda ?

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    Mute Rob Duggan
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    Dec 20th 2022, 8:37 PM

    Well said Malcolm. Green policies are becoming accepted in most governments and we need a brave voice.

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    Mute John Fitzgerald
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    Dec 21st 2022, 1:34 AM

    Just how committed is the government to preserving what’s left of our biodiversity? It allows coursing clubs to capture thousands of our native hares, supposedly a protected species, for the purpose of setting dogs on them. If that can happen to an iconic species that conservationists have dubbed the “Flagship of Irish biodiversity”, then how serious can our leaders be about saving our wildlife heritage? The image of a hare having its bones crushed or being tossed into the air by a coursing dog could aptly represent the attitude of this government to the wild creatures that share the island with us.

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