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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 Padraic O' Sullivan
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    Jun 6th 2024, 3:12 PM

    So the bollards were removed in Nov 2023 by some amadan.
    Reported in January by a concerned resident, and the council couldn’t complete the complicated task of replacing the bollards, mitigating the risk at the dangerous junction 4 months after reporting , 6 months after it occurred.

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    Mute Brian M
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    Jun 6th 2024, 2:53 PM

    Poor woman. Such needless loss of life on Irish roads. We all need to take collective responsibility and cop on.

    200
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    Mute Terry Molloy
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    Jun 6th 2024, 3:00 PM

    Seriously what use are plastic bollards to protect vulnerable cyclists, poor young woman

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    Mute barry williams
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    Jun 6th 2024, 3:22 PM

    @Terry Molloy: Drivers see the bollards and should take heed and slow down for cyclists or pedestrians but in this case some headcase removed them resulting needlessly in a young womans death

    162
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    Mute ItWasLikeThatWhenIGotHere
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    Jun 6th 2024, 3:30 PM

    @barry williams: The article suggests the bollards were ‘dug up’, which requires a lot of effort, and equipment, far more than simple removal.

    And time.

    There seems to be more to this than meets the eye.

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    Mute ItWasLikeThatWhenIGotHere
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    Jun 6th 2024, 4:10 PM

    @Jimmy Wallace: If those bollards were in place then the vehicle would have had to strike them – possibly causing damage to the vehicle – to also collide with the cyclist.

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    Mute Longlin
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    Jun 6th 2024, 4:58 PM

    @ItWasLikeThatWhenIGotHere: If they are like the ones I’m thinking of, they are flexible when hit and spring back upright afterwards causing no damage to any vehicle. They unfortunately can be screwed out of the ground easily and this used to happen in my local area where young lads would be messing with them at night. They are better than nothing, but no substitute for proper segregated off road cycle lanes which actually protect cyclists and encourage cycling in any countries which have them.

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    Mute AD Cahill
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    Jun 6th 2024, 5:22 PM

    @Terry Molloy: Sad reality is that some drivers are more concerned to avoid scraping their paintwork off a fixed object than to avoid a cyclist. Studies show them slowing down more for bollards than pedestrians/ cyclists

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    Mute ItWasLikeThatWhenIGotHere
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    Jun 6th 2024, 5:25 PM

    @Longlin: Thanks Longlin.

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    Mute UK Hurling Bloke
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    Jun 6th 2024, 5:37 PM

    @Terry Molloy: read what Barry said Terry – they work just understand that..far far better to have them at junctions like that than not…

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    Mute Alan Kavanagh
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    Jun 6th 2024, 3:54 PM

    Large trucks have to drive over these plastic bollards on some roads when turning.

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    Mute Padraig O'Brien
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    Jun 6th 2024, 8:28 PM

    No accountability yet again for our “public servants” who will, yet again, skip off without answering any hard questions.

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    Mute RIP
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    Jun 6th 2024, 7:28 PM

    These cycle lanes are a nightmare where Safety has not been prioritised

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    Mute John Nolan
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    Jun 6th 2024, 8:31 PM

    Please let the person who removed them get the Karma deserved

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