American Reacts to Father Ted (#9)

[@ChristopherStendeck]

Back in the nineties, my Grandad used to visit us every few months, travelling 120 miles from his home in Bristol, and staying anywhere from two to five days at a time. As much as we liked to see him, we dreaded it. He did not like to have the TV on, or music playing, and he had exhausted his only two topics of conversation (namely the war and the waterboard) in the eighties. With not one word of idle chat in his arsenal to replace them, the result was unremitting, soul-consuming silence. He would sit in the armchair by the painfully idle television, with his hands clasped in front of his big belly, occasionally twiddling his thumbs, but mostly just staring into middle distance. My mother dutifully and politely sat on the adjacent sofa, as did my sister and I when we were home from school, and tried to think of things to say. His answers were invariably monotone and monosyllabic. "Would you like a cup of tea Grandad?" "...No, fine." (Twenty seconds of pregnant silence) "I could put a Bond film on if you'd like." "... No." (More silence) "Have you seen Albert recently?" "... No." This interminable situation continued for the rest of the day, until the dull ticking of the carriage clock on the mantlepiece, the only sound, started to take on the effect of Chinese water torture. We counted down the hours until 9pm when he would, to the second, get up and go to bed. We couldn't get the TV on fast enough. No matter what was on, it was a blessed relief. Well, one day in 1995, what was on was an episode of Father Ted. This episode. We watched in stunned awe as our exact predicament was played out on screen, minus the crazy golf and lightning of course, and fell about laughing. It could not have been more perfect a parody, as if it was written with us in mind. Even Father Stone's offer to "mind the place" had happened to us, when we told Grandad we would be on holiday in Norfolk during his scheduled visit, and unbelievably, he still wanted to come, presumably to sit in an empty living room. The episode did make things more bearable, somehow letting us see the funny side of the situation, and from that day on, we always called Grandad's visits "Entertaining Father Stone", joking that we might hide in the attic for the duration of his visit, or have to have the pictures rehung. My mother even used to say "Oh no it's Father Stone" in a mock Irish accent when he climbed out of the Taxi to sit in grim silence with us for another 72 hours. Occasionally life imitates art in this way, I just wish the art in question had been more interesting!

[@alexstorr3357]

Wow, I think we all knew what they were taking the piss out of, but I didn't imagine someone had experienced it in such a prominent way.

[@kevinm9031]

Wow! That is brilliant

[@orionstar6747]

Thank you for sharing this story with us! :-)

[@ChristopherStendeck]

@Alberto Grandad passed away in 2012 at the age of 93.

[@emmettcoop1]

@@ChristopherStendeck Thanks for taking time to tell us your story xx

[@sentry1996]

Father Stone’s painting shows up in future episodes hanging on the wall by the fireplace in the house

[@jakem7666]

Like in kicking bishop Brendan up the arse

[@sentry1996]

Jake Magee exactly 👍

[@HeartyArtie]

If you've ever been to a funeral in Ireland then you've met someone just like Father Stone's Dad.

[@krissielundy9934]

Haha I was thinking the exact same

[@declanmckenna5111]

Exactly what I thought. The show was such an accurate portrayal of Ireland.

[@HeartyArtie]

Ah, it's fierce terrible altogether.

[@paulmcbride6667]

Michael redman has just walked pass me.. Aka father Stone.. Glasgow.. Westend.

[@aarontaylor4967]

My Mum is Irish. Actually from a town called Coolmeen in West Clare near where the parochial house is filmed. Irish funerals are amazing. I remember my aunt saying to an unfortunately overweight other aunt "Sure you're a grand woman. A fine grand horse of a woman." What do you even say to that?

[@RenaissanceEarCandy]

The guy who played Fr. Stone, Michael Redmond, is a comedian. He used to come on stage, with that moustache, those deep-set eyes, eyebrows like hedges, wearing a full length mac and carrying a shopping bag. He'd just stand in front of the microphone in complete silence for two or three minutes, just staring into the middle distance. He'd then say "A lot of people say to me.. Get out of my garden!" By the way there's a lot of people talking about One Foot in the Grave. I think if there's one show you should watch from beginning to end, it's that one.

[@philrob1978]

I love this episode so much - even if I feel personally exposed by it in some ways! I'm not known as Mr. Chatterbox much - but there's such a thing as a comfortable silence. Ted could have just put the TV on if he'd have felt better about it, and Paul wouldn't have batted an eyelid - he's just overjoyed to be there (probably away from his awful parents) and is just happy to be in the presence of people he likes. You can tell this is very much an Arthur episode, as it lacks some of the spontaneous surrealism that Graham usually brings, but replaces that with a very relatable scenario and just pushes it a bit to the edge of tolerance. Hence the bathroom scene :D Apart from that, he's the perfect house guest as far as I can tell. Totally happy to just exist there. No effort required to entertain whatsoever.

[@KeplersDream]

The priest at Ted's birthday party who offers everyone a lift home, that's co-writer Arthur Mathews. He also popped up in Speed 3, and did the Funland announcements in the first episode.

[@SergioMach7]

I think there was an intention by the writers to have Father Stone in one of the spare rooms for bit parts throughout the show to show he is still living there forever, but it didn't happen. However that painting that Fr Stone did is over the fireplace in all subsequent episodes, so its a nice bit of continuity in a series that otherwise is just episode by episode.

[@mrcritical6751]

That would be kinda hilarious, I could see him appearing in some episodes with that setup

[@frizzyred1292]

Father Stone reminds me of myself at times. Sometimes you just dont need to talk or listen to anything to be at peace. It feels good.

[@jonnycola86]

Father stone is me. The lesson to take from the episode although people can be unbearably boring and too quiet. They do just like company.

[@TheDoran144]

Great reaction. This episode was writer Arthur Matthews' favourite. Father Stone was based on a friend of a friend of Matthews, who used to show up uninvited. Nice little performance by comedian Michael Redmond, the role of Stone really suited him.

[@TheYoungDoctor]

Father Stone only appears in this but the painting 22:40 appears on the mantlepiece in nearly every subsequent episode.

[@craftyape5423]

This is one of my favourite episodes of my most favourite comedy programmes ever. YES!

[@heckelchristopherify]

Love the father ted reaction please do cigarettes and alcohol and rollerbladers next

[@jodu626]

Amazing episode

[@michaeljcarolan]

Ahhhhhhh!!!!!! Sister Assumpta.

[@stevemcmosh4271]

Favourite episode

[@doc75s]

Yes do that one next & than the car raffle

[@marshallthefirepup5795]

That title is called "Think fast Father Ted"

[@grahamflynn619]

My uncle is the Dr, name was John Taylor, passed shortly after the episode

[@TheSealOfTheRose]

The one with the stolen whistle is the funniest

[@orionstar6747]

Definitely funny episode.

[@Sara_Kane]

It's interesting seeing some people here saying this is one of the worst episodes, when it's always been one of my favourites. It has a slower pace than most episodes, but it contains some truly wonderful comedy. Your reaction to Dougal answering "Out Of Africa" was joyous! lol Hopefully you will react to One Foot very soon, as it is an awesome show, and probably in my top 5 sitcoms of all time.

[@terrortower666]

Sara Kane Yeah, it really is one of the best. Never fails to make me lose it

[@dorcat2867]

I guess the slower pace of the episode fits because of the character of Father Stone

[@MoskHotel]

I like the impression that even though Ted is quite aware that John & Mary are a dysfunctional couple, he still doesn’t care about it. And Dougal… He’s just Dougal.

[@egapnala65]

Michael Redmond (Father Stone) was a stand up comedian. He used to come on stage carrying a plastic carrier bag full of junk and just stand looking at the audience for a long time. Eventually he would say "A lot of people.... often ask me...."Could you please get out of my garden?""

[@Saint_Dan132]

" I'm ermm having a bath " gets me everytime

[@jonlcfc1]

The voice breaking halfway through is brilliant

[@emmettcoop1]

@@jonlcfc1 thought the exact same

[@DoctorVision]

Only the odd few episodes had a cold open like this. Here in Britain, you see, we tend to use experiment with things and not use them consistently, like with cold opens. They cropped up in a few sitcoms over the years in a few episodes only. Only shows like Doctor Who have used them on a regular basis.

[@thetoiletinspector6878]

I love when Father Stone sits down on the toilet, and you actually hear the fart sound.

[@chrisduncan7954]

You actually see him trying not to laugh just before he says he wants to go to the toilet

[@MrJonno85]

I suppose you would - what with you being a Toilet Inspector and stuff.

[@BenBanjo87]

I thought that was Ted groaning in discomfort

[@millerhxc]

"The one with the really annoying priest who likes the BONGO music.." It was actually JUNGLE music that he was listening to - basically a more reggae/dancehall oriented version of drum n bass.

[@sargonsblackgrandfather2072]

Jungle was what the music was called originally. Some people claimed it had racial connotations to it so it changed to drum and bass. I remember as a teen in London listening on pirate radio stations over a month or two everyone just started calling it by a different name.

[@matthewclarke4127]

Rango tango music

[@Sara_Kane]

Having been a huge Ted fan since the first Series was originally broadcast, I have to say, not once have I ever thought that Father Stone looks like he could be Father Ted's dad. But now you've said it. I can't unsee it, he really does look like his dad! lol

[@BuddahUK]

The priest in the pirate party hat is the co writer

[@simonharper4199]

The tall priest who opens the living room door in that same scene as they all run off is the other writer

[@dannydorko7075]

they show up in a lot of episodes of their shows

[@exceltraining]

wha's the episode where Brian Eno turns up at the begginning ? I'd love to know how that came about

[@adammccormack4961]

The only thing you need to know from One foot in the grave to get the episode is the guy with the catch phrase "I don't believe it!"

[@LambriniSupernova]

Your reactions bring me much joy. Keep on keeping on dude

[@dcanmore]

the one where they raffle the car LOL! ... and when the three bishops visit, having to teaching Father Jack on how to answer their questions: "that would an ecumenical matter" LOLZ

[@destinitra]

God how many times did Noah say "surprisingly wholesome" at the end there xD

[@torresilk4277]

The famous catchphrase in One Foot in the Grave doesn’t really feature in series 1 so maybe do one or two from later series before doing the mentioned Father Ted one.

[@Sara_Kane]

I was just about to say that, you're absolutely right. I'd say react to at least two One Foot episodes before watching "The Mainland", with at least one of them being from a later series.

[@ChristopherStendeck]

Is that true? I don't believe it.

[@jimmycampbell6562]

You are a pretty funny person with your sarcasm and dry witty remarks. makes your reactions 100 legit and hilarious. Thank you buddy.

[@catewright1575]

You know something's really wrong if mrs. Doyle doesn't persist in offering a guest tea!

[@Lasherluke]

Side note but there is an anime/manga series called Dr. Stone and I laughed when I went on the wiki and saw that Paul Stone's brother's wikipedia page was listed as Doctor Stone

[@FudgeandFriends]

I love your Father Ted reaction videos! Looking forward to the next Black Books episode (if you're still planning on watching them!) - Grapes of Wrath episode is one of my faves!

[@PINKKYLIELOUISE]

The old grey whistle theft the couple at picnic site and father Damien hilarious

[@Sara_Kane]

Father Damo is hilarious, and that episode is a classic!

[@jrvthatsme]

We don't have termites in Ireland, and our houses are all made of brick anyway.

[@bizzaro1988]

Made of blocks

[@szymongorczynski7621]

And that old Georgian house would be made from stone.

[@BuddahUK]

The title is a play on the title of the Jo Orton play, Entertaining Mr. Sloane

[@lukeanatr]

Father Stone isn't even really a caricature, I know around three people here in Ireland exactly like him.

[@martineyles]

Competition Time (Series 1, Episode 4) - it has a rival group of priests who are suprisingly similar, and a suprisingly poinient moment with Father Jack.

[@Lasherluke]

i believe this was the only episode that did it, probably because it's more funny to go from them having a cassuel but silly coversation to utter silence

[@lovenottheworld5723]

It's pretty close to how they actually act in real life. That's the Irish countryside. Especially the old people who grew up before TV and they had to make their own entertainment.

[@areasquirrel]

Yes! Been waiting for this one. 10 down, 15 to go. If I'm offered something and I don't want it, and say "Nah, I'm alright", my mum says "Okay, Father Stone".

[@BenBanjo87]

Also, there are episodes with pre-intro sequences just scattered randomly throughout the series - they're not a feature of any particular stage :)

[@cityboy9301]

The wallpaper in the bathroom is the exact same as the paper we had in our kitchen in the 1970s

[@BlackNovember_94]

You should watch “The Plague” next then “Flight into Terror” & “The Passion of St. Tibulus”

[@lucyschoon5585]

Careful now....

[@simonorourke4465]

Surely that would be an ecumenical matter

[@BlackNovember_94]

Simon O'Rourke yes I suppose it would

[@TheDoran144]

That's what I was thinking, more Bishop Brennan episodes.

[@nrellis666]

down with this sort of thing!

[@annalieff-saxby568]

The title is a riff on the famous 1960s Joe Orton play "Entertaining Mr Sloane".

[@dannydorko7075]

the guy that played father stone was a stand up comedian.

[@elmangosta9926]

Still is! He's the chap that Joe Pasquale stole the 'what are you doing in my garden?' gag from as Stewart Lee recounted in his own stand up a few years back.

[@dannydorko7075]

@@elmangosta9926 yeah that's the only reason I know of him.

[@dcanmore]

I remember him doing stand up on TV regularly in the late '80s and early '90s. A very funny chap. Does mostly radio now.

[@bobtheskutterbot]

@@elmangosta9926 Thanks! I didn't know that.

[@PaulEcosse]

@@elmangosta9926 Yep, he hosts every week at The Stand in Glasgow.

[@AndyVines86]

I didn't think father ted could get any better, but it would seem that watching you watching father ted is even better 🙂 keep up the good work mate. P.S ' he's dead ' is my new catch phase haha

[@chrisduncan5842]

Confusing as to how they managed to get Father Stone's pyjamas on since they couldn't get the golf club removed

[@Notintheknow]

Scissors Think that's common in hospitals

[@aaronmicalowe]

It's a surprisingly wholesome episode - you'll see. :o)

[@azaramoon4027]

A downstairs loo, would have solved the problem !

[@doomjuan4892]

The actual Father Ted theme was done by the Irish band "The Divine Comedy": kzbin.info/www/bejne/oWeXg5-Or8qWhrc

[@aarontaylor4967]

Dude, this show, the house is very close to my Aunt's in West Clare. I used to driver past it every Summer Holiday. It is actually quite typical of Parochial Houses, although they don't live on an island of co.

[@foreverhungry84]

imagine being in the bath with a weird guy pushing logs out next to you, no bueno

[@BenBanjo87]

This is the favourite episode of the show's co-writer Arthur Matthews (who appears here in the Party scene along with the other co-writer Graham Linehan). I'm very fond of this episode - I think they got a lot better still later on, but this one is very funny and very relatable too. The dialogue between Ted and Dougal in the waiting room is some of the best in the series in my opinion, and I also love the recurring gag of the psycho couple John and Mary who always transform into a loving couple as soon as they see a priest (in those days divorce was still illegal in Ireland). Apparently the writers initially had the idea of Stone living with the priests permanently and popping up as a recurring gag, but that never happened. I'd love to see your reaction to Tentacles of Doom, Flight Into Terror or Chirpy Burpy Cheap Sheep next, but to be honest I don't mind which order they go in - they're all so good!

[@terrortower666]

BenBanjo87 Yeah, One of mine too.

[@makaio9578]

Just read, father Stone was based of a real Person who used to stay with a friend of a friend of the guy who played father stone on his holidays and had a ability to dominate and ruin the atmosphere of a room

[@PaulEcosse]

Yass! Love this one. Michael Redmond is only slightly less morose than his character in this. But a very funny guy.

[@TheDoran144]

Yeah Stuart Lee likes Michael Redmond.

[@tez4792]

Joe Pasquale stealing a Michael Redmond joke was the basis for one of Stewart Lee’s funniest bits. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zoqoan6qnd6UmdE

[@PaulEcosse]

@@TheDoran144 That's right, Frank Skinner also dug up Pasquale for being a joke thief. Michael Redmond lives just down the road from me and hosts a stand up spot every week, in less virussy times.

[@tomjohnston1220]

You should have a look at the British comedy series, Black Books, a few of the people from Father Ted are involved.

[@davethomas2605]

Loved this series bruv! You have to do 'I'm Alan Partridge' - it's an English classic!

[@ethanholgate2512]

Such a funny episode love this episode

[@Ian_Livesey]

Michael Redmond is a very funny man, search for him on YT and laugh along to his stand up.

[@notoriousbmc1]

I'd say you could watch a 'best of' One Foot In The Grave to get what you need for the Fr. Ted episode.

[@bloodwolf9017]

There's a cute episode you should watch where the parochial house is infested with rabbits. I can't say much without revealing any spoilers but Bishop Brennan appears in it. It's called the Plague which kinda fits the situation

[@EmmaCRBsnewstuff]

You should watch My Hero. It's a sitcom about an alien superhero from another planet in a relationship with an Earth woman- Ardal o Hanlon (aka Dougal) stars as the superhero

[@theradgegadgie6352]

This is just a guess and I may be reading too much into your reactions, but did you find this episode surprisingly wholesome?

[@taffe316]

How'd you guess?

[@cillianmclaverty9392]

Dermot is the most real character in the show

[@mojojojojuniper6122]

I remember watching this 1995 pregnant with my eldest rollin over in tears🤣🤣

[@megansavage7152]

You haven't seen one Foot in the grave I don't believe it

[@brighterrecorder1645]

"I know what you're up to!!"

[@everready2903]

Cheers Noah!

[@joannethompson6899]

Which is the whistle one. I like that one

[@wurble]

The old grey whistle theft. Brilliant episode. "What the fup are you doing here?"

[@saraevelynsmith]

OMG. Forget about ghosts and murderers and all that stuff: THIS would be my worst nightmare 😭😭😭😭

[@georgeowain]

You should check out the episode which first introduced the Bishop.

[@flamingbridges1649]

Need to react to the episode called chirpy burpy cheap sheep.

[@sidarthur8706]

'when you compare it to what he looked like last year-' 'o my god. it's like he's a completely different sheep!'

[@CoupSounds]

*rabble rabble* "FUCKIN HELL!"

[@garethallan5631]

Fucking ell

[@gooshie3]

Noah you need to do more reaction videos dood. I need a daily dose.

[@taffe316]

I do them every 3 (sometimes 2 days). Spamming them every day and not allowing the previous video to breath a little would likely hurt the viewership numbers instead of helping it.

[@gooshie3]

@@taffe316 Ok, I understand. Great work though. Keep it up

[@taffe316]

@David Dunne Thanks buddy.

[@ZenzeroCAM]

Met Father Stone on St Patrick’s Day in Scotland

[@bluebloods8760]

It’s funny how father stone actually loves going to teds house lool his actual family are horrible no wonder he never talks

[@helentucker6407]

Never fails to make me laugh ☺

[@chrisduncan7954]

Tentacles Of Doom is a great episode

[@klanders988]

tentacles of doom should be next. it will finally make sense of the that would b an ecumenical matter joke that people keep saying.

[@Sara_Kane]

There's a few great episdes still to come, but I'd probably go for The Plague, Grant Unto Him Eternal Rest, or Competition Time for your next reaction.

[@stingersplash]

How did they get his pyjamas on if he is still holding the club?

[@terrortower666]

Exactly. That’s the joke. If you can’t read into the humour, why you here?

[@marshallthefirepup5795]

I'd suggest the plague. Because it is funny as "hell."

[@owencampbell8799]

Father stone stole Joe pasquale’s joke.

[@Comranful]

Please react to the Young Ones eventually

[@chickenhunter3140]

Would recommend the sheep episode

[@PINKKYLIELOUISE]

Think the third one meant to be Vegas

[@bloodwolf9017]

One of their statues is just like one my gran had

[@jrvthatsme]

The Plague. It's a great one.

[@tattoogoon]

harpic is a brand of toilet cleaner

[@petercdowney]

I think you should do "The Plague" next. That episode contains Bishop Brennan's most iconic line of the whole series.

[@Saint_Dan132]

Bring on the wall with the moustache

[@Naylte]

09:55 Was that an outfit for hockey or gridiron?

[@fmcm7715]

The actress who played Mary died a few days ago. May she RIP. But Mammy steals this episode.

[@Maxmorris12]

What’s your favourite episode so far? And yeah there’s the odd episode where there’s a scene before an intro

[@taffe316]

Probably Speed 3.

[@lukecarroll9998]

Can you do Old Grey Whistle Theft

[@Shadow-zz2ry]

Good clean wholesome.

[@Saint_Dan132]

Can't believe I missed this..... Rage face 😢♥️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@Grithron2]

The title is a pun on the Joe Orton drama Entertaining Mr Sloane. Unrelated: I have to wonder, will Taffe316 ever get around to reacting to an episode of The Day Today (especially 1 or 4)?

[@antonybrent6232]

Loved the reaction as always 👍👌. You have to react to inside number nine Think it’s just available on HBO in the US Series 1 episode 2. Is just amazing , so funny You would love it. Keep em coming bruv 👍👌

[@libertinoradio4597]

One of the producers of this show I mention below died today. R.I.P. Sydney Lotterby.