Graham Linehan: how the Father Ted musical got cancelled | SpectatorTV

[@andrewburdett9817]

“……the bullies that even the other bullies hated” That’s probably the most perfect description I’ve heard about these people. Thank you Graham for giving me Father Ted and The IT Crowd, they’ve cheered me up at some dark times in my life. And I know I’m not the only one. You are appreciated and always will be, a loud minority doesn’t speak on behalf of all of us

[@gamerguydeacon2664]

Brilliant writer but just one of the most courageous men I have heard.

[@TMeyer-ge5pj]

He's the real hero. I am so sick of people acting like Matt Walsh sands for women. Graham shows so much more bravery, compassion, and strength. If people want an example of a man who really stands up for what's right, it's Graham ❤

[@Tina06019]

@@TMeyer-ge5pj No kidding. I trust Matt Walsh just about as far as I could throw him.

[@Starkandco]

Good, courageous men dont get divorced over being bigots sorry about you lads

[@sarahmurphy-nf4yl]

@@TMeyer-ge5pj Exactly 💯 👏 🙌

[@CalamityB]

Love Graham Linehan. Not only is he funny and insanely talented but he’s going to go down in history as the courageous man that he is--A man who refused to compromise his principals and lost everything for it. Definitely a fan ❤❤❤

[@timmills8521]

One of the bravest men in Televison .. hope in years to come he gets the recognition he deserves for taking his principled stand against the dogma

[@MikeRyan-vd1qw]

Unlikely. People won't like to be reminded how they once supported all this

[@DS-S-UK]

Good interview. Winston does an excellent job remembering that it's the interviewee we want to hear from, and letting them speak. Graham, keep going!

[@autumnb7135]

That was such a good interview! Winston gave Graham time to express his thoughts, followed up on comments with important questions & was well informed on the subject. I was relaxed and interested throughout the whole thing. Modern day interviews often make me tense but I felt I could relax because Winston had it handled. No badgering, no impatience, no talking over or cutting in, no agenda - just inquisitiveness.

[@eleanorwalmsley635]

Yes, this is why podcasts are so much better than bitesize interviews that press for controversy. Podcasts are intelligent and allow both parties to express themselves fully at a relaxed pace and offer a more intelligent conversation.

[@catherineallinson8562]

Thank you Graham - I'm an Irishwoman (a Derry girl actually) and getting on in years but I'm rich and smart (a good physics degree from Imperial pre Ferguson usually scares the boys who couldn't even do it at O level) and I'm not interested in social media in any respect so can't be cancelled. Your bravery deserves respect and I respect it - keep on keeping on. Good man.

[@garymitchell5899]

We rejoice in your richness.

[@Fee_V]

@@garymitchell5899 What a wonderful comment! Me too. x

[@lsmith6036]

I agree, Linehan is a hero

[@davidadams2395]

Eh, he's misguided. I have been called all sorts of names by those espousing Graham's views just for supporting trans men and women: pedophile is the mainstay whether a trans ally or as a gay man.

[@williamrisbridger60]

What exactly has he done that is so ‘brave’? Seems like a hateful and miserable person.

[@dshe8637]

Excellent. As a woman, thank you Graham x

[@TJ_USA]

This is really first rate. Winston M is a very, very talented interviewer.

[@sue.F]

“Thought terminating clichés” yup they’re bloody full of it! What a travesty it’s all become, the only solace is that sometime soon (I hope really soon), Graham, and those other brave people who’ve laid their reputations and safety bare, will be celebrated as the true heroes and the despicable bullies will be held to account. In the meantime, I’m just infuriated by the injustice.

[@neva.2764]

Thank you for speaking out and for letting courage and common sense prevail. I wish I had a dad like you.

[@barlymac4877]

Thank you Graham - you make me proud to be Irish . Your commitment is astonishing, especially in these PR soaked, self obsessed, narcissistic times.

[@gillianmoran9352]

Yeah, you are probably the only Irish person who is proud of this ridiculous man. Well done you!

[@kieranororke620]

@@gillianmoran9352 I very much doubt it.

[@TheMercury-13]

'PR soaked, self obsessed, narcissistic times' - people are the same now as they ever have been, why is it a thing to say they're more self-obsessed or narcissistic than they were in the past? Maybe the www highlights issues; you have nonsense with people making a living as 'influencers' - lol - telling others what to do/wear/think - Baa - but it's not so different to other eras?!

[@moraymac2922]

@@gillianmoran9352 How is advocating for the safety dignity and privacy of women and girls and for the retention of their sex based rights ridiculous?

[@happydaze7976]

​@@moraymac2922👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@mmc1086]

Graham is a man who truly respects women and sees them as valuable peers. He respects the protection of our rights, we will never forget his sacrifices xox

[@gillianmoran9352]

Hahaaa ha you are funny.

[@stephwalsh9158]

Thank you, thank you so SO much for speaking up! One day soon the dam will burst... it's voices like yours and Kelly J will draw the flow. Thank You

[@Starkandco]

​@@stephwalsh9158 you are referring to the nazi Posie Parker when you say that am I right?

[@dogsareboss]

You are a full-blown legend, Graham! X

[@carolynb.7455]

Excellent discussion. Thank you Graham and Winston.

[@robcaiger1781]

The most brilliant man, highly principled & full of integrity. Has been a long-term important voice in this fight & has suffered as a result. But he now has so many friends & the life-long respect of us all.

[@MsMounen]

The trans movement has certainly been an eye opening trip. I believe I can say at this point in time that we actually have systemic misogyny. And I never thought that would ever have happened again. I also did not expect another attempt to normalise pae do philia.

[@moraymac2922]

We are not progressing - we are going backwards.

[@kathleeningham308]

A brilliant interview, very informative. Thank you Graham for continuing to get the facts out there regarding this horrific ideology. So many people are being hurt by it.

[@gerhard7323]

That's pretty shocking when he's talking about his own Wikipedia entry. Someone tries to change an entry about themselves that says they're anti-trans and it's almost immediately changed back again. Presumably anonymously? Shades of CRT where a claim that you aren't racist automatically means that you are. These are truly worrying, dystopian times.

[@MrVidification]

The wiki relies on the media as their source of factual info. If politicians could change info about themselves and their party the wiki would be even more of a mess, but yes if wiki moderators have their own grudges or bias then there's not much people can do

[@inkoftheworld]

Graham sacrificed so much to speak, and is also so brave. It's so sad that so many people are so cowardly they won't even speak up for their friend in the face of such an illogical and harmful ideology. -_-

[@marianshiels6247]

People I admired, like Dara O'Briain (the best standup bar none). He wouldn't even sign a letter to condemn the death and rape threats against Joanne Rowling. Contemptible.

[@sookibeulah9331]

Yes, how many would turn down £200,000 for their principles?

[@advancedbasicsAB]

Exactly or simply just allowing others to to have a different opinion. The psychological rigidity is astonishing, odd even.

[@greengardener517]

I predict Graham's life is going to improve from now on, and deservedly so. A very strong and brave man.

[@hannahgeraghty4201]

@@yttrxstein4192 Good. Let him starve

[@jaksida300]

He gets like 2 hours of sleep every night because he spends so much time posting fear mongering, inciting witch-hunts against others and complaining his musical will never get made. He’s alienated everyone in his normal life. I don’t know what sort of quality of life that is.

[@Aarenby]

@@jaksida300 you support genocide

[@ujustgotpwned2008]

Lol you are wrong

[@moraymac2922]

@@jaksida300 You are wrong. The man is a hero. Standing up for what is right and fighting for the safety dignity and privacy of women and girls is admirable.

[@stephfoxwell4620]

Graham is a legend. An honest man with complete integrity. Father Windy Shepperd-Henderson and Father Todd Unctious. Hilarious.

[@jacksonmiked]

Talented and courageous man. I hope a network has the guts to commission him for a new comedy show. Along with John Sullivan and Ben Elton, he’s probably the best tv comedy writer in the last 40 years.

[@moraymac2922]

@Al Catorda And he used to consider himself an edgy comedian. How far Ben has fallen.

[@hoisin75]

Two brave men. When the culture wars are finally won, I’d like them both to return to their original careers

[@wacquantx]

Culture wars can't ever end. They are a distraction from the economic woes. Exploiting moral panic is the oldest political tool.

[@mrsjanhannah]

No your opinions are not controversial. Us women of sense entirely agree with you. Keep fighting, we will prevail.

[@LeaMumof3]

I wont forget your bravery throughout this fight, Graham. I truly am sorry that you suffered personally. But you will be remembered for standing up to protect women and kids. For sharing your platform. For taking the abuse for so long.

[@yvonnebromley6958]

If only all those people - men and women alike - with a public voice and who know Graham is absolutely right, would have half his courage and stand by him and JK Rowling, etc. this nonsense would stop! Thank you Graham for all your sacrifices on behalf of women and children everywhere.

[@therighthonsirdoug]

Graham is an comedy and intellectual heavyweight. The way he and others have been treated is disgusting. It's utterly despicable that so many people haven't thought through their casual acceptance of this ideology as if it's all just fine and dandy and just an extension of gay rights. Yes there are trans people out there and they should be shown respect and understanding but the blanket acceptance of self-id and the misogynistic approach to the destruction of women's rights is a disgrace. Whenever I see someone with their pronouns as part of their twitter or LinkedIn profile my heart sinks. Adults need to stand up and challenge the ideology that has poisoned so many young people who are now being "educated" in what and not how to think!

[@ohwellwhateverr]

Are you sure that there are actually “trans people”? What does that mean specifically? There *are* people who are gender non-conforming. There *are* people who sincerely believe they should be the opposite sex. There *are* people who have taken medical steps to imitate the appearance of the opposite sex. It is, however, impossible to transition between the sexes. It’s not possible to be “born in the wrong body”. That presupposes the idea of a sexed soul, and of there to be a definitive way of “feeling” like a man or a woman. Or that such modes of being even have a feeling at all. Surely these are terms which only describe material, biological states, not feelings. Again, how do you know there is such a thing as a trans person?

[@bencarter6702]

I'm a longtime fan of Brit comedy including Black Books (Father Ted was less of a big thing in our house) but Graham has explained the current online climate wonderfully here with stinging turns of phrase.

[@MoronMediaProductions]

A man with testosterone sticking up for women and children. A rarity and a keeper. Thank you.

[@Gadfly333]

His Wife didn't think so....

[@peterthosegriffins666]

His wife divorced him because he decided bullying transgender teenagers was more important than his own marriage lmao

[@sherylwhite2201]

Graham deserves a knighthood!

[@AndyJarman]

I think a knighthood in these days is the mark of Cain. An indication you have been toadying to the Woke establishment. All those who disgraced themselves over the Covid debacles have received knighthoods. Who'd want to be associated with that mob?

[@heatherchapman1984]

Wow! This is the good thing that being bullied in school can sometimes give us: individuals like Graham who grow up motivated to protect others from the adult bullies . . . and the adult bullies are emboldened whenever bystanders are too cowardly to object. Maybe Graham hasn't always expressed himself flawlessly while fighting today's bullies; but he has definitely put his money where his mouth is. Those who criticise him as being beyond the pale, I suspect, are failing to understand how impossible it is to preserve nuance and forbearance when in a war against psychotics . . . and there is something about social media which amplifies the psychotic like nothing else we've seen.

[@charlottetaylor4471]

This is genuine mass psychosis. "Trans" is mass psychosis and c*vid is mass psychosis.

[@hangingaround2954]

What a wonderful man. Very good interview style as well.

[@johnanthony2871]

Graham is an outstanding gentleman

[@jontydenton1201]

Big difference between Graham and Jimmy Mulville…one has made me laugh until I’ve cried time and time again..the other was about as funny as cat sick….

[@peterd788]

Mr Linehan deserves a medal and he must feel like the only sane person in an asylum sometimes. It's clear how the hate directed at him has affected him and his life but he soldiers on. He's a man to be looked up to and not to be sneered at.

[@richalderson6069]

Graham Linehan and Kellie-Jay Keen are my heroes. They have changed my way of thinking and confirm all the suspicions I had about what trans activism was about from the very start.

[@helench6097]

Graham is so brave, I am so sorry he has been impacted so gravely by supporting women.

[@richardc3044]

Good to see Graham looking so well after all the flak he has taken

[@danceswithgoths]

Thank you for interviewing Graham. He’s been a stalwart in all of this nonsense. I’d highly recommend checking out his KZbin channel & substack.

[@UteHeggenTranswidowHeals]

We must make our own 100 best lists, Graham and Winston holding spots on the one of men who support women's rights. Thanks from Ute Heggen YT channel, trans widow tales + healing.

[@zoesolanki961]

Loving your show Winston and team. As a fellow artist who a career in the entertainment industry, this hits home very hard. Thank you for everything you do ❤️

[@MackerelCat]

A really good guy. Full support.

[@edheslam2701]

This interview throws up three significant issues that we all ignore at our peril. 1. The right to free speech 2. The rights of women to exist free of misogyny 3. Whether or not a small pressure group has the right to appropriate language and culture and force others to bend to their distorted idea of sexuality.

[@conrad152]

What a wonderful brave and decent man.

[@ktonelle]

Looking at this, from 7 months ago. @Graham, you fought the good fight. So much to celebrate today. God bless your devotion to this cause. I hope your ex wife and you daughter finally understand and are very proud of you. Don’t miss any The Mess we’re in it. Keep up the good work! ❤

[@olrappaport7474]

Excellent interview, refreshingly straighforward, old skool honesty - thank you.

[@nickmoran1]

I like that phrase 'thought terminating cliche'.It's very pervasive.

[@rl7012]

Thank you Graham for sticking up for women and children.

[@lucyh4355]

Thank you both. I wholeheartedly agree with you...but even if I didn't, I'd respect your right to argue your point of view. Genuine debate seems to be a dying art these days & I must admit it has me fearful for the future. I hope you're correct in your prediction of the tide turning on this issue at least.

[@janegardener1662]

Great interview. Wonderful to hear a brave man speak the truth.

[@itsmyaccount1153]

Imagine how different society would be if all men respected women like Graham does.

[@fordprefect80]

I think in years to come society will look back on this era of puberty blockers and teenage gender reassignment as we do now with the tragedy of the Thalidomide children.

[@KayE9]

Helen Webberley? QUACK QUACK! Well done for having the courage to tell the truth, Graham. Subscribe to Glinner's substack! He works so hard on it and it's fab!

[@jayWalk8]

You have not only a clear conscious but are a shining example of someone who walks their talk & can hold your head high when this comes to light for the masses. ❤

[@liamh9814]

One of the best. Love you GL.

[@nickmoran1]

Wasn't a big fan of Fr Ted, detest Mumford and Sons but here I am. These interviews are very very important.

[@Seashore1403]

Detest? But over the top about a band!

[@nickmoran1]

They're that bad@@Seashore1403

[@Happyheretic2308]

As a woman (adult human female), thank you from the bottom of my heart ❤️

[@kwoylee5617]

Father Ted, Black Books and the IT Crowd - probably my 3 favourite comedy shows of all time!

[@rensha8635]

A truly wonderful human being, love Graham Linehan 🥰

[@CheeseLovingGuy]

Fantastic interview which I forwarded on to many female friends who do not seem to know much about and so then care about what is happening But if they cannot be bothered to fight then ...

[@lenwilkinson672]

Progressive. What a laugh.Those who use that term need medical help. They need to progress in the direction of a mental hospital.

[@nectarinedreams7208]

It must make you feel so insignificant and upset to know that no matter what you do, no matter how loud you shout, no matter how many times you insult people, people like you are going to die out and you will have lost this fight, and I very much look forward to that happening! Perhaps you'll be needing a mental hospital to cope with your defeat.

[@stuartmcnair4809]

Thanks for sensible people who have a voice for speaking out against the lunacy of the left wing elitists, respect to you sir.❤️

[@caroldixon3124]

Graham Lineham is an incredibly brave man and society owes him so much for putting his head on the chopping block. I would love to see Ted the Musical and hope that an alternative production company takes on these ridiculous ideologies that censor the masses. As a woman with a cervix 😃😀😃 we owe Graham so much.

[@goatsdontshave1840]

Could JK Rowling not invest in Ted ? She would see profit in no time.

[@doyle6000]

Good point!

[@senorharry9275]

U2 lost $20 Million on the SpiderMan musical.

[@moodyonroody5313]

@@senorharry9275 was it funny tho?

[@TheMercury-13]

$20 mill's probably just a tax write off to U2, they must be uber loaded - Father Ted's surely better than Spider Man; I can't imagine either as a musical tbh, but S'M less so than F'T-!

[@catwoman7462]

There's nothing wrong with being 'anti-trans' as nobody is 'trans' anyway. The concept of it is nonsensical.

[@TheMercury-13]

I find it nonsensical how some societies are obsessed with having 2 stereotype genders & insisting everyone should fit that regardless; if people wern't so hung up about stereotypes & just let others be, there wouldn't be any need to change sex in the 1st place?

[@catwoman7462]

@@TheMercury-13 Yes there are societies where there are stereotypes which are rigidly adhered to. Western countries aren't those. We ditched gender stereotypes decades ago. As for your statement about changing sex - it is impossible for mammals to change sex. You're conflating the made up idea of 'gender' with sex, something which is immutable and unchangeable.

[@jamesyoung4782]

A great interview with an interesting and gutsy bloke. Bravo Marshall 👏

[@NRTSean]

A Real Legend... A Hero in the real sense....

[@flamingopower2637]

Whether you agree with his opinions or not. You can't deny this man is a COMIC GENIUS. The IT crowd is the funniest sitcom ever made IMHO. This man made my childhood.

[@treesart6914]

I've followed Graham throughout this fight (I'm in it too, as far as I can) and I didn't know that he was bullied as a kid. I was bullied too, and I hate bullies. It's very possible that we (GCs) all recognize this and that it is what makes us so resilient.

[@paulinegallagher7821]

There are more people backing Graham than not backing him. But the problem is, the tiny, tiny minority that are not for free thinking and are from the Henry Ford school of thinking, ie you can think and say what you want as long as its - and they are the ones cancelling everything.

[@littlemascara6385]

Graham is a hero in this fight. He had everything to lose and he continues. I have nothing but respect for him. I was a fan of his work before all this and even more so now.

[@catwoman7462]

Winston, you're a brilliant interviewer. I'll have to catch up with all your interviews.

[@squidwardtennisballs3390]

Absolutely horrible what has happened to this nice man. God bless him

[@coolfirebleu]

Super stuff Winston and Graham is his usual level, balanced self. I like your audio set-up. Next time you're setting up can you take a note of your equipment and post a run down of it or send me a list of what it is. I do a little amateur stuff and I'm always trying to upgrade. Super stuff and many thanks, Paul

[@RedRosach]

I like IT Crowd and Mumford and Sons, but without the cancel culture would have never known how amazing people Graham and Winston are.

[@diogenes9524]

Good man Graham.

[@MarciaMatthews]

Love Glinner! He’s a naturally funny guy who risked his career and reputation to stand up for women and gays.

[@sarahmurphy-nf4yl]

BRILLIANT COURAGEOUS MAN SPEAKING UP for WOMEN'S & CHILDREN'S RIGHTS. OUR WORLD NEEDS MORE MEN LIKE THIS.

[@58frascatti]

Thank you THANK YOU!!! For these moments of sanity and common sense. I kept looking at my calendar and time stamp to see if this episode was perhaps from a long gone era. How refreshing and hopeful.

[@davidmansfield9167]

This feels like eavesdropping at a doorway. I hope The Spectator lawyers are confident there's no breach of confidentiality and that Graham isn't going to face a barrage of legal action from his 'colleagues'.

[@andrewbuckley2463]

Thank you Graham .

[@DarkForcesStudio]

These guys how the trans cult works - first hand. Keep going guys.

[@Jenny-nz8fb]

Thank you Graham

[@Newbonic]

I must have seen every episode of Father Ted at least 3 times, so I'd definitely travel to that London to watch the musical (like we did for the South Park one). It's a travesty that its not being made for ideological reasons, like we're a pound shop Soviet Union.

[@TheMercury-13]

It'd be weird to have F'T without the original actors, tho' I guess it'd be weird to have seen them singing-! I don't get the craze for making everything into musicals, but maybe I should watch a few to see..

[@twocanplay7976]

Thank you Graham. Everything you said here, I resonate with.

[@shanefeather-lopez5935]

Just been introduced to Winston's work on here via Andrew Gold and had no idea this utter horse manure had been going on so long! I hope that Graham is starting to see things improving, I'm about to start reading his book and I also wish Winston all the best with this venture. It's heart-warming to see people with platform standing up for what is right and not sell-out. This whole farce has cost Graham far more than society will ever be able to repay him.

[@Seashore1403]

I agree with every word Graham has said here. He is on the right side of history. Absolutely !

[@frusia123]

Great interview, thank you both!

[@deebee22130]

Graham Linehan....thank you for all that you are doing for women and children. You are totally right, these trans activists are bullies.... Saw you at Posie Parker's LET WOMEN SPEAK rally in Dublin (Sept '23). Very well organised by the Irish Gardaí, I have to say. The trans lobbyists were there trying to shout down the women who were there to express their fears and their outrage at the threats facing them and their children. So much for FREE SPEECH...!!! But the real outrage comes when u think about this...... the trans activists are there, shouting down these women (well, trying to. They didn't succeed) whilst at the same time REFUSING TO SPEAK AND DEBATE THE ISSUES THEY WANT TO SEE INCORPORATED IN SOCIETY........ I sometimes feel like I've woken up in a parallel universe...

[@sn4rff]

an excellent interview, and it's so good to hear from graham linehan.

[@lexilang5011]

Thank you, Graham. ❤

[@adrianmeyer2157]

Cracking interview again Winston. Graham as everybody well knows is a comedy legend and his treatment for sticking up for women and kids (kids for fucks sake) has been absolutely disgusting. His theory of the spell checker as the reason this is all happening was absolutely hilarious haha

[@dman5ful]

Brave man, well done Graham 🙌🙌👏👏

[@wolfhugs2221]

I don't think I'll ever forgive the people who stopped Father Ted the Musical. Just goes to show they want everyone to suffer.

[@rachelflynndelargy3265]

You are what we need in every way, always

[@jaynehenderson5240]

Winston is good! He's always well-informed and asks the best questions borne of that well-informed-ness. And I always want to know what Graham has to say.

[@gillhughes6644]

most pernicious misogynist movement - totally agree. It is that deep.

[@sarahmurphy-nf4yl]

💯 EXACTLY anti female msygonistic movement. That explains it PERFECTLY. GEAHAM LINEHAN IS A BRAVE MAN with a STRONG 💪 SPINE UNLIKE many others who will NOT STAND UP to PROTECT their WIVES and DAUGHTERS, SISTERS, MOTHERS, WOMEN and CHILDREN in general.

[@baxtronicxavier]

It baffles me how Graham ever ended up on the side of the cancel mob after being a contributing writer for some of the most controversial and visceral of British comedy such as Brass Eye. Obviously he’s seen the light, having since apologised to Count Dankula (and following his own cancellation of course) - I suppose it just shows it’s easy for many to swept up in cult-like social media group think.