A Christmassy Ted
Christmas special of Father Ted, broadcast Christmas Eve 1996.
"A Christmassy Ted" is the 17th episode of the Channel 4 sitcom *Father Ted* and also serves as its Christmas special. It first aired on Christmas Eve in 1996, falling between the second and third series, and runs for 55 minutes. Because of its enduring popularity, the episode is still broadcast every Christmas on Channel 4, RTÉ2, and More4. It was the final *Father Ted* episode to air while Dermot Morgan, who played the main priest Father Ted Crilly, was still alive; Morgan died suddenly from a heart attack in February 1998, the day after filming for the third series wrapped.
The episode begins with Ted dreaming he is inside the plot of *Ballykissangel*, telling Assumpta he will leave the priesthood for her. Just as they are about to kiss, Dougal wakes him to offer a peanut, annoying Ted. When Ted tries to sleep again, his dream shifts to being chased by giant, snarling peanuts. The next day, Ted admits he feels dissatisfied with his life, wanting more recognition and excitement. He then wishes for a quiet, ordinary Christmas, but the doorbell rings and a baby is left on the doorstep—though the mother quickly takes it back, having mistaken the house. Ted briefly wonders if having a baby around could lead to funny situations, but Dougal convinces him nothing interesting would have happened.
While Christmas shopping in a department store, Ted and Dougal accidentally wander into what is described as the largest lingerie section in Ireland. Worried about a scandal, they try to leave but run into six other priests. Ted leads their escape in a heroic, war-movie style, using the store’s speaker system to announce a false closing time, forcing shoppers out so the priests can slip away unseen. Soon after, Ted learns he will receive a Golden Cleric award for his actions. Though disappointed there is no cash prize, he is excited about the fame. However, when Mrs Doyle calls him only the second-best priest in the country and mentions a Protestant priest, Ted becomes sulky and goes off to think, accidentally making an enemy of a fisherman. He returns to find that Mrs Doyle let Dougal perform a funeral meant for Ted, with disastrous results.
As Ted gets over that, a priest claiming to be an old school friend visits. After nearly an hour of random guessing, Mrs Doyle correctly identifies him as Father Todd Unctious, and he stays for Christmas.
Quick Facts
- Series
- Father Ted
- Episode
- Special
- Airdate
- 1996-12-24
- Writer
- Graham Linehan, Arthur Mathews
- Director
- Andy DeEmmony, Declan Lowney
- Episode List
- List of Father Ted episodes
- Prev
- Flight Into Terror
- Next
- Are You Right There Father Ted?
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The episode opens with Ted dreaming he is in Ballykissangel, leaving the priesthood for Assumpta, but Dougal wakes him for a peanut. Ted later confesses dissatisfaction with his life, wishing for an ordinary Christmas. A baby is briefly left on his doorstep, but the mother quickly retrieves it. While Christmas shopping, Ted and Dougal accidentally enter the largest lingerie section in Ireland, where they encounter six other priests. Ted leads their escape in a heroic, war-movie parody, using the store's speaker system to clear shoppers. Ted learns he will receive a Golden Cleric award, but is disappointed there is no cash prize. Mrs Doyle admits Ted is only the second-best priest in the country, sending him into a huff. In his absence, Dougal performs a funeral with disastrous results. A priest claiming to be an old school friend, Father Todd Unctious, visits and stays for Christmas. Ted composes a vindictive acceptance speech for the award ceremony, which goes on so long that most attendees leave. At Ted's party, priests find excuses to leave, but Unctious stays and attempts to steal the award. Ted catches him, and Unctious explains his obsession with awards, leading Ted to realize he shares the same problem. Ted resolves to become a better priest but shows little follow-through, though he agrees to share the award with Dougal, who briefly goes mad with power.
Reader's Guide
The episode is notable as the last Father Ted episode broadcast before Dermot Morgan's death. Writer Graham Linehan stated on the DVD commentary that he thinks the episode is "far too long" and expressed boredom towards the end of the commentary. Andy Riley noted the similarity of Mrs Doyle's guessing game to a passage in Flann O'Brien's The Third Policeman, and suggested it was inspired by the early Irish myth Togail Bruidne Dá Derga. Riley concluded that the comic riff has a lineage stretching back more than 1,000 years. The episode's popularity ensures it is repeated annually on Channel 4, RTÉ2, and More4. The line "You slave away to the needs of your parishioners and what do you get? A one-way ticket to Palookaville" references the taxicab scene from On The Waterfront.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is "A Christmassy Ted"?
It is the seventeenth episode of the Channel 4 sitcom Father Ted, serving as the show's Christmas special. The 55-minute installment originally aired on Christmas Eve 1996 and sits between the second and third series.
Why is "A Christmassy Ted" especially meaningful to fans?
It is the final Father Ted episode that aired while lead actor Dermot Morgan was still alive. Morgan died of a sudden heart attack in February 1998, just one day after third-series filming had wrapped, making this broadcast a bittersweet last appearance for him.
When did "A Christmassy Ted" first air and where can it still be seen?
The episode premiered on Channel 4 on Christmas Eve, 24 December 1996. It has since become an annual tradition, still being broadcast each Christmas on Channel 4, RTÉ2, and More4.
How long is "A Christmassy Ted"?
The episode runs for 55 minutes, considerably longer than a standard Father Ted half-hour. Its extended runtime reflects its role as a Christmas special rather than a regular series installment.
Which series does "A Christmassy Ted" belong to?
It is counted as the seventeenth episode overall and falls between the second and third series. Despite that placement, it is most commonly identified simply as the show's Christmas special.
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