Going to America
Encyclopedia
"Going to America" is the final episode aired of Father Ted
. It is the 8th episode of the third series of the Channel 4
sitcom and the 25th episode overall.
Father Kevin (Tommy Tiernan
) from jumping to his death at 'It's Great Being a Priest' conference, an American priest, Father Buzz Cagney (Jeff Harding
) asks him if he'll come to a parish in Los Angeles
. Ted can’t wait and excitedly tells Jack, Dougal and Mrs. Doyle, who incorrectly think they will be able to come with him. Ted doesn't have the heart to tell them otherwise and brings them to the airport leaving them there while he gets on the plane. However, Ted has second thoughts when Father Cagney mentions the gang culture around Ted's new Parish in LA and the decrepitness of his new parish. Realising he's in too deep, Ted abandons going to America and rejoins Jack, Dougal and Mrs Doyle. It transpires that the three of them never wanted to go to America anyway (with the possible exception of Jack, who yells 'Feck!' when he learns of what's gone wrong, though the promise of a drink cheers him up). The group leaves the airport and heads for home, and Ted seems to accept the fact he is probably never going to escape Craggy Island.
— indeed, in the original script the last scene was to be set at the 'It's Still Great Being a Priest' with Father Kevin once again on the window ledge and once again Ted arrives on the ledge, except this time it's not to stop him from jumping but to join him, because he was depressed that the intended trip to America fell through and he would have to stay on Craggy Island forever. This ending was abandoned in favour of a montage of clips from all three series of the show, because Ted himself — the actor Dermot Morgan
— died the day after filming on the series was concluded. In addition, the writers didn't think that their original ending was very funny.
The final shot is an exterior view of the parochial house. Ted and Dougal say goodnight to each other.
Father Ted
Father Ted is a comedy series set in Ireland that was produced by Hat Trick Productions for British broadcaster Channel 4. Written jointly by Irish writers Arthur Mathews and Graham Linehan and starring a predominantly Irish cast, it originally aired over three series from 21 April 1995 until 1 May...
. It is the 8th episode of the third series of the Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
sitcom and the 25th episode overall.
Synopsis
After Ted prevents a depressedClinical depression
Major depressive disorder is a mental disorder characterized by an all-encompassing low mood accompanied by low self-esteem, and by loss of interest or pleasure in normally enjoyable activities...
Father Kevin (Tommy Tiernan
Tommy Tiernan
Tommy Tiernan is an Irish comedian, actor and writer. He and Hector Ó hEochagáin present The Tommy and Hector Show on i102-104FM. Tiernan also featured in Father Ted.-Early life:...
) from jumping to his death at 'It's Great Being a Priest' conference, an American priest, Father Buzz Cagney (Jeff Harding
Jeff Harding
Jeff Harding is an American actor from New England most famed for his narration of popular books into audio format. Notably, he has read The Da Vinci Code, The Bourne Identity, Kane and Abel and Secrets Of The Code...
) asks him if he'll come to a parish in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
. Ted can’t wait and excitedly tells Jack, Dougal and Mrs. Doyle, who incorrectly think they will be able to come with him. Ted doesn't have the heart to tell them otherwise and brings them to the airport leaving them there while he gets on the plane. However, Ted has second thoughts when Father Cagney mentions the gang culture around Ted's new Parish in LA and the decrepitness of his new parish. Realising he's in too deep, Ted abandons going to America and rejoins Jack, Dougal and Mrs Doyle. It transpires that the three of them never wanted to go to America anyway (with the possible exception of Jack, who yells 'Feck!' when he learns of what's gone wrong, though the promise of a drink cheers him up). The group leaves the airport and heads for home, and Ted seems to accept the fact he is probably never going to escape Craggy Island.
Ending
The episode was always intended to be the last Father TedFather Ted
Father Ted is a comedy series set in Ireland that was produced by Hat Trick Productions for British broadcaster Channel 4. Written jointly by Irish writers Arthur Mathews and Graham Linehan and starring a predominantly Irish cast, it originally aired over three series from 21 April 1995 until 1 May...
— indeed, in the original script the last scene was to be set at the 'It's Still Great Being a Priest' with Father Kevin once again on the window ledge and once again Ted arrives on the ledge, except this time it's not to stop him from jumping but to join him, because he was depressed that the intended trip to America fell through and he would have to stay on Craggy Island forever. This ending was abandoned in favour of a montage of clips from all three series of the show, because Ted himself — the actor Dermot Morgan
Dermot Morgan
Dermot John Morgan was an Irish comedian, actor and former schoolteacher, who achieved international renown for his roles as Father Ted Crilly in the Channel 4 sitcom Father Ted and a strip club MC in Taffin....
— died the day after filming on the series was concluded. In addition, the writers didn't think that their original ending was very funny.
Montage clips
A clip is shown from each episode, in reverse order of airdate.- Mrs Doyle fainting (“Night of the Nearly DeadNight of the Nearly Dead"Night of the Nearly Dead" is the seventh episode of the third and final series of the Channel 4 sitcom Father Ted. The episode's title and some of the scenes are a parody on the movie Night of the Living Dead.- Synopsis :...
”) - Ted kicking Bishop Brennan up the arse (“Kicking Bishop Brennan up the ArseKicking Bishop Brennan up the Arse"Kicking Bishop Brennan up the Arse" is the 6th episode of the third series of Channel 4 sitcom Father Ted and the 23rd episode overall.The story continues from the previous episode, "Escape from Victory".-Synopsis:...
”) - Ted shouting at the soccer team (“Escape from VictoryEscape from Victory"Escape from Victory" is the 5th episode of the third series of Channel 4 sitcom Father Ted and the 22nd episode overall.-Synopsis:Dougal returns home to find Ted searching the parochial house frantically, because he believed they've been bugged by Dick Byrne, ahead of the annual "All-Priests...
”) - A crow stealing Jack's glasses (“The MainlandThe Mainland (Father Ted)"The Mainland" is an episode of the Channel 4 sitcom Father Ted. It was first broadcast on 3 April 1998 as the fourth episode of the third series.-Synopsis:...
”) - Dougal driving the milkfloat (“Speed 3Speed 3"Speed 3" is the third episode of the third series of the Channel 4 sitcom Father Ted and the 20th episode overall. It is a parody of the films Speed and Speed 2: Cruise Control...
”) - Chris on a boat, watched by Ted and Dougal (“Chirpy Burpy Cheap SheepChirpy Burpy Cheap Sheep"Chirpy Burpy Cheap Sheep" is the second episode of the third series of the Channel 4 sitcom Father Ted.-Synopsis:Ted bets the entire heating allowance budget for the year on the King of the Sheep competition on Chris, a sheep who has won several times and is considered a sure thing. Unfortunately,...
”) - Ted inadvertently resembling Hitler (“Are You Right There, Father Ted?Are You Right There, Father Ted?"Are You Right There, Father Ted?" was the first episode of the third series of the Channel 4 television sitcom Father Ted, and the 18th episode overall.- Plot :...
”) - Mrs Doyle falling off the windowsill (“A Christmassy TedA Christmassy Ted"A Christmassy Ted" is an episode of the Channel 4 sitcom Father Ted. It is the 17th episode overall and was broadcast between the second and third series. This episode is 55 minutes long, as opposed to the usual 21-22 mins of all other Father Ted episodes...
”) - "It's me. In the nip. And a dog." (“Flight into TerrorFlight Into Terror"Flight Into Terror" is the 10th episode of the second series of Channel 4 sitcom Father Ted and the 16th episode overall.-Synopsis:The Craggy Island priests are on a plane with a large group of other such priests....
”) - Mrs Doyle showing "GO ON" flashcards to Fr Stack (“New Jack CityNew Jack City (Father Ted)"New Jack City" was the 9th episode of the second series of the Channel 4 television sitcom Father Ted.At the inaugural Ted Fest in February 2007, it was voted the best Father Ted episode.-Synopsis:...
”) - Ted injured by a cross (“Cigarettes and Alcohol and Rollerblading”)
- Imelda winning the Lovely Girls competition (“Rock-a-Hula TedRock-a-Hula Ted"Rock-a-Hula Ted", a.k.a. "Lovely Girls", is the 7th episode of the second series of Channel 4 sitcom Father Ted, and the 13th episode overall.-Synopsis:...
”) - Tom "taking care" of a toy rabbit (“The PlagueThe Plague (Father Ted)"The Plague" is the 6th episode of the second series of Channel 4 sitcom Father Ted, and the 12th episode overall.-Synopsis:The episode begins with a self-referential mock title sequence with the words "Father Ted" replaced by "Father Ben", which then cuts to Dougal sitting in front of the...
”) - Part of the music video (“Song for EuropeSong for Europe (Father Ted)"A Song For Europe" was the 5th episode of the second season of the Channel 4 television sitcom Father Ted.- Synopsis :Dougal has "Eurosong fever", months ahead of the competition. After initially rejecting Dougal's suggestion that they write a song to represent Ireland in the competition, Ted...
”) - "Picnic Area" sign hitting Ted (“The Old Grey Whistle TheftThe Old Grey Whistle Theft"Old Grey Whistle Theft" is the 4th episode of the second series of the Channel 4 sitcom Father Ted. The title is a pun on the BBC TV music show The Old Grey Whistle Test.-Synopsis:...
”) - Mrs Doyle bathes Dougal (“Tentacles of DoomTentacles of Doom"Tentacles Of Doom" is the 3rd episode of the second series of Channel 4 sitcom Father Ted and the 9th episode overall.-Synopsis:The episode begins with Dougal reading a book of 'Gary Lineker's Book of Ghost Stories', supposedly too scary to complete - followed by a discussion with Ted on ghost...
”) - The Dancing Priest (“Think Fast, Father TedThink Fast, Father Ted"Think Fast, Father Ted" is the second episode of the second series of the Channel 4 sitcom Father Ted. The title is a play on the novel Think Fast, Mr. Moto by John P. Marquand, and the film of the same title starring Peter Lorre....
”) - Ted, Jack and Dougal in the wrong caravan (“HellHell (Father Ted)"Hell" is the first episode of the second series of Channel 4 sitcom Father Ted, and the only episode that is longer than the other episodes and the 7th episode overall...
”) - The Monkey Priest throwing books around (“Grant unto Him Eternal RestGrant unto Him Eternal RestGrant Unto Him Eternal Rest was the pilot episode of the Channel 4 sitcom Father Ted. It was, however, the sixth to be aired, the last of the first series. The parochial house interior is decorated differently to other episodes, and Dougal swears which is out of character compared to other...
”) - Ted being shocked by Polly's tale (“And God Created WomanAnd God Created Woman (Father Ted)"And God Created Woman" is the 5th episode of the Channel 4 sitcom Father Ted. It is named after the 1956 film And God Created Woman.-Synopsis:...
”) - The Third Age of Elvis (“Competition Time”)
- "Down With This Sort Of Thing" and "Careful Now" (“The Passion of St TibulusThe Passion of St Tibulus"The Passion of St Tibulus" is the 3rd episode of Channel 4 sitcom Father Ted.-Synopsis:Father Hernandez, from Cuba, is staying on Craggy Island...
”) - Fr Stone on the toilet, Ted in the bath (“Entertaining Father StoneEntertaining Father Stone"Entertaining Father Stone" is the 2nd episode of Channel 4 sitcom Father Ted.Arthur Mathews introduces this episode by stating that the idea for Father Stone came from a 'friend' of a friend who stayed with the friend for his holidays and used to cheat at golf. This person had the ability to...
”) - Ted on the 'Crane of Death' (“Good Luck, Father TedGood Luck, Father Ted"Good Luck, Father Ted" is the first episode to be aired of the Channel 4 sitcom Father Ted.-Synopsis:A producer from a Telly Éireann television programme, Faith of our Fathers, phones the parochial house offering to interview Ted for an episode about priests who work in remote areas...
”)
The final shot is an exterior view of the parochial house. Ted and Dougal say goodnight to each other.
Production notes
- This episode does not contain a credits sequence at the end, as it is replaced by the clips montage. The episode's guest cast is listed alongside MorganDermot MorganDermot John Morgan was an Irish comedian, actor and former schoolteacher, who achieved international renown for his roles as Father Ted Crilly in the Channel 4 sitcom Father Ted and a strip club MC in Taffin....
, O'HanlonArdal O'HanlonArdal O'Hanlon is an Irish comedian and actor, best known for his roles in television sitcoms as Father Dougal McGuire in Father Ted and George Sunday in My Hero.-Early life:...
, KellyFrank KellyFrank Kelly is an Irish actor, singer and writer, whose career has covered television, radio, theatre, music, screenwriting and film. He is best known for his role as Father Jack Hackett in the comedy Father Ted. He is the son of the cartoonist Charles E...
and McLynnPauline McLynnPauline McLynn is an Irish actress, comedienne and author, best known for playing Mrs Doyle in the Channel 4 sitcom Father Ted, and Libby Croker in the Channel 4 comedy drama Shameless.- Early life :...
in the opening credits.
Trivia
- Father Kevin is cured of his depression by listening to "Theme from ShaftTheme from Shaft"Theme from Shaft", written and recorded by Isaac Hayes in 1971, is the soul and funk-styled theme song to the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film, Shaft...
" by Isaac HayesIsaac HayesIsaac Lee Hayes, Jr. was an American songwriter, musician, singer and actor. Hayes was one of the creative influences behind the southern soul music label Stax Records, where he served both as an in-house songwriter and as a record producer, teaming with his partner David Porter during the...
, before falling back into depression by the song "Exit Music (For a Film)Exit Music (For a Film)"Exit Music " is a song by Radiohead, written specifically for the ending credits of the 1996 film William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet. Although not included on either of the two soundtrack albums at the request of Thom Yorke, the song appears on the band's highly acclaimed third album, OK...
" by RadioheadRadioheadRadiohead are an English rock band from Abingdon, Oxfordshire, formed in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke , Jonny Greenwood , Ed O'Brien , Colin Greenwood and Phil Selway .Radiohead released their debut single "Creep" in 1992...
. - Brian EnoBrian EnoBrian Peter George St. John le Baptiste de la Salle Eno , commonly known as Brian Eno or simply as Eno , is an English musician, composer, record producer, singer and visual artist, known as one of the principal innovators of ambient music.Eno studied at Colchester Institute art school in Essex,...
appears in the episode as Father Brian Eno. - This episode references Seinfeld, when Ted is describing a fictional movie with Harrison Ford in it to Dougal. His description matches that of the movie Firestorm in Seinfeld.