Father Ted has recently been subjected to a trigger warning, becoming one of the latest shows to face scrutiny from TV executives

Father Ted creator Graham Linehan discusses comedy writing

Father Ted has become the latest sitcom to be slapped with a trigger warning by Channel 4.

The beloved television series has recently been scrutinised as the channel’s streaming service has introduced a disclaimer for one of its episodes.

The 1998 installment titled “Are You Right There, Father Ted” has sparked concerns that its content may potentially upset viewers, particularly due to its use of language and instances of racial impersonation.

In this episode, the character Father Ted, portrayed by the late Dermot Morgan, finds himself in a series of comedic mishaps that lead to controversy.

One notable scene involves Ted donning a lampshade on his head, which has been criticised for portraying Chinese stereotypes.

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father ted

Father Ted has added warnings over its content. (Image: GETTY)

Another segment of the episode shows Ted resembling Adolf Hitler, thanks to an unfortunate smudge on his face and his animated hand gestures.

This misunderstanding compounds the comedy of the situation, driving the narrative as Ted attempts to reassure the local community that he is not ‘a bit of a racist.’

Given the episode’s content and the ongoing discussions about representation in media, Channel 4’s decision to attach a trigger warning has been met with mixed reactions.

The warning states, “This episode was made in 1998 and contains language and racial impersonation which some viewers may find offensive.”

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father ted

The show ran for three years back in the 90’s (Image: GETTY)

The television series, which captured audiences with its unique humor and sharp social commentary, originally aired on Channel 4 for three seasons from 1995 to 1998.

Created by Graham Linehan, the show included an episode that provocatively addressed sensitive social issues.

Linehan has publicly defended this particular episode, explaining that it was crafted with the intention of shaming those who hold racist views, thereby highlighting societal prejudices.

Recent discussions surrounding this episode have sparked a significant backlash. Toby Young, the leader of the Free Speech Union, strongly criticised the decision to impose a trigger warning on it.

He articulated his concerns by stating that the language and behaviors depicted in the episode were viewed as offensive back in 1998 and that this offensiveness was precisely the point of the satire.