Picnic on Craggy Island: The Surreal Joys of Producing Father Ted

by Lissa Evans

A nostalgic, warm-hearted memoir from one of the producers of the cult-hit TV show Father Ted.

'What a treat - it brought the whole experience flooding back. A feast for fans of the show or indeed anyone interested in the creative chaos of making television' Graham Norton

Three decades after it first appeared on screen, Father Ted is still cherished, quoted and endlessly re-watched. Its beloved main characters, unforgettable lines and extraordinary visual jokes have given birth to a thousand gifs and t-shirts and a million catchphrases.

Unforgettable to watch, it was also unforgettable to work on. Lissa Evans, as producer of the second and third series, spent three years hovering anxiously over every moment, from the first glimpse of script to the last revolution of a runaway milk-float round a specially-built plywood roundabout. There was no ‘average Father Ted episode’ – each of them was stuffed with challenges; endless rain, lustful rabbits, clerics crashing through windows, sheep doubles, collapsing crosses and a never-ending stream of eccentric priests – and the work that went into its creation was often nearly as bizarre as what was happening on screen.

Picnic on Craggy Island is a hugely affectionate and anecdotal account of what lay behind some of those moments of comic genius – so pull on your kagoule, spread out your blanket, unwrap the sandwiches (they’re all egg) and enjoy the picnic…

Genres: Nonfiction, Tv

160 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 20, 2025

About the author

After a brief career in medicine, and an even briefer one in stand-up, Lissa Evans became a comedy producer, first in radio and then in television. Her first novel, Spencer's List, was published in 2002, and since then she has written three more books for adults (two of them longlisted for the Orange/Baileys Prize) and two for children (the first of them shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal). Her two most recent books for adults were set in London during the Second World War; one of them, 'Their Finest Hour and a Half' has now been made into a film entitled 'Their Finest', starring Gemma Arterton, Sam Claflin and Bill Nighy

Reviews

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amongst my personal TV favourites, Father Ted probably competes with Blackadder (or more precisely, Blackadder II, III and IV) as my choice of TV comedy show. Actually the two series are similar in the sense they both share a format in which the title character is a kind of straight man surrounded by a group of the most ridiculously exaggerated characters imaginable. Obviously the format appeals to me! When I saw there was a new book about the series I had to grab a download.

The author was the show’s producer and as she says herself, “This is not a comprehensive study of Father Ted, it’s a book of bits and pieces from my own memories of the series.” Truth be told I found it a little thin. It still brought back some memories for me though, as a fan. The book opens with a piece about one of my favourite episodes, Hell, in which the 3 priests go on holiday to a tiny caravan, which it turns out has been double-booked by the hyper-enthusiastic Fr. Noel Furlong, played by Graham Norton. Just seeing the title of the chapter started me laughing again.

There a few interesting snippets, such as for the episode Rock-a-Hula Ted, which features a Sinead O’Connor parody figure called Niamh Connolly. The author tells us how for Connolly’s character, they wanted an actor who looked like a bona fide pop star, and who should turn up at the audition but Clare Grogan, who didn’t just look like a bona fide pop star – she was one. I also had a laugh at the problems they had with filming outside scenes, with passers-by ruining scenes by shouting out Father’s Jack’s notorious one word exclamations.

Definitely one for fans of the show, but I can’t give less than fours stars to anything that’s associated with Father Ted. I mean, who wouldn’t love a show that has an episode entitled “Kicking Bishop Brennan Up the Arse”!

[Richard Howard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Father Ted is the funniest sitcom of all time. At least, it is to me. And it's always funny; I must have watched each episode at least five times and yet, every time, each reduces me to hysterics. I once taught a very reserved, quite timid student who shared my love for Ted. After the episode 'Song For Europe' was broadcast she greeted me, as she entered the classroom, with 'We've got to lose that sax solo!' As we were both reduced to jellies of laughter the rest of the class just looked on amazed. "What's so funny?" 'It's an episode of Father Ted.' "But that's just stupid!" You either get Ted or you don't but, if you do, this slim volume will have you in nostalgic fits of laughter, as you relive each scene. I treated myself to a birthday treat of a 'Father Ted Tour' in County Clare, complete with tea at the parochial house. This wonderful memoire brings each location back to life. Father Ted is the funniest sitcom of all time. It just is.

[Nigel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great, but too short

Only for Ted fans I suppose, but isn’t everyone?
I could have done with many more pages (and more episodes).
Funny.

[Edel Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a delight. My only complaint is that it’s not four times longer.

[Barkingstars · Rating 4 out of 5]

I grew up the child of Irish parents in London so consequently went to a Roman Catholic school and was surrounded by Irish people and culture. Father Ted could have been designed in a laboratory for people like me and my friends. It had a huge impact on me, and I still thinks it’s one of the funniest sitcoms.

Lissa Evans has written her recollections of her time as producer of series 2 and 3 of Father Ted. Some people are critical of how short this book is but I think that’s misguided. It is short and pithy because it’s funnier that way. I think a less experienced writer (and someone who knows less about comedy) might have dragged this out and killed all the fun, but she gets this exactly right. Maybe someone else can do the very detailed in depth analysis of Father Ted (although I seem to recall that Linehan’s DVD commentaries are very detailed and quite funny if that’s what you are after).

[Rachel N · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Lissa Evans’ books and I loved Father Ted so this was always going to be right up my street and it didn’t disappoint. Evans was a producer on Father Ted and has a mass of brilliant stories from behind the scenes. She also has a wonderfully warm style of writing so this feels more like sitting over a coffee or a drink and hearing her tell them and I loved it. Father Ted is such a classic comedy and a conversation about it in my house invariably leads to an endless stream of favourite quotes so it’s great to learn more about the actors and the process of creating the series before I go right back to the start and watch them all again!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy in return for an honest review.

[Dave Morris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm always interested in behind-the-scenes looks at how TV shows, movies and comic books have been produced. This has the additional benefit of being by Lissa Evans, whose historical novels are always well-written. The snag is that it's a very short book, culled together from near-PechaKucha style talks Evans gave at Father Ted conventions. If, like me, you haven't seen the episodes for thirty years then you'll hardly have a clue what's going on. So this is probably an excellent book for hardcore fans of the show, who will be very familiar with all the details of what happened in each episode, but it doesn't really work for the casual viewer.

[Fiona Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this delightful book whilst sat in A&E at a local hospital, worrying that I had had a heart attack - I hadn't...but this book helped me escape from my worry whilst NHS staff looked after me extremely well. If you love Father Ted, as I do, then you will really love this book. It is as testimony about those involved and honours them with a funny and moving insight into the process of putting together such a show from a producer's perspective. Lissa Evans is a great storyteller (read her novels!) and she brings that sense of narrative and pace to this book. It's a great tribute and I feel there must be more stories to tell...but perhaps they cannot be safely published. Highly recommend this book.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lissa Evans's collection of anecdotes and memories of her time working as a producer on Father Ted is sweet and nostalgic.

The chapters are broken down by episode (series 2 and 3, and A Christmassy Ted, as she didn't produce the first series). There are production and behind-the-scenes photos, which were lovely to see, and plenty of trivia and things I didn't know about the production, cast and crew.

I wish the book had been longer, but that's just me being greedy. It's given me a great excuse to go and re-watch Father Ted (as if I needed one) to look out for some of the moments mentioned in the book.

[Austin Comerton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lissa Evans gives a behind the scenes glimpse to the organized chaos that was Father Ted. To read the backstory and have to laugh out loud, is an indication of the hilarity that must have been on set during the recordings.
After reading the book, I watched some of the episodes that Lissa referred to and could appreciate the genius of the script and scene even more.

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read the hardback copy after an event at Faversham Literary Festival. A small book, but full of stories about a great series that holds a special place in my heart. Lissa Evans herself was a great speaker - articulate and funny.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant - a book that's a great read in one go or by chapter. I had read Lissa's novels but had no idea she had worked on Ted, so it was interesting to read so many anecdotes about the filming, the locations and the people involved.

[Bill M · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was awesome, I only wish it was longer.

[Kexx · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read in the Bookshop whilst having coffee and a cake. It is that short. Fun though, light and frothy, if you like the TV series Father Ted.

[Alison Brownlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just like the TV show it was brilliant and I was left wanting more.

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick read but very funny and recommended for all fans of the show

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

WAY too short

[Esther · Rating 5 out of 5]

Get up to date Goodreads - no cover image (*update, I see its now been added months after publication). Gawooon, gawoon, gawoon - to be sure you'll be reading this nice little book. Some cracking behind the scenes stuff. Setting up the scene in which Ted is chased by three giant peanuts in a field, a passing lorry driver winds down his window spotting over the stone wall only the sight of giant peanuts running - 'You'll be shooting Ted then'.