Father Ted is a classic award-winning series, which we can’t help but love, but what if we told you that Derry Girls was better in many ways? Let’s take a look at why Derry Girls is better than Father Ted.
Derry Girls is the most successful Channel 4 series since the iconic series we all know as Father Ted, but while we all love to quote the latter from time to time and share the series with those who haven’t yet seen it, we might have to admit that Derry Girls is better.
Set around the final years of Troubles in 1990s Northern Ireland, Derry Girls follows a group of friends who navigate life and its typical teen situations while living in a world which was less than peaceful, and this might be why many of us are drawn to the show more than Father Ted.
But what do you think? Here are the top five reasons why Derry Girls is better than Father Ted.
5. It’s more relatable – priesthood versus the Troubles
Okay, so while we can all probably agree that many of the Irish ways portrayed in Father Ted are relatable to a certain extent, we can also probably agree that Derry Girls is more relatable.
Firstly, it is based around the final years of The Troubles in the 1990s, when life in Northern Ireland was far from perfect.
However, many people experienced life during this time, making it one of the reasons why Derry Girls is better than Father Ted, and each episode brings a sense of empathy.
4. City life – there is more going on
While Father Ted was based off the coast of Ireland on the fictional Craggy Island, Derry Girls is based – well, you guessed it – in Derry! The series was, in fact, based on the upbringing of the director herself, and there are many elements of nostalgia in each episode.
Island life is very different to city life, which we can see from both series. With so much going on in and around Derry, this is what kept us entertained the most.
3. The characters – the ones who make the show entertaining
Could it possibly be because our beloved Derry show has become so popular that the lead characters are downright hilarious and engaging? We think so. The first series alone became the most-watched series in Northern Ireland since records began in 2002,
Erin, Orla, Michelle, Clare – these characters are just one reason why this is such a popular show. It also includes more roles than Father Ted, where many characters are based around the parish or the Craggy Island community.
2. The soundtrack – it’s all about the music
Yes, one of the main reasons why Derry Girls is better than Father Ted is the catchy soundtrack, which features many Irish classics throughout and even features The Cranberries ‘Dreams’ as the ending theme song.
In comparison, Father Ted offers us instrumental tunes, which perfectly fit the show and what it is all about, yet it is not catchy like those of Derry Girls. We all know that music is a big part of the show’s personality, and the music draws us right into the era it surrounds.
1. The humour – a perfect portrayal of Derry
Of course, the humour makes both of these shows popular to watch since we all love to laugh at relatable themes, yet the humour in both series differs significantly.
In Father Ted, you can expect low-brow humour, while in the other show, you have a very bold sense of humour with plenty of direct and rude lines.
While the jokes and themes of the Craggy Island classic are absolutely iconic, you have to admit that the humour of Derry Girls is bracingly unsentimental and controversial at times and incorporates politics with typical teenage comedy, which is the perfect balance.
So, if you thought you might not like Derry Girls because there is no way it would ever live up to Ted and Dougal’s standards, you might as well give it a watch since it is one of the top series for a reason.
Derry Girls has the perfect balance to make it one of the best comedies to date, featuring hilarious comedic situations, aspects of typical teenage life and the realities of a prominent political situation.
