Killinaskully
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| Killinaskully | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Comedy |
| Running time | 25 minutes per episode |
| Creator(s) | Pat Shortt |
| Starring | Pat Shortt Louis Lovett Páraic Breathnach Joe Rooney Pascal Scott Jack Walsh John Keogh Aoife Maloney |
| Country of origin | Ireland |
| Original channel | Radio Telefís Éireann |
| Original run | December 30, 2003–present |
| No. of episodes | 15, as of October 1, 2006 |
| IMDb profile | |
Killinaskully (Irish Ceann Scoilte, "split head") is an Irish television comedy which details the bizarre goings-on in an Irish village called Killinaskully. The village is actually a village up in the hills of Tipperary. The show's humour comes from the unusual characterisations of traditional, stereotypical rural Irish people. The show is chiefly written by and chiefly performed by the comedian, Pat Shortt.
Killinaskully was produced by Shortt's own company and was broadcast by RTÉ on Sunday nights in 2004. A second series of the show began on September 25, 2005. The show is filmed in the villages of Killoscully and Ballinahinch in County Tipperary, the title being a fusion of these two placenames. The first two series are now available on DVD while the third went on sale on 3 November 2006.
According to Pat Shortt's official site, as of June 2006, filming on a third series has been completed. The third series was aired between October 1 and November 5 2006. It has been anticipated that the third series may be the final one.
Contents |
[edit] Pat Shortt's Characters
[edit] Willie Power
Willie Power is the local politician, wheeler and dealer, fixer and chairman of every committee imaginable in the tiny village. A master stroke-puller, he is capable of turning any situation to his advantage and is easily excitable when someone tries to oppose him, particularly his arch-rival Larry Cummins.
[edit] Dan Clancy
Dan Clancy is an almost permanent fixture in Jacksie's Bar, the local public house. Clancy is the local authority on all things, knowing everything about everything (though most of it is inaccurate). He boasted in the 2005 Christmas Special Episode that he had been to Jacksie's Bar "every day for the last 30 years". He is rarely shown on-screen without his trademark pint of Guinness resting in front of him. He is also involved in a regular toilet gag where he says he must 'go and sthrain the spuds'.One question that comes up is "How does Dan pay for all his Guinnes?".
[edit] Goretti
Goretti is the sexually voracious proprietress of the Mount Bernadette Bed and Breakfast. A mistress of the double entendre, she has lived alone since the mysterious disappearance of her husband, the magician Mossie The Magnificent. In her spare time she is the leader of the local power walking group.
[edit] Louis Cantwell
Mr. Cantwell is a teacher in the local school and holds a not-so-secret affection towards Miss Fahy.
[edit] Pa Conners
A Traveller with a keen eye for business. Based on Pat Shortts character of Pa Conners from his DVD "Live and A Bit Dangerous". Has a brother, also called Pa Conners. He was named after his grandfather while the other Pa was named after his father.
[edit] Other characters
[edit] Sgt. Dick O'Toole
Played by Pascal Scott, O'Toole is the local member of the Garda Síochána. He presides over a garda station, which is part betting office and part hardware store and will never meet a member of the public without trying to sell them something. A good friend and co-conspirator of Willie Power.
[edit] Jacksie Walsh
Jacksie Walsh, played by Páraic Breathnach, is the very grumpy proprietor of An Bonnán Buí (Irish for "The Curlew") and spends his days indulging Dan Clancy, Timmy Higgins and Jimmy Bourke, without whom he would long since be redundant. Strictly a stout beer and whiskey man he has little time for people who order what he would consider women's drinks.
[edit] Jimmy Bourke
Bourke, played by Jack Walsh, is a mechanic by trade and is Dan Clancy's side kick. He spends most of his day in the local pub where he delights in hearing Dan’s stories.
[edit] Timmy Higgins
Timmy Higgins, played by Joe Rooney, is another one of Dan Clancy's side kicks who spends most of his time in the pub. He is more often than not the butt of Dan and Jimmy's gibes and is frequently refereed to by his two drinking buddies as a liúdar‚ through a succession of daft questions and observations.
[edit] Miss Catherine Fahy
Local Primary school teacher. The object of Louis Cantwell's affections but she is engaged to Dieter.
[edit] Dieter Langer
Dieter Langer, played by Louis Lovett, is a German film maker turned cheese vendor,( whose cheese has caused some very strange dreams) who originally came to Killinaskully to make a TV documentary but the tragic squashing of his equipment, coupled with his growing love for Miss Fahy, the local teacher, have meant that he is in the village for the long haul. Still trying to come to terms with the strange ways of the locals, Dieter's desire to fit in is somewhat hampered by his innate belief in the importance of being earnest.
[edit] Fr. Philip Eno
Played by John Keogh, Fr. Philip is an amiable type who just wants people to get along. His name sounds like "Filipino", which caused confusion prior to his arrival.
[edit] Larry Cummins
Larry, played by Gerry Walsh, is a local politician with a consistent record: 1 vote at every council election. He is always seeking to put one over on Willie Power.
[edit] The Widow Gilhooley
Played by Maria McDermottroe, Mrs. Gilhooley is a stern woman who is "not, I repeat NOT in the habit of repeating" herself.
[edit] Episode List: Series One (2003-2004)
Episode 1: The German Fillum/Slow Through Killinaskully
An air of excitement descends on Killinaskully with the arrival of a German film crew intent on making a documentary about rural Irish life. there is an unusual twist as the film crews patience reaches the end of its teather.
Episode 2: The Date
Romance is in the air as German filmmaker Dieter Langer and headmaster Mr. Cantwell clash, as they both vie for the affections of the teacher Miss Fahy.
Episode 3: The New Priest
There is a new resident in Killinaskully, the new parish priest. However, the residents faith is put to the test when the new cleric turns out to be a little more exotic than they're used to.
Episode 4: The Sign
There is sad news in the village as everyone believes that Timmy Higgins' demise is imminent. A trip to his beloved "Spudworld" is hastily planned but, as Timmy heads for the airport, the terrible truth emerges.
Episode 5: The Pitch
Killinaskully Gaelic Athletic Association club have been using "the pitch" for as long as anyone can remember, so, when the widow Gilhooley puts it up for auction they are confident it will be theirs. That is until a flamboyant American swaggers into town. The episode is a parody of the film The Field, based on the play written by John B. Keane.
Episode 6: The Funeral
Killinaskully is in festive mood as it prepares for the funeral of one of its most famous sons, showjumper Jumpin' Jerry Houlihan. Preparations for an extravagant burial are thrown into disarray with news that Jumpin' Jerry has already been cremated. Things get a little embarrassing when the great man's ashes disappear and it's left to Jimmy Magee to restore the village pride.
Christmas Special I: The Nativity
Dan, Jimmy and Timmy endeavour to do their Christmas shopping in a rival town. Meanwhile a couple (including an expectant mother) arrive in Killinaskully and seek a place to stay...
[edit] Episode List: Series Two (2005)
Episode 1: The Election
Killinaskully is gripped with election fever as the local elections take place. Councillor Willie Power is expected to hold his seat, however, he is challenged by Dieter Langer of the Green Party. Meanwhile chaos ensues in Jacksie's when his niece takes pink Snacks off the menu.
Episode 2: The Dogs
The whole town stands to make a fortune when Jimmy nobbles Willie's greyhound and drives his price up for a big race. Only divine intervention can put the dog off his stride. Meanwhile, Dieter attempts to pop the question to Miss Fahy.
Episode 3: The Visit
A visit from a dim-witted U.S. president claiming local roots fills the Killinaskullians with excitement. But when the town is taken over by Secret Service agents, only Dan, Killinaskully's own spin master, can put the president in his place.
Episode 4: The Night Out
While nurse Moloney tries to whip Timmy into shape, the wedding of the year is put on hold after Dieter is found in a compromising position in the ladies' toilet. Despite the best efforts of Cantwell to take advantage of the situation and Miss Fahy, a romantic gesture of Hollywood proportions saves the day.
Episode 5: The Ad
Dan gets more than he bargained for when he places an ad in the lonely hearts page of the Gazette, while Jacksie and Fr. Philip go head to head over the contraption in the Gents.
Episode 6: The Play
Killinaskully is poised to take on arch enemy, Bally, in the second Annual One-Act Drama Festival. It's been fifty years since the first one so all eyes are on Dan as he thatches the set of The Priest And The Pot ‘o Soup but, it being Halloween, there might be a scary outcome.
Christmas Special II: A Killinaskully Christmas Carol
Dan is visited by three ghosts on Christmas night who help him discover the true meaning of the season.
Behind The Scenes At Killinaskully
A making-of feature on the second season, broadcast in December.
[edit] Episode List: Series Three (2006)
Episode 1: The Radio Station
Killinaskully finds its voice when KCR radio takes to the air. Dan´s Roger Whitaker albums are a big hit and Goretti tries to spread some romance with her phone-in show. But will the station coax people away from Jacksie´s as Fr. Philip intended? Probably not.
Episode 2: The Sports Day
Episode 3: The School Year
When Miss Fahey dissapears there is chaos at the school. Willy struggles to get a new principal before the school inspector arrives.
Episode 4: The Driving Test
When Dan refuses to tell any of the sexiest remarks that he has ever made about female drivers, all the women in the village go on strike. Meanwhile Timmy has a fantasy.
Episode 5 - The Cheese Dreams
It's Hallowe'en and Dieter decides to try out some new cheese on the unsuspecting Killinaskullians. With Merry Men, Zombies and a visit to the ER, Dieter's gastronomic episode turns into a bit of a nightmare ... or two ... or three.
Episode 6 - The Lifeboat
When a leak is sprung in the roof of the community hall, Willy Power decides to use the EEC lifeboat money to fix it. Chaos can only ensue when an inspector visits wishing to see the lifeboat... elsewhere Goretti discovers the delights of trampolining.
[edit] Critique
Killinaskully has been criticised in much the same way other Pat Shortt creations have; the characters have little depth and generally play on the same traits as one another, i.e. the mannerisms of country folk etc. In the case of Killinaskully, this is vividly seen in series two. Series one was successful as it introduced various witty characters and most Irish people felt they knew somebody somewhere (most likely in a small rural village) who was similar to one or more of the characters in Killinaskully. However, during series two it had become apparent the lack of depth to characters; Shortt seemed to have run out of country stereotypes on which to play, and the characters had lost their original quality. The country stereotype became worn out as the characters pursued ever more crazy means to be funny, thus the quality of the show has suffered.
[edit] Trivia
- In Series Three: Episode 6 'The Lifeboat', it is revealed that Killinaskully is 73 miles from the sea while neighbouring Bally is 83 miles from the coast.
