Ep 5. A Song for Europe

Father Ted is a British sitcom that revolves around three priests and their misadventures on Craggy Island, a remote Irish island. In the second season's fifth episode, titled "A Song for Europe," Ted and Dougal get embroiled in a music competition to represent Ireland at the Eurovision Song Contest.

The story begins with Ted and Dougal glued to the TV screen as they watch a national singing competition to select the country's entry for the Eurovision. Ted is unimpressed with the performances, and Dougal reminds him that they had entered the competition the previous year, but didn't get beyond the first round. Ted dismisses the idea of entering the competition this year, suggesting that the local milkman would have a better chance. However, Mrs. Doyle, the housekeeper, points out that Ted was a great singer in his youth, and that they should consider entering the competition again.

Ted agrees, and they begin to prepare their bid for Eurovision glory. Dougal comes up with an idea for a song that incorporates famous European landmarks, but Ted is not impressed. They eventually settle on a tune called "My Lovely Horse," a cheesy ballad that Dougal had written years ago.

With their song ready, Ted and Dougal head to the qualifying heat, where they are up against fierce competition. The acts include a group of dancing priests, a country and western singer, and an aging crooner who dresses like a chicken. Ted and Dougal are confident that they will breeze through the competition, but things don't go as planned.

Their performance is a disaster; Ted's guitar goes out of tune, Dougal's keyboard breaks, and they forget the lyrics midway. The judges are unimpressed, and they fail to qualify for the Eurovision Song Contest. Ted and Dougal are devastated, and they blame each other for the debacle.

Later, as they wallow in self-pity, they receive a surprise visitor. It's Father Noel Furlong, a former rival of Ted's who had entered the Eurovision Song Contest the previous year. He had been disqualified for cheating, but he tells Ted and Dougal that he has come to help them win the competition. He claims to have a foolproof plan to rig the votes in their favor, and he asks for their help.

Initially hesitant, Ted and Dougal eventually agree, and they hatch a plan to fix the results. They rush to the event, determined to win at any cost. However, things don't go according to plan, and they end up getting caught in a web of deceit and duplicity.

What follows is a hilarious sequence of events, as Ted and Dougal try to outsmart their opponents and avoid getting caught by the authorities. With the help of Father Furlong, they devise a scheme to rig the votes, but things get out of control, and chaos ensues.

The episode is a classic example of the irreverent humor that made Father Ted a cult hit. It pokes fun at the absurdity of the Eurovision Song Contest and the lengths people will go to win it. At the same time, it showcases the brilliant comic timing of the show's cast, including Dermot Morgan (Father Ted), Ardal O'Hanlon (Father Dougal), and Graham Norton (Father Noel Furlong).

Overall, "A Song for Europe" is a must-watch episode of Father Ted that will leave you in stitches. Whether you are a fan of the show or not, it's a hilarious and entertaining 30 minutes of television that is sure to put a smile on your face.