Editing Father Ted (section)

===Musical===
In an interview with ''[[Radio Times]]'' in January 2015, Linehan said that he wanted to revive ''Father Ted'' as a musical stage production. He stated that he would never revive the television series, "because of the risk you poison people's memories of the original", but that the completely new format would make the project worthwhile. He mentioned the possibility of a dance number with "spinning cardinals". He said that the musical would have to reference the [[Roman Catholic Church sexual abuse scandal in Ireland|Catholic child abuse scandals]], saying, "The jokes would have to have a little bit more edge, because you just can't ignore this stuff." Mathews was "not as convinced" of the musical idea, though Linehan insisted it could work.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2015-01-05/father-ted-the-musical-is-a-heavenly-idea-says-graham-linehan|title=Father Ted the musical is a heavenly idea says Graham Linehan|last=Dowell|first=Ben|magazine=[[Radio Times]]|date=5 January 2015|access-date=6 January 2015}}</ref>

In December, Mathews said that he and Paul Woodfull were developing a [[Joshua Trio]] musical and a show focusing on a "[[Michael Cleary (priest)|Father Michael Cleary]]-type character", and that the ''Father Ted'' musical may follow. He expressed concerns that it would "dilute the product" or be seen as a "cash-in", but said that he believed there was an audience for the project.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/culture/tv-radio-web/father-ted-christmas-special-comedy-gold-the-frankly-incensed-and-mirth-1.2476180|title=Father Ted Christmas special: comedy gold, the frankly incensed and mirth|newspaper=[[The Irish Times]]|last=Doyle|first=Martin|date=26 December 2015|access-date=4 January 2016}}</ref> In April 2017, Linehan said that the musical would draw inspiration from ''[[The Book of Mormon (musical)|The Book of Mormon]]'', and would "go for the jugular ... You get all the things people loved about it, all the innocence and all the sweetness, but introduce a harder edge." Linehan also said that, being a special event, the musical would need to focus on a "world-shaking" story, possibly with Ted becoming Pope due to "some weird succession thing".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.businesspost.ie/magazine/social-animal-graham-linehan-384113|title=Social Animal: Graham Linehan|work=Business Post|last=Whyte|first=Barry J|date=9 April 2017|access-date=9 April 2017}}</ref>

In June 2018, Linehan announced that ''Pope Ted: The Father Ted Musical'' was nearing completion, with a script by Linehan and Mathews.<ref name="IrishmanAbroad251">{{cite podcast |title=Graham Linehan on his cancer journey and Father Ted - The Musical: Episode 251 |url=https://soundcloud.com/an-irishman-abroad/graham-linehan-on-his-cancer-journey-and-father-ted-the-musical-episode-251 |author=Jarlath Regan |edition=251 |date=3 July 2018 |work=[[An Irishman Abroad]] |publisher=[[SoundCloud]] |access-date=4 July 2018}}</ref> Linehan said, "It's the real final episode of ''Father Ted ...'' This was the right idea. Arthur and I have been laughing our arses off while writing it. Just like the old days."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://metro.co.uk/2018/06/02/father-ted-creator-reveals-show-turned-musical-real-final-episode-7599437/|title=Father Ted creator reveals show is being turned into a musical: 'It's the real final episode'|last=Starkey|first=Adam|newspaper=[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]]|date=2 June 2018|access-date=2 June 2018}}</ref> The [[The Divine Comedy (band)|Divine Comedy]] frontman [[Neil Hannon]], who wrote the television show's music, composed the music.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Larman |first=Alexander |date=2022-01-31 |title=Neil Hannon on the Troubles, his songs for Wonka, and why he 'can't stand' The Frog Princess today |language=en-GB |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/artists/neil-hannon-troubles-songs-wonka-cant-stand-frog-princess-today/ |access-date=2022-05-22 |issn=0307-1235}}</ref>

In March 2022, Linehan said the musical had been cancelled by producers following the controversy over [[Graham Linehan#Anti-transgender activism|his public statements about transgender rights]]. He said that the musical was "ready to go", with a completed story and songs, but "just because a group of people have decided that anybody who speaks up against this ideology is evil, [the producers have] just kind of rolled over for those people. No one is standing up for me."<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2022-03-25 |title=''Father Ted'' musical axed following Graham Linehan's controversial views |url=https://www.nme.com/news/tv/father-ted-musical-axed-following-graham-linehans-controversial-views-3190721 |access-date=2022-03-25 |website=[[NME]] |language=en-GB}}</ref> Hannon, a longtime friend of Linehan's, said the project was difficult and said about the controversy around Linehan: "It's been difficult to watch what's happened. I believe in free speech, but I also very much believe in people's perfect right to remain completely silent on issues that they don't feel they can speak on. And that's all I want to say about it."<ref name=":1" />

In December 2020, Linehan said he was seeking legal advice regarding [[Hat Trick Productions]] who he argued were preventing the musical from going into production owing to ''"activists"'' within the company.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=Glinner|number=1606266626587774977|title=It is sadly being sat on by activists within Hat Trick. Am being forced to take legal advice}}</ref>