Graham Linehan

Graham Linehan (born 1969) is an Irish television writer and director who, often in partnership with Arthur Mathews, has written or co-written a number of popular television comedies. He is most noted for his involvement in "Father Ted".

Personal life

He attended the Marist Catholic University School (secondary) on lower Leeson street in Dublin and graduated in 1986. Following that, he attended Plunkett's School in Whitehall, followed by Colaiste Dhulaigh in Coolock, before joining Hot Press as a writer. He also had a column with the magazine In Dublin before he moved to London, England.

Career

Linehan hooked up with Mathews, whom he had worked alongside at Irish Rock Music magazine Hot Press. In their early collaborations they were responsible for segments in many high profile sketch shows including "Alas Smith and Jones", "Harry Enfield and Chums", "The All New Alexei Sayle Show" and the Ted & Ralph characters in "The Fast Show" (the characters were created by Linehan and Mathews and played by Charlie Higson and Paul Whitehouse).

However, it was with "Father Ted" (three series, 1995-1998) that Linehan and Mathews made their biggest splash on the public imagination. [ [http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/newsfeatures/1996/0425/archive.96042500102.html Review of "Father Ted"] Mary Cummins, "Irish Times", 25 April 1996 ] [ [http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/weekend/1998/0502/archive.98050200230.html Life After Ted] Deirdre Falvey, "Irish Times", 2 May 1998 ] [ [http://www.rte.ie/news/2007/0121/ted.html Aran Islands in Father Ted Row] RTE News, 21 January 2007 ]

They then wrote the first series of the sketch show "Big Train", but Linehan bowed out for the second series.

They also wrote the "Dearth of A Salesman" episode for the series "Coogan's Run", which featured the character Gareth Cheeseman. In late 2003, they were named one of the 50 funniest acts to work in television by "The Observer". [ [http://www.guardian.co.uk/arts/features/story/0,11710,1101525,00.html The A-Z of laughter] The Observer, 7 December 2003]

Linehan has since written for other shows, including "Brass Eye". With Dylan Moran, he co-wrote the first series of "Black Books", a series to which Mathews also contributed. Linehan has also contributed material to "Blue Jam", and its television adaption "Jam".

Most recently, Linehan wrote and directed the 2006 Channel 4 sitcom "The IT Crowd", in which he sought to move away from the recent British trend towards mock-documentary comedies, and to return to an old-fashioned style of sitcom, filmed before a studio audience. [ [http://www.sitcom.co.uk/it_crowd/interview.shtml Interview with Linehan] British SitCom Guide, 2006] [ [http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/weekend/2006/0121/1292402055WK21ITCROWD.html Have You Tried Turning It Off and On Again?] Brian Boyd, "Irish Times", 21 January 2006 ]

Books

Linehan and Mathews have had one book published:

* "Father Ted": The Complete Scripts -- Graham Linehan, Arthur Mathews. (Paperback - Boxtree - October 20, 2000) ISBN 0-7522-7235-7

They have also contributed to various magazines and written surreal liner notes for the popular "Volume" series of alternative music compilations.

Directing

Linehan has directed the following television shows:

* Twelve episodes of "The IT Crowd", 2006-7
* One episode of "Little Britain", 2003
* Six episodes of "Black Books", 2000
* Six episodes of "Big Train", 1998
* Eight episodes of "Father Ted", 1997

Lineham made his debut in directing films with the comedy horror short "Hello Friend", which he also co-wrote. This film appears an extra on "The IT Crowd: Version 1.0" DVD. [cite video|people=Graham Linehan|title=The IT Crowd: Version 1.0|publisher=TalkbackThames and 2entertain|medium=TV-series|date=2006-11-13]

He was also an executive producer of the first series of "The IT Crowd", and an associate producer of one episode of "Father Ted".

Television Appearances

Both Linehan and Mathews have made cameo appearances in programmes they have written. They also made an appearance in the sitcom "I'm Alan Partridge" as two Irish men considering Alan Partridge (Steve Coogan) for a contract.

Linehan has also appeared in The Day Today and in two episodes of "Garth Marenghi's Darkplace", and has had cameos in "Black Books" (Season One Episode 2, as "I love books" Guy, and 5 as Fast Food Customer), the "Flight Into Terror", "Entertaining Father Stone", "Cigarettes, Alcohol and Rollerblading" and "Good Luck Father Ted" episodes of "Father Ted" and two episodes of "The IT Crowd" as Messy Joe's Restaurant Musician in Season One, Episode 3 and the blind sorcerer in Season Two, Episode 6.

References

External links

* [http://www.pfd.co.uk/clients/linehang/f-fwd.html Graham Linehan's CV]
* [http://www.channel4.com/itcrowd The I.T. Crowd] Official Channel 4 minisite.
* [http://whythatsdelightful.wordpress.com/ Graham Linehan's Wordpress (blog)]
*Screenonline name|id=1205698|name=Graham Linehan