Derry Girls

Derry Girls is comedy gold, but its last episode was no grand finale

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Derry Girls final episode

Derry Girls finale review: Alas, the last episode overdoes it with a one hour special

By Ed Power

Derry Girls is such a beloved series Channel 4 has given it not one finale but two. Technically, Lisa McGee’s Northern Ireland comedy took its bows on Tuesday night – and on a bleak note with the sudden death of the father of Nicola Coughlan’s Clare.

But scarcely have audiences had a chance to dab away tears than it’s back for an even grander grand farewell in the form of a one-off, feature-length special (Channel 4, 9pm).

The idea is to apply a big shiny, full stop to a show that has become an unlikely juggernaut – who’d have imagined international viewers would go gaga for an ensemble chortlefest set in the final years of the Troubles?

But while Derry Girls makes an appropriate fuss of its leave-taking this is accompanied by bucketfuls of saccharine – plus a truly bizarre cameo (see below). And so, when people fondly reminisce about Derry Girls years from now, it is probable they won’t be thinking back to tonight’s sappy sign-off.

It’s 1998 and Ireland is about to vote on the Good Friday Agreement (yes, the one Brexit is doing its best to unravel). Yet for Erin (Saoirse-Monica Jackson) and friends the big occasion on the horizon is an upcoming birthday party.

Two parties in fact: to save money, Erin and cousin Orla (Louisa Harland) are throwing a joint 18th-birthday shindig. Sadly, they have clashing ideas as to what makes a killer bash. Erin wants to celebrate great female authors. Orla is keen on a monkey-themed soiree.

Uncertainty likewise stretches ahead of Sister Michael (Siobhán McSweeney), who is informed she is to be moved on from Our Lady Immaculate College. Her work is done, new challenges await, she is told.

Closer to home, chaos engulfs Erin’s parents (Tara Lynne-O’Neill and Tommy Tiernan) with the return of Cousin Eamon (Ardal O’Hanlon), a Father Dougal type whose speciality is spreading good-natured havoc.

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The Derry Girls on Great British Bake Off Is the Only Good Thing to Happen in 2020

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BY HEATHER HOGAN

Two of my top ten all-time favorite TV shows are Derry Girls and Great British Bake Off, so when Netflix dropped the holiday crossover special this week — which apparently aired in January in the UK and is why Sandi Toksvig is still bringing her gay joy to the tent — I hit play as fast as my fingers would go. I was not disappointed! In fact, I giggled so much out loud that Stacy was like, “I have never heard you giggle so much out loud in my entire life.” Which may or may not be true; 2020 has been stingy with the laughs. The episode features Saoirse-Monica Jackson (Erin), Nicola Coughlan (wee lesbian Clare), Jamie-Lee O’Donnell (Michelle), Siobhan McSweeney (Sister Michael), and Dylan Llewellyn (James), and they play off each other in real life as well as they do on the series. Siobhan McSweeney even Jim Halpert-ed the camera better than Jim Halpert himself. (Although, I guess in the UK you call it Tim Canterbury-ing the camera?)

“See, in Ireland, we love slime,” Siobhan explains when Paul and Prue say her trifle looks like an aquarium. “It’s traditional that we have slime for the New Year. So, please don’t dis the culture of my people.”

The signature trifle challenge is followed by a technical challenge of salmon and beetroot blinis and a showstopper of 3D cakes based on 3D cake based on their favorite decade. Jamie-Lee O’Donnell trying to coax a fondant Amelia Earhart to life is one of the most hysterical things I have ever witnessed. But listen, don’t just believe me. Twitter, too, has spoken!

Source: The Derry Girls on Great British Bake Off Is the Only Good Thing to Happen in 2020

Derry Girls creator may end show after third series with feature film

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DERRY GIRLS creator Lisa McGee has revealed her intention to conclude the show after three series and a feature film. 

The much-anticipated third series of the hit comedy series chronicling the exploits of a group of teenagers growing up in Derry during the Troubles in the 1990s has been delayed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. 

While the cast reunited for a special Zoom-based sketch in aid of charity earlier this year, they are still waiting to be given the green light to begin filming again. 

In the meantime, McGee has been busy working on Erin’s Diary, a new official tie-in book written from the perspective of Saoirse Monica Jackson’s character. 

Offering a deep dive into the inner workings of the show’s central character, it serves as the perfect bridge between series two and three, with fans still facing a lengthy wait for more Derry Girls. 

It could also end up being the beginning of the end for the hit show, with McGee admitting to the I Newspaper that she is keen to wrap things up after series three with a feature film. 

“I don’t want to write them beyond 18. It’s about that magic time, before you’re officially an adult,” she explained.  

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Brilliant podcast sees real Derry Girls reviewing show while reflecting on own memories

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Talking Derry Girls, a popular podcast in which three women review episodes of the hit show while reflecting on their own memories growing up in Derry in the same era, quickly garnered an army of fans– and now it’s back for season 2.

Jeanie, Marie-Louise and Pauline reviewed every episode of the first season of Channel 4’s hit sitcom, and now the trio are back with their review of the first episode of season 2– aka the fan-favourite ‘Blackboard scene’ episode.

Season 3 of Derry Girls is still a long way off, with production plans ruined thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, but with an official Derry Girls book coming out, and creator Lisa McGee dropping hints about a film, there’s plenty to keep fans of the show going.

In the meantime, you can check out the Talking Derry Girls podcast on Spotify, Apple and Acast.

Source: Brilliant podcast sees real Derry Girls reviewing show while reflecting on own memories | The Irish Post