Brendan O’Carroll reveals future of Mrs Brown’s Boys after plummeting ratings and calls for BBC comedy to be axed
BRENDAN O’Carroll reveals the future of Mrs Brown’s Boys after the show’s viewing figures plummet and fans ask for the BBC comedy to be axed.
The show is centred on the loud-mouthed Irish matriarch Agnes, played by Brendan, whose favorite pastime is meddling in the lives of her six children.
It has enjoyed a long tv run with five seasons and 12 festive specials since debuting in 2011.
In 2013, the show’s first Christmas special was watched by 11.5 million viewers but figures have dropped since then.
By 2020, the Christmas episode only gathered a viewing figures of 3.8 million, and failed to reach the top 10 rated shows on Christmas Day.
This year, its twelfth Christmas Day special only managed to pull in 2.2 million viewers – a huge slump since its debut reports The Mirror.
Mrs Brown’s Boys has also toured across the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand, plus had multiple DVD releases of its live shows.
It has also won NTAs and BAFTAs, as well as a TV Choice Award for Best Comedy in 2024.
But after this years Christmas special, TV fans are calling for the long-running show to be axed and flocked to social media to make their feelings known.
One said: “I’m so sick of seeing Mrs Brown’s Boys on TV every single Christmas. Why would they air that s**t and take up time for good shows.”
Another added: “Whoever thinks Mrs Brown’s Boys is funny needs to give their heads a wobble. Please let it end once and for all.”
“The most idiotic show on TV throughout the past decade. I turned it on to see if it’s as bad as everyone is saying, and it was 10 times worse.” agreed another.
But despite these negative opinions, the show isn’t ending because Brendan told the Daily Star: “We are going to film another series in April and May [2025]. It’s lovely to be asked to do another one.”
The BBC‘s head of comedy, Jon Petrie, added: “Brendan has created an iconic comedy character in Agnes Brown.
“Mrs. Brown’s Boys is a BAFTA-winning comedy show and one of the BBC’s most-watched comedies ever… I’m proud to have it in the BBC Comedy stable.”
Brendon also informed The Sun TV Mag of the show’s future saying: “As long as the BBC wants the show on Christmas Day, I want to be there.”
Best BBC comedies
We look back at some of the best to ever grace the screen.
Fawlty Towers (1975-1979) – Only two series were made of the beloved institution. However, the cultural impact of the series starring John Cleese and Connie Booth spans decades. It follows rude and intolerant Basil Fawlty (Cleese) as he attempts to improve the reputation of his hotel.
Only Fools and Horses (1981-2003) – The show was crowned by some as the best British sitcom of all time by a TV poll in 2004. Seven series were broadcast on BBC until 1991 with additional sporadic Christmas specials airing until 2003. Sir David Jason starred as ambitious market trader Derek “Del Boy” Trotter whilst Nicholas Lyndhurst played his younger half-brother Rodney. Set in working-class Peckham in south-east London, it follows the highs and lows of the lives of the Trotters’, in particular their brazen attempts to get rich.
Blackadder (1983 – 1989) – Four series were made of the iconic show, created by Richard Curtis and Rowan Atkinson. Each series spans a different historical period as anti-hero Edmund Blackadder (Atkinson) tries to better himself in each society. Accompanied by his dogsbody Baldrick (Tony Robinson), trouble always ensues. A TV poll in 2004 found that Blackadder was voted the second-best British sitcom of all time
Absolutely Fabulous (1992 – 2012) – Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley star as failing PR guru Edina ‘Eddie’ Monsoon and alcoholic fashionista Patsy Stone. The pair embark on heavy-drinking sessions and abuse drugs in a desperate attempt to stay ‘hip’. Eddie constantly chases bizarre fads and fails to lose weight whilst her disappointed and neglected daughter Saffy (Julia Sawalha) looks on.
Little Britain (2003 – 2006) – The premise is simple. A sketch show which features different British people from all walks of life that are engaged in all sorts of comical scenarios. Starring Matt Lucas and David Walliams, the pair created iconic pop culture characters. Viewers loved obnoxious council estate teenager Vicky Pollard, morbidly obese scrounger Bubbles Devere, slimming coach Marjorie Dawes, despondent office worker Carol Beer, disgraced politician Sir Norman Fry, of course the iconic Lou and Andy!
The Catherine Tate Show (2004-2015) – A sketch show starring the likes of Catherine Tate. She made iconic characters such as rowdy schoolgirl Lauren Cooper with her line ‘Am I bovvered?’. Other characters featured Bernie the nurse, the aga saga woman, complaining couple Janice and Ray, and of course her infamous ‘Nan’, Joannie Taylor. The last character herself spawned multiple specials and even a movie.
Gavin and Stacey (2007 – Present) The series tells the story of Gavin (Matthew Horne) and Stacey (Joanna Page). The pair embarked on an online and telephone romance for six months. But when they finally decide to be together properly, their friends and family get in the way. Ruth Jones and James Corden created the beloved show, which has been going for over a decade. The 2019 Christmas special was the most-watched comedy in 17 years and the most-viewed non-sporting event in a decade.
He continues: “I grew up Morecambe and Wise – Christmas wasn’t Christmas without that.
“And now so many people tell us that Christmas isn’t Christmas without Mrs Brown Boys.
“I’m sure they’d get over it if we’re not there, but it’s still a lovely compliment to have people associate the show with being part of their Christmas”
He concludes by stating: “It’s a privilege.”
During the show’s Christmas rehearsals, Brendan cracked a “joke” using a racial slur which shocked everyone and filming was temporary halted.
Brendan has since apologised and filming resumed after an investigation but it’s not the first time viewers have asked for the show to be axed.
In the 2024 New Year special, Brendan’s character Agnes begins the New Year with a gruelling health and fitness regime.
But many of the show’s fans were left unimpressed and took to social media where they moaned about it being “terrible”.
One fumed, “4 minutes in and still not laughed. #mrsbrownsboys used to be so funny!!”
Another added, “Why the fk is this absolute st delaying the BBC news?”
Someone else agreed, “And so far IT’S RUBBISH! Running true to form then.”
One more wrote, “How has that tripe #mrsbrownsboys not been cancelled. It’s 2024 and it’s still going. Do better BBC. It’s excruciatingly terrible.”
Mrs Brown’s Boys is available to stream on BBCIplayer.