Mrs Brown's Boys creator and star responds to show criticism | Radio TimesThe fifth series of Mrs Brown’s Boys has returned to BBC One — and with it, a storm of outrage. While some fans welcomed the comeback of Brendan O’Carroll’s iconic sitcom, many viewers flooded social media demanding the BBC axe the show altogether.

Viewers Vent: “Make It Stop”

Frustrated fans didn’t hold back on X (formerly Twitter).

“I’ve had a tough week. Then the announcer said, ‘And now on BBC One, a new series of Mrs Brown’s Boys.’ Haven’t we suffered enough?” one viewer raged.

Another bluntly added: “Absolute s****. Waste of licence payers’ money.”

“Axe this s***,” one post read, while another shared a GIF simply saying: make it stop.

For some, the sitcom’s mix of crude jokes, slapstick, and innuendo feels dated, even “unbearable.”

Loyal Fans Fight Back

Not everyone wants the show gone. Supporters pushed back, pointing out that it’s a matter of taste:

“I don’t care what anyone says — I think Mrs Brown’s Boys is funny.”

“If you don’t like it, don’t watch it.”

The passionate divide highlights why Mrs Brown’s Boys has long been one of the UK’s most polarising comedies.

From Record Ratings to Decline

The sitcom’s heyday saw massive success. At its peak, the 2013 Christmas special pulled in 11.5 million viewers, and the series scooped six National Television Awards.

But the numbers tell a different story today. By 2020, ratings had dropped to 3.8 million on Christmas Day, and audience figures have continued to fall. Critics slam the show as tired and outdated, even as its core fanbase stays loyal.

Controversies and Clashing Perspectives

Last year, rehearsals for the 2024 Christmas special sparked backlash after a racially loaded term was implied. O’Carroll defended the scene as satire, claiming Mrs Brown’s ignorance was meant to highlight generational prejudice:

“Comedy should offend somebody somewhere. Otherwise, I’m not doing the job,” he said.

He remains unapologetic toward critics, famously declaring:

“The ones that love me, I love them. And the ones that don’t? F*** them.”

The Divide That Won’t Heal

So where does that leave Mrs Brown’s Boys? For some, it’s a cosy, laugh-out-loud staple. For others, it’s outdated, offensive, and unworthy of a BBC platform.

The debate cuts to a bigger cultural question: should comedy push boundaries at the risk of alienating audiences, or has Mrs Brown’s Boys simply outstayed its welcome?

⚡ As a TV lover — what’s your take?

Should the BBC finally pull the plug on Mrs Brown’s Boys?

Or does its enduring fanbase prove there’s still a place for old-school comedy?