Mrs Brown’s Boys viewers were not happy with the sitcom’s New Year’s Day special and even resorted to begging the BBC to axe the ‘torturous’ sitcom.
The long-running show centres around Agnes Brown, played by comedian Brendan O’Carroll, 70, and her chaotic role as matriarch of her Irish family.
Initially airing in 2011, the show has won several awards and even spawned a short-lived live spin-off, All Round to Mrs Brown’s, which saw Mrs Brown interview a host of celebrity guests.
The synopsis for the New Year special read: ‘Tensions are high as Agnes (Brendan O’Carroll) and the gang prepare for an incoming storm.
‘Buster’s flying high as he nervously awaits his birthday parachute jump, Winnie receives a shock to the system, and a lost nun is in need of help.’
Addressing the show’s official account, a viewer wrote: ‘Maybe time to retire. Painful to watch, ruined New Year’s Day. I watched out of habit. Why am I paying a licence?’
Mrs Brown’s Boys viewers were not happy with the sitcom’s New Year’s Day special and began begging the BBCto axe the ‘torturous’ sitcom
The long-running show centres around Agnes Brown, played by comedian Brendan O’Carroll, 70, and her chaotic role as matriarch of her Irish family
Addressing the show’s official account, a viewer wrote: ‘Maybe time to retire. Painful to watch, ruined New Year’s Day. I watched out of habit. Why am I paying a licence?’ However, some people did enjoy the ‘staple’ of festive TV
Other disgruntled viewers of the ‘unfunny drivel’ wrote on Twitter/X: ‘GET MRS BROWN’S BOYS AXED.’;
‘As if I haven’t had to put up with enough torture today, me nans put Mrs Brown’s Boys on.’;
‘Three goalless draws on Match of the Day tonight, and yet it will still be more entertaining than the Mrs Brown’s Boys New Year’s Special.’;
Taking umbrage with the quality of the show, in particular, another viewer wrote: ‘I swear every shot of Cathy in #MrsBrownsBoys is blurred slightly, even in HD. It’s like watching on VHS.’
However, not everyone hated the special and it had its fans too, who praised: ‘Amazing episode tonight again! Loved that!’;
‘Adore absolute delight @MrsBrownsBoys. A wildly entertaining show that never fails to make you laugh, with Brendan O’Carroll & a loveable cast.
‘Miss the charming Amanda Woods. Would love a 2nd movie. Can’t wait for more…’;
‘Still a staple of Christmas and New Year’s TV.’
Taking umbrage with the quality of the show, in particular, another viewer wrote: ‘I swear every shot of Cathy in #MrsBrownsBoys is blurred slightly, even in HD. It’s like watching on VHS’
The show’s Christmas Day episode called Mammy’s Bottles proved itself to be equally divisive
While some fans want the show axed, others have praised its writing and described it as a classic
The show’s Christmas Day episode called Mammy’s Bottles proved itself to be equally divisive.
The theme was to rediscover the meaning of family as Mrs Brown brought her dearest ones together for a festive photograph. It showed Buster revealing yet another of his trademark Christmas trees with maximum drama, while Cathy worried about which gifts to buy.
Viewers complained: ‘#MrsBrownsBoys has to be the worst thing on the telly man.’;
‘Is there any show on the earth worse than Mrs Brown’s Boys? Why on earth do BBC not drop it?’
However, not everyone hated the episode and like the New Year’s Day special, it also had its fans, who wrote: ‘I absolutely love the monologues by Mrs Brown at the end of the episodes. They are always very thoughtful and sensitive. Great writing.’;
‘Regardless of the hate it receives, #MrsBrownsBoy sis still a classic for every holiday! A great episode tonight!’
The divided reaction to the 2025 holiday specials comes after the show’s creator made a desperate plea to the BBC to bring back his axed talkshow, All Round To Mrs Brown’s
The divided reaction to the 2025 holiday specials comes after the show’s creator made a desperate plea to the BBC to bring back his axed talkshow, All Round To Mrs Brown’s.
As mentioned, it saw the comedian step into Agnes Brown’s shoes and interview a number of big-name celebs including Baywatch’s Pamela Anderson and Spice Girl Mel B.
Brendan said that he would ‘love’ to bring the talk show back after it was axed during the Covid pandemic because it gave him so much creative freedom.
He said: ‘I remember when we had Caitlyn Jenner on and I went up to the dressing room and I said to her, “Where’s the line? I don’t want to cross the line.”
‘She said, “No line”. And I said, “Really?”. That was a red rag to a bull.’
What followed was a controversial question about the former Olympian’s anatomy.
Brendan remembered: ‘She said “I beg your pardon?”. And it went great. She was absolutely magnificent.’
The Mrs Brown’s Boys Christmas and New Year’s Day specials are available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
