BBC Comedy Director Left Speechless by Awkward Mrs Brown’s Boys Question

The director of comedy at the BBC, Jon Petrie, found himself in a challenging situation when he was asked whether he personally found the hit show Mrs Brown's Boys amusing. During an audience Q&A session at Soho House for the BBC Comedy Showcase, Petrie was questioned by an attendee who inquired, "Do you actually find Mrs Brown's Boys funny? And would you watch it if you didn't have to?"

Rather than replying, Petrie remained silent, leaving the journalist who posed the question to interpret his response as a definite "no." The exchange prompted an uncomfortable laugh from Petrie. As the Q&A host, Michelle de Swarte, interjected with a cheeky remark, "It's a trap!" before quickly transitioning to the next query.

Despite Petrie's inability to provide a clear response, he later mentioned that Mrs Brown's Boys manages to achieve significant viewership figures for the BBC. He asserted that the sitcom's ratings are comparable to popular shows such as Not Going Out, Ghosts, and Motherland.

Mrs Brown's Boys, created in 2011 by Irish comedian Brendan O'Carroll, has encountered persistent criticism from reviewers since its debut. The sitcom stars O'Carroll cross-dressing as the titular matriarch, Mrs Brown, alongside the participation of his own family members and friends.

The program spanned four regular series, followed by an astonishing 22 Christmas specials. While its UK viewership reached its peak at 11.4 million in 2013, it has gradually dwindled over time. The 2023 Christmas specials attracted an audience of 3.67 million.

In a scathing review of the most recent Christmas special by The Independent's Sean O'Grady, Mrs Brown's Boys was awarded a mere 0.5 stars, with O'Grady remarking that it appears not to function effectively anymore, akin to various other aspects of contemporary society.

Nonetheless, O'Carroll remains committed to the show and proclaimed his determination to press on despite the criticism it receives. He vowed to keep producing episodes as long as the BBC expresses interest and they can plan accordingly. O'Carroll shared, "We are definitely making more specials."

As the upcoming episode will mark the show's 50th, fans can also anticipate the stage adaptation, titled Mrs Brown's Boys D'live Show, which will embark on a tour across Ireland this November and December.