HATE IT says SARA WALLIS
Forget Marmite or Brexit, it’s Mrs Brown who divides a nation. Viewers need only glimpse Brendan O’Carroll in a wig and frock and they burst into uncontrollable giggles or reach for the remote. I fall into the latter – I just find it excruciating.
I first saw Mrs Brown’s Boys in a room full of journalists weeks before it hit TV.
It was so supremely awful I looked around, expecting to catch someone’s eye and share an eye roll. But everyone was laughing. A lot.
I carried on, waiting for the joke that I must be missing. But no, it was still dire, with slapstick so clunky it practically knocked over the set and gags you could see coming from so far away that you’d have time to make a cup of tea before they arrived. I never expected it to run more than an episode.
But seven years and three series later, it’s a monster ratings hit – and I’m none the wiser. “Merry Christmas!” Agnes (O’Carroll) shouted as the festive special began. The live studio audience fell about.
“Or if you’re Jewish, Happy Chanukah!” More hysterics, I’m not entirely sure why.
Then: “Or if you’re a member of a cult, ‘The end is nigh!’” Audience members practically wetting themselves by this point. Then on to the spinning Christmas tree – “A nice tree with swinging balls,” exclaims Mammy.
A double entendre, how clever. Is everyone drunk when they watch? Is this why it needs to be seen at Christmas?
Grandad was dressed as Santa, Rory turned up with a new head, Father Damien showed off his abs and Cathy had another disastrous date (the gag – he was short. Excuse me while I stick my sides back).
Occasionally Agnes talks to camera, the cast forget lines or corpse during a scene and the set falls down. This has me concerned for the great British sense of humour – there were more LOLs in EastEnders.
With the audience booing and cheering, it’s terrible TV panto with O’Carroll as Dame.
But with its lack of originality, dated stereotypes and recycled plots, this show should really be behind us. Oh yes it should.
Is everyone drunk when they watch? Is this why it needs to be seen at Christmas?