I really expected to hate Mrs Brown's Boys. The format is very old fashioned, performances are OTT, the set & costumes look quite cheap. However, It's very funny & packed with quickfire gags, only a few of which fall flat. If you don't find one joke funny though, it doesn't matter because there are another 10 waiting round the corner & I don't care if some of them are old - they're still good. I actually find the old studio audience format refreshing & the addition of bad language & dirty jokes actually works pretty well. Plus, it's great to see the cast dropping out of character from time to time to have a giggle at the gags. They look like they're actually having fun! The pace of it is incredible & it really takes some talent to pull a sitcom like this off so well. it's not cool or edgy but so what? It's funny! So many recent comedies are not.
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chumpsteak8 March 2011
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This is one of those shows which typifies the expression "you either love it or hate it"!
Everyone has different tastes. And I don't mind admitting that a lot of the ingredients in this are what I would usually use as reasons to avoid a show:
Excessive and unnecessary swearing Drag actor Gutter level humour
But having seen the first two episodes, I was (and still am) surprised to have found myself laughing along with it. It started off well by instantly dismantling the 'fourth wall' in the way that Allo Allo and Up Pompeii did (a voice-over/introduction by the lead actor). It then took it a step further with said character walking behind the cameras between sets. I also think that this was only partially scripted (in a way that I am told 'Outnumbered' is). The support characters have their scripted lines but the title character is left to ad-lib at will. You could clearly see the other actors covering their faces or turning away from the cameras whilst trying desperately not to laugh. These are the sorts of treats you get by watching a show recorded live as props are misplaced and scenes have to be reset. It was like watching an outtakes video (except that this was actually funny)!
So, whilst the storyline and character portrayal define everything I despise- somehow the finished article works (for me at least). And I will be tuning in regularly. -
When I discovered Mrs Brown's Boys, I couldn't stop watching. I love the 3 set simplicity, the return to Milton Berle drag antics and the live audience, keep rolling approach - it is so refreshing. A current sitcom with a by gone era appeal - what a delight! The characters are quirky, the story lines are hilarious, and the situations are gut busting! If you have nothing to do on a rainy Sunday, watching the complete series is just the remedy for the dull drums. This American lover of British humor got her English fix by watching Mrs Brown's Boys. It's top notch and a definite must see. I can't wait for the next series to see what Agnes and her family does next!
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I have to say i find this absolutely wonderful, i loved it. I love how on occasion they add a serious message, it's always bold. It's crude, it's not PC, what a breath of fresh air, Irish humour has always been something I've loved, this show simply enhances that feeling. The Matriarch Mrs Brown is stunningly portrayed, and the one liners are side splitting. How novel for a comedy to keep the outtakes in the transmission, it's great to see how much the cast seem to enjoy making it. I love the talks she has with her daughter Cathy, the actress who plays her always makes me smile and laugh for i feel she is laughing for real at many of the gags. I hope this wonderful show goes from strength to strength. 'It's a man in a dress you know, ' haha
A pity that they've decided not to make full line series, but focus on Christmas specials only, I suppose it's difficult to continually come up with new material.
Some wonderful episodes over the years, Supermammy remains the funniest to date, I can't think of anything that has made me laugh so much for a long time, I actually cried with laughter, if you just want to watch one episode, watch that one. -
fbkjunkmail26 February 2011Brendan O'Carroll as Mrs. Brown is brilliant is this series. I have seen all 6 episodes and have laughed so much I actually stopped breathing for a bit in one of the episodes. You will see many of the other characters trying to stifle laughs as I am sure much of Mrs. Brown's lines are unscripted.
Brendan O'Carroll has written several books as well as many films and stage plays.
His wife Jennifer Gibney plays his daughter Cathy Brown. Fiona O'Carroll, his daughter plays "Maria Nicholson" who is the girlfriend of son "Dermot Brown" and his sister "Eilish O'Carroll" plays Mrs. Brown's best friend "Winnie McGoogan." Danny O'Carroll plays Buster Brady but I haven't been able to confirm whether he is related to Brendan.
I hope they will be doing another season as this is one of the best comedies I have seen, if not the best. -
Lomax34323 March 2011This comedy has come in under the radar and has grown in popularity through word of mouth. It's basic ingredients are as old as the hills: a man in drag, bad language, farcical misunderstandings, recycled jokes and, if all else fails, slapstick. It owes a lot to I Didn't Know You Cared and Bread - and ought to be no more than a pale re-hash of a tired formula. It's as sophisticated as Bottom, as erudite as Play Your Cards Right, and as tasteful as a Frankie Boyle monologue.
And yet: it's carried off with such panache that none of the above matters. Every episode has had at least one moment that has made me laugh out loud - often to the extent that I was actually in pain.
It shamelessly breaks the fourth wall as well - even to the extent of not bothering with re-takes when something goes wrong. If, for example, a camera is caught in shot, the cast will break out of character for a moment, share a laugh with the audience, then get back to the script. What they broadcast is what actually happened. I get a feeling that some of these "mishaps" may be staged, but that doesn't matter.
The show has a strangely incestuous cast, too. It is written by and stars Brendan O'Caroll. Other cast members include his wife, his sister, his son, his daughter, his son-in-law and his daughter-in-law.
Best viewed with a beer and a couple of mates: but highly recommended in any event. -
m_catchpool2 March 2011I can't get over how funny this is. I am 67, so have seen many brilliant comedies over the years but this is one of the funniest.The outtake aspect of it adds well to the whole thing. The first episode had my wife and i almost falling off the sofa in hysterical laughter. The series reminds me a bit of another low profile comedy "Still game", in it's own way almost as funny. The Miranda way of talking to the camera has always been something that i have quite enjoyed (As in "up pompeii"). Be aware that it's not for the more sensitive at heart, as it does include a lot of swearing.Let's hope it is not a one series comedy. More please.
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alannock1 March 2011A mad mixture of Father Ted, Bread and Miranda. The wife made me watch this as she came across it by accident. Brings back memories of my funny swearing grandmother who was incidentally very Irish. Very funny but not for the faint hearted as their are many f(s) After two episodes I am a fan and have saved as a series link. The cast also enjoy themselves with many unable to keep straight faces. Enjoyed the talking to the camera in the same way Miranda does. I hope they keep the quality up for the whole series and I am looking forward to more f(s). The walking behind the cameras is very clever. Thank you for a great comedy.
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bennyando30 January 2013I have watched a lot if this show over the past month or so and I tea some reviews and a lot of people are hating on the show just because they think its god awful. This show is different from today's sitcoms but its a good watch, I like it and so do my friends. People point out the acting is bad but that is what makes this show different and somewhat funnier. Like when Mrs brown forgot her handbag and crossed over to the other set to get it, and you can see the actors loathing and its funny! :D and I don't see how a canned laughter track would fit in, the characters tend to go of script especially Mrs brown. Give this show a chance after all you can't expect much from it because the actors are almost all related and they have never acted before which is great, it spices up a show that would be boring otherwise. All in all it walks a fine line between bad acting and good humor. It's worth a watch
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Pee_dee6 June 2014Some of the funniest slapstick I have seen in years. The live audience and the accidentals ( on stage flubs) only serve to make what is already hilariously funny, even funnier. I usually have an issue with unnecessary bad language, but it serves a purpose here as Agnes is the only one who uses it (for the most part). The situations are really funny and Brendan O'Carroll is a comic genius as he writes and directs most episodes. Great filming and sets, with a talented cast. As soon as they come available I will be buying the DVD's. Unfortunately there are only 3 short seasons but there is a movie coming in the summer of 2014. I recommend the series highly for adults that want a great half hour of wet your pants comedy! Probably watch it without the kids first time around though.
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eiremario21 January 2022Laugh out loud series loads of language drug use funny comedy awsomeness i could go on about it all day like grandads funeral still is on every christmas and new years eve for irishviewers uk viewers new years day funny watch it.
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kieranrogers-8477313 February 2019It's an old man dressed as a woman swearing and making rude jokes. That's the whole show. The characters are annoying and unlikeable, nobody can act that well, the laugh track basically has to inform you of when you're supposed to laugh. It's comedy aimed at the lowest common denominator that will laugh at anything.
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sarah-oursin25 April 2011What a gem the show Mrs. Brown's Boys is. We watched the entire series a few times. Anyone who doesn't find this show funny does not have a sense of humor. What's not to love about this show? It's endearing, outrageously funny, the so called bad language adds to it, the characters are priceless. I love the interaction of Mrs. Brown with the live audience and with the other characters. It's great that any mishaps or bloopers are not edited out as they add to the show. My husband and I are constantly making references to the show and laughing. I'm telling everyone about this show. Can't wait for season 2. This is definitely a favorite!
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eoin_curtis27 August 2014I honestly thought I'd hate the show when I first saw it...It seemed like it had all been done before.....but it wasn't until I watched it 3 or 4 times that I got hooked on it like no show before....In almost every episode I have moments when I am choking with laughter.
The difference between Mrs Browns Boys and shows like 'The Inbetweeners' is that with 'The Inbetweeners' You can get hooked on the show within your first 5 minutes of watching it because the come backs are so sharp and funny. But with Mrs Browns Boys it takes a few episodes to get into it and that's why it has critics but once you get into it then you will be hooked for sure and it's as funny as anything else out there...'Mammy Swings', 'Mammys Going' and 'Mammys Inflation are the funniest episodes.Can't wait for 2015 when more come out -
rene_1618 June 2011I have laughed until my sides hurt! Brendan O'Carroll's ad-libbing is brilliant!I have been savoring the 6 Episodes that I have, watching them over & laughing every time. Seeing the rest of the cast trying to keep straight faces just adds to the entertainment. I have trouble understanding a few Irish terms but for the most part, this is the funniest show that I have seen in a long time. I have quite a few friends that love it as well. Pity that it is so hard to find in Canada. Does anyone know how to get a hold of copies of the live shows outside of the 6 episodes? I am anxiously awaiting the new season. I hope BBC Canada will be carrying it in the fall.
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Zebra3girl19 August 2013So glad I stumbled upon this show through a friend. It has to be the funniest show I've ever seen! Crude, yes..not PC, definitely..possibly offensive, always..but side-splittingly funny! I've turned both of my sister's on to this show and we are hooked. I don't remember ever wanting to watch a sitcom episode more than once in such a short period of time, but the first time we watched Series One, we watched it about three times in a span of two days. Too funny! Even when we knew when the punchline was coming, we STILL laughed out loud. Brendan O'Carroll is brilliant, as is the rest of the cast. I love the "old school" comedy charm and tone, with the "bite" of crude humor. Makes it fun and edgy, and completely entertaining. I'm impatiently waiting for Series Four. Thank you for the laughs, Brendan and company!
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Mrs browns boys is a 2011 to present 5 series comedy created by Brendan O'Carroll. A comedy centered on a loud- mouthed Irish matriarch whose favourite pastime is meddling in the lives of her six children and friends. The first few series was absolutely brilliant but now it's had its day. I think Brendan is finding it hard coming up with new ideas and storylines now. What I do like about this is that they are all related and are friends of the family in real life. It will certainly cheer you up and have you laughing off your seat that's if you don't mind the strong language. Something to binge watch when in lockdown and will certainly put a smile on your face. I think you can stream the whole series on BBC I PLAYER right now. Contains a lot of bad language.
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IonicBreezeMachine14 May 2022Agnes Brown (Brendan O'Carroll) is the loudmouthed and vulgar matriarch of the Brown family who often meddles in the lives of her adult children with the best of intentions but more often makes matters more complicated and worse than before.
Mrs. Brown's Boys is an adaptation of the character Agnes Brown created by comedian Brendan O'Carroll that was inspired by O'Carroll's real-life mother. The character began as part of a Radio play by O'Carroll and O'Carroll expanded on the character in books, a feature film adaptation titled Agnes Browne with Anjelica Houston in the titular role, and a series of stage plays before being adapted as a TV series for the BBC. Mrs. Brown's Boys has been notoriously divisive with audiences loving the series as passionately as others hate it, and critical reception has been mostly skewed negative. To a degree I understand because Mrs. Brown's Boys as well as O'Carroll's comedic style are very broad, very exaggerated, and often based on stereotypes and in a way, Mrs. Brown feels, as others have pointed out, not too dissimilar from Ricky Gervais' fictional When the Whistle Blows sitcom from his TV series Extras. I guess you could say that Brendan O'Carroll is UK/Ireland's answer to Tyler Perry down to the fact he's cross dressing as this traditional but foul-mouthed matriarchal character and that his audiences love him while critics loathe him. I guess where I personally stand on the show: I know it's not good, but I love watching it and I think it's because of the chemistry of the cast, the live studio audience, and the very loosely structured style of the show that makes it kind of endearing despite itself.
Despite Mrs. Brown's Boys featuring time worn sitcom tropes and plots that will be very familiar to those immersed in the format, there is a level of awareness to the tropes used and the fact that the show is very minimalist that earns it a lot of leeway. Mrs. Brown's Boys typically only has three sets for any given episode, and it gives the show a very theatrical quality that immerses the viewer especially with its enthusiastic audience. But what makes the series especially unique is that all the mistakes, flubs, and outtakes are kept in the show with no edits. Because many of the cast members are family and or friends of O'Carroll (including his wife, daughter, and son) O'Carroll will often break the verisimilitude of the show's atmosphere for comedic effect by interacting with the camera and sound operators or sometimes purposefully flubbing a line and acknowledging the awareness of living in a sitcom universe. The fact that so many of the cast are friends or family in real life and the very loose nature of the show works to show's benefit in creating a lot of goodwill and add to that the moments of genuine sincerity such as semi autobiographic elements (O'Carroll's son in real life is dyslexic and there's a moment in Mrs. Brown's boys where she finds out her son is Dyslexic that's quite heart wrenching in context) there's a lot of sincerity to this show you don't find in lesser sitcoms.
Mrs. Brown's Boys has been lambasted by critics for a myriad of reasons and I'm hard pressed to disagree with the critics stances of the show, but at the same time there's a passion and energy to this show that really can't be denied. Yes it's silly, ridiculous and based on well worn tropes and stereotypes, but its committed to the delivery whilst also being loose and having fun with the mutli-camera live audience sitcom setup. Mrs. Brown's Boys is the TV version of fast food, sure it's not good for you and there's better options available, but we all need that empty calorie binge now and again. -
bazmitch2317 July 2014There are things about this show I don't like. I hate that we are shown the studio. That's like a magician showing you how the trick is done. (Masked Magician.)
Some jokes have been done before like Agnes cutting Grandad's toe nails and they fly everywhere was done in Father Ted, Agnes thinking that the picture of Jesus is talking to her was done in Fawlty Towers, the "Any key" gag is taken from The Simpsons and the gag where Agnes hears the family talk about putting the dog in the home and thinking that they're talking about her has been done to death!
The only people who would find these jokes funny are ones that had never seen the shows I had just mentioned.
The episode where Grandad wants a funeral for himself.... why?
Oh, and in the next ep Agnes tries to kill Grandad. Yeah. Our heroine, everybody.
And there's only 3 sets. Also, leaving the outtakes in the show is just distracting.
However, I like the rudeness of the show. The bikini wax I thought was funny and the episode about the swingers was amusing.
It is entertaining and Agnes and Rory are amusing. It has some good gags, despite it's flaws. -
Rob_Taylor14 October 2012I don't expect a lot out of comedy shows - a few laughs, some sight gags etc - but this falls totally flat in every way imaginable.
Firstly, the most noticeably bad part of the show - the canned laughter track. Whoever was tasked with adding this to the series clearly had no clue what they were doing. The loud laughs occur at all the wrong times and are almost constantly going faintly in the background. Even when the actors say something that is not meant to be funny, up swells the chuckles from the laughter track. It's terrible! Any actual comedic value the actors manage to inject into the show is completely ruined by this track. A canned laughter track is meant to cue the audience into laughing at appropriate times. Here, it just confuses the hell out of you. You're constantly thinking "Wait? Was I supposed to laugh at that? But it wasn't funny! What gives?" The effect is like trying to listen to piano music whilst your neighbour plays loud thrash metal next door.
Next, the actors aren't very good. Which is to say, they are poor. I've seen worse, but a lot of them don't have the conviction to carry off their roles well. This is particularly obvious, given the ancient format of the show, because the script would seem to call for over-the-top performances. Unfortunately for the series, the actors are singularly unable to rise to this level of commitment.
Third, it's not funny! The jokes and lines are so VERY tired. They might have raised a chuckle back in the 70's, but now they just make you cringe with embarrassment. I don't think I even smiled more than once or twice.
The last time I saw a "comedy" series fall this flat, this hard, was the ninth season of Red Dwarf. Man, that was awful! Mrs Brown's Boys easily plumbs those depths of abyssal dreariness. It's a train-wreck in slow-motion. I can't for the life of me understand how so many people seem to think it's brilliant. It isn't. It's dreary and unfunny (I'm being polite here!) Do yourself a favour and watch re-runs of Father Ted if you want Irish humour. At least that will make you laugh for real. -
glenn-aylett27 January 2013At last among all the depressing soaps, talent contests, braindead reality shows and poor entertainment, the BBC have hit upon their finest sitcom for decades, Mrs Browns Boys.
For the few that have never seen this, the sitcom is set in Dublin, with Brendan O Caroll playing an elderly mother of six( most of the cast are his family members). Also the sets are made deliberately cheap, like a seventies sitcom, and sometimes Mrs Brown is knocked over by a stray camera and the sets wobble.
Yes it's crude, the language is strong, and the gay son, Rory, is a complete stereotype, but this is the show's appeal. Grandad, a half senile old man, is frequently the butt of jokes and the victim of some vicious slapstick, often being hit over the head with a pan or nearly being electrocuted. Good for a laugh is the dodgy family friend, Buster, and his money making scams that come to nothing.
Last week's episode was a work of genius, with Buster appearing and being asked by Mrs Brown why he was in the house, to which he ad-libs " it's in the script" and she replies, " must be a typo". Totally unexpected as well at the end, where Mrs Brown goes on about getting a gigolo, a well hung muscleman is found hiding in her cupboard. Not since the eighties have I seen such a funny sitcom.
Ratings of 10 million suggest in these recessionary times that people need a really good laugh and Mrs Browns Boys provides this and is the funniest sitcom I've seen since the glory days of Only Fools and Horses. It looks like it will run for a long time as well as a fourth series has been commissioned. -
valerie7771 August 2012I watched clips online as I am based in California and I found this show pretty funny. I am a fan of Brendan O'Carroll and I think he's a funny guy. I also read his books that were adapted into the series.
I love Brendan O'Carroll as Agnes Brown. She is aloud, foul-mouthed Irish matriarch who is always looking out for her family after the death of her husband. Brendan plays the character brilliantly. She works at a fruit and veg stall at Dublin market. She takes great pleasure in making a fool of her neighbor and best friend Winnie. It's not a classic like Father Ted but is entertaining to watch and you are guaranteed to get a few laughs. I would recommend this show. With Mrs Brown's Boys all you get are laughs! -
sammy_c12 October 2012This dreadful sitcom staggers from one tired, obvious, unfunny 70s cliché to the next, pausing only to mug directly at the camera. It is old-timey music hall bawdy slapstick and sentiment, in the Benny Hill/Les Dawson/Bernard Manning tradition. If someone is swearing into a phone, the Vicar will be on the other end of the line, and so on. I get the impression its audience is mostly older and long for the "simpler" times of the 70s, or they are young children who have never seen a sitcom before. Either way its commercial success continues to amaze me.
I don't care whether the cast are all related or not - that seems to be the other selling point cited by fans - although I guess it serves to explain their complete lack of acting ability.
Finally please don't compare this show to "Father Ted", poor Dermot Morgan will be spinning in his grave. Aside being Irish and having a character that says "feck" a lot, they have absolutely nothing in common. Father Ted was clever, satirical, ironic, unpredictable, and very surreal, all things that this show revels in not being. -
jason-mcavoy12 November 2013I absolutely Love this TV Series! The comedy in it is brilliant. Every time I watch this Programme... I'm in stitches! The Plot is brilliant! The Characters are amazing, in my opinion I think everything about it is astoundingly fun and enjoyable! Even though there isn't that many episodes, I still think it is one of the funniest TV shows I have ever watched. You should definitely try it out! The only bad thing I have to say about this Series is that even though it is rated 15+ I think some of the themes shown in it aren't entirely understandable for that age rating and I do believe that it should be rated an 18+ just for that, it's just all the sexual themes in it and all the swearing that makes me think it's inappropriately rated. But still a brilliant series, and definitely one of my all time favourites.
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LasVegasBartender21 April 2014Hello,
I do not know where most of these reviewers are from, so I am going to give you an American opinion of the Show.
The show seems to try to be an Irish version of all in the family. The cast is funny and work well together. I have watch all three seasons and am looking foreword to number four. I hope one day to be able to watch a filming of the show in person.
The lead character played by Brendan O'Carroll is funny and lovable, just don't p i s s her off (do they p i s s off in Ireland?)
Jennifer Gibney plays the daughter who is really the wife of Brendan. She is as funny as her other half. (Not sure if they say that in Ireland either)
The rest of the cast is both heart warming and lovable. They work well together and if you watch the outtakes, (We say bloopers in the USA) the cast really love be with one another.
Marie Brown (Fiona O'Carroll, yes the daughter of Brendan) is the prettiest female character on the set. Listening to her sing, she sounds like an angel.
The Rory Brown (Rory Cowan) may not be gay (what is the Irish term for that?) but he pulls off a wonderful performance with his other half. I enjoyed the fact that they were married on the show, I thing all people should be allowed to be married, they deserve to be just as miserable as us straight people.
I could go on, but this would make you the readers quiet bored. (looking for Irish term for that)
To sum up the show is a piece of work that will go down in Irish history (like the American show All in the family) as a slice of Irish life. God bless them every one.