Latest news with #MrsBrown
RTÉ News
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Mrs Brown's Boys 'based on true events', says Brendan O'Carroll
Brendan O'Carroll has said the storylines for Mrs Brown's Boys are "based on true events". The actor and comedian, 69, who is best known for playing matriarch Agnes Brown in the hit comedy series, will reprise the role in a new miniseries next month. The fifth series, which is due to air on 1 August on RTÉ One and BBC One, follows Mrs Brown as her meddling in the lives of her family and friends takes her on a number of misadventures. Speaking about the new series, O'Carroll said: "Believe it or not, most of the storylines are based on true events that either happened to my family or have been told to me by people about their families. "Everybody has a story, and it's quite common for someone in a family to say in the middle of a family disaster, 'This is like an episode of Mrs Brown's Boys '. "In every episode, there is something that stands out for me. I love being Agnes Brown and I love her family, and her neighbours like Winnie and Birdy." The new series will follow Mrs Brown as she becomes the subject of a podcast, helps Winnie pass her driving test, and becomes the unexpected new member of a book club where she discovers a "passion" for steamy fiction. Mrs Brown's Boys was first broadcast in 2011 and has since transmitted more than 50 episodes, including Christmas specials. The BAFTA-winning series is filmed in front of a studio audience, which O'Carroll described as "essential". He said: "So many times, at the end of rehearsals for a particular episode, our director, Ben Kellett, will say, 'All this needs now is the audience', and he is so right.
The Irish Sun
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Brendan O'Carroll reveals ‘believe it or not' real life inspiration for Mrs Browns Boys antics & new series plot details
BRENDAN O'Carroll has revealed the crazy antics Mrs Brown gets up to in his hit comedy are based on real things that happened to him or his family. The Finglas man was speaking ahead of the first new 5 Mrs Brown shoots to internet fame in the upcoming episodes 5 Dublin man Brendan revealed his favourite scene to film Credit: BBC However, despite the shake-up, the stand-up has vowed it won't change Agnes Brown. Brendan said: 'The ideas for these episodes are no different from the previous 53 episodes. 'Believe it or not, most of the storylines are based on true events that either happened to my 'Everybody has a story, and it's quite common for someone in a family to say in the middle of a family disaster, 'This is like an episode of Mrs Brown's Boys'.' READ MORE IN TV The 69-year-old Brendan said: 'The writing of the mini-series is much more relaxing for myself and Paddy Houlihan, who joins me as a writer. 'With the Christmas specials, I have to keep it within the "But, unlike in the specials, we can now focus on anything — within reason.' MOST READ IN THE IRISH SUN As usual, Agnes is at the centre of all the chaos, with Mrs Brown becoming an online sensation when daughter Cathy gets involved with a She also gets behind the wheel herself to help her pal Winnie pass her Mrs Brown's Boys star insists racist joke at Christmas special filming 'was a good thing' for the BBC because it 'raised awareness' Quizzed about his favourite moment filming, Brendan said: 'Having Agnes on that mobility scooter was such fun. "She goes nuts, with hilarious consequences. 'Look, in every episode there is something that stands out for me. I love being Agnes Brown and I love her family, and her neighbours like Winnie and Birdy.' While Brendan takes centre stage as Mrs Brown, O'Carroll believes the And quizzed if he could play any other role in Mrs Brown's Boys what it would be, Brendan said: 'I'm not lying when I say… I could not play any of the characters better than the actors who play them now.' 'LOST WITHOUT THEM' Speaking to The Irish Sun last May, comedian June Rodgers, who plays neighbour Birdie Flanagan in the new series, told how fans queue around the block from early morning to be in the audience for the recordings at the Brendan revealed how important they are to each recording. He said: 'Filming in front of a live audience is essential to the show. So many times, at the end of rehearsals for an episode, our director, Ben Kellett will say, 'All this needs now is the audience,' and he is so right. 'They add so much to our performances. We'd be lost without them.' The upcoming Mrs Brown mini series also features an episode where Agnes Brown gets into erotic fiction, when she accidentally picks up one of her daughter Cathy's novels. Another episode sees Grandad announce he is leaving Agnes because he fancies living in a nursing home. THE new four-part series of Mrs Brown's Boys will air on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player from Friday August 1 at 9.35pm. 5 The new series is the first for the show since 2013 Credit: BBC 5 The new series shows Agnes become interested in erotic fiction 5 Brendan O'Carroll said he enjoyed having a co-writer to bounce ideas off Credit: PA
Western Telegraph
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Western Telegraph
Mrs Browns Boys returning to the BBC after controversy
The fifth series of the comedy programme is now only weeks away and is returning despite the creator apologising for a racial slur. Teasing the new show, the corporation said: "Agnes Brown and the gang from Finglas are back! "Everyone's favourite Irish Mammy returns for a brand new fifth series featuring all your favourite characters, so get ready for more slapstick shenanigans this spring!" According to The Sun, the BBC's head of comedy, Jon Petrie, added: "Brendan has created an iconic comedy character in Agnes Brown. "Mrs. Brown's Boys is a BAFTA-winning comedy show and one of the BBC's most-watched comedies ever. I'm proud to have it in the BBC Comedy stable." Mrs Brown's Boys will return to UK telly on Friday, August 1 at 9:30pm on BBC One. BBC viewers dub Mrs Brown's Boys 'utter garbage' and 'worst thing' they have ever seen Despite this popularity, many are not so keen on the show, with one person penning: "The worst show I've ever seen. It's ghastly, and thankfully, no one I know likes it, because if they did, then I'd disown them. UTTER GARBAGE." Another said: "Quite possibly the worst thing I've ever watched in my life. "For something that is labelled as a comedy, it is incredibly unfunny. "The entire premise of this show is woefully outdated, predictable, cringe inducing, with an annoyingly overactive audience. "Of all genres, comedy is probably the most diverse in terms of its audience reception, but if 1920s-style slapstick is your jam, this will probably tick a box for you." However, with a rating of 7.1/10 on IMDb, most enjoy the programme. Recommended Reading: One person wrote: "Some 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." Another added: "Love this series. I can't stop watching it. Terrific cast, fantastic humour. I never want the show to end. So much craziness in the world today, so much to worry about, but this show takes you away from it. Brilliant, Mr. O'Carroll." A third fan said: "So glad I stumbled upon this show through a friend. It has to be the funniest show I've ever seen!"
Metro
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
The BBC can't justify still showing Mrs Brown's Boys
A few years ago, I tried watching Mrs Brown's Boys, eager to figure out exactly what the appeal was for the millions of people who watch the show every Christmas and New Year. I lasted 10 minutes. There were pratfalls. A criminally overused laugh track. Endless streams of expletives masquerading as jokes. It was… rough. To me, its broad comedy lands far more irritating than endearing, and I was left straight-faced watching the titular character doing three spittakes in a row during a visit to the pub. I'm not alone – it's long been a critical disaster and has been panned as the 'worst comedy ever made'. How its live studio audience, and its viewers at home, stay entertained is beyond me. And now, after finding out that the show's return has finally confirmed and Mrs Brown's Boys will be back on our screens early next month, my confusion stepped up a few notches. I might not have enjoyed seeing Mrs Brown's Boys on TV every Christmas, but its inclusion in primetime schedule (at 9.30pm on Friday nights) is insulting – as the actions of its central star last year should have been the death knell for 'Mammy' and her sons. The show, created by and starring comic Brendan O'Carroll, centres around a sweary Dublin matriarch (O'Carroll in drag) whose family and neighbours are constantly popping into her kitchen or living room for slapstick 'hilarity'. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video But in October, news emerged that O'Carroll, 69, made a quip alluding to a 'racial term', while improvising as Mrs Brown during rehearsals – with Daily Mail reporting he had said: 'I don't call a spade a spade, I call a spade a-', before starting to say the N-word and being cut off by another character. The incident led to a Black member of staff reportedly quitting the show, while the BBC ordered an investigation. In a statement, the comic referred to himself making a 'clumsy attempt at a joke' in character as Mrs Brown, which he 'deeply regrets'. O'Carroll added: 'It backfired and caused offence which I deeply regret and for which I have apologised.' Hearing this story, I thought this was the nail in the show's coffin – how could a comment be made so openly in 2024? Surely, by now, jokes like these were red lines in the entertainment industry? As this story gained traction, there were calls to axe the show across social media, but it wasn't long before things were back up and running, and rehearsals resumed. A BBC spokesperson said: 'Whilst we don't comment on individuals, the BBC is against all forms of racism, and we have robust processes in place should issues ever arise.' Not only does Mrs Brown's Boys' continued inclusion show a lack of innovation, but it's a disappointing example of the BBC not taking racism seriously. Of course, Mrs Brown's Boys was never going to be a part of my watching plans – but seeing it back on the TV schedule this year seems unjustifiable. This would have been the perfect opportunity for the BBC to shake off the negative connotations of the cringeworthy show, which has now caused enough offence to prompt an investigation and the exit of a staff member. The employee who left after O'Carroll's remark was said to be a junior member of the team. Due to one man's behaviour, someone's career journey has been impacted right from the beginning, while the show star and creator comes out of the situation largely unscathed. It's an example of a corporation protecting big names at the expense of others – and not punishing bad behaviour. This was not the first time O'Carroll has surprised people with his takes on race. In 2022, he made a cameo appearance in Tyler Perry's A Madea Homecoming, with Perry playing busy-bodying matriarch Madea. In that film, O'Carroll also tried his hand at the kind of 'humour' that landed him in trouble, during a sequence in which the Black characters think that Mrs Brown is saying the N-word rather than 'knickers'. When asked in an interview whether Perry would make an appearance on Mrs Brown's Boys, however, O'Carroll responded: 'He's very expensive and so far we haven't had anybody his colour in there,' motioning at Perry's face on the word 'colour'. I remember being shocked seeing just how casually O'Carroll threw out the remark – as if it was completely acceptable, and unworthy of attracting any pushback. By O'Carroll's own admission, there'd been no Black person ever on Mrs Brown's Boys as recently as two years ago – with this lack of diversity in the cast, it makes his more recent attempt at a joke even more disturbing. More Trending Decisions like these reflect poorly on the BBC – as the national broadcaster, they should be inspiring a feeling of trust. By aligning themselves with work that causes harm and offence, it throws questions on who the corporation is really for – how can they be representative of modern Britain while allowing this kind of incident to go unpunished? Regardless of its questionable content and the scandal, Mrs Brown's Boys will be back on our TV screens. But no matter how unfunny we may find O'Carroll and co, the worst joke of all is that the BBC still allows this show to air. View More » This article was first published on December 25, 2024. Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailing Share your views in the comments below. MORE: Votes at 16 is a classic Labour policy – for all the wrong reasons MORE: Doctor Who legend takes swipe at 'grumpy old fans' of BBC series MORE: John Torode was 'sacked from BBC's MasterChef after using the N-word'
Glasgow Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Mrs Browns Boys returning to the BBC after controversy
The fifth series of the comedy programme is now only weeks away and is returning despite the creator apologising for a racial slur. Teasing the new show, the corporation said: "Agnes Brown and the gang from Finglas are back! "Everyone's favourite Irish Mammy returns for a brand new fifth series featuring all your favourite characters, so get ready for more slapstick shenanigans this spring!" According to The Sun, the BBC's head of comedy, Jon Petrie, added: "Brendan has created an iconic comedy character in Agnes Brown. "Mrs. Brown's Boys is a BAFTA-winning comedy show and one of the BBC's most-watched comedies ever. I'm proud to have it in the BBC Comedy stable." Mrs Brown's Boys will return to UK telly on Friday, August 1 at 9:30pm on BBC One. BBC viewers dub Mrs Brown's Boys 'utter garbage' and 'worst thing' they have ever seen Despite this popularity, many are not so keen on the show, with one person penning: "The worst show I've ever seen. It's ghastly, and thankfully, no one I know likes it, because if they did, then I'd disown them. UTTER GARBAGE." Another said: "Quite possibly the worst thing I've ever watched in my life. "For something that is labelled as a comedy, it is incredibly unfunny. "The entire premise of this show is woefully outdated, predictable, cringe inducing, with an annoyingly overactive audience. "Of all genres, comedy is probably the most diverse in terms of its audience reception, but if 1920s-style slapstick is your jam, this will probably tick a box for you." However, with a rating of 7.1/10 on IMDb, most enjoy the programme. Recommended Reading: One person wrote: "Some 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." Another added: "Love this series. I can't stop watching it. Terrific cast, fantastic humour. I never want the show to end. So much craziness in the world today, so much to worry about, but this show takes you away from it. Brilliant, Mr. O'Carroll." A third fan said: "So glad I stumbled upon this show through a friend. It has to be the funniest show I've ever seen!"
