Viewers abandon Mrs Brown's Boys amid racism controversy
- Brendan O'Carroll faced a racism controversy in October 2023 involving a clumsy joke that led to public outrage and temporary production halt.
- Ratings for the 2024 Christmas special plummeted to 2.2 million viewers, a stark contrast to its peak of over 11 million in 2013.
- Despite the backlash, a new series is confirmed to film in April and May 2025, suggesting a continuation of the show's controversial legacy.
In the United Kingdom, the sitcom Mrs Brown's Boys has remained a controversial fixture on holiday television schedules. Recently, in October 2023, Brendan O'Carroll, the creator and lead actor of the show, was embroiled in a racism controversy after making an inappropriate joke during a rehearsal for a Christmas special. This incident led to public outrage and a temporary halt in production as the BBC faced scrutiny over handling such issues, emphasizing their commitment to anti-racism. Despite the backlash, the viewing figures for the 2024 Christmas special significantly dropped to 2.2 million viewers, far below its peak of over 11 million when it first premiered in 2013. The show has faced declining ratings over the years, with its last appearance in the top ten rated shows on Christmas Day occurring in 2020. While contemporary festive specials drew impressive audiences, the declining interest in Mrs Brown's Boys highlighted a possible shift in audience preferences towards content that better reflects diverse voices and contemporary issues. O'Carroll's comments about his clumsy joke elicited further criticism, with figures like Sir Trevor McDonald expressing their disapproval of the insensitivity and lack of humor in the remarks. McDonald condemned the incident, calling it crude and offensive, and voiced his expectation for the BBC to take firmer action in ensuring a respectful entertainment environment. Amidst this controversy, Equity, a trade union for performers, released a statement reinforcing the need for safe and anti-racist workplaces in the entertainment industry. Despite the negative feedback and significant drop in viewer ratings, Brendan O'Carroll has affirmed his commitment to continue the series, announcing plans to film another season in April and May 2025. This decision raises questions about the future direction of the show, as many view its repeated formula in an evolving entertainment landscape as a missed opportunity for growth and improvement.