Mrs Browns Boys - how is it ok?

[wavingwhilstdrowning]

Please be gentle if I am missing something massively obvious here!

I have never sat through a whole episode of MBB I will admit I find it intolerable but I don't understand why it is ok.

It is totally unacceptable to dress up and do a mocking impression of a trans-woman and lots of older comedies are now removed from iPlayer due to a change in what is acceptable. So why is it ok to dress up as an older working class woman a perform a grotesque caricature?

I realise I am probably missing something. The writer says it is not the same and he would never be racist or homophobic - but this sexism is ok? www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/mrs-browns-boys-political-correctness-b1780721.html

I am a very thick skinned middle aged Northern woman, tbh I just don't watch, it doesn't bother me that much, but I don't understand why women are fame game for the BBC. I'd appreciate your opinions.

I'm not offended by it it's just not funny.

[quote FriendWoes111]@Birdsnesting
Something that dumb and badly written wouldn't get anywhere if it were set in the UK as it would be seen as really old fashioned. But because it's not British there's a kind of "othering" going on where it's accepted as being part of a different culture.[/quote]
The cast is Irish, sure, but the stage show only became a hit in the UK initially, it was commissioned by the BBC (RTE came in later), and is filmed in Glasgow by the BBC, which has repeatedly commissioned more seasons and specials. It won some poll for best British comedy a few years back.

I'm not sure how much the fact that it's set in Ireland would mitigate against the fact that it's a thoroughly British production in many ways -- I mean, if it were considered controversial, rather than simply bad (and perpetuating tiresome stage-Irish paddywhackery tropes).

Personally I love it. It depicts an elderly woman with very fixed views and she can come across as intolerant when first confronted with issues, but then she changes her mind when she sees it in the context of her own family. She also challenges the priest on occasion about rigid thinking in the catholic church for example about gay marriage. Whilst she does favour her boys and argues with her daughter she always comes through for her in the end.

The humour is vulgar but traditionally much humour is. Brendan O Carroll never intended to play Mrs Brown himself, but the actress they booked for the first radio transmission didn't turn up, so he stepped in and got such a good response he carried on doing it.

If you only watch a few minutes ir the trailer you won't get it at all as a lot of the humour is based on familiarity with the characters.

I know a lot of people will not like it but surely there is room for all kinds of comedy, we don't have to all like the same things.

I get exactly where are you are coming from OP.

It makes my skin crawl and I don’t find it funny. Notice it’s on Christmas Day night tv. Yay.

And why is it not ok to black up or don a Native American headdress but it’s ok to appropriate womanhood.

@JayAlfredPrufrock

I get exactly where are you are coming from OP.

It makes my skin crawl and I don’t find it funny. Notice it’s on Christmas Day night tv. Yay.

And why is it not ok to black up or don a Native American headdress but it’s ok to appropriate womanhood.

Because a black face is limited to black people whereas a dress and a feminine personality isn't.

What is a 'feminine personality', @user97533676?

The reason is very simple op and you've said it yourself already several times. Women are fair game.

@crowsfeet57

Personally I love it. It depicts an elderly woman with very fixed views and she can come across as intolerant when first confronted with issues, but then she changes her mind when she sees it in the context of her own family. She also challenges the priest on occasion about rigid thinking in the catholic church for example about gay marriage. Whilst she does favour her boys and argues with her daughter she always comes through for her in the end.

The humour is vulgar but traditionally much humour is. Brendan O Carroll never intended to play Mrs Brown himself, but the actress they booked for the first radio transmission didn't turn up, so he stepped in and got such a good response he carried on doing it.

If you only watch a few minutes ir the trailer you won't get it at all as a lot of the humour is based on familiarity with the characters.

I know a lot of people will not like it but surely there is room for all kinds of comedy, we don't have to all like the same things.

I'm with you. It's basically like a pantomime - knowing asides, acknowledgement of the audience, a dame, innuendo-based humour. If that's not your thing, fine - we all find different things funny.

Personally, I don't like assuming that "X person finds Y funny" means that "X person also has a particular IQ, specific views, and a known political stance". I find MBB quite funny when I do watch it - this fact does not mean you know anything more about me.

I hate MBB, its so homophobic and sexist!! And besides that, its just not funny, he seems like a nasty person too, I saw an interview where he was questioned about the homophobia and sexism and got very defensive and rude!

My parents and inlaws like it, but I'd never watch it with them, I'd rather pluck my pubes out with my eyebrow tweezers one by one thanks!

@Theywalkamongstus

The reason is very simple op and you've said it yourself already several times. Women are fair game.

Yes, I think you are right. I was hoping I was missing something!

The BBC is making a drama about Jimmy Savile atm so I have no idea why the fact they are a misogynistic organisation surprises me.

I guess MN is not the demographic. I don't care for it myself but have older relatives who love it and judging by the tours he does, I guess it is pretty popular. Unfunny, yes, but mocking women - seems like it mocks everyone so I am not sure I see that.

And why is it not ok to black up or don a Native American headdress but it’s ok to appropriate womanhood.

Because a black face is limited to black people whereas a dress and a feminine personality isn't.

He isn't just wearing a dress and assuming a "feminine personality" he is pretending to be a woman.

I must say that I struggle with this. I loathe MBB but I don't see pretending to be a woman as being as bad as "blackface".

@Wheresmywoolyjumpers

I guess MN is not the demographic. I don't care for it myself but have older relatives who love it and judging by the tours he does, I guess it is pretty popular. Unfunny, yes, but mocking women - seems like it mocks everyone so I am not sure I see that.

Everyone used to mock everyone, or rather white men used to form the majority of comedians/writers/actors so got to mock everyone. Things have changed. Now you are only supposed to 'punch up' and mock those with a social status above yours, which is why gay men can mock straight men, black people can find humour in white stereotypes etc. I do not understand why this is an exception. No one seems to and this thread shows that.

It's bloody awful. Someone must enjoy it but I've yet to meet him or her. Flicking through the channels the other day I happened across On the Buses and spent 10 to 15 minutes watching it, being appalled at the chauvinistic sexism, and thinking its only interest is as a piece of social history that could never be made today. Wrong. Mrs BB may attempt to hide its misogyny and be less overt but it's not so different I think. Never seen a full episode of either though so I may be wrong.

@SoupDragon

And why is it not ok to black up or don a Native American headdress but it’s ok to appropriate womanhood.

Because a black face is limited to black people whereas a dress and a feminine personality isn't.

He isn't just wearing a dress and assuming a "feminine personality" he is pretending to be a woman.

I must say that I struggle with this. I loathe MBB but I don't see pretending to be a woman as being as bad as "blackface".

I agree entirely. I find any black face utterly repugnant as do all right thinking people and complained repeatedly about Lucas and Walliams unfathomable racism being allowed for years by the BBC.
This is different. I agree. But how is it offensive for a man to play a trans woman but not a woman. I genuinely don't see why one is ok and the other is not, whilst I am not offended by either. If that makes sense.

I now someone exactly like Mrs Brown. I actually find it very funny, although pretty badly acted.

@NeedAHoliday2021

My in laws love it so I’ve been forced to watch a couple of episodes and it’s really awful. I don’t find it offensive, just shit!

I have found my people! My DP has finally started to concede it's "not very good anymore", but used to find it hilarious in the earlier series.

He used to think I was taking the piss by not laughing. No dear, it's really just not funny!

My DF has some "old fashioned" views sometimes, but my DM's pretty level headed, so I was surprised to discover that they both really liked it too.

I was beginning to think that I was the weird one that didn't like it, so thank you @wavingwhilstdrowning for making me realise I am not being unreasonable!

I didnt realise it was a man, I'll have to have a watch of it

I must be working class and thick as I quite like it. The episode where Mormons call to Mrs Brown's house was very funny indeed. I like the fact that Brendan O'Carroll has his family working with him. His next door neighbour in the show is actually his sister. I have a trans relative and definitely wouldn't laugh at any nastiness about that.

Don’t suppose Mrs Brown is worried about what we think as the show has paid for a huge mansions in Florida for him and his families to live in!
No idea why they commission it, as another poster said else said it’s like something from the 1960’s truly awful and well past it’s sell by date.

I find it offensive and revolting.

@Lucinda7

I must be working class and thick as I quite like it. The episode where Mormons call to Mrs Brown's house was very funny indeed. I like the fact that Brendan O'Carroll has his family working with him. His next door neighbour in the show is actually his sister. I have a trans relative and definitely wouldn't laugh at any nastiness about that.

Thanks for commenting @Lucinda7, I am not a fan, but am also not judgemental of anyone who is. I am interested in your opinion though as it strikes to the heart of my confusion. Why would any 'nastiness' about trans people offend you when nastiness about an older woman doesn't, or is it that you don't perceive MBB as 'nasty' whilst you see League of Gentlemen and Little Britain were, in their sketches featuring trans-women.

@awaynboilyurheid

Don’t suppose Mrs Brown is worried about what we think as the show has paid for a huge mansions in Florida for him and his families to live in! No idea why they commission it, as another poster said else said it’s like something from the 1960’s truly awful and well past it’s sell by date.

Well, yes, exactly and no one is seeking to cancel him so why should he care. This thread is about the actions of the BBC tbh and what I view as hypocrisy, not to judge anyone for their taste in TV :)

Truly awful.

I hate it.

Ds 27 hates it vehemently!