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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be nonplussed why people rave over Mrs Brown's Boys

454 replies

ComposHat · 01/01/2014 12:41

I've tried watching it twice twice and haven't got past the first five minutes it was so awful.

It seemed like an artless parody of a shite 70s sitcom (like something Frankie Howerd forgot to make) Don't get me wrong I'm not a comedy snob and quite enjoy a broad knockabout comedy like Vicious, yet I am utterly bemused by Mrs Brown's Boys, it looks dated, absurd and utterly free from laughs.

Yet it has a massive following, especially amongst people of my parents' generation. Normally when there's a TV programme I dislike I can see why other people (Top Gear for example) may enjoy it. But Mrs Brown seems to be without any redeaming features.

There must be some fans out there who can explain its appeal?

OP posts:
PresidentServalan · 01/01/2014 14:48

You don't have to 'get it' and finding it funny is not a sign of a low intelligence as has been suggested previously. You either find something funny or you don't. I like it but things like Miranda are utter shite - if you don't like it, don't watch it, or slag off those who do.

Elfhame · 01/01/2014 14:51

It's always on the most popular list on iplayer, yet no one on mumsnet will admit to watching it. Hmm

I actually had tears running down my face whilst watching the New Years episode it was so funny.

JimmyChooChoo · 01/01/2014 14:51

Why thank you banana! What a sweet heart Grin

MerryWinterfel · 01/01/2014 14:52

I'm so glad I am not the only one who doesn't get it. Someone was trying to explain a 'really funny' bit where someone made a jigsaw out of cornflakes last night, sounds hilarious! I think Charlie Brooker may also agree...

Nancy66 · 01/01/2014 14:54

Loved Count Arthur Strong. Last episode with message on board was heartbreaking.

JakeBullet · 01/01/2014 14:57

I like it, I think its due to the fact that the cast regularly corpse....and they just leave it in.

I hqve also seen episodes where Brendan O'Carroll in his Mrs Brown persona does something which is obviously totally unscripted.....and you can see the rest of the cast going "WTF is he doing" and having to adjust and continue round him.

Having said that I have seen episodes which I haven't really liked. ..or found that funny.

Heartbrokenmum73 · 01/01/2014 14:57

Sense of humour is a subjective thing - some people are not getting that at all.

We are all different. Some of us find one thing funny, others find other things funny. There's nothing wrong with either (unless you're into Jim Davidson).

People mentioning ratings and the like. Sean Lock (a very funny man) made an interesting point on 8 Out of 10 Cats recently. They were talking about the Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Special and how popular it was. Sean Lock said he doesn't like Doctor Who. Someone else said 'but it got 6 million viewers!'. Sean Lock said 'so that means 54 million people didn't watch it'.

So probably the same with Mrs Browns Boys. And just as a fraction of people on MN are here saying they do/don't watch it, the rest of the members couldn't give a shiny shit either way, so I don't think it's about 'people admitting they watch it' or not.

Heartbrokenmum73 · 01/01/2014 14:59

I completely missed Count Arthur Strong and Man Down (my Mum, Dad and younger brother loved Man Down).

The clips I've seen of Arthur Strong have been very funny though, so will have a scout around for it.

bigbuttons · 01/01/2014 15:05

me and the kids love it, it's just slapstick, I love slapstick.

mercibucket · 01/01/2014 15:08

i am not surprised older people like it. they lived through 1970s sitcoms. i dont understand why anyone below 60 finds it funny

OpalMoonstone · 01/01/2014 15:12

Itstruelefou Your post at 13.58 describing people explaining why it's funny made me laugh out loud. Grin

Elfhame · 01/01/2014 15:16

This was the funniest bit ever!

pandarific · 01/01/2014 15:16

It's awful, awful stuff. I'm Irish, and no one I know finds it at all funny. It's just embarrassing. Ooh, look! Those wacky minorities are being wacky!!! Cringe cringe cringe.

Wondering if the Irish people posters know that find it funny are a) 2nd gen/grown up in the UK to irish parents or b) very old and remember the 70s fondly?

Heartbrokenmum73 · 01/01/2014 15:18

Pandarific - the ones I know are 2nd gen in UK, but I know their parents (who are Irish) are older (60s/70s) and so remember the sitcoms from the 70s.

They all think it's hilarious!

HomeEcoGnomist · 01/01/2014 15:19

I love Man Down
Think Greg Davies is a genius - got his stand up show on DVD for Christmas

Taste in comedy is a funny thing (see what I did there) - DH thinks I have strange taste and will often sit watching something with me with a v bemused look on his face that I am finding it that funny. I secretly like quite childish things (eg Bad Education) and the odd naff thing (like that school one that David Walliams was in) but can't bear MBB or Citizen Khan - HOW does that get a prime Fri night slot?!?

The most disappointing thing I've watched over Christmas was Raised by Wolves - the Caitlin Moran one. Had really high hopes but think I laughed properly only once. Some of it was quite cringey actually (sorry CM!)

Nancy66 · 01/01/2014 15:21

Elfhame. Just watched that. Don't you think that when you can see the gag coming from a mile off that it totally kills the 'comedy' ?

camsie · 01/01/2014 15:21

I agree,OP. It's utter dross.

pigletmania · 01/01/2014 15:21

I can't stand it, don't see why everybody likes it!

Elfhame · 01/01/2014 15:25

Nancy. No, a fart gag never fails to tickle me. Grin

Sometimes the build up to something you know is going to happen actually seems to make it funnier. Depends how it is done.

Original poster
ComposHat · 01/01/2014 15:25

elf is that the funniest bit in the whole episode? Not only was the the situation woefully contrived but it was badly executed, staged and played.

OP posts:
RedPencils · 01/01/2014 15:27

It's rubbish.
Watched the Xmas special with ILs. They were Ll rolling around the floor laughing. I was Hmm. I just can't see what's funny about it at all.
Someone i work with went to the see the stage show twice. The 'hilarious' ad libs and mistakes were the same on both nights.

Crazdsky · 01/01/2014 15:31

I love it I think it is hilarious and I am not old (35) I am from N Ireland. My 16 yo daughter loves it my brother loves and our parents in their v early 60s love it.
I think it is so much more funny than some of the rubbish served up as comedy such as the office, extras and other dire rubbish usually on bbc3.

mrstigs · 01/01/2014 15:35

I dont hate it, but i wouldnt go out of my way to watch it. If i was in the need for mindless goggle-box staring fodder to keep me company whilst i knit it will do. (I'm much younger than that sounds Blush )
I did have it on for a bit yesterday and the blokes reaction when the phone went off in the middle did make me smile.
Now Miranda, that is dross that makes my teeth itch...
I like Bad Education atm. I know its not exactly highbrow but I find it very funny.

Heartbrokenmum73 · 01/01/2014 15:35

Except that The Office and Extras were on BBC2, rather than BBC3.

Completely different channels, with completely different demographics.

JollySantersSelectionBox · 01/01/2014 15:37

I have just had New Years Lunch with friends where again I have had to apologize for not finding the man in a tabard swearing the least bit funny.

Calling a gay man a "sausage gobbler" in such a "set up" scene. Hmm

The other couple were 50 to mid 50 affluent DM readers. They find the gags hysterical.

I tried watching again this year. (Maybe that's why the viewing figures are so high? People watching in disbelief and trying again? Confused)

Nothing. I just find it so middle of the road and ordinary. There's nothing clever or fresh in the gags.

However, the BBC has to broadcast to a wide audience of many backgrounds so it's understandable that you won't like every program. I imagine for some people it's like pulling on a pair of favourite pants. They want a certain set up.

As long as they keep funding things like Psychoville I'm happy.