The creator of the divisive BBC sitcom Mrs Brown's Boys has issued a heartfelt plea to the broadcaster, hoping to revive his cancelled talk show. The appeal from Brendan O'Carroll comes as the programme he is best known for faces a fresh wave of criticism for its prominent place in the BBC's 2025 Christmas television schedule.
A Creative Plea for a Cancelled Show
Brendan O'Carroll, the 70-year-old comedian famed for playing the irascible Irish matriarch Agnes Brown, expressed his strong desire to see his axed talk show, All Round To Mrs Brown's, return to screens. The series, which saw O'Carroll interview major celebrities like Pamela Anderson and Mel B in character, was cancelled during the Covid-19 pandemic.
O'Carroll revealed the show offered him immense creative freedom, recalling a memorable interview with Caitlyn Jenner. "I remember when we had Caitlyn Jenner on and I went up to the dressing room and I said to her, 'Where's the line? I don't want to cross the line.' She said, 'No line'. And I said, 'Really?'. That was a red rag to a bull," he said. This led to a controversial question about the former Olympian's anatomy, which O'Carroll said resulted in a "magnificent" interview.
Speaking about the potential for new Mrs Brown's Boys episodes, O'Carroll stated, "They haven’t asked yet, but if they do, I'll certainly think about it. The last one went really well. I found it so freeing to write a mini-series because I didn’t have to do a Christmas tree. I could write whatever I wanted."
Festive Schedule Sparks Viewer Fury
O'Carroll's comments arrive amidst significant backlash from viewers over the BBC's planned festive programming. The broadcaster's 2025 Christmas schedule, which includes two specials of Mrs Brown's Boys on Christmas Day and New Year's Day, has been labelled a "letdown" by some.
Reacting on social media platform X, one disgruntled viewer penned, "Genuinely not one thing that stands out! What a letdown." Another demanded, "Please don't ruin Christmas with Mrs Browns Boys!" The criticism extended to comparisons with other shows, with some suggesting the BBC Christmas schedule should have featured different programming.
Many pointed to the emotional Christmas special of the crime drama spin-off Beyond Paradise, which aired on 22nd December, as a highlight. Viewers claimed the well-received episode, which left some "crying their eyes out," would have been a better fit for the prime Christmas Day slot than the controversial sitcom.
Further Festive Changes and Family Legacy
In a separate festive development, Irish broadcaster RTE has decided to abandon its traditional Christmas Eve live broadcast from Grafton Street, a show O'Carroll usually co-hosted. Expressing his surprise, O'Carroll said, "It's certainly not a decision I would make... I’m also sad for the people who won’t be able to tune in, just to hear a little bit of home." He noted the broadcast had a global audience, reaching listeners in Australia, New Zealand, and Argentina.
Despite the ongoing debate about its quality and scheduling, Mrs Brown's Boys remains a ratings performer for the BBC and has even won a National Television Award. The show, whose cast is largely composed of O'Carroll's own family, continues to be a staple of the broadcaster's biggest holiday periods, ensuring the debate around its place in British television culture is set to continue.
