Mrs Brown’s Boys’ Brendan O’Carroll reveals if BBC comedy will return after apology for ‘sick joke’
MRS BROWN’S Boys star Brendan O’Carroll reveals if the BBC comedy will return to our screens after their Christmas Specials.
Brendan, 69, who plays matriarch Agnes, cracked a “joke” using a racial slur which shocked everyone during the cast’s Christmas rehearsals.
As they read through the festive script, Brendan improvised, referring to “calling a spade a spade.”
He was stopped from completing the offensive and racist word by his wife, Jennifer Gibney, who plays his daughter, Cathy on the show.
The BBC temporarily halted filming of the Christmas special, and Brendon has since apologised for making the attempted gag, admitting it had backfired.
Now Brendon has informed The Sun TV Mag of the show’s future saying: “As long as the BBC wants the show on Christmas Day, I want to be there.”
He continues: “I grew up Morecambe and Wise – Christmas wasn’t Christmas without that.
“And now so many people tell us that Christmas isn’t Christmas without Mrs Brown Boys.
“I’m sure they’d get over it if we’re not there, but it’s still a lovely compliment to have people associate the show with being part of their Christmas”
He concludes by stating: “It’s a privilege.”
When Brendan made the ‘joke’ during rehearsals, a TV insider said: “Virtually everyone in the room on the day that the outburst happened were shocked, but the reading continued for some time without anyone saying or doing anything as they were so stunned.
“One member of the production team in particular was upset by what came out of his mouth and it was quickly reported to the bosses.
“There was no excuses for what he said or any kind of context or mitigation he could provide for making the slur, he just seemed to think it was amusing.”
An investigation was ordered by the BBC and rehearsals for the festive show were temporarily suspended and the cast and crew stood down.
But later filming resumed and Brendan admitted: “At a read-through of the Mrs Brown’s Boys Christmas specials, there was a clumsy attempt at a joke, where a racial term was implied.
“It backfired and caused offence, which I deeply regret and for which I have apologised.”
Best BBC comedies
We look back at some of the best to ever grace the screen.
Fawlty Towers (1975-1979) – Only two series were made of the beloved institution. However, the cultural impact of the series starring John Cleese and Connie Booth spans decades. It follows rude and intolerant Basil Fawlty (Cleese) as he attempts to improve the reputation of his hotel.
Only Fools and Horses (1981-2003) – The show was crowned by some as the best British sitcom of all time by a TV poll in 2004. Seven series were broadcast on BBC until 1991 with additional sporadic Christmas specials airing until 2003. Sir David Jason starred as ambitious market trader Derek “Del Boy” Trotter whilst Nicholas Lyndhurst played his younger half-brother Rodney. Set in working-class Peckham in south-east London, it follows the highs and lows of the lives of the Trotters’, in particular their brazen attempts to get rich.
Blackadder (1983 – 1989) – Four series were made of the iconic show, created by Richard Curtis and Rowan Atkinson. Each series spans a different historical period as anti-hero Edmund Blackadder (Atkinson) tries to better himself in each society. Accompanied by his dogsbody Baldrick (Tony Robinson), trouble always ensues. A TV poll in 2004 found that Blackadder was voted the second-best British sitcom of all time
Absolutely Fabulous (1992 – 2012) – Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley star as failing PR guru Edina ‘Eddie’ Monsoon and alcoholic fashionista Patsy Stone. The pair embark on heavy-drinking sessions and abuse drugs in a desperate attempt to stay ‘hip’. Eddie constantly chases bizarre fads and fails to lose weight whilst her disappointed and neglected daughter Saffy (Julia Sawalha) looks on.
Little Britain (2003 – 2006) – The premise is simple. A sketch show which features different British people from all walks of life that are engaged in all sorts of comical scenarios. Starring Matt Lucas and David Walliams, the pair created iconic pop culture characters. Viewers loved obnoxious council estate teenager Vicky Pollard, morbidly obese scrounger Bubbles Devere, slimming coach Marjorie Dawes, despondent office worker Carol Beer, disgraced politician Sir Norman Fry, of course the iconic Lou and Andy!
The Catherine Tate Show (2004-2015) – A sketch show starring the likes of Catherine Tate. She made iconic characters such as rowdy schoolgirl Lauren Cooper with her line ‘Am I bovvered?’. Other characters featured Bernie the nurse, the aga saga woman, complaining couple Janice and Ray, and of course her infamous ‘Nan’, Joannie Taylor. The last character herself spawned multiple specials and even a movie.
Gavin and Stacey (2007 – Present) The series tells the story of Gavin (Matthew Horne) and Stacey (Joanna Page). The pair embarked on an online and telephone romance for six months. But when they finally decide to be together properly, their friends and family get in the way. Ruth Jones and James Corden created the beloved show, which has been going for over a decade. The 2019 Christmas special was the most-watched comedy in 17 years and the most-viewed non-sporting event in a decade.
The BBC added: “While 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.”
The programme, first shown on BBC One in 2011, has had four series and has long been a highlight on the BBC’s Christmas TV schedules.
It won a National TV Award in September for best comedy.
The Mrs Brown’s Boys Specials will air Christmas Day 11:05pm and Mon 30 Dec at 10:30pm on BBC1