Brendan O’Carroll has accepted that Mrs Brown’s Boys is “marmite” television.
The comedian, 69, has played the titular matriarch in the long-running BBC comedy for almost 14 years, and initially brought the character to life as part of a radio play in the early 1990s.
But after the show continues to air and recently won an NTA, he accepted that viewers can love or hate the show and insisted that all art is “subjective” anyway.
he said The mirror: ‘I’m the same with music and comedy, it’s subjective, you know? It really is. There are comedians that people find really funny and then I’m like, ‘I don’t really understand that,’ you know?
“They went through a phase where the comedy started getting really sarcastic and people were punching, and I was looking and saying, ‘I don’t know…’
Brendan O’Carroll has admitted he can “understand the bitterness” against Mrs Brown’s Boys as the show enters its 14th year on air.
The comedian, 69, has played the titular matriarch in the BBC sitcom for almost 14 years, and initially brought the character to life as part of a radio play in the 1990s.
And then there are other guys, people who were around me say, ‘Oh no, it’s fucking funny.’ Are you kidding? It’s fucking funny!’ And I said, ‘Well… Because it really is, it’s what’s called Marmite, that’s what it is and people love it or hate it.’
Brendan noted that it must be “frustrating for people” and “he doesn’t understand” when it comes to viewing figures.
He also insisted that he has never said anything that would discredit the show and admitted that he never imagined the series would last this long.
He said, ‘Why would you bother? But I’ve kept saying, ‘Oh, I love that, it’s really fucking good.’ When we do the miniseries, this April, May will be our 56th episode. I signed on for 18.’
Aside from its television career, Mrs Brown’s Boys has toured several times to perform in theaters and stadiums across the country.
The show has spawned two spin-off films and, around its four regular series, has returned every year for a holiday special since 2013.
In 2020, it was confirmed that the BBC had signed a deal with Brendan to guarantee new Christmas specials until at least 2026.
The TV star employs his family to appear alongside him, with his wife Jennifer Gibney playing his on-screen daughter Cathy and his sister Eilish as his best friend Winnie.
His son Danny, 40, and daughter Fiona, 44, have also appeared in Irish comedy throughout his long career.
The TV star employs his family to appear alongside him, with his wife Jennifer Gibney playing his on-screen daughter Cathy (left, alongside Rory Cowan and Pat Shields).
Brendan’s daughter Fiona (centre) plays Fiona O’Carroll in the show (pictured alongside Emily Regan as Barbara in the 2020 Christmas special)
Brenda’s sister Eilish O’Carroll plays best friend to her alter ego Winnie McGoogan (left), while her son Danny O’Carroll (top left) plays Buster Brady (pictured alongside June Rodgers and Paddy Houlihan).
In September, Mrs Brown’s Boys picked up its second consecutive Best Comedy award at the NTAs, after beating Ghosts in the same category in 2023.
The series also won Best Comedy in 2013, 2014 and 2015, and the entire clan came up on stage to collect the award.
In September, Mrs Brown’s Boys won its second consecutive Best Comedy award at the NTAs, after beating Ghosts in the same category in 2023.
The series also won Best Comedy in 2013, 2014 and 2015, and the entire clan took the stage to accept the award.
After being presented with the award by Outnumbered stars Tyger Drew-Honey, Ramona Marquez and Daniel Roache ahead of his own Christmas special, Brendan dedicated the award to his loyal television audience.
He said: ‘I want to thank the audience who vote. We do this for you, so thank you very much for responding the way you did.
