BBC boss gives excruciating response when asked if he finds Mrs Brown's Boys funny
Mrs Brown's Boys has been a huge hit with many viewers since it first aired in 2011, but has been on the receiving end of a mountain of criticism, with many calling for it to be scrapped
by Zoe Delaney · Irish MirrorThe BBC 's director of comedy dodged a seemingly straightforward question earlier this year: Does he find Mrs Brown's Boys amusing?
Top telly exec Jon Petrie's awkward answer to the question has resurfaced in the wake of the divisive comedy's creator Brendan O'Carroll apologising over a "clumsy" joke where a "racial term was implied" during rehearsals for the upcoming Christmas special of the BBC comedy.
Mrs Brown's Boys, which first aired in 2011, has consistently pulled in high viewer numbers over the years, but the farcical sitcom has also been on the receiving end of harsh critiques from unimpressed viewers. The old school comedy, crafted and fronted by Irish actor O'Carroll, has plenty of critics calling for the long-running series to get the axe.
READ MORE: Mrs Brown's Boys icon Brendan O'Carroll bags new BBC show featuring huge star
During a Q&A session in June this year, the BBC's director of comedy, Jon Petrie, was put on the spot by one of the show's many critics. The audience member BBC Comedy Showcase at Soho House asked: "'Can I ask as comedy chief, do you actually find Mrs Brown's Boys funny? And would you watch it if you didn't have to?"
Petrie chuckled nervously at the query before being rescued by the Q&A's host, comedy writer Michelle de Swarte. "It's a trap. It's a trap. Look at me. That's a trap," she warned a relieved Jon, before swiftly moving on with: "Next question."
Mrs Brown's Boys boss O'Carroll has previously staunchly defended the show's authenticity against BBC chiefs. Recalling a 2018 confrontation with BBC boss Danny Cohen, the comedian said: "You want me to stop saying 'f***' so you can put the show on at eight o'clock.' And he said: 'Exactly.'
"I said: 'The show is the show. Put it at eight o'clock, or put it on at half 10, put it on at half 12, the people who want to see it will find it. But the show is the show. I don't care when you put it on, we are not changing the show'."
O'Carroll, who plays foul-mouthed matriarch Agnes Brown in the series, apologised on Monday night for making a racist remark which sparked a BBC probe. The BBC temporarily paused rehearsals to investigate the incident, which have since resumed in Glasgow at the broadcaster’s Pacific Quay studios in Scotland – with shows going ahead as planned, as first reported by the Mirror newspaper.
Mrs Brown’s Boys creator and star O’Carroll will return to his role as mischievous Agnes Brown in the Christmas Day and New Year’s Day specials. "At a read-through of the Mrs Brown’s Boys Christmas specials, there was a clumsy attempt at a joke, in the character of Agnes, where a racial term was implied," the actor said in a statement to the Mirror.
O'Carroll concluded: "It backfired and caused offence which I deeply regret and for which I have apologised." A BBC spokesperson added: "Whilst 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."
Sign up to the Irish Mirror'sdaily newsletter hereand get breaking news and top stories direct to your inbox.