The aftermath of Mrs Brown’s Boys’ shocking Christmas episode is still reverberating across living rooms, with viewers left stunned after a jaw-dropping scene featuring a kiss that has divided fans like never before.
In the festive instalment, Cathy Brown (Jennifer Gibney) plans to cook Christmas dinner for Agnes Brown (Brendan O’Carroll), creating an atmosphere of holiday cheer. However, the episode takes an unexpected turn when Buster Brady (Danny O’Carroll), portrayed as a suitor for Cathy, tries to steal a kiss under the mistletoe. Little did viewers know, this mistletoe moment would become the most talked-about scene in the show’s history.
As Buster closes his eyes for the anticipated kiss, Cathy slyly dodges, leaving Agnes to take her place. The shocking twist? Danny O’Carroll, the actor playing Buster, is Brendan O’Carroll’s real-life son, and the on-screen kiss turns familial, sparking outrage and disbelief.
Twitter erupted with comments expressing viewers’ horror and shock. One user exclaimed, “This is the most shocking Mrs Brown’s Boys episode ever, Mrs Brown kissing Buster my God!!!!” Another critic went even further, stating, “Mrs Brown’s Boys honestly makes me want to gouge out my eyes, pour petrol into my eye sockets, and cut off my ears.”
Mrs Brown’s Boys Faces Huge Online Backlash
The online backlash continued, with comments ranging from disbelief to disdain for the show. A viewer questioned, “Mrs Brown’s boys is just not funny. End of.” Another Twitter user shared, “Mrs Brown’s Boys makes my blood run cold.”
While some found humour in the situation, stating, “Literally anyone who chooses to watch Mrs Brown Boys falls into immediate red flag territory for me,” others questioned the show’s continued commissioning, asking, “Mrs Brown’s Boys is truly ghastly. Why do they keep commissioning it?”
Despite the polarising reactions, creator and star Brendan O’Carroll defended the show’s appeal, emphasizing its nostalgic value. He explained, “Mrs Brown’s Boys has a kind of nostalgia to it. It looks back to that kind of late ’80s and ’90s comedy where you don’t have to worry about it, you just sit down and let it come at you.’“Amid the controversy, Mrs Brown’s Boys witnessed a surge in Christmas Day viewership. The Christmas miracle episode, as Brendan O’Carroll termed it, showcased the character Agnes Brown’s unexpected shift in focus, providing a unique twist to the festive special.
However, the shock factor didn’t translate into top ratings, as Mrs Brown’s Boys failed to crack the top 10 most-watched shows on December 25. It faced tough competition from The King’s Speech, Doctor Who, Strictly, EastEnders, and even a showing of Toy Story 4.
In response to critics and ratings, Brendan O’Carroll remained unfazed, stating, ‘First of all, I’m well aware that comedy is very subjective.’ He emphasized the show’s positive impact, sharing letters from parents of autistic children who found solace in Mrs Brown’s Boys, reinforcing the idea that laughter knows no bounds.