Mrs Brown's Boys Christmas Special Hits Ratings Nadir
For years, the BBC's sitcom Mrs Brown's Boys was a reliable hit for the network, especially during the holidays. But its 2024 Christmas special, "Ding Dong Mammy," delivered a painful reality check. Just 2.2 million viewers tuned in, shattering its previous record for lowest ratings. Compare that to its glory days—over 11 million watched in 2013. This massive drop has a lot of people—both viewers and critics—asking tough questions about the show's future.
The story in the special was classic Mrs Brown: Brendan O'Carroll's Agnes Brown trying hard to shake her grumpy image, sort of like a Christmas Scrooge with better hair and louder clothes. But the joke didn't land. Social media and fan forums lit up with words like "spectacularly unfunny" and harsh accusations that the show had "ruined Christmas." Even loyal fans seemed fed up, many calling for the BBC to finally axe the series. One direct question summed up the mood: "Why on earth in 2024 is Mrs Brown's Boys still being broadcast?"
Backlash, Scandal, and the BBC's Gamble
Things have only gotten messier for Mrs Brown's Boys this year. In October 2024, controversy exploded behind the scenes when Brendan O'Carroll made a poorly received joke during rehearsals—one some took as a racial slur. The moment triggered an internal BBC investigation, and, more importantly, a Black staff member left the production team. This scandal gave critics even more ammunition, especially after years of complaints that the show is outdated and relies on tired stereotypes.
Reviews for last year's Christmas special already labeled the comedy "tedious" and "small-minded," and this year feels like more of the same—only with even fewer people watching. On the same night, rival BBC Christmas specials hoovered up ratings: *Gavin and Stacey: The Finale* pulled an impressive 12.5 million viewers, while *Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl* attracted a strong 9.5 million. It wasn’t even close.
Despite the disastrous numbers, Brendan O'Carroll says the show isn't going anywhere. He confirmed that filming for a fresh season is planned for spring 2025. That news only added to the backlash, with critics and viewers alike questioning the BBC’s commitment to a series widely seen as past its prime. The sitcom hasn't made the Christmas Day top ten since 2020, when it still managed a modest 3.8 million viewers. Four years on, support seems to be evaporating fast.
Right now, Mrs Brown’s Boys is stuck in a rough spot. The show’s rapid ratings collapse, ongoing criticism for its dated humor, and the shadow of a recent racism controversy have left the BBC with a choice: move on, or risk even greater damage as audiences continue to look elsewhere for their Christmas laughs.