Mrs Brown's Boys star Brendan O'Carroll has hit out at trolls who criticized the show's Christmas specials.
The BBC recently announced its TV and online offerings for the Christmas period and two special programs were under particular scrutiny – both Mrs Brown's Boys.
Brendan, who created the sitcom, told BBC Radio Sounds: “First of all, I'm aware that comedy is very subjective. “What some people like, others simply loathe. So I don't take it too seriously.'
The actor revealed that the show remains extremely popular and has even helped children with autism.
He said: “When we started…around the fourth or fifth episode we got a few letters from people who had autistic children.”
Mrs Brown's Boys star Brendan O'Carroll has hit out at trolls who criticized the show's Christmas specials
“It started with a few letters and now there are over 3,000. And they said that their children were watching Mrs. Brown and they heard her laugh in context for the first time.
“A woman said she was in the kitchen and heard her son laugh for the first time.
“When you get a letter like that, I don't care what the critics say. 'That's enough for me.'
This comes after the BBC revealed its TV and online offerings for the Christmas period and two specials came under particular scrutiny – both Mrs Brown's Boys.
Fans of the festive broadcast calendar have been complaining about the decision since it was announced, saying “we have suffered enough”.
The BBC's announcement said: “Mrs Brown's Boys is back for two episodes as Mammy tries to enjoy a nice, peaceful Christmas before the whole gang starts the New Year with a tough new health and fitness regime.”
“Please stop,” read one reaction on X – formerly Twitter – “we have suffered enough.”
Brendan, who created the sitcom, told BBC Radio Sounds: “First of all, I'm aware that comedy is very subjective. “What some people like, others simply loathe. So I don't take it too seriously.'
Another commented: “Why? It's not funny anymore.'
Others simply shouted “NO” or asked “WHY?”
Someone else called the decision “absolutely pathetic.”
A critical user of
Since it first aired in 2011, the BBC sitcom created by Brendan O'Carroll has featured a Christmas special every year, often with a second special episode on New Year's Day.
Mrs Brown's Boys has only released special episodes since 2013 until the polarizing show aired a fourth season in September this year.
During this brief return to regular television, the show was labeled “nonsense and completely unfunny.”
'We have suffered enough': The BBC has come under fire for airing two more episodes of Mrs Brown's Boys in this year's festive calendar
The glass is half full: One critical
And eleven months ago, the comedy's latest marquee sequel had fans voicing their dissatisfaction once again.
One posted on Twitter at the time: “#Mrsbrownsboys Please no more, I used to absolutely love it but it's lost its way.”
This winter's episodes were further teased by the BBC with the synopsis: “All Mrs Brown wants is a nice, peaceful Christmas, but the family have other ideas!”
“Cathy has decided to cook Christmas dinner for the first time, a sentimental decoration has gone missing and a surprise dinner guest has the potential to ruin Agnes' quiet Christmas.”