Mrs Brown’s Boys was named the winner of the best comedy award at the National Television Awards earlier this week, with one star of a rival show looking unimpressed
One National Television Awards nominee was caught “fuming” at the ceremony as Mrs Brown’s Boys nabbed its fourth gong for Best Comedy.
The controversial BBC sitcom, first hitting screens back in 2011, was up against Not Going Out, Ghosts, Brassic and The Gentlemen this year, but came out on top. It’s also bagged the top honour at the NTAs in 2013, 2014 and 2015. But Ghosts star Kiell Smith-Bynoe couldn’t mask his dismay at seeing them take home the prize yet again.
Mrs Brown’s Boys creator Brendan O’Carroll headed on-stage alongside the wider cast to claim the award, while Kiell looked anything but pleased. Just a few weeks prior, the Taskmaster comedian was rallying his followers to vote for Ghosts – but the series sadly lost out.
He pleaded: “Don’t let Mrs Browns Boys beat us again.” Supporters who caught his glare on live TV cameras couldn’t quite decide if he was faking his anger or not.
One fan tweeted: “Kiell Smith-Bynoe Did not look happy. Another chimed in: “Can’t tell if Kiell Smith-Bynoe was doing his angry/belligerent act like he did on Taskmaster or was genuinely fuming at Mrs Brown’s Boys win!”
The slapstick sitcom has always garnered high ratings over the years, but it hasn’t been immune to harsh criticism from comedy enthusiasts. Brendan reprised his role as the cheeky matriarch Agnes Brown for Christmas Day and New Year’s Day specials last year.
Before the shows even hit the screens, the actor decided to confront his critics. Speaking to the Daily Star, he said: “First of all, I’m well aware that comedy is very subjective. What some people like, other people just detest. So I don’t take it too serious.”
However, this didn’t prevent a barrage of viewer criticism online.
“I’m just leave this here… Mrs Brown’s Boys… we are forced to pay for this horrific content, it should be a choice,” one disgruntled TV fan once posted on X during a discussion about the state-funded channel. “Please please axe Mrs Brown’s Boys,” another directly tweeted at the BBC.
In an awkward moment over the summer, BBC’s director of comedy Jon Petrie dodged answering whether he finds the show amusing.
“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?” Jon was questioned by an audience member at a Q&A for the BBC Comedy Showcase at Soho House in June. The TV executive nervously chuckled at the question before being rescued by the Q&A’s host, comedy writer Michelle de Swarte.
She warned: “It’s a trap. It’s a trap. Look at me. That’s a trap,” before quickly changing the subject.
