Mrs Brown’s Boys’ newest episode left fans stunned as they accused the show of’reusing previous gags.’
Every year, the BBC sitcom splits fans with a Christmas and New Year special, but those who turned in on New Year’s Day were a touch disappointed as Eilish O’Carroll’s character Winnie mentioned a ‘old’ joke.
In the episode, she said: ‘You can forget about getting my garden done, because my garden’s being done as we speak.’
Agnes, played by Brendan O’Carroll, asked: ‘By the council?’
To which Winnie replied: ‘No, believe it or not by the Gardaí (Irish police). They said they were looking for some stuff.’
Fans quickly took to social media to slam the gag with @JGMooreWriter writing: ‘God, that “buried it in the garden” joke is ancient. Put some effort in, Brendan.’
According to the classic joke, an old father writes to his son in prison and says he’s too feeble to dig up the garden to plant vegetables, and his son answers in a letter instructing him not to dig it up since that’s where he buried the dead.
The police then arrive and dig up the garden in search of the dead, allowing the elderly man to plant his veggies.
God, that "buried it in the garden" joke is ancient. Put some effort in, Brendan. #MrsBrownsBoys
— J.G. Moore (@JGMooreWriter) January 1, 2024
Who at the bbc commissioned this show? Whoever's to blame needs to be sacked. Each episode is the same and the jokes are ALL 50 years old at least and the delivery terrible.
— Colin Lingham (@LinghamColin) January 1, 2024
@LinghamColin added: ‘Who at the bbc commissioned this show? Whoever’s to blame needs to be sacked. Each episode is the same and the jokes are ALL 50 years old at least and the delivery terrible.’
@Ads900 weighed in: ‘B******izing old jokes as part of their plot.’
This comes as 68-year-old Brendan, the comedy’s creator and eponymous character, spilled the beans on the show’s future.
In a new chat, he declared: ‘As long as the BBC keep asking, we’ll keep making episodes.
‘It’s down to what the BBC want and what we can plan around.’
‘We are definitely making more specials,’ he added to the Daily Star. ‘Whether we do another full series or not depends on dates.’
Despite regular criticism, the comedy has been running since 2011, and Brendan has responded to individuals who have criticised his initiative.
‘First of all, I’m well aware that comedy is very subjective,’ he told BBC Radio Sounds in a recent interview.
‘What some people like, other people just detest. So I don’t take it too serious.’
Mrs Brown’s Boys is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
