Mrs Brown’s Boys, the long-running BBC sitcom starring Brendan O’Carroll as the feisty Irish matriarch Agnes Brown, has once again divided audiences with its festive offering. The 2025 Christmas special, titled “Mammy’s Bottles,” aired on Christmas Day, followed by a New Year’s Day episode, but it quickly ignited a wave of complaints from viewers who took to social media almost immediately after the broadcast began.

Many fans expressed frustration within minutes of the episode starting, describing the humour as outdated, unfunny, and repetitive. One widely shared post claimed, “The BBC have just witnessed the biggest switch off in their history as they announce the Christmas special of #mrsbrownsboys.” Others branded the show “woeful,” “not funny at all,” and called for it to be axed, with comments like “GET MRS BROWN’S BOYS AXED” flooding platforms. Some viewers admitted they couldn’t wait to change the channel, highlighting a growing sentiment that the series has overstayed its welcome after more than a decade on air.

The backlash appears tied to broader dissatisfaction with the show’s formula. Mrs Brown’s Boys relies heavily on breaking the fourth wall, audience laughter, and slapstick gags centred around family chaos and Agnes’s sharp tongue. While this style once drew massive crowds—peaking at over 11 million viewers for early Christmas specials—it has struggled to maintain that appeal in recent years. The 2025 Christmas episode reportedly attracted only around 1.6 million viewers, failing to crack the top 10 most-watched programmes on Christmas Day—a sharp decline from previous years and a far cry from its heyday.

Critics and casual watchers alike have pointed out that the humour feels stale, with predictable punchlines and scenarios that no longer land for a modern audience. Some have questioned why the BBC continues to schedule the show during prime festive slots, especially when other programmes offer fresher entertainment. The complaints extended beyond the content to debates about the licence fee, with frustrated viewers asking why they fund something they find disappointing.

Despite the negativity, the show retains a loyal fanbase. Supporters argue it’s harmless fun, perfect for light-hearted family viewing during the holidays, and praise O’Carroll’s energetic performance and the comforting familiarity of the Brown family antics. Defenders on social media urged detractors to simply change channels rather than complain, noting that personal taste varies widely.

As ratings continue to slide and online fury grows louder, the future of Mrs Brown’s Boys hangs in the balance. Brendan O’Carroll has previously indicated he wouldn’t object if the BBC decided to end the run. Whether this festive backlash marks the beginning of the end or just another chapter in the show’s polarising legacy remains to be seen. For now, the special has undeniably sparked more conversation through complaints than chuckles.