To me, it’s the exact opposite of what I’d consider fine British humour (python Ofc, red dwarf, spaced, blackadder, fast show – hell even Limmys Show!)

How did this utter garbage get so popular, and who was watching?

/rant over

40 comments

  1. Because it’s broad humour and is easily enjoyable by many.

    This concept is hard for most Redditors.

  3. Reminds me ‘When The Whistle Blows’ from Extras. The lowest-common denominator is unsurprisingly popular.

  4. > rant over

    Thanks. If you hadn’t put that I’d be all over the place trying to figure out if there should be more text.

  6. I had a friend, once, who made me watch the first episode of this.

    I have never been so *bored* and I once had to spend an afternoon picking up stones out of the garden. Why? Because I complained that I was bored. There wasn’t any point to it, either.

  7. It’s almost as though ~60m people can have varied tastes. I can’t stand it personally but obviously plenty of people do like it.

  9. It’s an odd one . It’s a bit like U2, massively popular but no one ever seems to admit liking it.

  11. Reddit needs to get over this television show.

    Some people just want to sit back and watch a familiar family doing silly things and telling silly jokes. Some people are happy watching a bit of trash TV and not overthinking.

    There’s nothing wrong with liking a bit of trash, we all do to some extent.

  14. Its must be appealing to some, as it’s watched, despite that I think its awful.

    It should never be considered in the same category as classics such as Only Fools & Horses and others

  15. When it first came out, the first series was funny as it was new. The problem is they have then repeated the same jokes for 100 series and its just not funny anymore, and what makes it worse is its forced down people’s eyeballs as this amazing funny show by mainstream media e.g the Xmas special being on Christmas day evening which is normally reserved for god tier shows.

    Same thing happened with TBBT, first series or two was funny as it was new, then it just became dull and repetitive.

    Its why British comedy series are generally so well loved, we end stuff with people still wanting more, rather than carrying on until people would pay to end the show.

  17. I remember going to see the live stage show in Edinburgh before the TV show was produced and it was hilarious, the problem with the TV show was they ran out of ideas quickly, and ramped up the language to mask the fact it was no longer funny.

    Same thing happened with Rab C Nesbitt, and Still Game.

  18. As far as I can tell, a lot of older people (like 50+) love it because it reminds them of old school comedy from years ago – Benny Hill, Les Dawson, The Two Ronnies, etc.

    Obviously it’s actually terribly written especially when compared to those older legends, but there isn’t currently a well written modern day version of that old-school style comedy show either, so it got popular. And they really love the ‘off-script’ bits where it all goes wrong. Clearly written into the script as a holdover from when it was a stage show.

    Basically, I think it’s crap. But it’s not for me.

  19. It’s switch yer head off and enjoy it TV. The live shows they put on before it got a TV slot where absolutely brilliant.

  20. I don’t find most of the comedy you listed funny either, guy. I’ve never actually watched Mrs Brown’s Boys because it looks absolutely shite. However, I find most people who dislike it, think things like Friday Night Dinner is great so while they judge the Mrs Brown’s Boys watchers, I’m judging them

  21. as a radio host once said why are cornflakes and white sliced bread so popular, because its bland.

  24. One of the ladies I work with, fantastic Pulmonology consultant, incredibly clever. Guess what her favourite show is?

    She says it’s because she can just shut her brain off for once.

    I feel like Phoenix nights is a great example of a comedy that has a lot of depth and wit, but then some catchphrases thrown in for the masses to jump on. MBB is just the broad shit.

  26. Streaming pulled many young people away from broadcast TV, Mrs brown’s boys appeals to those who still watch broadcasts

  27. I ask myself this a lot. Tried watching it and I do not understand the appeal at all ( and I’ve really tried )

    It’s just not good

  28. The numbers speak for itself.

    Personally I don’t get Gogglebox, but there’s no denying it has a market that’s lucrative enough to keep producing episodes.

    Not everything has to appeal to everyone.

  29. I always thought gavin and Stacey was total garbage, but lots of people like it and there’s plenty of other channels for me if it’s on. I’d rather watch an engineering show about bridges or high rises, for which I’d be described by most of the country as a boring cunt

  31. It’s interesting to note that a lot of your examples of fine British humour were not considered great in their time. Monty Python was a very niche show that most people considered weird. Red Dwarf was also a show with a small cult following that didn’t become popular until several seasons in and was never really ‘mainstream’ even after that.

    On the other hand there have always been shows that were very popular in their time but looking back are completely unwatchable – Some Mothers Do Ave Em, Absolute Fabulous, Little Britain, Miranda etc

  35. Colleagues of mine who say “hollibobs” and “hun” love it. Also, Miranda.

  38. I question this regularly, that and how is Harry Hill classed as a commedian?

    I’ve actually had a kick in the nuts that’s was funnier than both of them

  39. In one way I absolutely hate it. In another it’s easy watching, doesn’t require a huge amount of attention and a good choice for background noise so I don’t completely detest it.

  40. I think the older generation appreciate it’s pretty old fashioned approach – the way it’s filmed in front of a live audience, the actors often break while performing, and the humour is very basic, nothing you have to think too hard about. It’s basically broadcasted pantomime.

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