Ben Elton Slams Critics, Praises 'Mrs. Brown’s Boys' as Comedy 'Silliness'

Ben Elton Fires Back at Critics of 'Mrs. Brown’s Boys'

If there's one person who won't stand for the constant slamming of Mrs. Brown’s Boys, it's Ben Elton. The comedian and TV writer, famous for 'Blackadder' and 'Upstart Crow', has stuck his neck out for the divisive sitcom, calling the outrage over the show 'insane.' It's not just a passing comment—he's genuinely baffled by why so many critics pour so much energy into knocking a show millions still want to watch every week.

So what’s the big deal about this show? 'Mrs. Brown's Boys' isn’t high-brow, and Elton admits he doesn’t love every single part of it, but he says that’s not the point. For him, comedy is all about embracing the ridiculous and celebrating silliness—a tradition he says he’s always tried to keep alive in his own work, even when it was dressed up in Tudor costumes. Elton knows what it’s like to have critics breathing down your neck. When he tackled big issues like racism and sexism in his stand-up days, he wanted to make people laugh, not lecture. And that, he says, is what 'Mrs. Brown’s Boys' does in its own way: it gets crowds giggling, night after night.

A Gap Between Critics and Audiences

'Mrs. Brown's Boys' is no stranger to controversy or negative reviews. At the same time, big crowds keep tuning in to see what will happen next, showing a gulf between critics and the general public. Elton thinks this divide says as much about modern TV criticism as it does about the show itself. Even in a culture where everyone has opinions at their fingertips, audiences might look at the critics’ low scores, shrug, and click play anyway.

The recent fuss hasn’t helped the show’s image. Brendan O’Carroll—who not only created but also stars in 'Mrs. Brown’s Boys'—apologized after making a racist joke on set, sparking another round of finger-pointing and debate. This hasn't deterred Elton from saying his piece. In his view, comedy sometimes crosses uncomfortable lines or flirts with bad taste. But, he insists, its job isn’t to please everyone—sometimes, it’s just about sparking laughter in viewers who need it.

Elton’s stance goes beyond one show. He’s seen TV tides change over the years, from the sharp, satirical humor of the eighties to today’s trend for quick outrage on social media. By standing up for 'Mrs. Brown’s Boys', he’s really making a bigger point about who decides what counts as good comedy. Sometimes, it’s those sitting on the sofa, not those holding the pen.