National Television Awards viewers expressed dismay Tuesday night as the long-running comedy "Mrs. Brown's Boys" secured the Best Comedy award, surpassing favored rival "Amandaland." The win ignited a significant backlash on social media platforms, with many questioning the public vote's outcome.
"Mrs. Brown's Boys," created by and starring Brendan O'Carroll as Agnes Brown, beat out other nominees including "Changing Ends," "Last One Laughing," and "Not Going Out." "Amandaland," a BBC comedy and spin-off of "Motherland" starring Lucy Punch, had been considered a front-runner, having previously won the Best Scripted Comedy Bafta in May.
Online commentary reflected widespread surprise and disappointment. "Best comedy. I know we're not exactly in a golden age of British comedy but how did that beat Amandaland?" one user posted on X. Another viewer suggested the result reflected broader societal issues, quipping that the country "absolutely cannot be trusted to vote."
The show, which first aired in 2011, has garnered several awards throughout its run. However, recent years have seen a decline in its popularity, with its most recent Christmas and New Year's specials criticized by viewers as "woeful" and "unfunny." Ratings for the 2024 Christmas special reportedly fell to a series low of 2.2 million viewers, a sharp decrease from the 11.5 million who watched the 2013 special.
Brendan O'Carroll, 70, was unable to attend the awards ceremony as he is recovering in the United States after undergoing surgery for two fractures in his jaw. A crew member accepting the award on his behalf stated, "Brendan's in Florida recovering from an operation so all love to you Brendan and get well soon."
O'Carroll's surgery has also led to the cancellation of "Mrs. Brown's Boys" Christmas and New Year's specials for the upcoming season, as well as its touring stage show. In a statement, O'Carroll expressed his regret over the cancellations, apologizing to fans and stating his need to focus on his recovery, with a planned return in 2027.
"He is doing well and he is very sad to not be here. It is one of his fave nights!" said Fiona Gibney, a star of the show, in the winners' room. "But definitely we will be back in the new year. The NTAs are so important to us as the public are voting and then on tour we get to meet the fans and they tell us how on Christmas day they get to sit down and enjoy the episode and it is sad how this year we won't get that, but now it's all about 2027."
Gibney added that O'Carroll FaceTimed to celebrate the win and that the cast "will be back in the new year" and that "now it's all about 2027."