Mrs. Brown's Boys

This is one of those shows which typifies the expression "you either love it or hate it"!

Everyone has different tastes. And I don't mind admitting that a lot of the ingredients in this are what I would usually use as reasons to avoid a show:

Excessive and unnecessary swearing Drag actor Gutter level humour

But having seen the first two episodes, I was (and still am) surprised to have found myself laughing along with it. It started off well by instantly dismantling the 'fourth wall' in the way that Allo Allo and Up Pompeii did (a voice-over/introduction by the lead actor). It then took it a step further with said character walking behind the cameras between sets. I also think that this was only partially scripted (in a way that I am told 'Outnumbered' is). The support characters have their scripted lines but the title character is left to ad-lib at will. You could clearly see the other actors covering their faces or turning away from the cameras whilst trying desperately not to laugh. These are the sorts of treats you get by watching a show recorded live as props are misplaced and scenes have to be reset. It was like watching an outtakes video (except that this was actually funny)!

So, whilst the storyline and character portrayal define everything I despise- somehow the finished article works (for me at least). And I will be tuning in regularly.