Our take
A New Year's Day episode with a serious subject under the stair-lift gags and the medical marijuana. The Telegraph's reviewer loathed most of it but warmed to the closing speech about bullying, and that speech is the reason to watch. Watched by about 6.7 million on the night. Not a festive watch, but one of the few specials with something to say.
What happens
Agnes Brown's grandson Bono is being bullied by a boy at school. Agnes makes matters worse by threatening the bully at the school gates, and a mediation session with the boy's mother is called. Before it, Agnes gets stoned on Grandad's medical marijuana: Grandad is back from hospital with a new stair-lift and a prescription for it. Meanwhile Cathy has a new French boyfriend, Gaston, who does not make the best first impression, which may be a problem if he is to survive meeting Mrs Brown. The episode opens with two police officers bringing Agnes home after finding her wandering, apparently confused, Agnes, it turns out, only wanted a lift home with her shopping. The episode ends with a speech from Agnes about bullying that even the Telegraph's critic warmed to.
Can the kids watch it?
Rated 15 by the BBFC for strong language; the swearing and near-the-knuckle innuendo run all the way through, so it is for 15 and over, not a family watch.
Cast and crew
Starring
- Brendan O'Carroll as Agnes Brown
- Jennifer Gibney as Cathy Brown
- Eilish O'Carroll as Winnie McGoogan
- Danny O'Carroll as Buster Brady
- Rory Cowan as Rory Brown
Guest stars
- Gary Hollywood as Dino Doyle
- Amanda Woods as Betty Brown
- Fiona O'Carroll as Maria Brown
- Jamie O'Carroll as Bono Brown
- Susie Blake as Hillary Nicholson
Writer
- Brendan O'Carroll
Director
- Ben Kellett