Mrs Brown’s Boys star Brendan O’Carroll slammed for ‘racist’ joke about Tyler Perry
Brendan O’Carroll has been accused of making a ‘blatantly racist’ joke about his black co-star Tyler Perry.
The Irish star, 66, appeared on Tuesday’s episode of The One Show alongside Tyler, 52, to promote their new Netflix comedy A Madea Homecoming.
Yet talk soon turned Brendan’s hit BBC One show Mrs Brown’s Boys, as he was asked whether he would have Tyler on to guest star.
Brendan quipped: ‘He’s very expensive, and so far we haven’t had anyone of his colour in there,’ while gesturing to his own face.
‘Blatant racism on prime time TV’: Mrs Brown’s Boys star Brendan O’Carroll (right) has been slammed for ‘ignorant’ joke about Tyler Perry on Tuesday’s episode of The One Show
He continued: ‘So I don’t know if we could have him in but… I’d love that, but more importantly, I’d love to do another movie with him.’
Laughing, Tyler then repeated ‘Nobody my colour,’ before adding: ‘Diversity rules!’
While Tyler laughed off the joke, viewers were left shocked by the remarks, taking to Twitter to condemn Brendan while also calling out BBC for not issuing an apology on air.
Viewers penned: ‘Wow what did he just say??? Are they going to apologise’; ‘Mrs Brown’s boys, about 50 years behind the times’; ‘It’s a pity O’Carroll didn’t stay in USA!’; ‘Did Brendan say what I thought he did?’
‘Ah yes, before the racist remark’; ‘ Brendan O’Carroll’s attempt at being funny towards @tylerperry on BBC One Show tonight was quite embarrassing, I’m sure no malice was meant but that comment was wrong on so many levels’;
‘So embarrassing’; ‘Really don’t understand how #MrsBrownsBoys is even a thing. Interview on #TheOneShow and makes a joke about ‘someone of his colour’. Offensive at best BBC!’;
Quip: The Irish star, 66, appeared on Tuesday’s episode of The One Show alongside Tyler, 52, to promote their new Netflix comedy A Madea Homecoming
Shocked: While Tyler laughed off the joke, viewers were left shocked by the remarks, taking to Twitter to condemn Brendan while also calling out BBC for not issuing an apology
‘Omg did Brendan actually make a racist remark on bbc1 and not one person called him out on it #theoneshow’; ‘Erm… bit uncomfortable from the Mrs Brown fella there… #TheOneShow’; ‘#TheOneShow think you’ve just done the world a favour. There is no way the bbc can continue to show Mrs Browns Boys after that attempt at humour by @brendan
‘Wow, that was awkward on #TheOneShow is he saying that Irish families don’t welcome Black People into their homes or a TV Show with Irish people?’; ‘#TheOneShow Brendan about to get cancelled’; ‘#TheOneShow is a Joke, & came over even worse With that vastly overrated Mrs Brown character Trying to be funny.
‘Excuse me!? Did I… did I just hear what I thought I heard on the #TheOneShow from Brendan O’Carroll either I misunderstood or was that blatant racism on a prime time @BBCOne show #wtf’;
‘Did Brendan O’Carroll just say that? #TheOneShow’; ‘Anything with Brendan Carroll/Mrs Brown in is an absolutely no from me. And I can’t believe what he just said about Tyler Perry being on his show. Such ignorance #TheOneShow.’
Brendan’s representative declined to comment when approached by MailOnline.
Outrage: Viewers took to Twitter in their droves to hit out at the comments
Mrs Brown’s Boys follows loud-mouthed Irish matriarch Agnes (Brendan) whose favourite pastime is meddling in the lives of her six children.
The BBC series has previously been accused of promoting racist stereotypes for its cliched portrayal of the Irish, as well as sexism, for the frequent gynaecological jokes, and homophobia for the cliched portrayal of Mrs Brown’s homosexual son Rory (Rory Cowan).
Despite being universally panned by critics, the show is a ratings hit in Ireland, Britain, New Zealand, and Canada. It was recently revealed as a fan-favourite in Jamaica, too.
One to watch: Mrs Brown’s Boys follows loud-mouthed Irish matriarch Agnes (Brendan) whose favourite pastime is meddling in the lives of her six children
Brendan O’Carroll previously insisted the show will never be driven off the air by political correctness.
In an interview with The Irish Sun he said: ‘I don’t think Mrs Brown will be affected [by political correctness] and I often question myself is Mrs Brown – me a man dressing up as a woman to play Mrs Brown – the same as blackface?
‘And I decided no it’s not, because I’ve never played Mrs Brown as a man playing a woman like they do in films like Mrs Doubtfire. Agnes is a woman like Dame Edna.
‘I would never go out of my way to be racist or homophobic so I’m not that worried myself because I only write what I think is funny, and you hope that enough of an audience agrees with you.’
Racist? Tyler has also been accused of perpetuating racist stereotypes with his alter ego, Madea who speaks in exaggerated Ebonics while shunning political correctness
Meanwhile, Tyler has also been accused of perpetuating racist stereotypes with his alter ego, Madea.
He performs in drag as Mabel ‘Madea’ Simmons and speaks in exaggerated Ebonics while shunning political correctness.
Spike Lee previously dismissed the films as humiliating, racially stereotyping ‘coonery and buffoonery’.
Writer Donald Bogle noted: ‘If a white director put out this product, the black audience would be appalled.’
Despite the criticism aimed at both Mrs Brown’s Boy and Madea, the shows have remained popular.
A movie crossover of the two series, A Madea Homecoming, is set for release on Netflix on February 25.
Mash up: Despite the criticism aimed at both Mrs Brown’s Boy and Madea, a movie crossover of the two series, A Madea Homecoming, is set for release on Netflix on February 25