Television fans across the UK celebrated yesterday as ITV confirmed the cancellation of Piglets, a sitcom widely derided as one of the worst in recent memory. The show, which followed a group of police recruits, ended after two series. ITV expressed gratitude to the cast and crew, but critics were less kind. The first series holds a dismal 42% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with The Telegraph calling it 'lacklustre' and The Independent deeming it 'puerile and intermittent.' Audience reviews were equally scathing, with one viewer labeling it 'quite possibly the most unfunny show I've ever seen.' Another demanded the commissioner's resignation for 'wasting money.' On social media, one user declared it 'the worst sitcom to ever appear on British TV screens.'
A History of Controversy
Even before its premiere, Piglets faced backlash from the Police Federation, who found the title offensive, as 'pig' is a derogatory term for officers. Yet, despite the outcry, is Piglets truly the worst UK sitcom ever? The nation has produced gems like On the Buses and the infamous Heil Honey I'm Home! In comparison, Piglets may be unfunny, but it is far from the worst.
Mrs Brown's Boys: A Greater Offense
The true ignominy, in my opinion, belongs to the BBC's Mrs Brown's Boys. I loathe this show with a passion. Watching a man in a dress shout and gurn for 25 minutes is not my idea of entertainment. The writing is predictable, lowbrow, and repetitive, feeling like a parody of a bad sitcom. Every Christmas, I endure another episode of Mammy and her mates exchanging double entendres. Worse, creator Brendan O'Carroll once made a 'clumsy' racial joke during a read-through, prompting a formal complaint and the resignation of a Black crew member.
Why the BBC Keeps Making It
What infuriates me most is that despite the show's poor quality and controversies, the BBC continues to produce new episodes. This undermines the BBC's reputation as a bastion of quality television. Whenever I praise the Beeb, critics point to Mrs Brown's Boys as a counterexample. And I have no rebuttal. The BBC has announced at least one more Christmas special this year. After that, I implore the BBC to stop. For its own good, and for my blood pressure.
