Many failed comedies often have a good idea or two which can shine through when given a little time to improve.

Somehow, I doubt that can be said for Mrs Browns Boys, a new comedy from the BBC that abandons any sense of originality in favour of a outdated sitcom format that that includes low production value, cheap sets and even cheaper gags.

The show is centred around Mrs Brown, an irish matriarch played by male writer-performer Brendan O’Carroll. Mrs Brown is a somewhat eccentric character who’s most comedic trait seems to be her fowl language.

The show's emphasis on jokes rather than drama is somewhat smart, considering that the few dramatic moments that do occur are loaded with cringe-worthy melodramatic acting.

The show's biggest failing, however, is the simply the inability to make you laugh. Almost every joke appeals to a crude sense of humour, with the likes of  “that's a banana not a willy-it won’t get any bigger if you squeeze it” probably ranging amongst the most sophisticated.

Perhaps the most unforgivable joke is the character Rory, every homophobe's wet dream. He cries a lot, constantly dyes his hair and wears bright pink almost exclusively. I’m not saying gay people are off limits in comedy by any means - but the caricature presented in the show is the equivalent of portraying the Irish as foul-mouthed drunks. Which, to be honest, would make it entirely appropriate for Mrs Browns Boys.

The programme is based on a theatrical production of the same name and their has been a clear attempt  translate the style into the television format. The shows opening and closing monologues are somewhat charming but many of the other theatrical techniques simply make the show look sloppy and unprofessional.

Examples of this buffoonery include a moment where Carroll breaks character and out of the blue loudly proclaims “its a man in a dress”, referencing his drag queen performance.  In another scene Mrs Brown runs between the sets to grab her bag, which isn’t even involved in what was going on.

Neither of these examples really add anything to the show other than reminding us that what we are watching is fictitious. The crown jewel of incompetence, though, is the the loud and proud proclamation of the show's “live”  studio audience which can be seen both at the start and end of the programme.

The problem with this is the programme's blatant inclusion of a tinned laughter, latently proving that the studio audience wasn’t reacting quite as loudly as the producers would have been liked. It’s pathetic really, and if the show didn’t go to so many lengths to highlight it’s live audience, such deception would have gone unnoticed.

It’s hard to understand how the BBC commissioned such a show, after all, even Little Britain had some funny, if overused, jokes, which in comparison to Mrs Browns Boys makes it look like comedic genius.

Mrs Browns Boys is outdated, unoriginal and may in fact be the worst comedy to be commissioned by the BBC in 20 years.