CLAIM TO FAME

I saw the post on Facebook one day.

“Would you like to be on quiz show with Mrs Brown {alias Brendan O’Carroll?”

Now I love the programme Mrs Browns Boys so I was well up for it. I’m up for anything. Me! That’s why I’m here. I’m joking! I’m joking! I applied straight away and to my amazement received an email to say I would be interviewed on Skype. I had to produce an unusual item and chose a vampire framed face from Transylvania, Dracula’s castle. Now not just framed. It was actually 3D, just as if someone had made a plaster cast of their face, pointy teeth and all, covered with blood coloured wire mesh. Well, I hope it was fake blood!  Cost me all of five dollars while I was visiting the afore mentioned place of residence. A very unusual item and the producer seemed to agree. I was hired! I loved it. Pride of place in my home.

Thrilled to bits to be going to meet Brendan O’ Carroll.

     Two return flights to Scotland would be sent to me, that’s where the show was being recorded and hotel room booked for both of us. I could bring a friend. Exciting or what!

                I invited my friend Esther to accompany me and we couldn’t wait. Meeting all the cast of Mrs Brown’s Boys would be an absolute thrill. The flight over was grand and a  car was waiting to take us to a beautiful hotel. Some luxury, eh!! We were treated like Stars. Glass of wine and a meal then get ready for show.

  It was so surreal. Green room, make up artist ,but I don’t wear the stuff. Maybe I should have just for that night. I would’ve felt more like a star. The first six for the two teams had already been picked and requested to blend in with the audience. When my name was called I had to act all surprised and delighted and maybe shed a little tear like a big eejit. Didn’t do the latter. We six descended the stairs onto the stage, were miked up ,seated, introduced to the others and spoke with Mrs Brown herself {himself]. Lovely man as was his wife, Jennifer Gibney,  on the other team. My team leader was Paddy Houlihan {Dermot}   Brendan spoke to me at length during the interval. Flip! Hark at me! Brendan! It was a fun filled afternoon and of course I had to let myself down a few times, which may I add, got appreciative laughs galore from the audience.

  At one point in the proceedings Brendan introduced a new game. Two opposite team members had to attempt not to laugh at the jokes he was going to tell. I was picked for this and a lovely girl from the opposite side. But then I objected {and not even my show.} and stated that I wanted the handsome young man with the six pack from the opposing team instead. Who did I think I was?   

When my request was relayed to Mr O’Carroll, he looked at me and said:

“Phyllis, it’s a quiz. Not the Chippendales! “But he was laughing and granted my change of person. Poor girl in the other team. So Hunk and myself stood up facing each other, Brendan in the middle doing his utmost to make us laugh. He succeeded of course in a very short time. The show continued and the craic was ninety. I only made a couple more faux pas but the audience lapped it up. Not a dry eye in the house.  Noticed at last.  

  At the interval Brendan came over to talk to me , found out I did stand up comedy and we had a great discussion about it. Both agreeing how good it felt to be able to make people laugh. End of the show came, congratulations all round, handshakes and then we were divested of our microphones and earbuds. I was being helped off with these at the side of the stage when Dan Snow one of the guests on the show came over and told me that Brendan wanted me back on stage. A photo was being taken of everyone and to my embarrassment and delight he shouted:

“ Down here Phyllis! I want you to sit on my knee!”

Oh flip! Brilliant photo but to this day I still can’t obtain a copy of it. Love to have it.

  Esther and I returned to the hotel like a couple of loonies, on a high high!

We met Paddy Houlihan{Dermot} at the airport on the way home and I have to let you know {without boasting} Well, I actually am boasting. Love it! He stated that I, myself and  me had kept that show going. Wow! What an accolade. I had visions of myself joining Mrs Browns Boys cast on T.V in the near future. Didn’t happen of course. Another dream shattered. There were no actual prizes for the winners, just a laugh a minute and great craic was had by all and that was more than enough.   

  There were t shirts with the slogan _ For Facts Sake – on them but too small for me and I don’t think my sons would really let the grandkids wear them. It now clothes one of my fluffy toys. The connation was quite plain!! Oh and medals.

  I’m going to boast  again now. I’ve met Gillian Anderson from The X Files, thanks to Extras Northern Ireland. Filming was going on in Belfast for The Fall and I was called up. I told everyone to watch it so they could see me. Yeah! Humiliated or what! My part was cut! But at least I got to meet her. Real friendly person. Put me at my ease. I was so nervous. My sons requested I ask her to open the first three buttons of her blouse and take a photo for them. I declined but thinking back I should have got her to open from the bottom. Gillian { hark at me again} and I would have had the last laugh. I talked with Nigel Pavaro {Terry Duckworth from Corrie} as I walked with him round to the Europa hotel . Obtained an autograph for a friend from Patrick Duffy{ Dallas.}  All courtesy of The Grand Opera House, Belfast, were I was employed for a few years. But I have to say that an audience with Brendan O’ Carroll was the best of all. Maybe I’ll still have a chance of getting on the show. I can only dream.                  

For Facts Sake – Episode 4 – on YouTube