Comedian brushes off criticisms over ‘Hilarious Granny’

Since 1991, the character 'Hilarious Granny' has kept audiences across the world bursting at the seams with laughter through her parodying of the stereotypical Jamaican grandmother.

"Lawd mi granson, mi a do dis from before mi teet drop out a mi gum. The experience has been nice, but it rough. Whole heap a free show wi haffi do fi get di name out there so wi can eventually make a living," said Howard Brown, staying in character as Hilarious Granny. 'She' continued to explain how everywhere she performs, "di place mash up".

"Di people dem love di granny is a shame! From you say granny, is like the feedback stronger than obeah. You see dis thing name comedy? Is a powerful thing, man," Hilarious Granny added.

However, while there are those who adore the raunchy antics, there are some with negative criticisms towards the character and Brown. The disapproval by some audiences has come in the form of questions about Brown's sexuality, and whether Jamaican grandmothers are being shown in a negative light. But, according to the comedic veteran, "People a go seh anything dem wah seh."

"You can't stop people from saying what they want to say. But a that give you strength and help get your thing out deh even more," Brown said, reverting to his true self.

"As a matter a fact, to how long me inna di ting, people all a pirate me pan TikTok and dem place deh. And some people seh dem name Granny, but everybody know I am the original. So, people talk wah dem talk, but at least I have been able to put food on my table," he added.

Brown's comments come before the 'Come av a Laugh' comedy show, where he, as Hilarious Granny, is set to perform alongside comedic veterans Alton 'Fancy Kat' Hardware, Kathy 'Tan Deh Deh' Grant, Mr Handsome, Boasy Boy Floyd and others. Brown explained that he has been friends with these performers for decades and has admired watching them perform and grow. However, he did send a pertinent message their way.

"Mek sure them know they have to come with something new and original. 'Cause when Granny touch di stage, anuh nothin' nawmal," Brown told THE WEEKEND STAR.

Come av a Laugh returns to the Courtleigh Auditorium in St Andrew on April 28, and Brown, getting back into character as Hilarious Granny, said her performance will be nothing to scoff at.

"Look ere young bwoi, tell di people dem me seh dem must come out and watch the show. Mi not even wah tell you wah go gwan 'cause my mouth nah no filta. But me a tell dem, mek sure yuh come," she said.