Television
The Best of the Week
SUNDAY DECEMBER 23
Big Pacific: Behind the Scenes (Prime, 7.30pm). No nature documentary worth its salt is complete without a behindthe-scenes special, and Big Pacific comes to an end with a look at how they did it. Filming on Snake Island in China’s Bohai Sea certainly presented challenges, as did losing a drone in the ruins of ancient Micronesian city Nan Madol.
CHRISTMAS EVE
It’s Christmas (Prime, 7.30pm). Once, the likes of post-punk rockers Holly Johnson and Marc Almond wouldn’t have been allowed into the foyer of the Royal Albert Hall. Now, they’re belting out seasonal classics alongside Mel C, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Chrissie Hynde, Shakin’ Stevens and the Vamps. Comedian and actor Jason Manford hosts. Of
a similar bent is the Royal Variety Performance 2018 (TVNZ 1, Wednesday
January 2, 7.00pm), which this year is hosted by Greg Davies. Acts include the winner of Britain’s Got Talent; Take That; Rick Astley; the casts of Hamilton and Tina: The Musical; Andrea Bocelli and his son Matteo; circus acts Cirque du Soleil and Circus 1903; and stand-up comedians Rhod Gilbert, Gad Elmaleh and Rod Woodward. If your taste sways Caledonian, the Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2018 screens on UKTV on New Year’s Eve (8.35pm).
The Graham Norton Show: Christmas Special (Three, 9.05pm). It’s a Graham Norton sort of day: last year’s Christmas special, featuring Will Smith, Jenna Coleman, Jamie Oliver and Tom Chaplin, screens at 3.00pm. This year, it’s all about the new movie Mary Poppins Returns, starring Emily Blunt. On the couch are Blunt, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Ben Whishaw and Emily Mortimer (who play Michael and Jane Banks). Boy George and Culture Club, who have a new record out, provide the music. But wait, there’s more: The Graham Norton New Year’s Special screens on New Year’s Day at 8.40pm.
CHRISTMAS DAY
Her Majesty The Queen’s Christmas Message (TVNZ 1, 6.50pm). Be upstanding for Elizabeth II’s 66th Christmas message and the 61st to be televised. She spoke of home last year, but with the British