Custom-built Christmas
PICKS OF CHRISTMAS EVE
CHRISTMAS television leans heavily on tradition. A respect for the old ways, and indeed the old days, is evident throughout the TV schedules.This tends to manifest itself in two distinct ways.The first is via a process known in the television industry as “repeating a load of ancient stuff and hoping nobody notices, on account of they’ve already cracked open the Baileys”.
A prime example is THE MORECAMBE AND WISE SHOW: THE LOSTTAPES
featuring Eric and Ernie recordings from the late Sixties.
Entertainment: Take Off with Bradley and Holly, BBC1, 8pm
Bradley Walsh and Holly Willoughby (right) present a special Christmas family entertainment show, which offers members of the audience the chance to win the holiday of a lifetime to Lapland.
The show will also feature special games, surprises as well as appearances by celebrity guests.
While undoubtedly entertaining, those tapes actually ceased to be “lost” a good 12 months ago.
The second is by making new shows in a proudly traditional style, there being no finer example than Lee Mack’s unapologetically old-school sitcom NOT GOING OUT year’s festive storyline (Lee and Lucy fall
Music: Gareth Malone’s Christmas Concert, BBC2, 9pm
The choirmaster (left) puts on a show for staff at Watford General Hospital, who are among the 400,000 NHS employees who will be giving up their Christmas Day to care for patients this year. Responding to a message from the chief executive who wants to give her workers a festive boost, Gareth sets to work enlisting the help of staff, patients and family to produce a spectacular concert full of wonder for everyone to enjoy.
Film: Home Alone, C4, 5.30pm
An eight-year-old boy has to fend for himself when he is accidentally left behind after his family jets off to Paris for Christmas. The youngster initially enjoys his freedom, but is soon forced to resort to ingenious booby traps to defend the family home from two dim-witted burglars. Comedy, starring Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, John Heard, Catherine O’Hara and John Candy. victim to a bag-snatcher while out buying an inflatable Santa, then later find themselves trapped in a field with an angry bull…), ticks every traditional sitcom box and then some, and for that I adore it.
The ghost story tradition, meanwhile, continues with MARTIN’S CLOSE
a satisfyingly compact tale (I do love a drama that clocks in at under half an hour) adapted by Mark Gatiss from an MR James short story.
A young man finds himself up in court on a murder charge, with the infamous Judge Jeffreys presiding, but the fact that the victim has been sighted since her death seems
Animation: The Tiger who Came to Tea, C4, 7.30pm
Hand-drawn animation of Judith Kerr’s much-loved tale, which celebrated its 50th anniversary last year. A tea-guzzling tiger turns up unannounced and eats and drinks young Sophie and her mummy out of everything in the house, even draining the water from their taps. Narrated by David Walliams, with David Oyelowo providing the voice for the big cat, alongside seven-year-old Clara Ross as Sophie.
Film: The Holiday, ITV2, 8pm
Two single women living on opposite sides of the Atlantic agree to exchange houses over the Christmas holidays. In their new surroundings, both women unexpectedly encounter prospective partners, but as the house swap draws to a close, difficult decisions have to be made about their blossoming relationships. This much-loved classic Christmas romantic comedy stars Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jack Black, Jude Law and the late Eli Wallach. to be muddying the waters somewhat.
If, on the other hand, you prefer Christmas tradition in its purest form, then I’m led to believe that religion is quite popular at this time of year.
With that in mind, I can offer you MIDNIGHT MASS FROM CROYDON MINSTER
with the Rt Rev Jonathan Clark, and very lovely I’m sure it will be.
My worry is that it’s the subject of a fierce ratings war, being directly up against a rival service on ITV, headed up by that one who used to be in Hear’Say.
No, not Corrie’s Kym Marsh but
Myleene Klass, bringing us
CAROLS AT CHRISTMAS
from St Elisabeth’s Church in Greater Manchester. Performers include KT Tunstall, Collabro and Marisha Wallace.
Earlier, a tradition dating back an entire year is continuing with
CHILD GENIUSVS CELEBRITIES
by Richard Osman.
Once again, a team of pint-sized brainboxes from the regular show (two of whom have IQs higher then Einstein) is taking on a bunch of well-known grown-ups.
The latter side features Jo Brand, Richard Bacon,Vick Hope and clever-clogs captain Jimmy Carr. hosted