Top of the Box
By Niamh mceneaney
SATURDAY, December 23 The Unofficial Science of Die Hard, Sky Max & NOW, 9pm
Chris Ramsey and Paul Chowdhry, alongside engineer Zoe Laughlin, will scientifically assess stunts from much-loved Christmas action film, Die Hard.
christmas eve The Great Christmas Bake Off 2023, Ch4, 8.15pm
Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith face the ‘Baker Ghosts of Christmas Past’ with one baker for each year the show has aired.
Britain Get Singing, UTV, 9pm
Five groups made up of stars from TV’S biggest shows — Good Morning Britain, Love Island, Coronation Street, The Masked Singer and Eastenders — bid to deliver a show-stopping performance.
christmas DAY Ricky Gervais: Armageddon, Netflix
The comedian takes the stage for a new stand-up special, riffing on the end of humanity, political correctness, family weddings, funerals and Artificial Intelligence.
Peter & The Wolf, RTE One, 12.55pm
Enchanting animation based on original illustrations by pop icon Bono and with music from Irish singer and songwriter Gavin Friday.
The Festive Pottery Throwdown, Ch4, 7.30pm
The battle of the clay returns with this special Christmas episode.
The Masked Singer Christmas Special, UTV, 7.30pm
Four celebrities compete undercover in elaborate costumes, keeping their true identities hidden.
The Piano At Christmas, Ch4, 8.45pm
Claudia Winkleman hosts a Christmas special featuring multi-grammy-winning artist Gregory Porter; and an unmissable finale led by Mika and Lang Lang.
Mrs Brown’s Boys — Mammy’s Mare, RTE One, 9pm
All Mrs Brown wants is a nice, peaceful Christmas, but the family have other ideas! Cathy’s decided to cook Christmas dinner for the first time ever.
Grace Kelly: Banphrionsa Mhaigh Eo, TG4, 9.30pm
Featuring exclusive interviews and rare archive from her private collection, we find
out why the actress returned to Ireland to embrace her ancestral roots.
st. stephen’s DAY Tipping Point: Lucky Stars Christmas Special, UTV, 5.45pm
Ben Shephard hosts a special seasonal edition in which three celebrities bid to win £20,000 for charity.
Big Fat Quiz Of The Year 2023, Ch4, 9pm
Host Jimmy Carr poses the questions to Richard Ayoade, Katherine Ryan, Mel Giedroyc, Mo Gilligan, Rosie Jones and Kevin Bridges.
The 2 Johnnies Late Night Lock In Best Bits, RTE Two, 10pm
A look back on some of the best parts from the series which featured Louis Walsh, Kimberly Wyatt, Conor Moore, Una Healy, Roz Purcell and more.
WEDNESDAY, December 27 Hell Camp: Teen Nightmare, Netflix
The brutal conditions of an infamous wilderness therapy camp, and the alleged abuse of the troubled teens who attended, are exposed in this documentary.
Sports Funniest 2023 with Greg James, Sky Max & NOW, 9pm
This one-off special will see host Greg
James look back at the funnieststories from the world of sport in 2023.
Nolly, UTV, 9pm
Helena Bonham Carter stars as Nolly who played flame-haired widow Meg Richardson in the long-running soap opera Crossroads.
Imagine… French & Saunders: Pointed, Bitchy, Bitter, BBC One, 11.55pm
Documentary exploring a brand of comedy based on satire, silliness and friendship — of one of the most successful double acts of the last 40 years.
THURSDAY, December 28 Framing Irish History — The Sean Sexton Collection, RTE One, 6.30pm
Documentary which looks at how Sean, over the last 50 years, put together his amazing collection of 23,000 photographs.
The Big Quiz: Coronation Street v Emmerdale, UTV, 8pm
Stephen Mulhern hosts the annual clash between ITV’S biggest soaps.
FRIDAY, Dececember 29 Séamus Begley: The Bold Kerryman, RTE One, 6.30pm
A moving tribute to an unexpected musical virtuoso, whose profound influence transformed the landscape of Irish music.