SCREEN TIME
Our TV critic Pete McDonald guides you through the best on the box this month
Christmas Cracker
Call The Midwife Christmas Special, BBC One
We’re on the countdown to Christmas and while the big day this year might be a slightly strange and more muted affair compared to years gone by, there are some things that never change – and that includes eagerly anticipating the Christmas TV schedules. The jewel in the BBC’s crown again for 2020 is the Call The Midwife Christmas Special. Filming of the show in March was put on hold due to Covid but the cast and crew have since followed all the guidelines to bring us this special episode set in December 1965. It promises hear twarming drama, tears, all our old favourites and a guest appearance from former Doctor Who Peter Davison. Festive fabulousness!
Matches Made In Heaven
First Dates, Channel 4
Dating may be a bit of a challenge in these socially distanced times but that hasn’t stopped Channel 4 rolling out charmful maître d’ Fred Sirieix and the rest of his restaurant crew for another series of flirty fun. First Dates is my favourite reality series, partly because the daters come from such varied and eccentric walks of life, but mostly because it favours conversation and compassion over conflict. The couples are matched on the basis that they will suit one another and it’s refreshing to watch a show that simply wants everyone to have a good time… and perhaps even fall in love.
Silly Season
Taskmaster, Channel 4
I was late to the party on this hilarious gameshow – it’s been screening for years on cable channel Dave and indeed won a Bafta, but I’ve only recently become hooked since it moved over to Channel 4. It sees Inbetweeners star Greg Davies set five comedians a weekly selection of surreal challenges – with much hilarity and mickey-taking ensuing. My favourite moment of the new series so far was watching Johnny Vegas sitting on a tennis umpire’s chair bellowing incoherent noises while his team-mates solved riddles. Yep, very silly but right up my street!