Best of the rest
GONE CHRISTMAS FISHING, BBC TWO, 9PM
Paul takes Bob on a steam train to the north of England to search for a prized English salmon. Alongside their canine companion, Ted, they fish the rivers Eden and Tyne in search of their elusive quarry.
They stay in a glorious manor house, where Bob prepares a mighty breakfast of Craster kippers, and then in a beautiful old castle, where Bob gives Paul a present which is as emotional as it is surprising. They are joined on the riverbank by Paul
LA BOHÈME FROM THE ROYAL OPERA HOUSE, BBC FOUR, 9PM
Puccini’s operatic masterpiece, La Bohème, performed at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.
Ever since its premiere in Turin in 1896, La bohème has been a huge hit with audiences across the world. Within two years, it had been seen in Buenos Aires, Los Angeles, Prague, Berlin, Manchester and beyond. With over 500 performances chalked up at Covent Garden alone, this opera is one of the most popular
Gascoigne, who has also always dreamt of catching a salmon, and Dr Anand Patel has a chat with Bob about how to look out for the vulnerable at Christmas time. At the annual work party, Gone Fishing’s employee of the year is revealed, and musical entertainment is provided by Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott, ensuring a memorable night.
BILLY CONNOLLY: MY ABSOLUTE PLEASURE, ITV, 9.30PM
A natural follow-up to It’s Been A Pleasure, which marked Billy’s and enduring in the repertoire. In this performance from 2020, Sonya Yoncheva stars as the doomed seamstress Mimì, with Charles Castronovo as Rodolfo, who falls in love with her at first sight. Simona Mihai and Andrzej Filonczyk perform the roles of the on-off lovers, Musetta and Marcello.
Richard Jones’s period production brings to life the garret flats and shopping arcades of 19th-century Paris, with designs by Stewart Laing, pitting the rags of the bohemians against the riches of the swanky shopping decision to step back from stand-up after a remarkable comedy career spanning over 50 years.
One year on, Billy invites us to spend time with him in his newly adopted home of the Florida Keys, where we get a freshly filmed welcome into the life he leads now. And as the comedy great launches his first-ever autobiography, he shares with us a personal selection of his most loved stand-up routines captured during his legendary live tours, some of which have never before been seen on TV. arcades and restaurants of the French capital.
Poverty and passion collide in a story of friendship and fellowship, love and loss. Featuring some of Puccini’s best-loved music, this performance is conducted by Emmanuel Villaume.