Specials from Strictly, Call The Midwife and Bake Off, the life of Billy Connolly, new Doctor Who and Ghosts – and a long lost Morecambe & Wise!
Sunday, December 19, 2009
1. BBC Sports Personality The Year
Tyson Fury (Tim Daley), Adam Peaty and Adam Peaty all make the list. But it’s a risky bet to place a bet on Emma Raducanu who is almost certain to win. The young tennis star’s US Open triumph was one of the year’s sporting highlights. BBC1, 6.45pm
Emma Raducanu, whose victory at the US Open was one the most memorable sporting moments of 2013, is the favorite to be named BBC Sports Personality Of The Year.
2. Royal Variety Performance
Alan Carr hosts, and stars Bill Bailey, Judi love, Rod Stewart and Ed Sheeran are among them. The Duke and Duchess also watch.
ITV, 7.20pm
3. The Girl Before
In a salutary four-part psychological thriller for our property-obsessed era, Jane (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) believes she’s found her dream home.
Will she be able abide by Edward Oyelowo, the architect of this strange structure? BBC1, 9pm
4. Beauty and the Beast: Comic Relief Pantomime
Lily James plays Rose, the Beauty in this comic about a cursed animal, featuring Oliver Chris. Miranda Hart, Lenny Henry, and David Tennant make cameos.
BBC2, 9pm
Monday, December 20,
5. Mary Berry’s Festive Feasts
Mary shows three newbie cooks how she makes a seasonal surprise for their moms. BBC1, 7.05pm
6. Do You Believe Me? At Christmas
One of the funniest shows on TV, with Rose Matafeo, Ardal O’Hanlon, Angela Rippon and Jim Broadbent joining host Rob Brydon and regulars Lee Mack and David Mitchell. BBC1, 8.30pm
7. Special Christmas Deal for Two Doors Down
Michelle and Alan host Christmas drinks for everyone in the festive episode of this sitcom about eccentric neighbours in suburban Glasgow. The tension builds as things become more intense. Stars Arabella Wiir, Alex Norton, and Doon Mackichan. BBC2, 9.30pm
Tuesday 21 December
8. Celebrity Masterchef Christmas Cookoff
Oti Mabuse and Joey Essex show their culinary talents. The challenge is to prepare a Christmas meal using ingredients from an advent calendar. BBC1 8.30pm on Thursday
9. Philip, Prince Husband, Father
One of the most powerful images of the year was of the Queen, forced to sit alone in St George’s Chapel at Windsor at the funeral in April of her husband of 73 years, the Duke of Edinburgh.
This video tribute shows rare footage from the extraordinary life of John Paul II. ITV, 9pm
Wednesday, December 22
10. Celebrity Christmas Special: The Great British Sewing Bee
Sara Pascoe will host two editions during the holiday season. The Rev. Kate Bottley (Antony Cotton), Kiell SmithBynoe and Anneka rice are the Rev.
Before the judges can pick their stitches, they must make a Christmas jumper or fancy dress. BBC1, 8:30pm and Thursday, 30th
11. Christmas: The Hardy Bikers go North
It’s all right there in the title. Dave Myers and Si King are making Christmas dinner using ‘the very best that the North of England has to offer’, which apparently includes that most Yorkshire of beverages… rum. BBC2, 8pm
Wednesday, 23/12
12. Blackburn Celebrates Christmas with Gareth Malone
Blackburn amateurs and Royal Blackburn Hospital staff work together with Gareth, the choirmaster. BBC2, 8pm
Blackburn’s amateur musicians and Royal Blackburn Hospital staff work together with Gareth Malone, the choirmaster (above).
13. Hansel & Gretel: After Ever After
Hansel & Gretel get the David Walliams After Ever After treatment, showing what happened after the fairy story we all already know ended. Sky Showcase at 8pm
14. Ghosts
Jennifer Saunders guests in a special episode of the hit supernatural sitcom as the overbearing mother of Lady Fanny Button, the house’s resident Edwardian ghost.
BBC1, 8.30pm
15. Do not go out
Jason Donovan has joined the regular cast to perform a pantomime special. Lee Mack portrays Buttons in Cinderella. Lee hates pantomime, especially after he learns about Prince Charming. BBC1, 10pm
Christmas Eve
16. Shaun The Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas
It’s Christmas Eve at Mossy Bottom Farm and Shaun and all the sheep are very excited until Shaun’s cousin, young Timmy, accidentally gets taken off to a market.
BBC1, 6pm
17. Carols From King’s, plus Royal Carols: Together At Christmas
The carol service from the candlelit chapel of King’s College, Cambridge, signals the beginning of Christmas for many. The Duchess and Duke of Cambridge hosts a Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey. BBC2, 6.15pm, and ITV 7.30pm
18. Blunden: The Incredible Mr
In a remake of 1972’s spooky movie, Tamsin Greig stars alongside Mark Gatiss. Simon Callow also appears in the film. Are two teenagers alone when they move into an old country home? Sky Showcase at 7pm
Tamsin Greig (above), Simon Callow, Mark Gatiss and Simon Callow star in a remake of The Amazing Mr Blunden from 1972.
19. The Greatest Snowman
Sue Perkins is the host of this challenge show, where Johnny Vegas, Dani Dyer Liam Charles and Laurence Llewellyn Bowen are required to make art using frozen water. Channel 4, 8pm
20. Top Gear: Driving home for Christmas
The team play ‘car secret Santa’ in which they choose vehicles for each other to drive. They then take a roadtrip… just like every episode. BBC1, 8.30pm
21. All Creatures Great and Small are Special
Yorkshire Vets Drama, This week’s focus is on Tricki Woo the Pekingese. Derek plays Tricki Woo as a dog actor. C5, 9pm
All Creatures Great And Small (above), the Yorkshrie vets drama, this week centres on pampered Pekingese, Tricki Woo, played as ever by canine actor Derek
22. Christmas Special: Spitting image
Sketches also include a John Lewis Christmas skit. ITV, 10pm
23. A Ghost Story for Christmas: The Mezzotint
Christmas wouldn’t be the same without a creepy adaptation of an M. R. James ghost story. Rory Kinnear, a museum attendant who spots a sinister character…
BBC2, 10.30pm
Christmas Day
24. Superworm
The latest animated adaptation of a Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler book, Superworm is the charming story of a ‘superlong’ and ‘super-strong’ earthworm and his battle with the Wizard Lizard. BBC1, 2.30pm
25. Film: Mary Poppins Returns
Is it as good or even better than the original 1964 film? This sequel may not be as great, but it is just as delightful.
Emily Blunt is the terrifying, imperious supernatural nanny. Dick Van Dyke, who appears to be immortal, also stars.
Emily Blunt plays the terrifying, imperious supernatural nanny. Dick Van Dyke is also a star. BBC1, 3.10pm
26. Quentin Blake: The Drawing Of My Life
He is a veteran artist who turned 89 in this year. And what a life – Blake has contributed to more than 500 books, not least many of the works of Roald Dahl. BBC2, 4.10pm
27. Special Christmas Special: Strictly Come Dancing
Tinsel-strewn dancefloor with Moira Stewart and Jay Blades of The Repair Shop. BBC1, 5.10pm
28. Morecambe & Wise Show 70: The Lost Tape
A festival of Eric & Ernie-themed crackers awaits.
The 1971 Christmas Show is a familiar treat (it’s the classic with Glenda Jackson and André Previn) but it’s followed by a real gem – a restored and revamped lost recording (only discovered last year) that is getting its first outing since it was originally broadcast in 1970.
BBC2, 7.45pm; plus, the 1971 Christmas Show on BBC2, BBC2, 7pm; and Behind The Scenes, BBC4, 8.35pm
29. The Midwife is available at (800) 622-7880
Christmas TV weddings rarely go without a hitch (though often it’s the hitching itself that’s the problem) so don’t expect midwife Lucille’s union with Cyril to be a problemfree affair. Especially after her hen do leaves her battered and bruised…
Expect tears and drama, but most importantly expect heartwarming moments. BBC1, 8pm
30. Great Christmas Bake Off 2021
The cast of the hit drama It’s A Sin enter the tent for the first of this year’s two specials (a second follows on New Year’s Day).
In this holiday special, actors Shaun Dooley, Lydia West and Nathaniel Curtis are looking for Hollywood handshakes.
As they vie for the title Christmas Star Baker, actors Shaun Dooley and Lydia West are hoping for Hollywood handshakes.
Channel 4, 8pm
31. The Larkins Christmas
Can Bradley Walsh’s Pop Larkin keep everything ‘perfick’ in his rural idyll this Christmas?
It’s going to be tough as the raffish patriarch not only contends with a power cut, the arrival of Charlie’s uptight parents and a disastrous nativity play, but also has to try and track down the burglar causing chaos in the village… ITV, 9pm
32. Mrs Brown’s Boys
Love it or hate it, but Christmas doesn’t seem quite complete without a visit to the Irish mammy and her over-the-top sitcom family and friends.
Agnes, who is determined to get a spot on the church choir this year’s big news is her desperate search for it. What could go wrong? BBC1, 10.20pm
Boxing Day
33. The World Around You In Just 80 Days
David Tennant is the perfect choice to don Phileas Fogg’s top hat in this spirited reworking of Jules Verne’s tale.
David Tennant (above) is the perfect choice to don Phileas Fogg’s top hat in this spirited reworking of Jules Verne’s tale
Eight episodes begin with a double billing here. It sees an English gentleman set off to circumvent the globe, with just his manservant and a female reporter. BBC1, BBC1, 6.40pm and 5.50pm
34. Death in Paradise Christmas Special
Ralf Little gets another Caribbean break on the Beeb’s dime as he stars as DI Neville Parker in a new mystery.
He’s not the only Brit actor getting a trip to the island of Saint-Marie, though: look out for Juliet Stevenson and Matthew Baynton too as the case of a murdered magnate at a Christmas party develops. BBC1, 7.30pm
35. The British Scandal
Paul Bettany and Claire Foy star as the Duke and Duchess of Argyle in this account of the real-life 1963 divorce case that rocked Britain’s aristocracy.
Shot through with accusations of forgery, theft, drugs, bribery, and violence, it’s a dark tale that unfolds in three parts over three nights. BBC1, 9pm
36. Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Christmas Fishing
Paul Whitehouse and Bob Mortimer are a couple that make Christmas specials. They unpack their fishing rods to enjoy an hour of fishing.
Paul Whitehouse (above), and Bob Mortimer unpack their fishing rods in a special hour long Christmas catch.
The pair (along with guest star Paul Gascoigne) set off to the North of England for a stay in a stately home while they try to fulfil Paul’s lifelong dream of catching a salmon. BBC2, 9pm
37. Billy Connolly: My absolute pleasure
Scotland’s finest comedy export looks back on his life and career from the comfort of his Florida home.
Scotland’s finest comedy export Billy Connolly (above) looks back on his life and career from the comfort of his Florida home
It’s a bittersweet show (Connolly suffers from Parkinson’s Disease) but The Big Yin’s trademark sense of mischief is still strong. ITV, 9.30pm
Monday 27 December
38. The Voice Kids
The Spice Girls’ Mel C joins the cast of judges as the talent show returns for three junior editions airing on consecutive nights.
The contestants may be little (they range in age from seven to 14), but their vocal talents certainly aren’t, with convincing renditions of songs by everyone from Elton John to Frankie Valli stunning the judges. ITV, 6.30pm
Tuesday 28 December
39. Worzel Gummidge: Twitchers
Mackenzie Crook is back as the scarecrow for the second of his two adventures.
Mackenzie Crook (above), makes an appearance as Worzel Gummidge, the scarecrow. This is the first in a series of two adventures.
He will have a chance to attract rare birds tonight, but can he do so without birdwatchers following and seeing him? BBC1, 7.15pm, and BBC29, 7.15pm
40. Amazing Christmas Escapes with Sandi Toksvig
This diminutive host heads north to Norway with three famous women faces.
Cue a hunt for killer whales with scientist Maggie AderinPocock, encounters with wolves with Dragons’ Den’s Deborah Meaden and a trip up a mountain with actress Fay Ripley.
Brace yourself for Cold Feet gags during the last one… Channel 4, 8pm
41. Royal Institution Christmas Lectures
Since 1966, the Royal Institution Christmas Lectures have been broadcast every year on TV. They are an iconic television tradition, popularizing science and inspiring generations to follow their example.
This year the UK’s deputy chief medical officer Jonathan Van-Tam presents the trio of talks focusing on a topic that we’re all now fascinated with: viruses. BBC4, 8pm
42. A Play in A Day
Three performers can create a 15-minute theatrical piece (that will consist of a dramatic, dance, and musical) in less than 24 hours.
It’s a tricky challenge for the mixed bands of newcomers and old hands, but watching them set about it is great fun. This is a great treat for TV and theatre fans. Sky Arts, 9.30pm
Wednesday, December 29
43. A Star Is Born
The plot is a bit hackneyed – this is the fourth time Hollywood has had a stab at this tale – but the performances make this version sing.
Lady Gaga is great as the aspiring singer discovered working as a waitress by Bradley Cooper’s (above, with Gaga) fading rock star
Lady Gaga is great as the aspiring singer discovered working as a waitress by Bradley Cooper’s fading rock star, and the chemistry between the pair is positively electrifying. BBC1, 9pm
Thursday, 30 December
44. Attenborough and The Mammoth Graveyard
When amateur fossil hunters discovered a mammoth bone in the mud of a quarry near Swindon, they triggered a search for answers that dug deep into Britain’s prehistoric past.
David Attenborough joins the quest tonight, wondering just what the giant pachyderms, thought to have gone extinct about 4,000 years ago, were doing here and whether it’s possible that early humans killed them. BBC1, 8pm
45. Judy
Renée Zellweger goes all the way over the rainbow with an Oscar-winning performance as Judy Garland in her later days, struggling with bad health, the ravages of substance abuse and her own self-destructive nature as she attempts to get her career back on track via a string of performances in London. BBC2, 9pm
Renée Zellweger (above) goes all the way over the rainbow with an Oscar-winning performance as Judy Garland in her later days
New Year’s Eve
46. Jools’ Annual Hootenanny
Ed Sheeran, Gregory Porter and Lulu are among the guests singing in the New Year as Jools Holland’s extravaganza marks its 28th year. Vic Reeves will make 2022 predictions and Jools will play a lot of boogie-woogie keyboard. BBC2, 11.25pm
New Year’s Day
47. Doctor Who
Another festive appearance by the Daleks. Will the Doctor be able, with her friend Aisling Beea as guest star, to escape from an ominous Groundhog Day-esque loop of time and stay alive to save humanity? BBC1, 7pm
Yet another appearance by the Daleks, but will she and her companions (plus Aisling Bea) be able to avert their extermination?
48. The Mask Singer
Rockhopper and Robobunny are among the many costumes hiding household names.
Rockhopper, Robobunny and Bagpipes conceal household names. Poodle, Lionfish, Doughnuts, Traffic Cone (above), Poodle and Lionfish are some examples of these fantastical costumes
Fans desperate for more anonymous crooning action won’t have to wait long – Episode Two follows on January 2. ITV, 7pm
49. Downton Abbey
The Yorkshire countryside estate’s residents returned home in film format after six sequences of up and downs.
Can Lord Grantham, Queen Mary, and their family, and their many serving staff, maintain their sang froid despite a King George V visit? ITV, 7pm
50. The Tourist
After being run off an outback road by a giant truck, a man (played by The Fall’s Jamie Dornan) wakes up in hospital with no memory of who he is or what he’s doing in Australia.
He’d better find answers fast as shady figures begin chasing him in this opener for a sixpart thriller series… BBC1, 9pm