Deary me, it's a poor show when Channel 4 is showing repeats of repeats on Christmas Eve. We know the channel is short of readies right now, but Heston's Christmas Feast has already been aired twice this week. Two of its other main programmes are also reshowings. But don't despair, among the huge stack of films on offer there are still a few things worth catching if you're not out partying.
The problem with the 23rd December is that it's not quite officially Christmas but people are off work and feeling festive and the schedules need to cater for that. So what do they do? They fill the airtime with old Christmas repeats and flung-together compilations. Take my advice and stay well away from Five tonight. Among the dross and the final parts of series coming to season's end, only two shows really stand out.
"Wake up and look at this thing that I bring, Wake up, be bright, be golden and light" - if you remember this, you'll know it's Emily's plea to an old, saggy cloth cat called Bagpuss who had magical adventures with all the other toys in the shop. The man who helped create him, Oliver Postgate, sadly died a year ago, but made a dazzling array of classic children's programmes - The Clangers, Ivor the Engine and Noggin the Nog, to name but a few. BBC4 pays tribute to the great man at 8pm with Oliver Postgate: A Life in Small Films. This documentary lovingly chronicles his genius at creating detailed worlds for the young that stayed with us into adulthood. If you've ever enjoyed even one episode of Postgate's programmes, this really is unmissable.
Like any soap, EastEnders has its ups and downs. The downs are usually due to poor scriptwriting, thin plotlines and a dearth of credible new characters, sometimes compounded by external circumstances such as actors falling ill which requires urgent cover. On the whole, 2009 was a good year in Walford with a return to its core focus on certain families, some forward thinking and some sparkling writing. So here, in no particular order, are my highlights from Albert Square over the past 12 months.
HEROES
BBC4. Aunty’s unsung hero is the quiet member of the family, tucked away in the schedules and barely advertised. Yet it provides consistently strong cultural dramas and documentaries on all aspects of the arts, from architecture to history via dance and fine art. Friday nights have become memorable for the stunning range of music documentaries, while some truly inspired mini-seasons have covered topics such as popular technology and gaming.
It doesn't happen very often, but sometimes repeats really are the best thing on the box. BBC2 has taken the brave step tonight of running a whole evening of Victoria Wood's past glories. And thank goodness, for Wood is one of the funniest women in TV comedy and a national treasure. The night kicks off at 8.30pm with Victoria Wood: Seen on TV, a nifty compilation of sketches, songs and riffs from her routines, plus clips of Wood talking about her work and co-stars and celebrity fans discussing her appeal.
2009 was a bumper year for TV drama. Many of the very best followed a new format of the five-night screening of a serial. Channels doing this ask a huge commitment of their viewers to tune in at the same time every night from Monday to Friday. Fortunately, almost all the time it was well worth it. There were also some excellent documentaries and a special mention goes to BBC4 for its commitment to strong cultural programming and some inspired mini-seasons. And so here, in no particular order, are my top picks of 2009.
Friday telly is traditionally about comedy and music and so it remains tonight, although both are a bit thin on the ground a week before Christmas. The big guest appearance this evening is by Eddie Izzard on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross (BBC1, 10.35pm), fresh from his marathon marathons (he ran 43 in 51 days this autumn to raise cash for Sport Relief) and his latest stand-up tour. Izzard is always good value, with his surreal flights of whimsy. Ross's other guests are Hugh Grant and singer Rihanna.
Christmas has arrived early! Pop pickers and cult fans alike should hang up their stockings right now because the Time Lord himself has parked his Tardis in one of the funniest slots on the telly. Yes, actor David Tennant - about to bow out of a four-year run as the Doctor - is the guest host of Buzzcocks - the Doctor Who Special on BBC2 at 10pm. Never Mind the Buzzcocks has been on sparkling form this season, with Noel Fielding turning out to be a rather good replacement for Bill Bailey. And with Tennant on the brink of
Browsing today's programme line-up triggers a Groundhog Day moment - everything looks like it was shown yesterday, or last Wednesday. Some of the schedule is just plain bizarre - who on earth is going to watch sheepdog trialling a week before Christmas?
It's all about the food tonight - if you haven't yet planned your feast for the big day, or even started the supermarket run, you'd best tune in now to Jamie's Family Christmas (C4, 8pm). Oliver has one of those smug faces you always want to slap, but boy can he cook! And he's passionate about eating well. This is a double helping with extra oomph as the boy wonder demonstrates a classic roast turkey dinner plus all the trimmings with ease. If you're aiming to cook a traditional menu, Jamie'll show you how to do it. Episode 2 looks at brunches and snacks, American style.
