NEWS
EVENTS
Top 5 Xmas TV
Tuesday 27th November 2012 | Thomas
One of the side effects of the festive period is the slump of the British public to sedentary lifestyles. Broadcasters are privy to this and provide quality TV over Christmas for all us to sit in front of and digest our gargantuan meals. Here are five shows that are bound to entertain, each for entirely different reasons.
Doctor Who
Xmas Day 7:00pm BBC1
The Doctor returns for another Christmas special, this time without companions Amy and Rory. With his friends banished in time by the Weeping Angels, Matt Smith’s character returns far darker and retired from his adventures. Set in a Victorian London terrorised by Doctor Simeon (Richard E. Grant) it falls on the ‘new’ assistant Clara (Jenna-Louise Coleman) to persuade the heartbroken Timelord to return to his old ways. With Lizards, Zontarans and Assassins all featuring let’s hope Doctor Who continues on its current form and delivers a great special.
The Royle Family
Xmas Day 10:00pm BBC1
The Royles return for another Xmas gracing our screens for an hour of domestics. What was originally planned for 2011 now continues the series’ runs of specials. Since 2006 the show has seen it fit to only do an episode every couple of years. Although each one has had millions of viewers, there has not been a full series for 6 years. However, talk is finally starting to emerge from the writing staff and cast to do another 6 episode arc. Whilst plot details are sparse, that is hardly an issue if the dialogue is as funny as ever. If this years model is received as well as past episodes, they may just have to continue their reign.
Up!
Xmas Day 3:10pm BBC1
A balloon-powered flying house takes a young Cub Scout and grumpy old man through the jungles of South America. In what is one of Pixar’s best pieces, the heart breaking opening will give you watery eyes in minutes and I doubt you will see a funnier depiction of talking dogs. With the recent disappointments of Brave and Cars 2 this Christmas day film will make you remember what a quality studio Pixar are.
Downton Abbey
Xmas Day 9:00pm ITV
This year the Crawleys head up to the Scottish Highlands for their Christmas retreat. Usually the highlight of Lord Grantham’s year, there is set to be a lot of friction between the Crawleys and their hosts. Perhaps what is more intriguing is what the majority of the downstairs ‘help’ back at Downton will get up when their masters are away. Whilst the third series of Downton was relatively disappointing (although not the mess that series 2 was), this Xmas special could either rescue the series or continue a worrying trend.
The Snowman and the Snowdog
Xmas Eve 3:00pm C4
30 years on, the Snowman returns on Channel 4 this time with a canine addition. Opening with a young boy mourning the passing of his dog then stumbling upon a drawing of a Snowman left behind long ago. Inspired, the child builds a brand new Snowman and Snowdog and to his amazement they come to life. Like the original they travel the world and visit famous landmarks and explore themes of loss and growing up. With a number of the staff from the original returning and the animators keeping faith with the old style, it will be interesting to see whether the animation enchants us the same way The Snowman did three decades ago.
