the TV listings magazines are out! I would like to say I was made of money and bought the Radio Times, but sadly I went for the cheaper version! I even remember having to buy with my mum years ago, the Radio Times for BBC programmes and the TV Times for ITV. Those were the days of 4 channels!
However it is a bit of tradition that Christmas seems to be getting ever closer when you know what is going to be on the television. It is alright that the weekend papers try to give away the listings guides weeks before. Where all it says is ‘programme yet to be confirmed’. That tells you nothing – we need to know what film we are going to fall asleep through after the big Christmas Dinner.
Now I am not going to regurgitate the whole magazine here for everyone. What I thought I would do is just perhaps pick a few gems, some book related and some out of sheer pure entertainment! I do not watch soaps, so that kind of limits the television there is to watch!
Three of my favourite films are on so I know it must be Christmas (you may be able to detect a theme here?)
Singin’ In The Rain (My favourite film ever!) – Christmas Day
Mary Poppins – Wed 29 Dec
The Sound of Music – New Year’s Eve
Plus
The Other Boleyn Girl – Wed 22 Dec
Then of course we have some fabulous Agatha Christie (with another one a New Year – The Mirror Crack’d from Side to Side)
Murder on the Orient Express – Christmas Day (Plus David Suchet gets to drive the Orient Express – Sun 19 Dec)
The Secret of Chimneys – Mon 27 Dec
The Blue Geranium – Wed 29 Dec
More literary references
An adaptionĀ of Just William – Tue 28 Dec
Toast – Thu 30 Dec Nigel Slater’s memoir
Upstairs Downstairs – Boxing Day onwards Yes they have been books!
Some Comedy
Rock and Chips – Wed 29 Dec The Only Fools and Horses prequel. I think some programme concepts should remain untouched and left to memory, history and classic television archives.
Only Fools and Horses – Wed 22 Dec onwards The three Christmas Specials back from x years ago. The Batman and Robin episode and of course when they become millionaires.
Miranda – Mon 20 Dec This programme is just..bearwith…such fun!!
Only a small selection, and no doubt more gems will be found throughout the festive period!
What television programmes remind you of Christmas? What are you looking forward to most?
The Book Jotter 