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Christmas

Let's all chat about Christmas telly

37 replies

MorrisZapp · 18/11/2016 08:14

I've seen a few previews but they're all returning series (Doctor Who, Sherlock) or Christmas specials (GBBO).

I'm desperate to find out what the original period drama offering will be. Last year I was obsessed with Dickensian, and would accept a repeat as they're not making any more.

I also loved Death Comes to Pemberley two years ago, and have rewatched it three times!

I think the schedules get announced at the end of November. Until then, what's your favourite Christmas television, and what do you hope to find in your TV stocking this year?

PS I know lots of people hate Death Comes to Pemberley, but I adored it. Joanna Scanlan refusing to take orders from the hanging judge is one of my favourite television drama moments of all time.

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Tfoot75 · 18/11/2016 08:19

We really enjoyed And Then There Were None last year. Apparently BBC previews are released on Tuesday so probably not long to wait til we find out! Won't be the same without downton abbey though!

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AnthonyPandy · 18/11/2016 08:24

Can't link but if you google Christmas tv 2016 there is a website that has gathered together all the programmes that will be on and has a long list of them. It includes christmas specials and new programmes, and has a few dates too.

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AnthonyPandy · 18/11/2016 08:27

Try ukchristmastv.weebly.com

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RuggerHug · 18/11/2016 08:28

I want to know is there any way to get a channel to repeat something that was a one off years ago! There was a drama called 'home for Christmas' on here probably 10-15 years ago and it was amazingly weird. I know it exists because Dsis watched it with me and it's listed on imdb but can't find it anywhere. The description was 'gothic, in a north Cork kind of way' and it had a family bonding over accidently murdering a Christmas dinner guest. But it was funny I swear.

Since I can't get that, all the Christmas films, royle family episodes with others will have to do Sad

sorry that wasn't what you wanted probably Grin

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HighDataUsage · 18/11/2016 08:57

I hope there is a good spine tingling ghost story on this year. I always enjoy a good, scary programme and a repeat of the won a in Black would do for me if there is nothing original on.

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70isaLimitNotaTarget · 18/11/2016 09:12


I'm eagerly waiting for the Christmas TV Times (I much prefer a paper + highlighter pen method to mark off my Must Watches that doing all the new fangled setting on the telly )

I love a ghost story (like "Turn of the Screw" / "Whistle and I'll Come to You" "Crooked House" )

DD and I watch "Lost Christmas" every year, it must be nearly time to get the popcorn and indulge.
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70isaLimitNotaTarget · 18/11/2016 09:14

I tried to watch "The Woman In Black" one Christmas Eve, I got to the bit where he goes to the house and the driver says "I'm leaving you here" then tootles off........................couldn't watch more ...

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MoonfaceAndSilky · 18/11/2016 09:22

DD and I watch "Lost Christmas" every year, it must be nearly time to get the popcorn and indulge.

We do too, love it, although I always end up in tears Xmas Grin

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MorrisZapp · 18/11/2016 10:59

I think this year's big luxury animation will be We're Going on a Bear Hunt, the cast look great but it ain't The Snowman is it.

I always think I like ghost stories then crap out at the last moment. There was a Larkrise to Candleford Christmas special once with a slightly supernatural theme, that was about my limit :)

My Radio Times ends up torn and dog eared, I end up memorising great chunks of it.

Hope they do a Hitchcock season, it's not Christmas without North by Northwest.

Was last year's Agatha Christie the one with Poldark in it?

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Chocolatecake12 · 18/11/2016 12:56

I like the David walliams adaptations
And a period drama

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Flixy102 · 18/11/2016 14:50

I loved Stickman last year, hopefully it will be repeated this year!

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PipersPiping · 18/11/2016 14:53

I absolutely loved dickensian, cant believe its nearly a year since that was on.
Me and 6 yr old dd were hoping this years julia donaldson adaptation would be scarecrows wedding, its our fave.

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smellylittleorange · 18/11/2016 14:56

There is a Raymond Briggs animation/story based on his parents - looks rather lovely. I will also be repeating all of the Gavin and Stacey Christmas specials. Looking forward to Sherlock and Doctor Who and quite like Kirsties Christmas Special.

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ToujeoQueen · 18/11/2016 15:01

I loved Dickensian too and hope the BBC do another dickens adaptation. I really liked bleak house too.

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TheWoollybacksWife · 18/11/2016 15:18

There's Hitchcock films being shown at the moment. Iplayer has Suspicion and The Lady Vanishes on already and Dial M for Murder is on this weekend.

I'm hoping for a good murder mystery like an Agatha Christie adaptation and I'm really hoping some channel will show The Bishop's Wife - you can't beat a bit of Cary Grant and David Niven.

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SymphonyofShadows · 18/11/2016 15:21

Something spooky for me too. I loved Whistle And I'll Come To You and that thing a couple of years ago about the old man and his Indian nanny that featured the song Scarborough Fair. Not exactly Christmas but it was in the run up to it.

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HighDataUsage · 18/11/2016 17:06

TuejeoQueen the BBC won't be making another series of Dickensian as it's too costly to make. I'm really gutted about that, I wish they'd get rid of a series like Strictly to make a period decent drama series. downs flame proof hat

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liquidrevolution · 18/11/2016 18:35

I get unbelievably excited about the Radio Times Christmas issue. Another one who highlights all the best stuff Grin. I have been bouncing around giddy for days about it even though its a few weeks away. I remember having to get both the TV times and the radio times and plan (with colour coded highlighters) what to watch and what to record and to make sure we had enough blank videos to do the recording Grin. Youngsters are missing out on all this!

I love Lost Christmas so pleased to see other thought it good too. I also loved a programme called 'The Flint Street Nativity' which is a load of actors pretending to be children doing a nativity at school. That doesnt get shown very often. I used to love it about 20 years ago when there were adaptations of classic childrens stories - The Snow Queen, Snow White and Cinderella (with Kathleen Turner as the evil Stepmother!) were particulalry good. They only seen to repeat Snow White though.

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Kirriemuir · 18/11/2016 19:24

I can't remember if they said there would be a Christmas "Victoria" or not. It's certainly not going to be the same without downton.

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AnthonyPandy · 18/11/2016 19:29

I have Flint Street Nativity! How are you all watching Lost Christmas? It's on my list to get but is currently about £15 which is a bit steep.

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Cococrumble · 18/11/2016 19:30

Liquidrevolution - I love flintstreet nativity! We now have it on DVD and I cry my eyes out on every watch. May have to pop it on tomorrow Smile

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SmileAndNod · 18/11/2016 19:38

I enjoyed And Then There Were None last year. I would happily watch Aidan Turner in a towel that again.
DS is looking forward to Awful Auntie. I would just like the tv in run up to Christmas be really festive. It all seems over so quickly, and feels so flat.
And I would also like to see the Christmas Royle Family and Dinnerladies in tribute Caroline Aherne and Victoria Wood.

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user1471531855 · 18/11/2016 19:46

I love Xmas tv this year won't be the same without downtown! Last year I watched back in time for Christmas bbc2 it was great history programme about a family living through christmases from 1950-1990 some great memories of different traditions each years had highly recommend it if they repeat it! This year theres not a lot I'm looking forward too although I do like a BBC period drama

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MorrisZapp · 18/11/2016 21:34

Downton blew it though didn't they, when what's his name drove into a ditch on Boxing Day.

There is a Call the Midwife, set in South Africa of all places. Not sure they have snow there :)

My DS just doesn't get my Radio Times fervour. He's like yeah what's on YouTube, sad innit.

OMG CHRISTMAS RADIO TIMES!!!

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MorrisZapp · 18/11/2016 21:37

No other Death Comes to Pemberley lovers? It had her out of Victoria in it, plus the guy Lady Mary ended up with.

Oh oh oh! What was the Agatha Christie with Prince Albert in it? He is scandalously attractive. Tom something. It was set in the fifties, he had a leather jacket. He saved his friend from drowning but it had a twist.

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