No one nails the Christmas TV special quite like the Brits. From sitcoms to soap operas – with a slathering of timey-wimey sci-fi for good measure – festive schedules have thrown up some iconic moments.
#5 Fancy Dress is a Good Thing
In the ‘80s and ‘90s, “Only Fools†was the one thing that everyone got excited for. “Heroes and Villains†is easily the most memorable Christmas episode, with Del and Rodney riffing Batman and Robin until they show up at a funeral in outfits that feel famously out of place.
But fancy dress isn’t always a disaster. We’re thinking “Doctor Who†in 2015, when we thought Peter Capaldi’s reindeer antlers looked rather dashing. And if all else fails, just buy a pink sumo-suit and paint yellow circles on it – Mr. Blobby never gets old.
#4 Love Conquers All (Unless You’re in EastEnders)
In general, Christmas TV is crammed with sitcoms and celebrity versions of your favourite game shows. Basically, it’s a chance to stock up on good vibes and feel-good storylines.
Shows like “Him & Her†or “Father Ted†tap into the festive fuzziness better than most, but “The Office†Special is still one of our favourites. Tim. Dawn. A bewildered Gareth. And Brent finally facing up to Neil from Swindon. It just doesn’t get any better than that.
Of course, if you’re in desperate need of something less upbeat, the residents of Walford are usually happy to oblige.
#3 Never Underestimate the Turkey
Everyone does Christmas dinner differently, but the turkey is typically a pivotal platter. Overcook it at your peril, but undercook it at everyone else’s.
Mr Bean proves that prepping your feast is important – just don’t let it go to your head. And whatever you do, don’t pull a Jez from “Peep Show†– Christmas Day is not the time to even suggest that you’ve forgotten to by a turkey. All in all, it’s best to be like the Vicar of Dibley. Dawn French’s character went to town in 1996, when the Dibley special saw her dutifully attend multiple lunches.
#2 There Are Three Main Film Groups
The mid-afternoon Christmas movie gives us all time to sit and contemplate the colossal amount of food we’ve just eaten. But what’s your go to film?
Terrestrial channels tend to cater for traditionalists, with “It’s A Wonderful Life†or “The Great Escapeâ€. The romantics rally round their annual event, a seasonal screening of “Love Actuallyâ€. And then there’re the big kids watching “Arthur Christmas†on repeat.
And if you still can’t decide, just stick “Harry Potter†on – the boy wizard always makes the rounds at this time of year.
#1 Everything Is Better if it’s Made Out of Clay
And that’s a fact. Nothing says ‘Christmas in Britain’ like lucking out and finding a “Wallace and Gromit†rerun to watch while picking at the last of the Quality Street (toffee penny, anyone?).
Raymond Briggs’ “The Snowman†is another undisputed classic – and if you haven’t seen “Ethel & Ernest†yet, put it on your list pronto. But nothing beats watching “The Wrong Trousers†and remembering just how awesome Feathers McGraw really is. The rubber glove on that guy’s head is just plain genius!
‘Tis the season, so be sure to check out WatchMojo UK. From the Pogues to the TARDIS, we’ve got Christmas covered!
