Christmas is a time that is rife with tradition – the tree, the decorations, the presents, Noddy Holder threatening to burst your eardrums in each and every shop… and one of the most treasured of all Christmas traditions is the festive television special.
Everybody from Morecombe and Wise to Doctor Who have been given the yuletide treatment at some stage, and if you want you to do things properly, this is naturally the time of year to relive the wealth of Christmas TV available, and in particular TV comedy.
If you’ve been paying attention to the guidelines laid out over the past few weeks, you will undoubtedly have already come across some Christmas TV treats – Only Fools and Horses, One Foot in the Grave, The League of Gentlemen, South Park, and Bottom have all been recommended so far, but let’s be honest, that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Before we proceed, let us briefly return to Only Fools and Horses for a second. At one time Only Fools was so synonymous with Christmas television, that for some, it may have to the point of over saturation. It’s fair to say that some viewers may be sick of the sight of the Trotters – but let us not forget, despite its status as The Sun reader’s favourite sitcom, it is, above all else, brilliant. There were a few recommendations in the first week for some of the early Christmas specials, but there are brilliant episodes from Only Fools later years too – for this week take particular note of festive specials Dates, The Jolly Boys Outing, and Mother Nature’s Son. And let’s not forget the 1996 Christmas trilogy, the episodes where Del Boy and his family made their fortune and walked off into the sunset (ignore anything that came after because, well, its rubbish). Truly essential Christmas viewing…
During the 90s, us Brits were treated to a plethora of TV comedy, most of which spawned Christmas episodes at one time or another. From this period there are plenty of gems from which to choose. The Fast Show, Father Ted, The Royale Family, and Shooting Stars all knocked out brilliant festive treats and these are an absolute must. But the best from this era is undoubtedly Knowing Me, Knowing Yule with Alan Partridge.
Partridge – surely a contender for greatest living Englishman – has seldom put a foot wrong during his broadcasting career. As one of the pioneers of ‘cringe comedy’, Steve Coogan built a career on playing the obnoxious chat-show host quick to insult and offend anyone that crossed his path. From his early radio beginnings through to I’m Alan Partridge, every minute is comedy gold, and they don’t get much better than this contribution to the Christmas cannon.
Set in a mock-up of his own Norwich home, Knowing Me, Knowing Yule is a masterclass in disaster TV as Partridge’s career collapses around him – calling a Christian bell ringer a pig, getting roughed up by a cross-dressing TV Chef (oops pardon!), and punching the chief-commissioning editor of the BBC with his hand stuffed up a turkey. Undoubtedly Alan’s finest hour.
But it’s not all about recent TV comedy, there are many solid contributions from yesteryear – The Two Ronnies, Steptoe and Son, Allo’ Allo’, and Some Mothers Do ‘Ave Em are all worth putting on the list. Particularly Some Mothers – watch as prize tit Frank Spencer prances through the nativity rehearsal and destroys the greatest story ever told. And he does all his own stunts, you know.
As we move back and forth through time, it seems only appropriate to consider one of the greatest British sitcoms of all time, namely, Blackadder. Blckadder’s Christmas Carol came at a time when the sitcom was on top of its game – sandwiched between series three and four (decide between yourselves which is the best) – Richard Curtis and Ben Elton’s writing was razor sharp, creating a brilliant alternative to Dickens’s A Christmas Carol. Ebenezer Blackadder’s descent into wrongdoing through ghostly visions is brilliantly conceived, climaxing with a tirade of one-liners and some good old-fashioned Baldrick bashing.
You may have noticed that so far this list has comprised exclusively of British comedy. Well, it is the best in world. However, we shall be permitted a trip across the Atlantic for some more Christmas treats. But rather than landing in the good ol’ US of A, our attention shall be turned to Canada, to a brilliant little comedy called Trailer Park Boys.
For those not it the know, this is one the finest pieces of modern comedy. Though filled with dope-smoking, swish-drinking, re-offending, filthy-mouthed morons, Trailer Park Boys is also one of sweetest, most emotionally engaging shows in recent memory. Telling the story of trailer park residents that end up in jail every time they step out of the safe parameters of their run-down park, the show is filled with moments of both genuine hilarity and tenderness. And the Christmas special is one of the finest examples of what makes it so great. Check out the scene in which chief moron Ricky takes to the altar in Church and claims ‘That’s what Christmas should be – getting drunk and stoned with your friends and family.’ If you haven’t seen it – do.
Of course, for every great Christmas special there are countless mediocre ones. But Christmas is a time for forgiveness and you’re no doubt more open to the kind of rubbish that is often peddled on the tube in the name of Christ. Feel free to indulge in as much Vicar of Dibley, Men Behaving Badly, and Catherine Tate as you wish. But do it on you own time – don’t let it compromise this essential collection.
There are a few more TV specials that have yet to be mentioned, and we’ll return to those for reasons that will become clear later. For now, remember that even if the revolution isn’t televised, at least Christmas will be. Big time. And don’t forget Doctor Who on Christmas Day. It’s usually crap, but hey, it’s Christmas, we’ll all be blind from Turkey, sprouts, and Grandma’s Lambrusco by that point. Enjoy…
