1612.11 CHRISTMAS TV PICK

It's a Christmas tradition in many households to get the TV listings magazine and scour it for seasonal offerings. In these days of digital guides and EPGs it's nice to have something tangible and physical. My choice (as it is with so many others) is the seasonal edition of the oldest of the TV listings magazines; Radio Times.

Christmas starts here. I have my #radiotimes to analyse. #listings #Christmas #christmastv #toptelly #television #christmasradiotimes

A photo posted by CaptainKirt™ (@captainkirt) on Dec 8, 2016 at 12:05pm PST

So I've scoured the pages and if I can help anyone with their highlighter pens then that's great. I've tried to avoid repeats and I'm not including any movies. Here's my choice of what's unmissable on the run up to the big day and what you shouldn't miss on Christmas Day itself...

Saturday 17th

Ronnie Barker (left) in classic "Porridge"

If Strictly is your thing then tonight's the night. Sadly it's not my thing. This first night is poor fayre for seasonal offerings so I've gone for a classic...

Captain's Pick: Porridge (23:10 BBC2) - 1975 Christmas edition (yes I know I've broken my repeat rule)

Sunday 18th

Seasonal fayre is also lacking tonight but the night is all about BBC Sports Personality of the Year (18:40 BBC1)

Monday 19th

I do love a comedy panel show, tonight has the first of the the seasonal specials.

Captain's Pick: Would I Lie to You at Christmas (20:30 BBC1)

Special mention: Alan Carr's 12 Stars of Christmas (22:00 Ch4) - Celebrity quiz show continuing each night this week.

Tuesday 20th

Not much to watch tonight, Alan Carr's 12 Stars of Christmas continues but not much else.

Wednesday 21st

My second comedy panel show seasonal special is my...

Captain's Pick: Insert Name Here (22:00 BBC2)

Thursday 22nd

Let's pay a Christmas visit to the zoo...

Captain's Pick: The Secret Life of the Zoo at Christmas (20:00 Ch4)

Special mentions: Mock the Week (22:30 BBC2) and

The World's Most Expensive Toys (21:00 Ch4)

Friday 23rd

Adil Ray as Mr Khan

Let's crank up the Christmas comedy tonight.

Captain's Pick: Citizen Khan: It's a Khanderful Life (20:30 BBC1)

Special mention: Last Leg Christmas Special (21:00 Ch4)

CHRISTMAS EVE

The day before the big day and once the wrapping is done you'll want to settle down in front of the box with a beer.

Captain's Pick: Eight out of Ten Cats Does Countdown Christmas Special (21:00 Ch4)

Special mention: Trigger Happy Christmas Special (23:00 Ch4)

CHRISTMAS DAY

The Doctor Returns

So the big day and you probably won't have time for much TV today. There's Top of the Pops Christmas (13:50 BBC1) whilst you put the finishing touches to the Christmas dinner and after The Queen (15:00 BBC1 and ITV) addresses the nation and the Commonwealth you might want to set your digital boxes to record (or download) my...

Captain's Pick: Doctor Who (17:45 BBC1) - a Christmas tradition these days, and since it's been a year since any new episodes so anticipation is high.

Captain's 2nd Pick: Mrs Brown's Boys (22:30 BBC1) - Seasonal comedy from our favourite Irish matriarch.

Special mention: Maigret's Dead Man (21:00 ITV) - Drama starring Rowan Atkinson.

I'll go over the remaining Christmas TV next week. 

Picture credits copyright recognised.