Monday’s TV tips
An orphan struggles with a life of servitude, as she’s bullied by her wicked stepmother.
However, all her dreams look set to come true when the king of the realm she lives in organises a lavish ball to find a bride for his son, and a fairy godmother sees to it that she’s turned into a princess for the night.
Okay, so we know the story inside out, but charming as this animated effort is, this is a great excuse to catch it again – for kids and adults. There’s something magical about this 1950 classic, and it will appeal to all the hopeless romantics out there.
There are musical highlights aplenty, and Ilene Woods has just the voice to do them justice.
Ilene Woods, William Phipps, Verna Felton
There’s ’Noah’ way you’ll guess who’s in this festive edition of the poker-faced panel game. It’s only Ray Winstone. Yes, honestly.
However, while that may seem like a far-fetched fact, there are plenty of ’pork pies“ lurking amid the turkey sandwiches for Ray and his fellow contestants. Panel game favourite Josh Widdicombe is also on board David Mitchell’s team for 28 minutes of fiendish frivolity. On Lee Mack’s team, Ricky Tomlinson turns out to be a right Christmas ’Cracker’ (one for TV addicts with long memories), and while it’s splendid to see such an array of macho charisma – alongside Rob Brydon, Josh, David and Lee – Countdown’s maths wiz Rachel Riley steals much of the limelight as she attempts to determine who is telling the truth and who isn’t. Round one is Home Truths.
Will Josh manage to convince Mack and company of his sporting credentials? Will Ray (who generates some of the biggest laughs of the show) convince the opposing side he’s built a replica of ’Stone’enge“ at the bottom of his garden? And more to the point, is it true?
A dance instructor at a Sixties resort hotel sees his plans spoiled when his regular partner is forced to quit. Luckily, a naive teenager is happy to step in, and is soon treated to a whirlwind holiday education on life, love and tripping the light fantastic.
This is an old-fashioned tale, but the dance numbers and good performances help make it fly.
The presence of Oscar-winning song (I’ve Had) The Time of My Life by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes doesn’t hurt things either.
Patrick Swayze, Jennifer Grey, Jerry Orbach, Cynthia Rhodes
Ten years ago, our festive celebrations were put squarely into sobering context with the terrible news that a tsunami had hit South East Asia, causing damage and loss of life on an unprecedented scale.
Now, a decade on, this documentary hears from some of the people who were there, and managed – somehow – to escape with their lives. Others, however, were less fortunate, and here we also hear from the loved ones of some of the many victims.
Blighty’s biggest comedians certainly aren’t going to be short of work this Christmas, are they? Just a quick scan through the telly schedules and you can’t move for comics presenting their own celeb-filled Christmas/New Year shows.
It’s going to be a tough call working out who we should tune in to, but mark our words, you won’t want to miss this fellow.
Liverpudlian funnyman John Bishop is on stage at the Dominion Theatre in London’s West End, along with the big guns of the music and comedy world.
George Ezra and Ella Henderson – both of whom have had fantastic years – will be providing music, while Jack Whitehall and Jason Byrne are just two of the names who will have us in stitches for the evening.
But the one to really look out for is Mr Bishop performing a special dance routine with 16 Tiller Girls.
James Corden and Mathew Baynton are back as hapless council workers Phil and Sam for a second run of the sitcom they’ve both written and star in. Whether there will be a third series remains to be seen – Corden is off to America soon to host The Late Late Show, so he may no longer have the time for his British projects.
The lads are now 4,000 miles from home, holed up in a high-security Texan jail, which suits Phil down to the ground _ he’s relishing the chance to reinvent himself, but Sam longs for the comforts and familiarity of home.
When they receive some startling news from Britain, the boys must make a big decision – should they continue to lie low behind bars, or break free and make their way back to Bracknell? They opt for the latter, but the journey turns out to be longer and more perilous than they ever imagined.
Suited and booted and preened to perfection with a voice that booms from here to the other side of Christmas, Michael Buble never fails to put on a show-stopping performance – and that’s obviously the same train of thought the leading lights at Channel 5 have had because they’ve invited him back to keep us company for a fourth star-studded, music-filled evening.
This festive special will see the Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter celebrating Christmas by taking to the stage of the Radio City Music Hall in New York with some very special guests_Barbra Streisand, Ariana Grande, the Rockettes and Miss Piggy (because apparently nothing screams ’Christmas’ like a singing muppet).
Expect him to be belting out festive classics including It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas and All I Want for Christmas is You, as well as performing songs chosen from requests posted by his social media followers.
Republic of Telly will rip Christmas telly to shreds while also featuring some seasonal sketches – including a nativity themed visit with Bridget and Eamon.
Republic of Telly will rip Christmas telly to shreds while also featuring some seasonal sketches – including a nativity themed visit with Bridget and Eamon. Also the team’s very first annual Doctor Ha staring all the cast!
Two series and a special final episode: that’s been Ricky Gervais’s rule for great comedy shows since The Office turned him into a millionaire in the early Noughties.
It also stood him in good stead for Extras, Life’s Too Short and this series as we’re at that final stage now. Broadhill is preparing for the wedding of the year.
However, Hannah (Kerry Godliman) is having trouble coping with Kev’s (David Earl) behaviour. While Vicky (Holli Dempsey) prepares to fill her shoes, Derek (Gervais) attempts to hold the home together.
Gervais’s series has been the boldest of his career, and also one with the biggest heart, so for Derek’s fans worldwide, this should be a bittersweet swansong, especially if Christmas already has you in a sentimental mood.
A posh London bookseller falls for one of Hollywood’s biggest stars in this romantic comedy starring Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts. The movie follows the characters’ attempts to stay together despite pressure from the media and her old boyfriend.
A hugely enjoyable offering written by Richard Curtis. Grant and Roberts work perfectly on screen – they’re perfectly cast. It also features blissfully funny performances from Rhys Ifans, James Dreyfus, Emma Chambers and Dylan Moran.
This is simply easy, comical viewing with a decent smattering of romance - what’s not to like?
Hugh Grant, Julia Roberts, Rhys Ifans, Tim McInnerny, Gina McKee, James Dreyfus, Emma Chambers
