Friday’s TV tips
While as much as the idea of Father Christmas having a mobile phone and us being able to text him our requests for pressies might seem appealing, for those unfamiliar with the Text Santa premise, that’s not quite what’s going on here.
The fundraising initiative first came about in 2011; a chance for various famous faces to promote the work of six different charities every year. This year, the programme will be focusing on Teenage Cancer Trust, Guide Dogs, Marie Curie Cancer Care, Alzheimer’s Society, WellChild and Together for Short Lives.
And when you consider that a total of £15million has been raised since Text Santa started, it’s a mission well worth undertaking.
Among those getting involved this year are Carey Mulligan, Brenda Blethyn and Simon Cowell, while one of the main highlights will be superstar George Clooney making a surprise visit to Downton Abbey in a mini-episode filmed exclusively for Text Santa.
Meanwhile, the residents of Coronation Street appear in a comedy sketch with a Text Santa twist, and Ant and Dec host a Yule Tucker Trial for an unsuspecting celebrity while being serenaded by a choir of former I’m A Celebrity jungle contestants.
In the last of the current series, it’s 10 months after Shazia and Amjad’s wedding, and Mr Khan is in a festive mood.
He’s been given the honour of placing the star on top of the Sparkhill inter-faith Christmas tree, but, as usual, things don’t quite go to plan.
It’s a giggle-a-minute stuff, but how did the idea of Mr Khan come about?
“There was a lot of Muslim news coming out at the time and Pakistanis on the news, and I would laugh at local media,” explains series creator Adil Ray. “They would find the guy with biggest beard from the local mosque, and ask him about all sorts of local issues.”
Adil thought most people would shun the spotlight, but “There was one or two characters would do up their tie, button up their shirt, and go along and think ’I’m going to enjoy my five minutes of fame,’ And that was Mr Khan.”
Pardon us while we drool into our cocoa, Mary Berry, but if you will insist on tempting us with these festive recipes, it’s bound to lead to Homer Simpson-style impressions.
While the Great British Bake-off’s ’male judge’ is wrapping his presents, Mary shows us five indulgent but easy recipes for a stress-free Christmas Day and a mouth-watering feast, kicking off with mulled wine and mini filo beef Wellington canapes to get guests in the festive mood.
Given that turkey is such a dry bird, it’s a wonder so many of us insist on it year after year, but Ms Berry aims to breathe new life into the Yuletide staple with a roast turkey crown and all the trimmings.
The traditional mince pie also gets the Mary Christmas treatment, and she visits some specialist artisans.
Naturally they are preparing for a busy festive period. And at Hampton Court Palace she discovers whether her Christmas resembles those celebrated by the Tudors.
There was a huge gap left in the schedules when The Royle Family and Harry Hill’s TV Burp were moved to that limbo period of ’Might come back for another series one day, but don’t hold your breath.’
However, as nature and TV abhors a vacuum, Gogglebox managed to fill the gap admirably _ a real-life sitcom poking fun at the week’s more memorable shows, and some of the most upsetting.
As cheap telly goes, it’s proved to be compelling since its debut in March last year. Alas, this is the last in the current series, so what do ’Mark Moffatt, Betty Moffatt and Scarlett Moffatt’- among the other usual suspects make of the latest batch of small screen offerings? Will Stephen deliver more classic comments, and which tipple will telly addicts Stephanie and Dominic opt for this time?
Stay tuned and all will be revealed.
For millions who grew up in the 1970s, one act was synonymous with the era: The Bee Gees.
Their rise to fame has been well documented over the years, and little wonder. After all, the singer/songwriters had the Midas touch when it came to penning and performing hits for themselves, or giving the likes of Diana Ross, Dionne Warwick, and Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers some of their biggest hits.
Barry, Maurice and Robin Gibb formed the act in 1958; enjoyed some success in their adopted home Australia before returning to the UK in 1967.
They went on to sell more than 200 million records, but were beset by tragedy with the untimely loss of sibling Andy, and, more recently, band members Maurice and Robin.
This profile of the legendary pop group ticks all the usual rags-to-riches boxes, and features interviews with Barry, John Lydon, Guy Chambers, Mykaell Riley, Alexis Petridis and Ana Matronic.
It’s 2009 and something has infected the waters of Chesapeke Bay in Maryland.
Nobody is completely sure what the parasite is, where it’s come from or how it’s transmitted, but the town is immediately shut down after a series of mysterious deaths and dangerous behaviour take place.
The government also confiscates all footage shot during the infection – so what you’re about to see has been rescued and cut together by a news reporter who was on the scene.
This is another in a long line of ’found footage’ movies, which means it doesn’t exactly feel original. But the fact that it was directed by Barry Levinson, the Oscar-winner behind Good Morning Vietnam and Rain Man, gives it an extra edge. The no-name cast are impressive too.
Kether Donahue, Kristen Connolly, Christopher Denham, Andy Stahl
A seemingly married couple are forced to examine themselves, their lives and the secrets they have been hiding from each other after they are taken hostage by thieves desperate to get their hands on their valuables.
This long, dark night of the soul also has an impact on the villains, who spent the time looking back on the series of events that led them to where they are now, and the way they are making an illegal living.
Without the presence of Nicole Kidman, it would be a rather sorry affair. Nicolas Cage is miscast as her husband – 10 years ago he would probably have played one of the robbers – but Kidman’s star quality shines through a middling script.
Nicolas Cage, Nicole Kidman, Ben Mendelsohn, Liana Liberato
A group of friends gather for their high school reunion, 10 years after their graduation.
What should be a happy moment turns into a soul-searching event. The former bully’s attempts to make amends go horribly wrong, a famous rock star still struggles to talk to the girl he once worshipped from afar and a man planning to propose to his girlfriend has second thoughts after being reunited with an old flame.
Yeah, it’s not bad at all, and is nicely played by the ensemble cast. There is definite chemistry between stars Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan too – but seeing as they’re married in real life, you would expect that! Parks and Recreation stars Chris Pratt and Aubrey Plaza also appear.
Channing Tatum, Rosario Dawson, Oscar Isaac, Kate Mara, Chris Pratt, Jenna Dewan
In case you didn’t know it, Tony Bennett is a showbiz legend who has been performing and recording for nearly eight decades.
The son of an Italian immigrant and a New York seamstress, Tony – aka Anthony Bennedetto – and his two siblings grew up impoverished circumstances.
Bob Hope saw Tony singing in a club in the Big Apple in 1949, and he later received an invitation to sing on stage with the comedian.
Sixty-five years later and following his recent album with Lady Gaga, Cheek To Cheek, 88-year-old Bennett is more relevant than ever.
The multiple Grammy winner has won over a new wave of fans thanks to his collaboration of old school classics with the eponymous diva and a 39-piece orchestra.
This glitzy New York gig features tracks including It Don’t Mean a Thing, Sophisticated Lady, Let’s Face the Music and Dance, Anything Goes, and Cheek to Cheek.
