The biggest fortnight of TV's year is upon us. Janice Butler and Donal O'Donoghue guide you through the season's unmissable shows.
The X Factor USA: The Final, Friday Dec 23 TV3
It’s the night you’ve all been waiting for! The X Factor USA judges have searched for the next big thing across America. This weekend, that search draws to a close. Tonight, the remaining finalists go head to head as they sing live in a bid to win The X Factor USA and that life changing recording contract.
The Jonathan Ross Show: Christmas Special, Friday Dec 23 UTV
In this Christmas special, Jonathan Ross will be chatting to one of the biggest names in show business - none other than Tom Cruise. The Hollywood icon will be telling Jonathan all about his new film Mission Impossible 4. The cast of The Inbetweeners will also be on the sofa talking about their recent transition from TV actors to movie stars! Jessica Brown Finlay, Laura Carmichael, and Michelle Dockery from Downton Abbey will reveal what it’s like starring in one of the most popular dramas of our time and will also spill the beans on what we can expect from the Downton Abbey Christmas Special.
Wagon’s Den Christmas Special, St Stephen's Day, RTÉ Two
Here comes the Wagon! Yep it’s the wandering wagon, aka Katherine Lynch, so lock up your prejudices (and your sons) as the Lash from Leitrim rides into town and unleashes her own special brand of anarchy.
8 out of 10 Christmas Special, Christmas Eve, Channel 4
Popular comedy panel show 8 Out of 10 Cats returns to Channel 4 for a cracking Christmas special. Stand-up comic and presenter, Jimmy Carr, will be at the helm to oversee the disputes and deliberations on the festive topics that sets chins wagging. Guests joining him for some yuletide fun are Jedward, comedian Micky Flanagan, Liza Tarbuck and Inbetweeners actor Greg Davies.
Carols From The Castle, Christmas Eve, RTÉ One
Dublin Castle is the historic backdrop for this seasonal special, hosted by Mary Kennedy and featuring a glittering gallery, including Daniel O’Donnell, Mary Byrne, The Coronas, Dervish, Dublin Gospel Choir, All Ireland Talent Show winner Daniel Furlong, People of the Year winner Joan Freeman and the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, conducted by David Brophy.
Michael McIntyre's Christmas Comedy Roadshow, Christmas Day, BBC One
The most popular stand-up comic in the UK – that’s if you measure such things by box-office receipts – takes his wry, observational comedy on a tour of some iconic British comedy venues.
Other Voices NYC, Christmas Day, RTÉ Two
Billed as ‘A Grand Gathering at Le Poisson Rouge’, this special programme from the venue in the heart of the bustling East Village, is crammed to the rafters with Irish talent including Gabriel Byrne, Glen Hansard, Roddy Doyle, Damien Rice, Laurie Anderson, Paul Muldoon, Joseph O'Connor and Martin Hayes. Martha Wainwright also drops by.
The Savage Eye, Christmas Day, RTÉ Two
Surreal wit David McSavage asks the somewhat irrelevant question ‘Why do the Irish love Christmas?’ in a show that is really just an excuse to take potshots at pillars and pillocks of society. Expect some familiar grotesques – The President for Life, The Bull Mick – in a sketch fest that can be overcooked but is frequently brilliant.
The Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special, Christmas Day, BBC One
Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly present a Christmas spectacular, as Su Pollard, Debra Stephenson, Charlie Brooks, Barry McGuigan and Simon Webbe take to the dance floor for a show sprinkled with seasonal sparkle as the five new celebs don their sequins and dancing shoes and battle it out for the crown of Strictly Christmas champ.
Top of the Pops Xmas 2011, Christmas Day, BBC One
Once upon a time the Christmas No.1 mattered. In a way it still does – if only for nostalgic reasons rather than any real commercial worth – and this countdown to the top of the Christmas Pops is packed full of the brightest pop stars of 2011.
Darcy Bussell Dances Hollywood,Christmas Day, BBC Two
Darcey Bussell, one of Britain’s greatest living dancers, steps into the shoes of her Hollywood heroes to celebrate the musical. Bussell will pay homage to Fred Astaire in an interpretation of Puttin’ on the Ritz, Ginger Rogers in a rendition of Cheek to Cheek and will pay tribute to the rousing Good Morning from Singin’ in the Rain.
Alan Carr: Chatty Man Christmas Special, Christmas Day, Channel 4
Settle in for a treat of festive frolics, plus the odd song or two, as Alan is joined on the sofa by Ruth Jones, who talks about her new drama, Stella. David Walliams drops in to chat about all things Christmas and infamous twosome Jedward are on hand to cause mayhem in the studio. Music comes from the newly reformed Steps, who perform a medley of their greatest hits.
Family Guy Christmas Special, Christmas Day, 3e
With the Griffins stuck at home during a blackout, Peter decides to retell the story Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope with some familiar characters playing starring roles and a hilarious outcome. Peter plays Han Solo, Lois is Princess Leia, Stewie becomes Darth Vader, Brian plays Chewbacca, and Chris is Luke Skywalker.
Tommy Tiernan Live At Vicar Street, Christmas Day, 3e
Stand up comedy with irreverent funny man Tommy Tiernan, recorded live at Vicar Street. In this hilarious performance, the most energetic of Irish comics looks at all the quirks of Irish life we often overlook! From the word go, Tommy sets the stage alight with his razor sharp wit, uncanny impersonations and ingenious satire. Not for the easily offended!
Des Bishop’s Best Bits, St Stephen’s Day, RTÉ Two
Bishop – the fast-talking Yank who not only learnt how to speak Irish, but made a TV show out of it – rewinds through the choice cuts from his three DVD releases, Live At Vicar St, Fitting In and Tongues. Expect his late da, Mike, the man who nearly was James Bond, to get be affectionately ribbed.
One Night Only, Tuesday Dec 27, RTÉ One
Ronnie and Luke may be playing the Great Gig in the Sky but The Dubliners keep the show on the road on this mortal coil. Now on the eve of their 50th anniversary, the most famous Irish folk band ever, join Gay Byrne for a celebratory knees-up. Guests on the night include Declan O’Rourke, Sharon Shannon, Shane MacGowan, Mary Couglan and Liam Ó’Maonlai.
Mooney Tunes, Tuesday Dec 27, RTÉ One
This unique collaboration sees Derek Mooney going wild on radio and TV with a special concert from the Grand Canal Theatre in Dublin, featuring the RTÉ Concert Orchestra. This is essentially Mooney’s radio show on the telly, with special guests dropping by and a soundtrack specially chosen by the listeners.
The Christmas Daytime Cracker, Tuesday Dec 27 RTÉ One
Claire, Dáithí and Maura join forces for this hour-long post-Christmas cracker of entertainment, news and views.
The Restaurant: Christmas Cook-Off, Wednesday Dec 28, RTÉ One
This Christmas The Restaurant dishes up two helpings of its hugely popular Christmas Cook-Off. Two more pairs of chefs return to the kitchen at the Wineport Lodge in Athlone and go head-to-head to decide who wins this year's ultimate culinary accolade.
Three Men go to New England, Tuesday Dec 27 and Wednesday Dec 28, BBC Two
Three Men Go To New England is the seventh boat-based outing for Rory McGrath, Griff Rhys Jones and Dara O’Briain and their toughest nautical adventure yet. There’s no lazing about on the river here, as the trio have just ten days to find a suitable vessel that will allow them join a special flotilla to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty, in New York.
Kylie Live In 2011: Aphrodite Les Folies, Wednesday Dec 28, Sky Living
Recorded at London’s O2 arena in April 2011, Aphrodite Les Folies is a spectacle to behold. Featuring performances of tracks from Kylie’s latest album, Aphrodite, including Get Outta My Way, Closer and Put Your Hands Up (If You Feel Love), as well as classic anthems this live concert sees Minogue at her best.
Zig & Zag’s Superbloopers, Wednesday, Dec 28, RTÉ One
Blasts from the past, Zig & Zag, sift from miles of TV footage to pick out the best and worst of the box for an hour-long special of bloopers, scary home video, celebrity guests and hidden camera shenanigans.
The Christmas Big Sing, Christmas Day, BBC One
Aled ‘Walking in the Air’ Jones presents the Songs of Praise festive sing-a-long extravaganza from London’s Royal Albert Hall in front of a full house of 5,000. The programme includes Joy to the World, O Little Town of Bethlehem and Jingle Bells, singer-songwriter Chris de Burgh performs A Spaceman Came Travelling and Aled sings you-know-what.
Janice Butler & Donal O'Donoghue
