麻豆约拍

Comedy and Christmas go together like a talc and aftershave set. From the ‘Ho! Ho! Ho!’ of a jolly fat man who reverse-burgles your house, to the painful ritual of wince-inducing Christmas cracker jokes, having a merry time is what it’s all about. I like to pretend to read the cracker joke whilst substituting it for something else a bit off-colour, then feign outrage – “Where the hell did you get these crackers from? That’s absolutely shocking.”

As families travel the four corners to get together, the pressure on entertaining everyone is huge and the spotlight on 麻豆约拍 comedy to play its part is greater than at any other time of the year. No pressure then. Last year 5 of the top 10 Christmas shows were comedies, with Mrs Brown’s Boys Christmas special as the most watched show of the year. We’ve worked hard all year to bring a mix of the familiar and the new along to offer a wide variety of shows that match the range of subjective comedy tastes.

Just like most of us on Christmas Day after a food and booze blowout, it’s all about finding the right balance. Here’s what to ring around in the TV guides or series link even - it’s 2015 after all.

Mr Khan's Winter Wonderland
Friday 18th December, 8.30pm, 麻豆约拍 One

Adil Ray’s creation gives us plenty of iconic Christmas comedy moments from donkeys to talking snowmen, it’s packed with great set-pieces and a wonderful emotional ending. Great to see this series go from strength to strength at the heart of 麻豆约拍 One. Long may he continue to cause chaos all around him.

We’re Doomed: The Making of Dad’s Army
Wednesday 22nd December, 9pm, 麻豆约拍 Two

Paying homage to the origins of this comedy titan. Charting the fascinating journey from the writer’s vision to television glory with insights in to the vagaries of the creative and commissioning process and how sheer determination, passion, luck, alchemy and mischief played their part in making TV history. Sublime performances throughout, We're Doomed does a huge legacy justice.

Boomers
Wednesday 23rd December, 9.30pm, 麻豆约拍 One

A special Christmas mis-adventure ahead of the new series next year. The cast deliver a masterclass in comic performance as they return from a French trip to a Christmas market and the wheels come off in more ways than one. Fantasy casting and pin sharp writing, something for everyone to relate to here.

The Detectorists Christmas Special
Wednesday 23 December, 10pm, 麻豆约拍 Four

More of an adjunct to series 2 than a Christmas themed special. Mackenzie keeps on surprising with this wonderful tale. A modern day parable which on one level works as a cautionary tale but at heart contains all the rich metaphors of life’s journey and deep-seated friendship. Just a delight unlike any other.

Harry Hill in Professor Branestawm Returns
Christmas Eve, 5.20pm, 麻豆约拍 One

Harry Hill returns in this fantastical comic romp as the madcap inventor, mainly of chaos. This time there’s a rival for young Connie’s attention. It plays out like a modern day Ealing comedy packed with a dazzling array of modern British comedy faces.

Peter Kay: 20 Years of Funny 
Christmas Eve, 9.05pm, 麻豆约拍 One

Car Share and Cradle to Grave have enjoyed phenomenal success this year and we celebrate this milestone in Peter’s life and career by looking back on his journey to the top. Featuring highlights from his stand-up and scripted work, Peter and those who know him well tell us how he got there. A chance to revel in the creations and work of a unique and well-loved British comedy talent.

Walliams & Friend
Christmas Eve, 10.05pm, 麻豆约拍 One

David back to what he does brilliantly, create and perform terrific sketches alongside comedy hero Joanna Lumley. Filmed before a live studio audience the show romps through hilarious concepts and parodies with relish. Contemporary yet classic, it’s a rare feat to pull off and proof that the sketch show in the right hands can still deliver laughs in surprising and satisfying ways.

Not Going Out Christmas Special
Christmas Eve, 10.45pm, 麻豆约拍 One

One man joke machine Lee Mack heads up this festive treat in which he becomes the unlikely hero when a Christmas shopping trip goes very badly wrong. This sitcom is now the longest running British sitcom still on air with next year marking its 10th anniversary. The gag well never runs dry with Lee.

Mrs Brown's Boys Christmas Special
Christmas Day, 9.45pm, 麻豆约拍 One 
New Year's Day, 10.30pm, 麻豆约拍 One

Come on Agnes! Two specials from the big comedy heavy-weight. The whole family is rooting for Mrs Brown in this feel good family treat. If there’s a finer and more inventive comic performer in front of a studio sitcom audience than Brendan O’Carroll in the whole wide world then I’ll eat something I shouldn’t, then again that’s what Christmas is all about.

Comedy Bloopers
Christmas Day, 11.45pm, 麻豆约拍 One

Cock-ups and howlers from all your favourite comedy shows. Hilarious stocking filler stuffing for when you’re just about to pass out.

Comic Relief 2015: Thanks a Billion
Boxing Day, 1pm, 麻豆约拍 One

Highlights and reflections on another landmark year for Comic Relief.

The Farmer's Llamas
Boxing Day, 6.10pm, 麻豆约拍 One

Originated half hour animation created for the 麻豆约拍 featuring the characters from the recently Golden Globe nominated Shaun The Sheep. Quintessential family entertainment from one of the most globally successful proponents of British creativity.

Still Open All Hours
Boxing Day & 27th December 8pm, 麻豆约拍 One

Still fantastic, what a privilege to see a comedy classic in full flow after all these years. I had a personal 'religious' moment when I first saw the unpredictable till on set at a recording. Sir David Jason and Christmas just feel so perfect together. We are blessed with a Christmas special which flows in to the new series.

A Gert Lush Christmas 
Boxing Day, 9pm, 麻豆约拍 Two

Russell Howard writes and stars in this raucous family Christmas story shot through with earthy humour and lots of heart. If you think your family is a bit full on, strap in for this.

Catherine Tate's Nan
Sunday 27th & Wednesday 30th December, 10.25pm, 麻豆约拍 One

The nation’s most cantankerous relative is back with 2 specials that can only serve to make us feel better about our own relatives. Catherine Tate’s performance is a tour de force of character comedy and long may she continue to wind everyone up. For those who like their comedy with a kick in the teeth.

Two Doors Down
Mon 28th December, 10.50pm, 麻豆约拍 Two

Ok, a repeat. Sue me. The series is coming soon and this’ll whet the appetite. The Bairds host a wee party for neighbours and family which doesn’t quite go to plan. Wonderful writing and a terrific cast.

Charlie Brooker's 2015 Wipe
Wednesday 30th December, 9pm, 麻豆约拍 Two

Insightfully sharp reflections on the year's events. Your full on satire fix and much needed anti-dote to cleanse the palate after all the forced jollity of Christmas.

Billionaire Boy
New Year’s day, 7pm, 麻豆约拍 One

Screen adaptation of the hugely popular David Walliams book. Another treat for all the family with an array of superb comedy cameos and a wonderful Christmas message about family and friendship at the heart of it.

COMING SOON!

Tracey Ullman's Show (麻豆约拍 One) in early January. She’s back at the Beeb after a 30 year break taking America by storm. Talent doesn’t come much bigger and the show is packed with characters, ideas and impressions that’ll knock you for six. A personal childhood hero and turns out is a very lovely woman to boot. Not that I’d boot her, just a saying.

The Rack Pack in mid-January (iPlayer exclusive). A feature length fictional biography about the heyday of the British Snooker world in the 70s and 80s. Charting the huge growth in popularity of the game from backroom hobby to national phenomenon through personalities like Alex Higgins, Steve Davis & Jimmy White – 18.5 million people watched the ’85 final. It’s iPlayer's first fictional feature length piece and perfect for those dark winter nights.

Rest assured that we’re already putting markers down on pieces for Christmas 2016, the panic has kicked in that it’ll never be as jam-packed and varied as this year. We do have a special Sitcom Season to look forward to in early Autumn which runs across all the channels and will be a big moment for British comedy. The laughter never stops. Nor do the migraines.

All the best to you and yours! Enjoy!

Shane Allen is Controller, Comedy Commissioning.