Christmas TV

For many years now, families have gathered together on Christmas Day to enjoy Christmas lunch and Christmas telly.
Below you can find listings of every programme broadcast on British television on December 25th during the twentieth century.

<< Christmas Day 1990 >>


\| THAMES \| CHANNEL 4 \| BBC ONE \| BBC TWO \|

	THAMES
	00.40	Grandview, U.S.A. (1984)
	02.30	The Electric Horseman (1979)
	04.40	A Christmas Carol (1971)
			Australian animated version of the classic Dickens tale
	05.55	ITN Morning News
	06.00	GMTV
			0600 News Bulletin 0605 Cartoon Carnival 0700 News Bulletin 0705 Top Banana Speecial 0757 Thought for Christmas 0800 Cliff Richard Christmas Day Special 0900 Alvin and the Chipmunks
	09.25	Cartoons at Christmas
			A Tweety Pie triple bill.
	09.50	Telethon - Thanks to You
			Michael Aspel finds out how money raised by Telethon 90 will help make this a merry Christmas for people in need.
	10.45	Find a Family Update
			Youngsters who featured in ITV's Find a Family campaign enjoy Christmas at a stately home in the New Forest with their new families.
	11.00	Christmas Family Communion
			From All Saints Church, Fulham, London.
	12.00	The Disney Club Christmas Special
			Andrea Boardman, John Eccleston and Gordon Inglis offer Christmas greetings from Aspen, Colorado, with special guests Dannii Minogue and Breathe.
	13.00	Ronn Lucas Special - Who's in Charge Here?
			American ventriloquist Ronn Lucas live on stage.
	14.00	Torvill and Dean with the Russian Allstars
			An ice spectacular from Nottingham, where Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean perform with Russian Olympic skating stars.
	15.00	The Queen
	15.05	Moonraker (1979)
			James Bond adventure.
	17.25	ITN News
	17.30	Strike It Lucky Christmas Special
			Hosted by Michael Barrymore. The jackpot goes to children's charities.
	18.15	Ken Dodd at the London Palladium
	19.30	Coronation Street
			Gail has news for the family, Curly finds a soulmate, Alec bites off more than he can chew and the Duckworths take refuge.
	20.00	Beverly Hills Cop II (1987)
	22.00	French Fields
			Sitcom starring Julia Mckenzie and Anton Rodgers as the English couple making a new live for themselves across the Channel.
	22.45	ITN News
	23.00	What's Up Doc? (1972)
			Comedy. Scatterbrained genius Judy throws herself on stuffy Howard at a musicologists' convention. Their relationship is complicated by a rock collection, jewels and stolen government papers.

	CHANNEL 4
	01.40 - 02.00	Birthday
			JUDI DENCH brings to life a magical selection of the Rev ALAN ECCLESTONE's poetry. (rpt)
	06.00	Bobby Jones Gospel
			Best of American hot gospel with EMMITT POWELL & THE GOSPEL ELITES, GEORGE JOHNSON, ENOCH RICH.
	06.30	The Art of Landscape
			Animation and wildlife scenes to music.
	07.00	Transworld Sport
			Highlights of the best sporting action from 1990.
	08.00	Christmas on the Box
			The Box Office guide to festive TV.
	08.25	The Oprah Winfrey Show
			New Kids on the Block and Other Pop Stars
			Oprah's interview with young American pop stars NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK, AL B SURE and BOBBY BROWN. (rpt)
	09.15	Countdown Masters
			with veterans GEOFF TAYLOR and ROBERT COTON.
	09.25	Sesame Street
			The letters are F and G and the number is 3.
	10.25	Batman and Robin
			Today the dynamic duo retrieve the stolen diamonds.
	10.45	And the Lighthouse Made Three
			More cartoon humour.
	10.55	Cirque du Soleil
			We reinvent the circus
			Music is the common language that 1inks artists and spectators in this dazzling display of physical grace and skill.
	12.00	Arnold Palmer
			Signing Off
			Profile of America's favourite golfer as he takes on the challenge of the St Andrews course in his last Open Championship.
	13.00	Lisa Stansfield - All Around the World
			LISA STANSFIELD recorded in concert at the Birmingham NEC earlier this year.
	14.00	Talking Turkey - The Alternative Christmas Lunch
			Cynics WARREN MITCHELL and NINA MYSKOW lay into the pro-Christmas lobby. With HELEN LEDERER, JOHN NOAKES, JOHNNY SPEIGHT and FRANK SIDEBOTTOM, and host BARRY TOOK.
	14.50	Max Wall - A Life Class
			A montage of sound and pictures that is more than a little revealing of MAX WALL's life and associates.
	15.20	The Huge Adventures of Trevor A Cat
			Surreal humour from this Australian cartoon.
	15.30	It's a Gift (1934)
			Classic C Fields comedy in which he plays a hen-pecked small-town store owner, starting a Fields season.
	16.45	The Queen's Christmas Message
			Her Majesty the Queen gives her traditional address to the nation and the Commonwealth. With subtitles and signing.
	16.55	Channel 4 News
	17.00	Faerie Tale Theatre
			Jack and the Beanstalk
			The well-known Brothers Grimm tale dramatised with DENNIS CHRISTOPHER, ELLIOTT GOULD, JEAN STAPLETON and KATHERINE HELMOND.
	17.55	The Further Adventures of Billy the Fish
			First in a new series starring half-man, half-fish goal-keeping genius Billy Thomson. With voices by HARRY ENFIELD.
	18.00	The Snowman (TVM 1982)
			Traditional Channel 4 Christmas offering, the BAFTA award-winning animation about a boy and his snowman.
	18.30	A Different World
			Soldier Boy
			More adventures from the students at Hillman College. Tonight, the boys are preparing speeches for the ROTC dinner.
	19.00	Father Oleg, Mother Russia
			FATHER OLEG CHEREPANIN is the Russian Orthodox priest in a small village, who believes that only a return to the Spiritual values embodied by the Church can rescue 'Mother Russia'.
	20.00	The Coronation Street Birthday Lecture
			Rt Hon ROY HATTERSLEY MP gives a lecture to an invited audience including the cast, as part of the celebrations to mark 30 years of the longest-running soap.
	21.00	Carmen on Ice
			With Olympic skating stars KATARINA WITT, BRIAN BOITANO and BRIAN ORSER in a dazzling interpretation on ice of the opera story with Bizet's music.
	22.30	Nigel Kennedy plays Brush
			Violin concerto No 1 in G Minor
			NIGEL KENNEDY performs this classic from the Romantic Repertoires in a major production in which he directs the City of London Sinfonia.
	23.15	He Turned Up
			IAN MACKENZIE connects the Christmas story with dramatic moments in his own life in Prague, in Bethlehem, on the holy island of Iona and in the Usher Hall Edinburgh where he first encountered the great music that would play such an important part in his life.

	BBC ONE
	00.25	Midnight Caller
			Starring Gary Cole Wendy Kilbourne Do You Believe in Miracles? A few days before Christmas a sick young girl sees a statue of the infant Jesus weep tears. The miracle is hailed with excitement but, as Killian discovers, the Christmas spirit isn't everywhere. (R) CEEFAX SUBTITLES
	01.10	Weather and Close
	07.00	Wizbit
			Simon Parkin, Andi Peters and Philippa Forrester join Santa and his best friend Edd the Duck for today's programmes. More magical adventures in Puzzleopolis, with Paul Daniels. Christmas in August? Anything is possible in Puzzleopolis. (R)
	07.30	Playdays
			At the Christmas Tree Stop, Simon Davies, Dot, Why Bird, Lizzie, Wobble and Humphrey get together with Dave Benson Phillips. Mig Holder tells Papa Panov's Special Day by Ruben Saillens. With Ellie Darvill, Eithne Hannigan, Vanessa Amberleigh and Jane Eve. (R)
	07.50	Jingle Bell Rap
			Now here's the story of a father and son, It's Christmas Day and there's a lot to be done, The rock group's strumming, But the singer's not humming, Here comes Santa to get things buzzing!
	08.10	The Looney, Looney Looney Bugs Bunny Movie
			A celebration of the careers of director Friz Freleng and his mega-star Bugs Bunny. 9 FILMS: pages 51-64 Followed by Weather
	09.30	Shout for Joy!
			From St Francis Church, Birmingham. Local children join the congregation in Handsworth to celebrate Christmas Day Mass. The service is led by Fr Martin O'Malley and Mgr Thomas Fallon preaches on 'Christ, the Herald of Peace'. Hymns: Mary's Boy Child; Away in a Manger; Let There Be Peace; Hark! The Herald Angels Sing. Producer Diane Reid Editor Helen Alexander PICTURE STORY: page 83
	10.30	Noel's Christmas Presents
			Noel Edmonds has travelled all over the world to give 12 very unusual presents to some very special people. With special guests Arthur Bostrom, Frank Bruno and David Essex. Director/Producer Michael Leggo 0 FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT: page 4
	11.30	Christmas Comedy Cracker
			A lunchtime menu of classic BBC comedy. Starting with 'Allo Allol By Jeremy Lloyd and David Croft. Rene, a cafe proprietor in occupied France, suddenly finds himself at the centre of an underground organisation. Producer David Croft (R) CEEFAX SUBTITLES
	12.05	The Two Ronnies
			Ronnie Barker and Ronnie Corbett offer a crackerful of jokes. With all the news that's fit to laugh at and Little Big Shot, a searing tale set in Chicago in the 20s, when men were men and Ronald Reagan was just an OAP. With their special guest Phil Collins. Director Marcus Mortimer Executive producer Michael Hurll (R)
	12.55	Dad's Army
			By Jimmy Perry and David Croft. The Love of Three Oranges Walmington-on-Sea's Home Guard decide to help at the vicar's bazaar to raise money for comforts for the troops. (R)
	13.30	Top of the Pops Christmas Special
			Mark Goodier and Anthea Turner look back at 1990's chart hits and some Number Is of Christmases past. Producer/Director Paul Ciani
	14.30	EastEnders
			A special Christmas delivery holds a surprise for Diane. Ian is determined to drive Wicksy away - dead or alive. (For cast see Thursday 27 December) DRAMA: page 16 CEEFAX SUBTITLES
	15.00	The Queen
			Her Majesty speaks to the Commonwealth. PICTURE STORY: page 83 CEEFAX SUBTITLES
	15.05	Et
			The Extra-Terrestrial The Steven Spielberg film season continues with a world television premiere. Starring Henry Thomas Dee Wallace, Peter Coyote Ten year-old Elliott has a new friend, he's short, dark and from another planet and nobody must know he's here! Screenplay by Melissa Mathison FEATURE: page 38 FILMS: pages 51-64
	17.00	News
			With Jill Dando. Weather Suzanne Charlton CEEFAX SUBTITLES (news only)
	17.10	Only Fools and Horses...
			A comedy by John Sullivan starring David Jason Nicholas Lyndhurst Buster Merryfield Rodney Come Home Romance has entered Del's life - Raquel has moved in. But Rodney's marriage has a few problems. A wise and caring brother, Del decides to help. With Paula Ann Bland, Jean Harrington and Philip Blaine. Director Tony Dow Producer Gareth Gwenlan COMEDY: page 9 CEEFAX SUBTITLES
	18.25	Bruce Forsyth's Christmas Generation Game
			A fun-packed bumper edition with four couples competing for prizes. With Rosemarie Ford and celebrity guests. Director Sylvie Boden Producer David Taylor FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT: page 4 PICTURE STORY: page 83 CEEFAX SUBTITLES
	19.30	Bread
			A comic slice of Merseyside life by Carla Lane. Mrs Boswell discovers it's the tiniest things in life which can create the biggest dilemmas. Young man at demo. JONATHAN DEVERELL Director/Producer John B Hobbs PICTURE STORY: page 83 CEEFAX SUBTITLES
	20.20	Birds of a Feather
			A comedy by Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran, starring Pauline Quirke Linda Robson Falling in Love Again. Chris calls for Sharon's help with his gambling debt problems. Special guest: Leslie Crowther Director/Producer Nic Phillips An Alomo production for BBCtv COMEDY: page 1CEEFAX SUBTITLES
	21.35	News
			With Jill Dando. Regional News Weather Suzanne Charlton CEEFAX SUBTITLES (news only)
	21.45	Baby Boom (1987)
			First showing on network television, starring Diane Keaton Harold Ramis J C Wiatt has a successful career, a live-in lover married to his bank and a chic apartment. En route to the business meeting of her life, she discovers she has inherited a 13-month-old baby. A sharp romantic comedy from the writers of Private Benjamin. Director Charles Shyer FILMS: pages 51-64 CEEFAX SUBTITLES
	23.30	Yes Minister
			The classic comedy by Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn. Party Games. Rumours of a Cabinet re-shuffle dampen the seasonal festivities. Producer Peter Whitmore (R) CEEFAX SUBTITLES

	BBC TWO
	00.45	Brendel Plays Schubert
			The Middle Temple Hall in London is the splendid setting for a performance by Alfred Brendel of Schubert's Piano Sonata in A major. Producer Humphrey Burton (R)
	01.30	Weatherview
	01.35	Closedown
	08.00	Summer Holiday
			Starring Mickey Rooney Gloria De Haven A delightful musical version of Eugene O'Neill's celebrated play Ah, Wilderness! Director Rouben Mamoulian 0 FILMS: pages 51-64
	09.30	Watership Down
			The animated screen version of Richard Adams's bestselling novel. When Fiver, a young buck, has a frightening vision of destruction, a group of rabbits set off to find a safer home. With the voices of John Hurt, Richard Briers, Hannah Gordon and Roy Kinnear. Written, produced and directed by Martin Rosen 0 FILMS: pages 51-64 CEEFAX SUBTITLES
	11.00	Gotta Dance, Gotta Sing
			Great scenes from the history of the movie musical. A parade of stars ranging from Al Jolson in The Jazz Singer in 1927 to Barbra Streisand. Narrated by John Harlan. (R)
	11.45	The Famous Teddy Z
			Season's Greetings from Al Floss. Teddy (Jon Cryer ) and Laurie (Jane Sibbett ) are ordered to stay in the office on Christmas Day.
	12.10	Beethoven Symphonies
			Symphony No 3 in E Flat, Op 55, the 'Eroica' Roger Norrington conducts the London Classical Players. (Symphonies No 4 and 5 tomorrow)
	13.00	Drift, the Mute Swan
			Is life on the Somerset wetlands the tranquil existence that it appears to be? Narrated by John King. Director Simon King Producer John King (R)
	14.00	Christmas Day Concert
			Chris de Souza introduces the traditional concert live from the Concertgebouw, Amsterdam. Principal conductor Riccardo Chailly conducts Liszt's Faust Symphony. With tenor soloist Hans-Peter Blochwitz and the Netherlands Radio Choir. Director Joop Stockermans for NOS/AVRO
	15.10	Animation Now
			Try Again and Succeed. Orson Welles narrates the story of a baby eagle leaving the nest.
	15.20	Henry Moore and Landscape
			A study of the relationship between sculpture and nature.
	15.50	Powaqqatsi
			First showing on network television. Philip Glass's score accompanies this stunning film without plot or dialogue. Director Godfrey Reggio 0 FILMS: pages 51-64
	17.25	Joyce Grenfell
			1910-1979 Celia Johnson narrates a celebration of the talented comedienne's happy life. Producer Geoffrey Baines Executive producer Bill Morton (R)
	18.25	The Cunning Little Vixen
			Simon Rattle conducts Leos Janacek's enchanting opera in praise of nature, in the recent production from the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. Translation prepared by Yveta Synek Graff and Robert T Jones adapted for the ROH by Simon Rattle. Children from Braeside, Walker, Fitzjohn's Primary, St Thomas of Canterbury Schools and Sylvia Young Theatre Schools Introduced by Julian Pettifer. Royal Opera House production sponsored by the Royal Opera House Trust Television director Barry Gavin 0 SIMULTANEOUS BROADCAST: with Radio 3 0 MUSIC: page 22 0 PICTURE STORY: page 83
	20.15	The Queen
			Her Majesty speaks to the Commonwealth. With subtitles and sign language interpretation by Maureen Denmark. 0 PICTURE STORY: page 83
	20.20	Jean de Florette
			Actor Yves Montand, who also stars, introduces this first showing on network television. Also starring Gerard Depardieu Daniel Auteuil A newcomer to Provence finds his book-learning is no match for the wily peasants. Director Claude Bern (In French with English subtitles. Sequel tomorrow at 8.00pm) 0 FILMS: pages 51-64
	22.20	Amnesty International Benefit Concert
			An Embrace of Hope. Sting, Sinead O'Connor, Peter Gabriel and New Kids on the Block join in an international celebration of human rights. Chile's National Stadium, Santiago, once a scene of mass torture and killings, is the poignant setting for this historic concert.
	23.30	Classic Hitchcock: Notorious
			Starring Cary Grant Ingrid Bergman Claude Rains Willing to go to any lengths to prove her loyalty, beautiful Alicia Huberman agrees to become involved with a ruthless Nazi spy. 0 FILMS: pages 51-64 CEEFAX SUBTITLES
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<< Christmas Day 1990 >>