Opinion: Christmas Telly 2011

Christmas is a wonderful time of year. While the rest of the annum offers us modernistic, bleak offerings reflecting a cracked society, Christmas is the one time of year when things come together to provide a warm blanket of seasonal joy. Here is my rundown on some of this year's best Crimbo telly.

Lost Christmas, Sunday 18th, BBC1 Starring Eddie Izzard and others.

The first half of this urban fairy-tale was actually quite disturbing as an amnesiac known only as "Anthony" (Eddie Izzard) brought together a group of people with his ability to find lost things - including people. The drama is surprisingly dark when one considers that it was released for a CBBC audience, but the lessons it taught about simple acts of kindness in life were valuable. I in particular loved the drama's thick Hindu themology, as well as the wonderful twist that makes perfect sense. Lost Christmas is a tad strange, but if you stick it out you'll be left with a poignant drama that examines all areas of life.

The Old Bleak Shop Of Stuff, Monday 19th, BBC2 Starring Robert Webb, Stephen Fry, David Mitchell, Celia Immre, Johnny Vegas and others.

I adore Dickens, and so this wonderfully satirical parody of his life and works was perfect for me. Taking aspects from his main works (especially the Pickwick Papers), the comedy follows Jendrington Secret-Past (Robert Webb) as he loses his family to evil lawyer Skullingworth (Stephen Fry) and has until midnight to get them back. The best thing by far is the dialogue, which mocks Dickens' lexicon beautifully and yet still allows for a captivating plot that mixes all of the writer's favourite stories. The Old Bleak Shop Of Stuff is a love letter to Charles Dickens and his legacy.

Little Crackers, Various Times Throughout the Season, Sky One Starring John Bishop, Jane Horrocks, Alan Davies, Sheridan Smith, Shappi Khorsandi, and many others.

These now-yearly short dramas have been brilliant this year. Taking on the heart-warming experiences of well-known actors and comedians, these autobiographical tales are all heart-warming and poignant. The best is by far John Bishop's tale of being payed in teddy-bears, but I also loved Sheridan Smith's tale as well as Alan Davies significantly sadder affair with a friend's dog.


Thanks. Merry Christmas.