We’re finishing off the fortnight with something of a whimper rather than a bang. But on the BBC there’s still a good afternoon film – Hitchcock’s Notorious and during the evening there’s Jasper Carrott’s review of the year in Carrott’s Lib.

Over on ITV we’re about midway through the first series of Auf Wiedersehen, Pet. Today’s episode – Private Lives – is a S1 highlight. Dennis and Dagmar are becoming an item – but he’s keen to keep it a secret from the lads. As you might expect this turns out to be impossible, even in a city as large as Hamburg.

Over on C4 there’s another chance for Max Boyce to meet the Dallas Cowboys.

And that’s it for my fortnight in 1983. Thanks to anyone who’s managed to stay the course with me. All being well, next year it’ll be December 1984 …

The Radio 1 DJ’s are still in a festive mood as they introduce some of this year’s best sellers in today’s TOTP. Highlights include JoBoxers with (what else?) Boxer Beat, The Cure (resisting the temptation to get into a party mood) who give us The Lovecats and a very smart-looking Belle Starrs performing Sign of the Times. Throughout the show – as you’d expect from a Michael Hurll production – balloons are in plentiful supply.

Over on ITV there’s Stingray – A Christmas to Remember which is worth it for the skating scene alone (it still impresses me nearly 50 years on).

Highlight of the day is The Sooty Story – The First Thirty Years. I adore the behind the scenes footage and it’s so lovely to see Harry and Sooty back together.

Later on ITV there’s Shelley. We’ve reached series six, which saw Shelley living apart from Fran. Although some regard the Fran years as the best, I’ve a lot of time for the post Fran era – not least because it allowed Shelley the chance to interact with a wider group of characters (a lot of series four felt like it just revolved around Shelley and Fran sitting at the kitchen table, eyeing ever-growing piles of bills).

Today’s episode finds a curmudgeonly Shelley reluctantly joining a party next door (Rebecca Saire, Richard Austin, Yolanda Palfrey and Marsha Fitzalan play some of the bright young things guaranteed to make Shelley feel his age). Along with the series closer, which posed the question as to whether Shelley and Fran would ever get back together (spoiler – they don’t) it’s the strongest episode from this run. The series would then take a break before returning in 1988.

Ah, Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without The Great Escape. Although this was its first festive outing on the BBC since 1971, The Great Escape would also return during Christmas 1985 and 1987, so you can see why it’s associated with tinsel and holly for so many people.

The film was adapted from the book of the same name by Paul Brickhill. Brickhill knew what he was talking about (he was an inmate of Stalag Luft III and assisted in the escape attempt, although his claustrophobia ensured he wasn’t able to take part in the Great Escape itself). The movie, as you’d expect, diverts somewhat from Brickhill’s book (and that didn’t tell the whole story anyway) but there’s no point in spending too much time in historical nit-picking. Whatever the truth is, it’s still a memorable movie.

You  get the feeling that BBC1 and BBC2 have already spent most of their original programming money, so today there’s only thin pickings. I would have watched The Case of the Frightened Lady, adapted by Victor Pemberton, but I can’t track it down (unless anyone knows differently?) so sadly it’s off the list.

I’ll be able to carry on with Chessgame on ITV and then an early night I think.

Post Christmas things quieten down a little, but there’s still several programmes of interest. Pride of place on BBC1 is Last of the Summer Wine – Getting Sam Home.

This was the first in a series of extended all film, no laugh track Christmas sitcom specials (the likes of Only Fools and Horses and Just Good Friends would follow in LOTWS‘s footsteps). The humour is blacker than usual – the trio agree to take the ailing Sam (Peter Russell) on a final jaunt to his mistress, Lily Bless Her (Lynda Baron). The problem is that Sam enjoys himself just a little too much and dies. Which leaves Compo, Clegg and Foggy with a substantial problem – how to get Sam’s body back home to his wife in double quick time ….

Getting Sam Home was published as a novel in 1974. Clarke’s 1983 adaptation of his 1974 book seems to stick pretty close the original (apart from, obviously, replacing Blamire with Foggy). This helps to explain why tonally it has more in common with the bleaker early years of the series than the broader slapstick antics of the 1980’s and beyond. It won’t be to everyone’s taste (there are a couple of remarkably sniffy reviews on IMDb) but I’ve always loved it even though it’s sad to see an ailing John Comer (who, suffering from throat cancer, had to be dubbed by Tony Melody). Comer passed away, aged just 59, in early 1984.

Top top – the BBC4 broadcast on the 24th of December has been remastered, so that should be the version to watch.

Over on BBC2 there’s The Two Gentlemen of Verona. It’s hardly top tier Shakespeare, but this is an enjoyable production peopled with plenty of familiar faces.

ITV’s afternoon treat is The Wind in the Willows. Adapted by Rosemary Anne Sisson, this Cosgrove/Hall production features the vocal talents of David Jason, Ian Carmichael, Richard Pearson and Michael Hordern in the main roles.

Things kick off today with that hardy Christmas perennial The Good Life (Silly But It’s Fun). Later there’s The Paul Daniels Magic Show in which Paul gets out his magic kettle (not the most thrilling of illusions it has to be said). Still, there’s some good specialty acts as well as the chance to see the largest Christmas Pudding ever (that should be worth the price of admission alone).

Kenny Everett is joined by The Police (as well as Frank Thornton, Sheila Steafel, Willie Rushton, Lennie Bennett, Lionel Blair, Billy Connolly and Fern Britton). Expect to see naughty bits.

There’s another chance to see The Treasure of Abbot Thomas, a Ghost Story for Christmas from 1974 starring Michael Bryant, Paul Lavers, Frank Mills and Sheila Dunn.

Give Us A Clue, Coronation Street and The Spy Who Loved Me on ITV are followed by Eric and Ernie’s Christmas Show. In retrospect, this is a melancholy watch as (apart from Night Train To Murder, broadcast after Eric’s death) this was their last hurrah.

I’ve gone through the whole card this December  – all their Xmas specials from 1969 to 1983. I haven’t changed my opinion about the likes of 1972 (a very disappointing effort) although these days I hold the Thames era in a little more esteem. Yes, the recycled material is never quite as good the second time around, but the magic’s still there (albeit flickering faintly at times).

I may catch Minder’s Christmas Bonus although it’s fairly disposable – new linking scenes in the Winchester which wrap around recycled clips from previous stories.

Merry Christmas Everybody!

It’s 2.00 pm on Christmas Day so that means it’s time for the Top of the Pops Christmas Special. Mike Smith is one of those on presenting duties so I wouldn’t expect to see this one turn up on BBC4 anytime soon.

It’s a fair so-so sort of show, although Bucks Fizz did catch my eye (both Cheryl and Jay both looking rather fine) plus there’s also Heaven 17 with Temptation.

It’s the end of an era for Blankety Blank as Terry Wogan presents his final show. Appearing today – Roy Kinnear, Beryl Reid, Patrick Moore, Sabina Franklyn, Freddie Starr and Ruth Madoc. It’s slightly less elaborate than some of the previous Xmas shows (which featured two separate panels of celebs – not to mention various japes and special guests). In retrospect though, this show is a memorable once since it featured the appearance of Tom Moore (later to raise over 30 million for the NHS).

BBC1’s afternoon film is the Disney version of Treasure Island. Featuring Robert Newton as Long John Silver (impossible now to watch his performance and not think of Tony Hancock) who is backed up by an impressive roster of British character actors (the likes of John Laurie, Geoffrey Keen and Patrick Troughton). This means that the very American Bobby Driscoll (as Jim Lad) sticks out like a sore thumb, but that apart it’s very agreeable. Alas, there was no happy ending for Driscoll, who died of drug abuse aged just 31. Sorry to bring the mood down a little.

BBC1 wins the evening with The Two Ronnies and a feature length All Creatures Great & Small. Shot on film, All Creatures picks up the story post WW2 with a demobbed James returning home. Another one-off would surface a few years later before the series proper returned in 1988.

Only Fools & Horses has yet to assume pride of place on Christmas Day (today’s episode only runs for the normal 30 minutes and doesn’t air until 9.35). But it’s worth waiting for – as Del and Rodney’s estranged father Reg Trotter (Peter Woodthorpe) returns to detonate some bombshells …

Thicker Than Water has a very small cast (apart from the regulars, only Woodthorpe and Michèle Winstanley as Karen the barmaid are credited). Woodthorpe is typically solid and it’s the last chance to see Lennard Pearce as Grandad (Pearce would die very early on during production of the next series – which meant that the character of Grandad was swiftly replaced with that of Uncle Albert).

Once again, time is limited for ITV and C4 picks (plus there’s not much that I can source) but I’ll be tuning in for The Revenge of the Pink Panther.

BBC1 offers us another opportunity to see the final episode of Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em (originally broadcast five years earlier on Christmas Day). Dick Bentley (his last television credit), Frederick Jaeger, Tenniel Evans and Christopher Biggins are amongst those guesting.

A devoted Limahl fan has ensured that today’s edition of Pop Quiz is available to view. The former lead singer of Kajagoogoo (he was unceremoniously fired in mid 1983) teams up with Midge Ure and Roger Taylor (of Queen) to take on Mari Wilson, Leee John and Dave Edmunds.

At one point, Mike Read gets his guitar out, but thankfully the professionals do most of the singing …

Over on BBC2, the Bardathon continues with The Comedy of Errors. Plenty of familiar faces – Charles Gray, Cyril Cusack, Michael Kitchen, Frank Williams, Ingrid Pitt, Noel Johnson, Wendy Hillier – appear, most notably Roger Daltrey who gives us his Dromio (and very good he is too).

Val Doonican welcomes Howard Keel and The Nolans to his Christmas Eve show. It would have been nice to see this one on BBC4 rather than the oft-repeated example they’ve dug out again this year.

After Val’s faded away, there’s Bergerac and The Ice Maiden, which features the debut of Liza Goddard as Phillipa Vale (someone who would haunt Jim for a number of years to come).

Next it’s off to the City Varieties, Leeds and your own, your very own, Leonard Sachs with a festive Good Old Days. It was nearly the end of the road for the series, but there was still time for the likes of Bernard Cribbins, Barry Cryer and Danny La Rue to entertain us (not to mention, of course, a chorus of Down at the Old Bull and Bush).

That’s a pretty packed BBC schedule, so I won’t have too much time to spend with ITV and C4 today. But I might just have time to squeeze in the Christmas Eve special of Punchlines.

BBC2 offers more treats than BBC1 today – first there’s M*A*S*H (The Birthday Girls) which is followed by The Everly Brothers Reunion Concert and rounded off with The Marx Brothers in Monkey Business.

There’s another chance to see Pop Goes Christmas on ITV. Originally broadcast in 1982, it features some very 1982ish acts (Musical Youth, Toto Coleo) as well as others who have stood the test of time (Dexys Midnight Runners, David Essex). It seems to have disappeared from YouTube which is a shame as it’s great (if occasionally perplexing) fun. Many acts get to perform two songs – one of their own as well as a classic Christmas tune (Dexys’ interpretation of Merry Christmas Everybody is certainly different). Worth tracking down if you can do so.

“And you have won a prize!” It’s the Max Bygraves era of Family Fortunes. At the time, and especially following Bob’s effortless command of the show, Max’s presentation seemed a lot more slapdash. But I’ve grown to find it appealing over the years (possibly as I nudge closer to Max’s age). Today there’s two teams of celebs battling it out – Agony Aunts vs TV-AM Presenters.

That’s My Boy is calling me, but I think I’ll be strong enough to resist. More intriguing is Pride of our Alley, a Gracie Frields biopic written by Alan Plater and directed by Michael Ferguson. Polly Hemmingway plays Gracie, with the likes of Barry Jackson, George Pravda and Michael Angelis also appearing.

If I had time I’d watch The Party (Peter Sellers) but I’m pretty booked up today, so I’ll put that on the virtual VHS and maybe dig it out on a quieter day. I will catch An Audience With Kenneth Williams though.

After yesterday’s disappointing offerings, there’s richer pickings available today. We begin with the final episode of Angels – Vicky Smith (Pauline Quirke) is just one of the regulars facing difficult decisions. Is this the end of an era at Heath Green? As the series didn’t return, I’d say yes ….

The always phlegmatic John Peel and David (“Kid”) Jensen are your Top of the Pops hosts today. We kick off with Slade and (what else?) Merry Christmas Everybody (“It’s Christmas!”). Other treats include George Cole and Dennis Waterman performing What Are We Gonna Get ’Er Indoors? Most of it is spoken word, which is probably just as well as Cole’s brief attempts at solo singing are memorable for all the wrong reasons. The Flying Pickets close the show with the Christmas No 1 – Only You.

Originally broadcast on the 11th of December, there’s another chance to see this year’s Sports Review of the Year. Most of it is available on YT (the same channel has other editions of a similar vintage in addition to oodles of other interesting material). This is the imperial era of the programme, with a besuited Des Lynam effortlessly in charge. As everybody knows, it was never the same after they changed the name to Sports Personality of the Year.

Just prior to the Christmas Day episode, today’s offering of Only Fools and Horses (3.7 – Who’s A Pretty Boy?) sees the debut of both Denzil (Paul Barber) and Mike (Kenneth MacDonald). Also appearing is Eva Mottley as Denzil’s wife Corinne (sadly Eva Mottley would die shortly afterwards, with the character not recast but now just existing off-screen). A bearded David Jackson is on good form as the intimidating
Brendan O’Shaughnessy.

It’s just as well that the BBC have come up trumps today as ITV and C4 aren’t offering me too much …

Apart from Jackanory (Peter Pan), it’s a very thin day on BBC1 and BBC2. Even if I had access to everything, there’s little that’s catching my eye (maybe the Championship Darts on BBC2 might have appealed).

Thankfully there’s Coronation Street on ITV (with furore promised at the pigeon race).

That apart there’s only Chessgame with Terence Stamp to enjoy. It’s a slow-moving spy story (this one adapted by John Brason from the novel by Anthony Price). Good stuff if you’re in the right mood (like all the Network titles, the prices are slowly creeping up as the stock decreases, so if you fancy watching it then it’s probably best to pick it up sooner rather than later).

We’re nearly at the end of Angels (today’s episode is the penultimate one). I’ve waxed lyrical elsewhere on the blog about my love for the original incarnation of Angels, but I’ve found the series’ restructure (into the twice-weekly half hour “soap” format) harder to get into. Still, I think I’ll dip into these final two episodes and maybe 2024 will be the year I begin tackle the whole run (all 220 episodes) in earnest.

I’ll follow that with the second episode of No Place Like Home. It’s a very trad sitcom, but the cast are so good – headed by William Gaunt as the long-suffering Arthur Crabtree – that I find it slips by very easily.

One of the best of Network’s (RIP) final DVD releases was the Michael Aspel era of Give Us A Clue. That’ll certainly be pressed into service today as Angela Rippon, Sylvia Sims and Victoria Wood join Una and Leslie Crowther, Stu (“I could crush a grape”) Francis and Gerald Harper pitch up to assist Lionel.

Unfortunately, I can’t source the complete Des O’Connor Show, but the interview with Ken Dodd is available.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3M5I1UwsBAU

“All children, except one, grow up”.  I’ll be enjoying Jackanory for the next five days – Jan Francis’ delightful reading of Peter Pan. It’s one of only a handful of Jackanory stories commercially available, so surely it’s about time that some of the series’ back catalogue (I know that, sadly, many editions were wiped) turned up on the iPlayer? If the money can be found to plonk every episode (apart from four) of Doctor Who on the iPlayer, surely a bit of cash can be spared for Jackanory too.

Tom & Jerry – The Mouse Before Christmas. I don’t why I shouldn’t slip this into today’s schedule as it turns up on my rota most Christmases (and indeed, often during different parts of the year as well).

Next up is a repeat of Christmas with Terry and June. The Radio Times listing isn’t too helpful, but after a little research I’ve worked out that it’s the 1981 Special. If I end up posting a clip on Twitter/X, I wonder how long it will be before someone pipes up to tell me that Terry Scott was a terrible man? Presumably they think that I’ve either not heard the rumours and/or am interested in their opinions …

Over on BBC2 there’s A Talent for Murder with Angela Lansbury and Laurence Olivier. Lansbury chews the scenery and Olivier affects a long-suffering air (odd to hear his character say “pain in the ass” rather than “pain in the arse” but that’s presumably a concession for the American market). Overall it’s a curio, but something that’s nice to see at least once.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6wnKsugdII

Here’s the Radio Times feature (an interview with Lansbury).

ITV and C4 isn’t offering a great deal today, but I’ll tune in for Coronation Street and In Loving Memory. Richard Davies is guesting in today’s episode of In Loving Memory, so that’s one good reason for tuning in.

We begin on BBC1 with the final episode of Jane Eyre. A typical Classic Serial of the period (Barry Letts producing, Terrance Dicks script-editing) it features Timothy Dalton in maximum brood mode as Mr Rochester. Zelah Clarke played Jane – period drama clearly suited her as she also appeared in the likes of How Green Was My Valley, The Duchess of Duke Street, A Christmas Carol, Dombey & Son and Lady Jane.

Next is Hi-De-Hi! (The Marriage Settlement). We’re coming towards the end of the Jeffrey Fairbrother era I’m afraid. Surprisingly, there’s no Christmas special for the series – the next episode airs in early January.

S1 of By The Sword Divided concludes. I’ve a lot of time for this series (created by John Hawkesworth, which explains why it has an Upstairs Downstairs feel at times). The programme’s budget limitations were obvious (characters would go marching off to war but we tended not to see the battles onscreen as they would have been too costly) but then the character interactions were always the thing. I think this is one I’ll have to revisit in full soon.

ITV offers Agatha Christie’s Partners in Crime (The Unbreakable Alibi). The source material for the series is pretty thin stuff, but the adaptations were always sympathetic – which meant that the end result always bore some resemblance to the original Christie story (something you can’t always take for granted these days). And even if the stories don’t always sparkle, Francesca Annis and James Warwick always do.

I’ll be rounding off the evening with The World at War on Channel 4.

For the next fortnight, I’ll be sampling the delights of Christmas television from forty years ago. As before, I will restrict myself to picking programmes that I have in my collection – so tempting treats I don’t have access to will have to, regretfully, be ignored …

BBC1 offers a solid early evening line-up with The Two Ronnies and Bergerac. Some parts of today’s Two Ronnies have dated better than others – for example, it’s doubtful that Ronnie B’s turn as Al Vermont (The Chocolate Coloured Cough Drop) will ever be a highlight of future clipshows.

We’re on firmer ground with the closing drama though – Barker is on fine form as Hercule Poirot in Murder is Served. Patricia Routledge offers support, while it also features one of my favourite Ronnie C. moments (his encounter with the fountain) that I’ve previously Twittered about here.

Holiday Snaps by Nick McCarty is today’s Bergerac offering. It’s the first of three episodes to feature Lee Montague as Inspector Maurice Dupont. Michael Angelis and Jean Boht also appear in this strong early S3 episode.

Over to ITV for the always baffling 3-2-1. Francis Howerd (not to mention Madeline Smith and Caroline Munro) are guesting today, so that’s enough of an incentive to tune in.

That’s followed by Cannon and Ball. Shakin’ Stevens, Jockey Wilson and Sarah Brightman – now that’s a diverse line-up of guests. Unsurprisingly, Jockey take part in a darts sketch (and it’s one that doesn’t require him to learn many lines – he’s simply called upon to react to Bobby’s antics). A brief appearance by a leggy Suzanne Dando, a dance-off between Bobby and Shakey and a nautical skit featuring Michael Knowles are a few of the other highlights.