Christmas

If you’re not out with family or at a Christmas function of some description, and find yourself stuck in front of the TV, there is plenty on offer, despite the fact we are deep in summer non-ratings TV. A mix of Chritsmas themed episodes of regular shows, Christmas movies, and regular programming across our networks should provide something for most people.

The following were our picks for the day – as usually seen in our regular “What to Watch on TV Tonight” posts:

The Vicar of Dibley Christmas Special, Seven, 6.30pm
Supermodel Rachel Hunter pays an unexpected visit to the village of Dibley. Geraldine celebrates her 10th year as the vicar and, as usual, nothing goes to plan. The Christmas carol-writing competition is a disaster, and Geraldine heads off a plan to have a stripper at the Christmas Eve cocktail party.

The Queen’s Christmas Message 2011, ABC1, 7.20pm
HM Queen Elizabeth gives her annual Christmas message to the Commonwealth.

Christmas Movie Triple – Nine from 6.30pm
First up is Deck the Halls at 6.30pm, then National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation at 8.30pm followed by Billy Bob in Bad Santa at 10.30pm

Little Shop of Horrors, GO!, 10.30pm
Another 80′s classic. A monster musical black comedy about an extraordinary triangle involving a flower shop employee named Seymour, his whimsical co-worker and a plant.

Fear Factor, ONE, 11.10pm
Christmas Episode. In each pulse-racing episode, contestants recruited from across America must decide if they have the guts and determination to face their most primal fears and confront a series of challenging stunts.

Doctor Who: A Christmas Carol, UKTV, 8.00pm AEDT.
2010′s Christmas special. Amy and Rory are trapped on a crashing space liner, and the only way the Doctor can rescue them is to save the soul of a lonely old miser. But is Kazran Sardick, the richest man in Sardicktown, beyond redemption? And what is lurking in the fogs of Christmas Eve?

But wait… there’s more…
Many regular shows over most channels will air Christmas episodes. On ELEVEN, Everybody Loves Raymond, The Simpsons and Futurama are Christmas episodes. Older shows on that channel like Cheers, Family Ties and The Brady Bunch also fit the festive theme. GEM has Black Adder’s Christmas Carol at 6.30pm while ABC1 has a Christmas episode of My Family at 7.30.

If you want to escape Christmas altogether, try SBS ONE and SBS TWO – Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon airs on SBS ONE, followed by Kung Fu Hustle at 10.50. SBS TWO plays Jean De Florette at 7.30 hailed as a modern classic that won 4 BAFTA’s, followed by its sequel Manon Des Sources at 9.40pm.

Over on Seven, once they are done with the Vicar Of Dibley at 7.40, programming is the same as any Sunday night with Dog Patrol and Coastwatch first, followed by Bones and Castle. 7mate is also a Christmas-free zone with Mythbusters at 7.30 and the movie Smokey and the Bandit III at 8.35pm.

Meanwhile, It’s a Knockout Continues on Ten – airing at the later time of 7.50 – thanks to a late finishing Talkin’ ‘Bout Your Generation Christmas Special, followed by the movie There’s Something About Mary. Movies on GO! include Flight of the Navigator at 6.30pm, then Stormbreaker at 8.30. GEM has Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day in glorious HD.

Merry Christmas from Throng Australia.

Ten have made some rather major changes to their programming line up, effective from next week. Ten were the first to make summer programming changes after Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader (US) failed in ratings, and was beaten by Wipeout on GO for the same timeslot.

Futurama: The new episodes that were to be seen on Mondays will now be seen on Wednesday nights at 8.00pm. At Mondays at 8.00pm will be Rules of Engagement.

Stargate Universe: Will now debut in a double premiere episode (like it did back in October on Sci Fi channel) from Monday 14^th at 8.30pm. Stargate Universe will continue at 9.30pm from Mon Dec 21.

Supernatural: As a result, Supernatural is off for a week, returning Monday Dec 21 at 8.30pm.

White Collar: Moves from 8.30 to 9.30pm Tuesday nights.

NCIS: At 8.30pm Tuesdays from Dec 15, repeats of NCIS will play.

And here are some of the highlights of what will be on Ten to end the year.

Hamish and Andy: If you missed the Christmas special that was on in November, then you can see it again at 8.30pm Sunday December 20.

7pm Project: Airs weekdays 7pm with one hour episodes on Mondays and Fridays. The last show for 2009 will be Thur Dec 24, with the first for 2010 to be 7pm Jan 4, 2010.

Christmas Eve: From 12 Midday, Ten will be airing Christmas movies. At 12, it’s Stealing Christmas, followed by The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus at 1.50pm then A Very Married Christmas at 3.20pm.

Talkin’ ‘Bout Your Generation: Another Christmas special originally aired in November will be repeated at a more sensible time for Christmas specials. That is followed by the Victoria’s Secret Lingerie fashion parade at 9pm.

Christmas Day: Another three movies: 1.00pm is Miracle on 34^th Street, 3.10pm is Silver Bells, and 5.30pm is the Grinch.

Glee: With the last of the new eps being seen Sunday Dec 13, Glee will go into repeats from Sunday Dec 20. And on Sunday Dec 27, there will be a Glee marathon with eps 4-6 playing from 7.30pm onwards.

Malcolm in the Middle: For the week that 7pm is off, Malcolm in the Middle plays in double episodes form 6.30pm Monday Dec 28 till Friday Jan 1.

Shaun Micallef’s New Year’s Eve Rave: Shot in front of a live studio audience last month in Shaun‘s own loungeroom (so they say), this show promises to deliver a night of laughs with celebrity appearances, sketch comedy and the lamest fireworks display ever. So if you are home on the night or would even like to record and watch later while you recover from New Year’s Eve, this show is set to get you into the mood for 2010. It airs 10pm Thur Dec 31, 2009.

Programming info from Ten, and subject to late change.