The Christmas season TV schedules is a wasteland that makes you grateful for your DVD collection/iView/Channel BT backlog. But there are a few programs that are worth hunting down when they’re broadcast. Here’s Lifehacker’s top five.
5. Angry Boys
ABC2, Sunday December 25-Saturday December 31, 9:30pm-10:30pm
The reaction to Chris Lilley’s Angry Boys was mixed: people expecting a non-stop-laugh-fest along the lines of Summer Heights High were caught out by the high levels of pathos. But it’s totally worth the experience, and ABC2 is replaying the whole series in one-hour chunks over this week. (Summer Heights High is also being shown immediately afterwards.)
4. Wilosophy
ABC1, Saturday December 24, 9:55pm-10:45pm
I would love it if the Gruen Transfer crew made a special analysing the commercial reality of the Christmas season. Until then, a Wil Anderson standup show will do nicely.
3. Carols By Candlelight
Nine, Saturday December 24, 8:00pm-11:00pm
This isn’t to my taste, but for many people it’s a Christmas tradition. Just make sure you change channels after 90 minutes for . . .
2. RocKwiz Christmas Special
SBS1, Saturday December 24, 9:30pm-10:55pm
There’s no new Spicks & Specks Christmas special, obviously (though there’s a repeat of last year’s on ABC1 at 6:00pm on Christmas Day, and repeats of earlier years nightly on ABC2 from December 26 at 7:30pm). But the RocKwiz crew are more than capable of filling those music trivia shoes. Confession: as soon as I can think of an excuse to interview Julia Zemiro for Lifehacker, I’ll be trying to set that up.
1. Doctor Who: The Doctor, The Widow And The Wardrobe
ABC1, Monday December 26, 7:30pm-8:30pm
As ever, we praise the ABC for bringing us the Doctor Who Christmas special as speedily as possible. It broadcasts in the UK on Christmas Day, so this is basically the first possible opportunity to watch it. And double points for the excellent Narnia-referencing title. (Last year’s special is repeated at 11:55pm on Christmas Day if you’re up late.)
What Christmas viewing has you drooling? Share your faves in the comments.
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StevoTheDevo
Friday, December 23, 2011 at 12:22 PMIt’s funny to read into the History of Christmas to find that at one stage in the US, singing Christmas Carols was deemed heresy!
Michael Sproul
Friday, December 23, 2011 at 12:26 PMLoving the ABC/SBS domination in this list. Why watch anything else??
Graeme
Friday, December 23, 2011 at 12:54 PMThere’s something else?
olearymo
Friday, December 23, 2011 at 12:58 PMdamn straight.
Sapphyre
Friday, December 23, 2011 at 4:01 PMAll I want for Christmas is the Doctor Who special :) Although I am looking forward to this week’s episode of Chuck via eztv, I’m sure it will be a Xmas special :)
Sydney2K
Friday, December 23, 2011 at 5:04 PMHugh Laurie’s Down By The River- the British comedian and award winning actor explores the roots of jazz and the blues. Christmas Day on ABC1, 3:50pm.
BunnyFuFu
Friday, December 23, 2011 at 6:06 PMTop Gear Christmas special is going to be a few days late. the 28th as I recall.
alex
Friday, December 23, 2011 at 7:36 PMAnd channel 9 will totally destroy it:( still looking forward to seeing it though
Emily
Friday, December 23, 2011 at 9:17 PMI am so excited for the doctor who christmas special :)
jj
Friday, December 23, 2011 at 10:14 PMA Christmas Story Ch9 , 9am Sunday.
Absolute Classic I watched it as a kid and is a christmas Fave.
This movie is big in the states with all kinds of merchandising including the leg lamp and “A christmas Story” themed board games