BBC CHRISTMAS TV 2003
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Saturday 20th December 2023
BBC1 6.00am Breakfast 9.00am CBBC Dick and Dom in da Bungalow 11.00am Top of the Pops Saturday 12.00pm News, Weather 12.10pm Football Focus 1.00pm Diagnosis of Murder 2.30pm Film : Star Trek: First Contact (1996) 4.15pm Grandstand 6.50pm BBC News, Regional News, Weather 7.10pm Here Comes the Sun 8.00pm The National Lottery - Jet Set 8.35pm Casualty 9.25pm Only Fools and Horses 10.40pm BBC News and Sport, Weather followed by National Lottery Update 11.00pm Film : The Next Best Thing (2000) 12.45am Friday Night with Jonathan Ross 1.35am A Question of Sport 2.05am All New Top of the Pops 2.40am BBC News 24 Sunday 21st December 2023 BBC1 Monday 22nd December 2023 BBC1 Tuesday 23rd December 2023 BBC1 Christmas Eve Wednesday 24th December 2003 BBC1 6.00am Breakfast with Dermot Murnaghan and Natasha Kaplinsky then The National Lottery Daily Play 9.00am CBBC Arthur DW's prized snowball goes missing, and the friends learn to work as a team (Repeat) 9.25am The Woody Woodpecker Show How did Woody manage to save the festive season? (Repeat) 9.50am Looney Tunes Taz and Bugs Bunny get set for Christmas (Repeat) 10.00am Bring It On a winter survival challenge in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, including ice-climbing and husky-dog racing (Repeat) 10.25am Donner animation. A reindeer loses his ability to fly - can one of Santa's elves help? (Repeat) 10.50am Jackie Chan Adventures The J-Team swings into action when Santa is kidnapped (Repeat) 11.10am Film : A Goofy Movie (1995) animated comedy. Goofy is now a single parent with a teenage son, Max. On learning the boy has been misbehaving at school, he decides to take him on a fishing trip 12.20pm Film : The Santa Clause (1994) Heartwarming fantasy starring Tim Allen and Judge Reinhold. A divorcee steps into Santa's shoes when the real one falls off his roof, and soon discovers that delivering presents is the least of his problems 1.55pm BBC News, Regional News, Weather 2.20pm Film : The Road to El Dorado (2000) animated adventure. Tulio and Miguel, two small-time Spanish tricksters, get their hands on a map to El Dorado. After stowing away on a ship bound for Mexico, they set out to find the fabled lost city of gold. Narrated by Elton John Première 3.40pm Film : 101 Dalmatians (1996) Disney's live-action adaptation of the classic tale, starring Glenn Close, Jeff Daniels and Joely Richardson. Love blossoms for dog owners Roger and Anita when their pets meet in the park. But the fearsome, fur-loving Cruella De Vil has her eye on their litter of dalmatian puppies 5.15pm I Want to Be Mary A light-hearted look at one of Britain's most endearing traditions : the children's Nativity play. Cute home-video clips starring unruly angels, sulky shepherds and not-so-wise men are used to illustrate the Christmas story. Presented by Angellica Bell 6.10pm Film : Chicken Run (2000) animated comedy adventure, featuring the voices of Julia Sawalha, Jane Horrocks, Miranda Richardson and Mel Gibson. When the greedy owners of a 1950s egg farm decide to move into the meat-pie business, the chickens fear the worst and turn to Rocky the rooster and a daring escape plan as their potential salvation 7.30pm EastEnders Kate hears reassuring news. Kat's good intentions backfire 8.00pm EastEnders Christmas Party Suggs, Richard E Grant, Jo Brand and Greg Rusedski are among the celebrity guests joining host Shane Richie for a right old knees-up in Albert Square with live performances from Lulu and Liberty X, a duet from one of Walford's most popular couples, and a festive feast in the Queen Vic with Mike Reid and Clarissa Dickson Wright. Plus classic Christmas songs from cast members past and present, including Michelle Gayle, Kim Medcalf and Jill Halfpenny 9.05pm Absolutely Fabulous Cold Turkey Edina plans her first family Christmas. Patsy, meanwhile, is traumatised by the arrival of her sister Jackie 9.40pm The National Lottery - Midweek Draws 9.55pm Film : Shangai Noon (2000) Western action comedy starring Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson. When a runaway Chinese princess is held for ransom in America, the emperor sends his three best guards to the Wild West to bring her back Première 11.35pm News : Weather then National Lottery Update 11.45pm The First Eucharist of Christmas from Ely Cathedral in Cambridgeshire, where worshippers gather for a celebration of the First Communion of Christmas. The live service is led by the Bishop of Ely, the Rt Rev Dr Anthony Russell, with the Dean of Ely, the Very Rev Dr Michael Chandler, giving the address. Music includes Silent Night, 0 Come, All Ye Faithful, It Came upon the Midnight Clear and Hark! the Herald Angels Sing followed by Weatherview 1.05am Film : The Producers (1968) comedy starring Zero Mostel as struggling producer Max Bialystock. Once the "King of Broadway", Bialystock is now making a living by conning old ladies out of their savings. Then his accountant, Leo Bloom (Gene Wilder), mentions a sure-fire way of making some quick cash by putting on a guaranteed Broadway flop 2.35-6.00am BBC News 24 Christmas Day Thursday 25th December 2003 BBC1 6:00am Breakfast with Bill Turnbull 9:00am CBBC Arthur Francine forms her own band as the Backstreet Boys make a guest appearance 9:25am The Christmas Orange animation. A boy decides to take Father Christmas to court 9:50am Looney Tunes cartoon fun with Sylvester, Tweety, Wile E Coyote and the Road Runner (Repeat) 10:00am The Joys of Christmas Worshippers from Milton Keynes gather in the city's ecumenical Church of Christ the Cornerstone for a live celebration of the birth of Jesus. The service features the story of the first Christmas and carols, including God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen and 0 Come, All Ye Faithful 11:00am Hooves of Fire comedy animation featuring a host of famous voices. Robbie the Reindeer joins Santa's team (Repeat) 11:35am Morecambe and Wise The much-loved double act and Special guests in a compilation of the Christmas specials from 1975 and 1976 (Repeat) 12:40pm Film : The Tigger Movie (2000) Disney animation Longing to meet the family he has never known, Tigger embarks on a quest to find them. Providing him with encouragement in his search are all his faithful friends - Roo, Winnie the Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore, Kanga and Owl. Narrated by John Hurt Première 1:50pm News and Weather 2:00pm Top of the Pops the annual rundown of the Year's top-selling singles and the Christmas number one 3:00pm The Queen Her Majesty addresses the nation and Commonwealth 3:10pm Dear Father Christmas Dale Winton assists Father Christmas in fulfilling special yuletide wishes for children - dreams made possible with the help of Blue, Fearne Cotton and the Ready Steady Cook team among others 3:55pm Outtake TV Anne Robinson presents a selection of merciless put-downs and laughable answers from Weakest Link 4:25pm Film : Stuart Little (1999) Children's fantasy, based on EB White's novel, starring Hugh Laurie and Geena Davis and featuring the voice of Michael J Fox. The Littles want to adopt a younger brother for their son, George. At the orphanage they are charmed by a young mouse called Stuart, and decide to take him home Première 5:50pm News and Weather 6:00pm EastEnders Kate has a surprise visitor. Alfie desperately tries to arrange a dream wedding for Kat 6:40pm My Family Sixty Feet Under After a shopping trip, the Harpers face the prospect of spending Christmas stuck on the London Underground. Guest-starring Richard Whiteley 7:10pm Christmas Night With the Stars Michael Parkinson is joined by stars from the music world including Ozzy and Kelly Osbourne, Victoria Beckham, Emma Bunton, Will Young and Busted, while comedians including Jon Culshaw, the Kumars and Ricky Tomlinson provide the laughs - and there are plenty of surprises along the way 8:30pm BBC News with George Alagiah Weather with Rob McElwee 8:40pm EastEnders Phil has a showdown with Den at the club. Dennis makes a decision, and Alfie has some explaining to do to Kat 9:20pm Only Fools and Horses Sleepless in Peckham The last of three festive comedy specials by John Sullivan. After 22 years in Mandela House, Del Boy and family face eviction by the Inland Revenue, while Marlene has vanished and Cassandra is heavily pregnant 10:35pm Posh and Becks's Big Impression Alistair McGowan and Ronni Ancona update the Beckhams' story as they make their move from " Beckingham Palace to Madrid, while celebrities such as Madonna and Jordan comment on the transfer. With guest Damian Lewis 11:20pm Film : The Thomas Crown Affair (1999) Remake of the 1968 romantic crime caper starring Pierce Brosnan and Rene Russo. Bored billionaire Thomas Crown has a hobby - stealing art treasures. But insurance investigator Catherine Banning is soon on his trail 1:05am Christmas Reflection Where There's Brass A Salvation Army band member shows how the Christmas story can inspire us to improve our world 1:10am Film : Airplane II : the Sequel (1982) comedy starring Robert Hays and Julie Hagerty. Disgraced pilot Ted Striker escapes from hospital and boards an ill-fated shuttle 2:35am Joins BBC News 24 Boxing Day Friday 26th December 2003 6.00am Breakfast with Jules Botfield 9.00am CBBC Arthur Francine's band play with the Backstreet Boys (Repeat) 9.25am The Woody Woodpecker Show frozen woodpeckers, models and amusement parks (Repeat) 9.50am Looney Tunes Bugs becomes a TV star (Repeat) 10.00am SMart Ice sculpture and drawing with chalk feature in the art show. Last in series 10.25am Mona the Vampire Mona tries to revive a snowman (Repeat) 10.40am The New Scooby and Scrappy Show a ghost frightens folk at a Ski lodge (Repeat) 11.00am Film : Mousehunt (1997) comedy with Nathan Lane. Two brothers face problems from a mouse when they inherit a dilapidated old house 12.35pm BBC News, Regional News, Weather 12.50pm Legend of the Lost Tribe Robbie the Reindeer and pals search for a band of warriors in a family animation with a star-studded cast of voices (Repeat) 1.20pm Film : The Adventures of Rocky & Bullwinkle (1999) Part-animated comedy. When their enemy Fearless Leader is brought into the real world, Rocky and Bullwinkle must foil the villain Première 2.45pm Film : The Wizard of Oz (1939) classic musical, with Judy Garland. When a tornado hits Dorothy's home in Kansas, she is whisked into a dazzling world 4.20pm BBC News, Regional News, Weather 4.35pm Film : Mulan (1998) animated musical adventure from Disney. Ancient China : headstrong Mulan disguises herself as a man and joins the army in her father's place. With the singing voices of Lea Salonga and Donny Osmond Première 6.00pm The Young Visiters Jim Broadbent and Hugh Laurie star as Alfred Salteena and Lord Bernard Clark, two gentlemen competing for the favours of young minx Ethel Monticue. Patrick Barlow's adaptation of Daisy Ashford's Victorian novel, a magical and poignant comic drama, is narrated by Alan Bennett 7.30pm Outtake TV Anne Robinson takes viewers through TV's Hall of Shame - the fluffs and fumbles, giggles and gaffes, plus the usual contribution from our friends in the animal kingdom 8.00pm EastEnders Garry's juggling act reaches crisis point, Derek faces his past, and Martin's plans for New Year come to a halt 8.30pm Film : Meet the Parents (2000) comedy with Robert De Niro and Ben Stiller. Male nurse Greg Focker wants to propose to his girlfriend Pam, but decides to he asks the permission of her old-fashioned father, Jack. However, Jack's over-protectiveness spells trouble for the accident-prone Greg Première 10.15pm The Office Christmas Specials 1/2 What has happened to the Slough paper merchant workers in the three years since cameras started rolling at Wernham Hogg ? 11.00pm French and Saunders Actually Madonna and Britney, Rosemary and Thyme and free running are among this season's targets for the duo 11.40pm BBC News Anna Ford Weather Darren Bett 12.00 Film : Flashdance (1983) Musical drama with Jennifer Beals as Alex, a welder who longs to become a ballet dancer. In the meantime, she dances at a bar frequented by her co-workers, waiting for a big break followed by Weatherview 1.35am Film : Young Frankenstein (1974) Horror spoof with Gene Wilder, Peter Boyle and Marty Feldman. Though shamed by his ancestry, Frederick Frankenstein goes to Transylvania and dreams of re-animating the dead (b&w) 3.20am BBC News 24 Saturday 27th December 2003 BBC1 Sunday 28th December 2003 BBC1 Monday 29th December 2003 BBC1 Tuesday 30th December 2003 BBC1 New Year's Eve Wednesday 31st December 2003 BBC1 New Year's Day Thursday 1st January 2004 BBC1 Friday 2nd January 2004 BBC1 |
Saturday 20th December 2023
BBC1 Sunday 21st December 2023 BBC2 Monday 22nd December 2023 BBC2 Tuesday 23rd December 2023 BBC2 Christmas Eve Wednesday 24th December 2003 BBC2 6.00am CBeebies Tweenies Count to Christmas One more day to go! (Repeat) Little Bear Three stories featuring the tiny cub and his pals (Repeat) 6.30am Fimbles Florrie finds some sparkly tinsel (Repeat) 6.50am Romuald the Reindeer The price of fame is high (Repeat) 7.00am The Shiny Show Entertaining and informative quiz show (Repeat) 7.20am Bump cartoon about a clumsy elephant (Repeat) 7.30am Brambly Hedge The enchanting world of the little mice (Repeat) 8.00am Bob the Builder Bob dresses up as Father Christmas (Repeat) 8.10am Balamory Who will play Cinderella in the Christmas pantomime? (Repeat) 8.30am Tweenies The friends hope to get a visit from Santa (Repeat) 8.50am Pingu animated fun with the little penguin (Repeat) 9.00am Millennium : a Thousand Years of History 3/10 Century of the Stirrup AD 1200-1300: Genghis Khan creates Asia, the world's largest land empire (Repeat) 9.45am The Way We Cooked 3/3 How Jamie Oliver inspired with his cheeky enthusiasm (Repeat) 10.45am Ray Mears' s Extreme Survival 3/12 Namibia Mears looks for the black rhino (Repeat) 11.45am Around the World in 80 Days 3/7 Ancient Mariners Michael arrives in Dubai (Repeat) 12.35pm Laurel and Hardy Oliver the Eighth a lonely-hearts ad spells trouble (b&w) (Repeat) 1.05pm Laurel and Hardy Come Clean Ollie rescues a woman (Repeat) 1.25pm Film : Sherlock Holmes Faces Death (1943) Crime mystery starring Basil Rathbone. The sleuth investigates strange happenings at a huge mansion (b&w) 2.30pm Film : White Christmas (1954) Musical starring Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye. Old army buddies reunite to help keep a Vermont inn going by putting on a show 4.30pm Escape to the Country a metropolitan couple run for the hills (Repeat) 5.00pm Carols from King's a celebration of Christmas from the Chapel of King's College, Cambridge. The Christmas story is told in the words of the Bible and the poetry of Robert Bridges, Isaac Watts and Edwin Muir. Carols include Once in Royal David's City and Hark! the Herald Angels Sing 6.15pm The Simpsons Miracle on Evergreen Terrace in the first of a seasonal double bill of episodes, people throughout Springfield open their hearts and wallets after Bart claims their family's Christmas presents were stolen by a burglar 6.35pm The Simpsons Grift of the Magi as Christmas approaches, a sinister toy company takes over Springfield Elementary 7.00pm Film : She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949) classic John Ford western starring John Wayne. A US Cavalry officer suffers a setback on his last mission and is "retired" before he can take further action. In order to avert a full-scale American Indian war, he decides to act on his own 8.40pm Wild Battlefields : Wolf 2/3 The wolf is one of nature's top predators, but it needs to be one of a team to survive the bitter Rocky Mountain winters in North America. The disparate ways in which a pack battles with, and out-manoeuvres, its enemies, rivals and prey are revealed in dramatic detail, as it's never been seen before 9.40pm I'm Dreaming of a TV Christmas TV stars including Ronnie Barker and Ronnie Corbett, Noel Edmonds, Jimmy Savile and Tony Blackburn join host Phill Jupitus on a journey through the best moments from festive programmes over the last 30 years. The Morecambe and Wise Show was the cornerstone of the BBC's schedule during the 1970s, while in the 1980s, no festive period would be complete without an edition of The Two Ronnies. Game shows and quizzes got a special seasonal revamp - former contestants from The Generation Game Christmas special get the chance to have another go - while in the soaps, the cliffhangers just kept getting bigger and the misery deeper. When an EastEnders episode in which Den handed Angie their divorce papers went out in 1986 it drew a record audience. Sitcom specials were also veritable crowd-pullers, while, arguably, the highlight - or lowlight - was yet another showing of an epic movie 11.40pm Room 101 Spike Milligan nominates muzak, soap operas and Portsmouth for Orwellian torture (Repeat) 12.10am The Fast Show More from series one, featuring Paul Whitehouse, Charlie Higson, Mark Williams, John Thomson, Caroline Aherne, Simon Day and Arabella Weir (Repeat) 12.40am Red Dwarf V 2/6 Inquisitor The Inquisitor roams through time weeding out life's wastrels - it's no surprise then that the Red Dwarf crew is in big, big trouble (Repeat) 1.10am TOTP2 tonight's festive archive footage includes performances by the Housemartins, Slade and East 17 (Repeat) 1.35am Later....with Jools Holland New York art-punk trio the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Californian space-rockers Grandaddy, singer-songwriter Joe Jackson and Brazil's Celso Fonseca guest on the musical showcase (Repeat) 2.40am Closedown Christmas Day Thursday 25th December 2003 BBC2 6:00am CBeebies Tweenies Count to Christmas The big day is finally here (Repeat) followed by Little Bear animated triple bill (Repeat) 6:30am Fimbles Fimbo thinks a woolly hat might be magical (Repeat) 6:50am Romuald the Reindeer Romuald makes an interesting discovery about his father (Repeat) 7:00am Tangerine Bear a sad bear finds unexpected happiness with other toys in a quiet shop (Repeat) 8:05am Bob the Builder Bob's twin comes home for Christmas (Repeat) 8:55am Pingu Pingu and family celebrate Christmas (Repeat) 9:00am Millennium : a Thousand Years of History 4/10 Century of the Scythe The Black Death ravages Europe in the 14th century (Repeat) 9:45am Ray Mears's Extreme Survival 4/12 Alaska Mears relates two incredible tales of survival from frozen Alaska (Repeat) 10:45am Around the World in 80 Days 4/7 A Close Shave In the first of a double bill, Michael Palin journeys to Madras from Bombay (Repeat) 11:35am Around the World in 80 Days 5/7 Oriental Express Michael travels from Singapore to Hong Kong (Repeat) 12:25pm Film : Sherlock Holmes and the Secret Weapon (1942) Mystery starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce. Sherlock Holmes tries to prevent a pioneering Nazi weapon from falling into the hands of his arch-rival Professor Moriarty (b&w) 1:30pm Film : My Fair Lady (1964) classic musical based on George Bernard Shaw's play Pygmalion, starring Audrey Hepburn. Phonetics professor Henry Higgins bets his friend he can coach cockney flower girl Eliza Doolittle to pass as a lady at any social gathering. She initially refutes the idea, but later asks to be taught 4:15pm Die Fledermaus Johann Strauss's witty operetta, recorded at the Glyndebourne Festival. When her husband Gabriel is supposedly ordered to prison, Rosalinde seizes the chance to meet with her former lover, Alfred, but Gabriel is diverted by Dr Falke to a party. The cast includes Thomas Allen, Par Lindskog, Hakan Hagegard, Artur Korn and Ragnar Ulfung. Vladimir Jurowski conducts the London Philharmonic Orchestra 7:00pm Film : Belleville Rendez-vous (2003) acclaimed comic animated adventure. A devoted grandmother crosses the ocean with her trusty hound to rescue her cyclist grandson who has been kidnapped during the Tour de France. In French with English subtitles Première 8:20pm The Queen Her Majesty addresses the nation and the Commonwealth. With signing 8:30pm Highgrove : a Prince's Legacy filmed over a year, this Natural World documentary offers a rare look behind the walls of Highgrove, home to Prince Charles. The prince, an advocate of organic principles, is seen playing an active role in maintaining the 25-acre garden and 1,000-acre farm, where achieving a natural balance between commercial farming, productive gardening and a diverse wildlife population presents an ongoing challenge. Narrated by David Attenborough 9:20pm Wild Battlefields : Polar Bear 3/3 As a mother polar bear and her cub emerge from their snowy den in the High Arctic, they enter a hostile world of sub-zero temperatures where food supplies are limited. Survival becomes a constant challenge in the ice, where the bears and seals become mortal enemies. This film in the series following nature's most formidable predators, follows the search-and-attack strategy of the world's largest land-based carnivore 10:20pm Grumpy Old Men at Christmas festive cheer is put on the back-burner as a rogues' gallery of middle-aged moaners vent their spleen on everything they find repugnant about Christmas in this Scrooge-esque special edition. Pantos, nativity plays, false bonhomie and novelty socks are among the many bugbears as Jeremy Clarkson, Andrew Marr and John Sergeant add their gripes to those of the usual cast of Will Self, Arthur Smith, John Peel, Rick Wakeman and Rory McGrath 11.20pm Room 101 Paul Merton launches Jonathan Ross into a tirade of his pet hates, culminating in a sustained assault on his own notoriously flamboyant dress sense (Repeat) 11:50pm The Fast Show Quick-fire comedy sketches and catchphrases from Paul Whitehouse, Charlie Higson, Mark Williams, John Thomson, Caroline Aherne, Simon Day and Arabella Weir (Repeat) 12:20am Red Dwarf V 3/6 Terrorform Rimmer is prisoner inside his own mind (Repeat) 12:50am TOTP2 Steve Wright unveils a selection of archive performances from the Rolling Stones, George Michael, the Electric Light Orchestra and Hazel O'Connor (Repeat) 1:15am Later...with Jools Holland Jools is joined by dance hitmakers Moloko, pop-soul perennials Simply Red, brooding troubadour Nick Cave with some of his Bad Seeds, retro-rockers the Thrills and the rock sensation of 2003, the Darkness (Repeat) 2:20am Closedown Boxing Day Friday 26th December 2003 6.00am CBeebies Little Bear The lake is frozen and a deer is hurt (Repeat) 6.30am Fimbles Pom finds a beautiful autumn leaf (Repeat) 6.50am Romuald the Reindeer a computer game proves addictive (Repeat) 7.00am Fireman Sam Sarah and James are trapped in the ice (Repeat) 7.20am Brum a couple of thieves must be stopped (Repeat) 7.30am Postman Pat Pat does his round on ice skates (Repeat) 7.45am Bill and Ben the duo make a snow castle (Repeat) 8.00am Bob the Builder the farm roof is close to collapse (Repeat) 8.10am Balamory Archie is feeling glum after getting flu (Repeat) 8.30am Tweenies the gang want it to snow (Repeat) 8.50am Pingu a brand new sibling is on the way (Repeat) 9.00am Millennium : a Thousand Year History 5/10 Century of the Sail. The 15th century and China sets out to dominate the seas (Repeat) 9.45am The Joy of Gardening 1/2 a reflection on 50 years of gardening on television (Repeat) 10.45am Ray Mears's Extreme Survival 5/12. Rogers's Rangers Retracing the footsteps of Mears's childhood hero, 18th-century American frontiersman Robert Rogers (Repeat) 11.45am Around the World in 80 Days 6/7. Far East and Farther East After stopping in Tokyo, Michael has to find a shipping company willing to ferry him across the Pacific (Repeat) 12.35pm Animaland Ginger Nutt's plans are interrupted 12.50pm Film : Pursuit to Algiers (1945) crime mystery starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce. Sherlock Holmes is asked to safeguard a foreign prince who must return home from London following his father's death (b&w) 1.55pm Film : The Fall of the Roman Empire (1964) Historical epic starring Sophia Loren, Stephen Boyd and featuring Alec Guinness. The Roman Empire falls into the hands of the unstable, corrupt Commodus, whose insane pride leads to cruelty and revolt. Caught up in the turmoil are his sister and the man who should have become emperor 4.50pm Final Score Results and reports 5.15pm Ready Steady Cook Nanette Newman and Emma Forbes are guests 6.00pm Weakest Link More quiz contestants risk the wrath of host Anne Robinson 6.45pm Film : Rio Grande (1950) The season directed by John Ford and starring John Wayne continues with this western. On the Mexican border in the 1880s, Lt Colonel Yorke of the US cavalry is conducting a vain campaign against marauding Apaches. When his son arrives at the fort, followed by Yorke's estranged wife, family conflict adds to his troubles (b&w) 8.25pm Celebrity Mastermind 1/3 David Blunkett answers questions on the Harry Potter novels, Shaun Williamson tackles the life Richard Burton, Antony Worrall Thompson opts for the works of Escoffier, and Jeremy Bowen's knowledge of the Arab/Israeli Six Day War is tested. With John Humphrys 9.00pm Life Beyond the Box : Norman Stanley Fletcher What happened to Slade Prison's most famous old lag in the years since he announced he was going straight? Find out in this fictional biography of one of Britain's most warmly remembered criminals, from wartime evacuation to Wales and teddy-boy stardom in Muswell Hill to various spells at Her Majesty's pleasure and his present life in north London 9.50pm Porridge Disturbing the Peace Fletcher thinks he is in for an easy ride when Mackay leaves Slade Prison. But then he meets the fearsome replacement in this episode from 1975 (Repeat) 10.20pm That Was the Week We Watched 1/6 How the TV schedules of a particular week capture the essence of an era - in this case mid-November 1973. Princess Anne married Captain Mark Phillips and the BBC broadcast the first Last of the Summer Wine. Plus an investigation into why the horse playing Black Beauty required make-up. Narrated by Simon Pegg 10.50pm Room 101 Presenter Paul Merton invites Kathy Burke to rid the world of her pet hates, including mobile phones and Jeffrey Archer 11.20pm The Fast Show it may well be too cold to use your jumpers for goalposts, but Ron Manager still has plenty of useful advice 11.50pm Grumpy Old Men 1/4. Is This the World We Created? Another chance to see the series, showing over the next four nights, in which the self-confessed grumpiest group in Britain - 35-54-year-old males get things off their chests. Designer labels, fatty foods, body-piercing, automated call centres and speed bumps get a sound dressing-down from Bill Nighy, Bob Geldof , Rory McGrath and Arthur Smith 12.30pm Red Dwarf V 4/6. Quarantine. After an encounter at a viral research centre, Rimmer decides on drastic measures and locks up the rest of the crew 1.00am TOTP2 Featuring Black, the Eagles, Chumbawamba, Wax, the Adverts and the Rolling Stones 1.25am Later . . .with Jools Holland REM, Buddy Guy , Yoko Ono , Jamelia, June Tabor and British Sea Power are tonight's eclectic line-up Saturday 27th December 2003 BBC2 Sunday 28th December 2003 BBC2 Monday 29th December 2003 BBC2 Tuesday 30th December 2003 BBC2 New Year's Eve Wednesday 31st December 2003 BBC2 New Year's Day Thursday 1st January 2004 BBC2 Friday 2nd January 2004 BBC2 |