Ricky Tomlinson looks at how sitcoms have mirrored the madness and merriment of the festive period, featuring Gavin & Stacey, The Vicar Of Dibley and Father Ted.
Year: Release Date: Rating: Video Type:
2011
12/05/2011
Approved
TV Series Episode 60 minutes
A
The Brockmans hope to get away for the holiday, but Granddad's sudden illness and trip to the worst hospital ever threatens their plans.
It is Christmas Day and the Brockmans have decided to escape the festivities and head for Tenerife. However, Grandad has been taken ill, and is languishing in hospital. Karen has a toothache, so is taken to the dentist. Ben is intent on getting into the Guinness World Records - preferably involving knives. Their ditsy friend Jane and her boyfriend Jason are going to be looking after the house. Pete tells Jane that Jason has served a prison sentence, so after he arrives he argues with Jane and angrily leaves. Sue finds out that it was actually Jane's previous boyfriend Jeremy who had been to prison. Sue phones Jane, then Jason - to apologise and explain the misunderstanding. As they try to get to the airport, traffic is held up by two Father Christmases having a fight on the road.
Lee and, a heavily pregnant, Lucy are out doing some last-minute Christmas shopping on Christmas Eve when they get caught up in a robbery in a department store.
Year: Release Date: Rating: Video Type:
2015
12/24/2015
TV-MA
TV Series Episode 45 minutes
A
The Brockman family have decided to foster a sense of community by throwing a Christmas party for their neighbours (some of the guests dropped out because of a winter vomiting bug). Festivities do not go as smoothly as planned. Gran springs a surprise visit on the family, an unwell Jane shows up, whilst Jake seems to have fallen in with the wrong crowd. Karen would rather be playing online poker (illegally) than taking part in the celebrations, while Ben is enthusiastically left in charge of the party games, ranging from Swingball to blind football. As the party goes on, Pete gets locked in a bathroom with Jane, one guest's marriage falls apart and there is a visit by a police officer.
The staff and students from St Bernadette's Primary School in Coventry audition for a place in a rock musical competition. /// The staff and students at St. Bernadette's Primary School audition for a coveted place in a spectacular rock musical competition.
It's Boxing Day and already Karen is making New Year resolutions - chiefly for others - and the family have been burgled,though selectively,causing Sue to cheat on the insurance claim. Sue and Jake go to collect Grandad from the retirement home where he now lives,only to find he has sloped off to the pub again with Scots mate Mac. Sue ends up asking Mac back for dinner though his thick accent creates a language barrier for Karen. Sue's divorced friend Jane is also invited and though the children fail to appreciate her present for them,a goat donated to Oxfam,Pete feels sorry for her and is glad that the Brockmans have given a Christmas to lonely strangers - until a W.P.C. turns up with another old boy who has gone walkabout.
Year: Release Date: Rating: Video Type:
2009
12/27/2009
TV-14
TV Series Episode 39 minutes
C
