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aion-rsa · 4 years ago

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UK Christmas TV 2020: Your Guide to This Year’s Festive Specials

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If you’re the kind of person who tuts at pre-December Christmas trees and moans about supermarkets simultaneously stocking mince pies and Halloween goodies (don’t cross the streams!) then look away now, there’s nothing for you here.

If, however, you’re the sort of person who’s gasping for end-of-year cheer like it’s the last bottle of Evian in a hot, empty desert, then step this way. We’ve collected up all the festive TV specials airing in the UK over Christmas 2020, so you can start mentally circling the ones in your personal schedule.

It being early, there are still announcements to be made, so check back here for updates. Ditto for official air dates and times, which are thin on the ground until the channels lock in their schedules. We’ll pop back and add those in as they’re confirmed.

Starting with our top five picks, here’s a list of everything on the way…

TOP FIVE PICKS

1. Doctor Who: Revolution of the Daleks

Companions Yaz, Graham and Ryan stumble upon a Dalek threat on Earth while the Doctor’s far away and locked up in space prison. How do you fight the Daleks without the Doctor? With the help of an old friend… Festive special ‘Revolution of the Daleks’ is written by Chris Chibnall and directed by ‘Spyfall Part 2’ director Lee Haven Jones.

Air date: TBC

2. Ghosts: Christmas Special

The Ghosts Christmas special is so good, there should be a new one every year. It’s Christmas in Button House and Mike is determined to give his visiting family the perfect Christmas, if they’ll let him. And if his other family – the houseful of historical ghosts only wife Alison can see and hear – behave. 1990s MP Julian is the Ebenezer Scrooge in need of a lesson on the true meaning of Christmas in this terrific family comedy.

Air date: TBC

3. Taskmaster: Christmas Special

We don’t yet know the identities of the five contestants competing in the very first Taskmaster festive special, but we know that they are all brand new to the 10-series comedy, and have been described as “experts in their respective fields”… Fingers crossed for Christmas-themed tasks.

Air date: TBC

4. His Dark Materials Season 2 Finale: Æsahættr

Technically, there’s nothing festive about His Dark Materials (unless the BBC/HBO adaptation takes a serious diversion from Philip Pullman’s books and throws in a few elves) but there’s something very childhood-bedtime and therefore quite Christmassy about this beautiful series. It ended strong in season one, and keeps getting better in season two. This finale is due to bring The Subtle Knife to a close, making way for the final part of the trilogy in the as-yet-unconfirmed (but come on, it’s happening) third season.

Air date: Sunday 20th December, 8.10pm, BBC One

5. Roald & Beatrix, the Tail of the Curious Mouse

From the producers of Sherlock and Dracula, this festive family comedy-drama promises to be something quite special. It reimagines the real-life meeting of two of the UK’s biggest names in children’s literature: Beatrix Potter (played by Dawn French) and Roald Dahl, back when Potter was a recluse and Dahl was a child. Expect puppetry, animation, a host of guest stars and voices, and lots of snow, from Inside No. 9 director David Kerr.

Air date: TBC

COMEDY

Motherland Christmas Special

Top BBC Two parenting sitcom Motherhood returns for a festive special ahead of its third series coming next year. You are cordially invited to Amanda’s annual seasonal soiree… Anna Maxwell-Martin, Diane Morgan, Lucy Punch and Paul Ready star.

Air date: TBC

Upstart Crow: Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow: a Lockdown Christmas 1603

The stage version of Shakespeare sitcom Upstart Crow fell foul of Covid-19 earlier this year, but that hasn’t stopped the team putting together this festive lockdown two-hander special, set in London during the plague, and starring David Mitchell and Gemma Whelan as Shakespeare and Kate.

Air date: TBC

Not Going Out Christmas Special

Lee Mack’s long-running BBC One sitcom is back for another Christmas instalment, filmed under Covid-safe conditions this August. Expect a dedication to dearly departed cast member Bobby Ball.

Air date: TBC

Pandemonium

Katherine Parkinson and Alison Steadman star in this one-off BBC comedy about a family forced to cancel their dream holiday to California, who end up in Margate over the Christmas season.

Air date: TBC

Vicar of Dibley in Lockdown

Dawn French and James Fleet reprise the characters of Geraldine and Hugo in three 10-minute lockdown additions to The Vicar of Dibley canon, airing on BBC One after repeats of the original series (and then repeated later in one half-hour clump).

Air date: starts 7th December, BBC One.

Movies

The Best Alternative Christmas movies

By Mark Harrison

Movies

Reliving the joys of an 80s TV Christmas

By Jenny Morrill

King Gary Christmas Special

Tom Davis returns as Gary King, builder, father, B-B-Q haver, and lover of Terri (the brilliantly funny Laura Checkley) in the first ever King Gary Christmas special. Gary obsesses over making the Crescent’s Christmas lights shine brighter than any others, while Terri tackles their son losing the festive spirit, and Gary’s parents deal with some house guests from hell.

Air date: TBC

Birds of a Feather Christmas Special

Filmed under special Covid-19 regulations, this extended ITV comedy special sees Tracey and Dorien living together in lockdown, while Sharon is stuck on a cruise ship. Les Dennis guest stars.

Air date: TBC

Mrs Brown’s Boys Christmas Specials

Two new lockdown-themed instalments from Brendan O’Carroll’s comedy creation.

Air date: TBC

The Goes Wrong Show

This BBC comedy imported from the stage is fresh from its first full series and guarantees family fun. A nativity play from enthusiastic amateurs the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society? What could possibly go wrong?

Air date: TBC

DRAMA

The Serpent

Jenna Coleman stars alongside Tahar Rahim in this eight-part globetrotting BBC-Netflix drama inspired by the real-life capture of murder suspects Charles Sobhraj and Marie-Andrée Leclerc.

Air date: TBC

The Pembrokeshire Murders

Luke Evans stars in this three-part ITV true crime drama about the search for Welsh serial killer John Cooper.

Air date: TBC

Call the Midwife Christmas Special

The circus is coming to town in the Call the Midwife Christmas special, and its ringmaster will be played by former Doctor, Peter Davison. Set in 1965, it promises to be the usual mix of heart-warming goodness and flinty eyed comment on the absolute golden necessity of the NHS.

Air date: 25th December, 7pm, BBC One

Black Narcissus

Gemma Arterton and Diana Rigg star in a new BBC three-part adaptation of Rumer Godden’s strange, atmospheric novel – famously adapted into a film in 1947 – about a group of nuns in a remote Himalayan outpost.

Air date: TBC

Bridgerton

Julia Quinn’s hit book series set in Regency-era London get the glossy Shondaland treatment in this Netflix series, which can be unwrapped on Christmas Day.

Air date: 25th December

CHILDREN’S

Worzel Gummidge: Saucy Nancy

Mackenzie Crook’s reimagined version of the children’s classic scarecrow stories continues with a new one-hour film, featuring Shirley Henderson as the titular Saucy Nancy (played by Barbara Windsor in the Jon Pertwee version), and Vanessa Redgrave.

Air date: TBC

Zog and the Flying Doctors

Continuing from last year’s utterly charming Zog, this is the fairy tale-bending story of a dragon, a princess and a knight, who all decide to choose a different path in life than the one set out for them. It’s the seventh Julia Donaldon/Axel Scheffler/BBC Christmas adaptation, and promises to be another funny, adorable half hour of TV.

Air date: 25th December, 4.55pm, BBC One

Jack and the Beanstalk: After Ever After

After last year’s Cinderella sequel from David Walliams and Sky One comes the ‘what happened next’ for panto classic Jack and the Beanstalk. Walliams and Sheridan Smith star in this comedy special. There’s a Hansel & Gretel: After Ever After next in the pipeline.

Air date: TBC

Quentin Blake’s Clown

Here’s another lovely half-hour of quiet time with the kids from Channel 4, from the same people who made previous years’ animations of children’s classics The Tiger Who Came To Tea and We’re Going on a Bear Hunt. It’s the story of a discarded clown toy who comes to life and goes on an adventure to find a new home for him and his toy pals. Helena Bonham Carter narrates.

Air date: TBC

Christmas in Storyland

The CBeebies gang is back for another Christmas story featuring a cast of favourites, singing, dancing and interactive fun for little ones.

Air date: 12th December, CBeebies, BBC iPlayer

ENTERTAINMENT

Mortimer and Whitehouse: Gone Fishing Christmas Special

Bob takes Paul up to his old stomping ground of Middlesborough to fish for grayling in the River Esk, while the pair hold a Christmas office party for two, and meet someone who works with people fighting loneliness at Christmas.

Air date: TBC

The Great Christmas Bake-Off

It’s cakes. At Christmas. Plus Noel Fielding and Matt Lucas larking about on the theme of cakes. Two brand new episodes will each feature the return of four bakers from previous series.

Air date: TBC

The Great Christmas Sewing Bee

The judges will be setting festive sewing challenges to competitors vying for the Christmas crown.

Air date: TBC

The Repair Shop at Christmas

Jay Blades and co. will be restoring cherished Christmas-themed items that have seen better days in this heart-warming word-of-mouth BBC hit.

Air date: TBC

Billy Connolly: It’s Been a Pleasure

To mark Billy Connolly’s retirement from stand-up comedy, ITV has put together a send-off featuring new filming with the man himself in his Florida home, and contributions from a host of stars.

Air date: TBC

The Story of SM:TV Live

A bit of cosy nostalgia here, as ITV stalwarts Ant, Dec and Cat Deeley revisit their time presenting children’s Saturday morning variety show SMTV: Live. Come for Wonky Donkey, stay for Friends spoof Chums.

Air date: TBC

Michael Palin: Travels of a Lifetime

Following the hit BBC Two series revisiting Michael Palin’s travel series, he’s back for a 90-minute festive special revisiting his trip through the Himalayas, with contributions from guest stars.

Air date: TBC

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As well as: Top of the Pops New Year and Christmas Specials. A Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Countdown. A Christmas Would I Lie To You? Festive editions of cookery shows from Jamie Oliver, MasterChef and Mary Berry, festive game shows from The Wall, The Wheel, and a new version of Blankety Blank hosted by Bradley Walsh.

The post UK Christmas TV 2020: Your Guide to This Year’s Festive Specials appeared first on Den of Geek.

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#aion-rsa #Den of Geek

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bthenoise · 6 years ago

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Kurt Travis (ex-Dance Gavin Dance, ex-A Lot Like Birds) Announces New Solo LP, Shares Lead Single “Easy Peasy”

Fresh off releasing new music last year via his latest project Royal Coda, former Dance Gavin Dance and A Lot Like Birds frontman Kurt Travis has just announced the release of his second full-length solo record.

Titled as There’s A Place I Want To Take You, Travis’ new album will officially hit stores May 17th via Blue Swan and Esque Records. The new 10-track release, which features a couple guest appearances from Andrés, will serve as the vocalist’s first new solo record since 2014′s Everything Is Beautiful.

In addition to announcing his new album, Kurt Travis has also shared a brand new chilled-out single titled “Easy Peasy.” Talking about the track, Travis said, "This song is one of my favorites on the album. It's very playful and light-hearted.”

Travis went on to add, “The song is about how I don't like waking up in the morning, and also, how I have [a] hard time falling asleep. I called it 'Easy Peasy' because the song is repetitious and the structure is simple, but while tracking guitars for it, [it] was actually quite difficult to record."

To check out Kurt Travis’ new single, be sure to look below. Afterward, make sure to pre-order There’s A Place I Want To Take You and grab tickets to see Travis out on his upcoming headlining tour here.

youtube

There's A Place I Want To Take You Tracklisting:

01. Too Much Space (feat. Andrés) 02. Easy Peasy 03. Tomorrow Will Be Fine 04. Hometown (feat. Andrés) 05. It's You 06. We'll Probably Be Alright 07. Best Way 08. Easy To Decide 09. Still Won't Listen 10. Lewis

Upcoming Tour Dates: 5.17 - Placerville, CA @ Family Vacation * 5.18 - Redding, CA @ The Dip * 5.21 - Salt Lake City, UT @ The Loading Dock 5.22 - Denver, CO @ Moon Room 5.24 - Minneapolis, MN @ Whiskey Junction 5.25 - Berwyn, IL @ Wire 5.26 - Indianapolis, IN @ Citadel 5.28 - Buffalo, NY @ Rec Room 5.29 - Manchester, NH @ Bungalow 5.30 - Brooklyn, NY @ Kingsland 5.31 - Amityville, NY @ Revolution Bar & Grill 6.01 - Philadelphia, PA @ Voltage 6.02 - Norfolk, VA @ Charlie's 6.03 - Chapel Hill, NC @ Local 506 6.05 - Greenville, SC @ Radio Room 6.06 - Orlando, FL @ Soundbar 6.07 - Tampa, FL @ Crowbar 6.08 - Margate, FL @ O'Malleys 6.10 - Atlanta, GA @ Drunken Unicorn 6.11 - Nashville, TN @ The End 6.12 - Memphis, TN @ Canvas 6.13 - Little Rock, AR @ Brewski's Basement 6.14 - Dallas, TX @ Three Links 6.15 - McAllen, TX @ Yerberia Cultura 6.16 - Austin, TX @ Come and Take it Live 6.17 - Houston, TX @ Secret Group 6.19 - El Paso, TX @ Rock House 6.20 - Scottsdale, AZ @ Pub Rock 6.21 - Anaheim, CA @ Chain Reaction 6.23 - Fresno, CA @ Strummers -With Adventurer 5.21-6.5 (* - no Adventurer) -With Makari 6.6-6.23

#Kurt Travis #There's A Place I Want To Take You #Blue Swan Records

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todayclassical · 7 years ago

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May 31 in Music History

1674 Birth of composer Friedrich Erhard Niedt.

1656 Birth of French composer Marin Marais in Paris.

1696 Death of German composer Heinrich Schwemmer in Nuremberg.

1768 FP of Paisello's "Festa teatrale in musica" Naples.

1802 Birth of composer Cesare Pugni.

1804 Birth of French composer, pianist Jeanne-Louise Farrenc-Duont.

1809 Death of Austrian composer Franz Joseph Haydn in Vienna. 1817 FP of Rossini's opera La Gazza Ladra at La Scalla in Milan.

1817 Birth of French violinist, conductor and composer Edouard Deldevez. 1822 Birth of Spanish composer and teacher Rafael Hernando in Madrid.

1839 FP of Flotow's "Le Naufrage de la Méduse" Paris.

846 FP of Albert Lortzing's opera Der Waffenschmied, at the Theater an der Wien, in Vienna.

1847 FP of Adam's "La Bouquetière" Paris.

1859 Birth of German singer August Iffert in Braunschweig.

1861 FP of Offenbach's "M. Choufleuri" Paris.

1866 Birth of Russian composer Vladimir Rebikov in Siberia.

1874 Birth of baritone Franz Egenieff in Niederwalluf.

1879 Birth of New Zealand-American soprano Frances Alda.

1884 FP of G. Puccini's opera Le villi 'The Willies' at the Teatro dal Verme in Milan.

1892 Birth of French conductor Louis Félix André Fourestier in Montpellier.

1896 Birth of Italian soprano Ines Alfani-Tellini in Florence.

1902 Birth of English composer of popular music and pianist Billy Mayerl. 1902 Birth of composer Ralph Walter Wood.

1905 Death of German composer Franz Strauss.

1905 Death of Italian mezzo-soprano Marietta Biancolini.

1908 Birth of English mezzo-soprano Edith Coates in Lincolnshire.

1909 Death of French composer Marie-Auguste Durand in Paris.

1912 Birth of English choral conductor Alfred Deller in Margate.

1913 Birth of Romanian conductor Constantin Silvestri.

1914 Birth of composer Akira Ifukube.

1916 Birth of American composer and guitarist Lydia Mendoza.

1919 Birth of composer Emmanual Tettey Mensah.

1922 Birth of American soprano Florence Quartararo.

1923 Birth of composer Wolfgang Lesser

1924 Birth of French guitarist Ida Presti.

1927 Death of Italian baritone Giuseppe Campanari, in Milan.

1928 Birth of Swiss soprano Eva-Maria Rogner in Zurich.

1928 Birth of pianist Jacob Lateiner in Havana Cuba.

1929 - Birth of composer Aladar Zoltan.

1931 Birth of American mezzo-soprano Shirley Verrett.

1936 Birth of Algerian baritone Yves Bisson in Mostaganem, Algeria.

1934 Birth of composer Karl-Erik Welin.

1941 Birth of American harpsichordist Kenneth Cooper in NYC.

1942 FP of John Cage's music for the radio play The City Wears a Slouch Hat in Chicago.

1949 Birth of American soprano Nancy Shade in Rockford, IL.

1949 Birth of French bass-baritone Alfred Muff in Lucerne.

1952 Birth of American composer and conductor Walter Thompson.

1953 Death of English soprano Audrey Mildway. 1954 Birth of American composer Pamela Marshall.

1955 Birth of American composer and saxophonist Marty Ehrlich.

1955 Birth of American composer Bruce Adolphe.

1959 FP of Blomdahl's "Aniara" Stockholm.

1960 Birth of German composer Lance Hulme.

1961 FP of Krystoff Penderecki's Threnody in Memory of the Victims of Hiroshima for strings, in Warsaw.

1962 Death of Spanish composer Eduard Toldrà in Vilanova i la Geltrú, Spain.

1963 FP of Argento's "Christopher Sly" Minneapolis.

1994 Death of Italian soprano Herva Nelli.

1996 Death of Dutch composer Ton de Leeuw in Paris.

1998 Death of Polish composer Stanislaw Michal Wislocki.

#classicalmusic #musichistory #todayclassical #today in music history #onthisday

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