5/5
Rubbish presents, exasperating in-laws and an actual Christmas party? This festive special was very 2019 – and very good
23 December 2020 • 9:30pm
Amanda (Lucy Punch) and Anne (Philippa Dunne) have a little festive gathering
Credit: Merman
The one thing that prevented me from loving Motherland in the past was the main character, Julia, who lived in a permanent state of hysterical stress. I mean, love, come on. Stop making it so hard for yourself. If all the competitive parenting at the school gates is getting you down, just don’t hang around the school gates. Do a fly-by drop-off, ignore all emails from the PTA and donate a box of cornershop Mr Kipling’s to the bake sale. You won’t be popular, but your life will be a hell of a lot easier.
Mary Berry Saves Christmas (BBC1, 6.30pm) MOST of us love eating Christmas food, but some people feel daunted by the idea of preparing it. Thankfully the ever-reliable Mary Berry is on hand to help three such members of the public get to grips with festive feasts by showing them how to make delicious yet fuss-free dishes that really epitomise the season. Lending them a hand are three celebrity sous chefs – The Repair Shop’s foreman Jay Blades, TV presenter Angela Scanlon and comedian Tom Allen.
The Magical World of Julia Donaldson (BBC2, 7.30pm) ZOG, The Highway Rat, Stick Man and, of course, The Gruffalo – Julia Donaldson has created some of Britain’s best-loved and best-selling children’s books. Now, using interviews, home movies and animated drawings from her long-term illustrator Axel Scheffler, this documentary brings Julia’s own story to life. The film uncovers the surprising inspirations behind her most famous characters and explores how her books have appea
The best TV to watch this Christmas and New Year
Comedy, drama, movies, and silly Christmas shows, here s what you need to watch over Christmas
Call the Midwife is back this Christmas (Image: BBC / Nealstreet Productions / Nicky Johnston)
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Looking for something to watch? Here s our pick of the TV shows not to miss
Blob, one of the new characters for the ITV1 singing contest, The Masked Singer. Picture: Vincent Dolman/Bandicoot TV/ITV/PA Our choice of programmes to watch week beginning Saturday, December 19
After We Collided (Amazon Prime, from Tue) Last year, the film After, based on the first in a series of young adult novels by Anna Todd, went down a treat with audiences and a sequel was quickly ordered. Fans will be pleased to see it s being offered up as an early Christmas gift by Amazon Prime. This time, young lovers Hardin and Tessa are no longer together. As he falls into bad habits, she lands the job of her dreams and attracts the attentions of her handsome co-worker - although she can t get Hardin out of her mind. Hero Fiennes Tiffin and Tessa Young play the photogenic couple.