Stephen Fry’s 21st Century Firsts (STV, 8.30pm) ALMOST 21 years ago, some of us were looking forward to the start of a new century, while others fretted about the impact of the so-called millennium bug. Those born that year are now coming of age, while others who were 21 back then have discovered whether or not life really does begin at 40. Here Stephen Fry takes a look at some of the momentous events, landmarks and technological advances made during that time, including the launch of the first iPhone in 2007, the social media revolution and the Tinder app.
Not Going Out (BBC1, 9pm)
Date of birth: 28-05-1964
David Baddiel’s first brush with comedy was in 1982 when he wrote and performed in the Sixth Form revue at The Haberdashers Aske School, Elsetree, before developing his talents while a student at King s College, Cambridge. As well as graduating with a double-first in English Literature, he was vice president of the Footlights.
On leaving, he performed stand-up on the London circuit, while working on a PhD entitled Seductive Innocence: The Little Girl In Victorian Sexuality. There he met Robert Newman [then called Rob] and they started writing sketches for the Radio 4 show WeekEnding, which solicited work from any writers who wanted to contribute.
All Creatures Great And Small: Christmas Special
This drama series about vets in the chocolate-box Yorkshire Dales is first-class comfort viewing (Callum Woodhouse, above)
This drama series about vets in the chocolate-box Yorkshire Dales is first-class comfort viewing. It’s Christmas Eve and James is trying to come to terms with the fact that Helen is marrying Hugh in the morning – although she doesn’t seem very happy about it. Tuesday 22, Channel 5, 9pm
Worzel Gummidge: Saucy Nancy
Viewers of a certain age who recall Jon Pertwee’s Worzel were sceptical about Mackenzie Crook (above) and his reboot, but last Christmas’s two films were a triumph
Christmas Specials 2020 on BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and what time they re on TV this upcoming week
Here s what to watch this week to get you well and truly in the festive spirit
10:17, 19 DEC 2020
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The scale of the BBC s Left-wing comedy bias is laid bare for the first time today in an audit of its entertainment output.
Research seen by The Mail on Sunday shows that out of 364 comedy slots broadcast by the BBC over the past month, just four featured comedians with explicitly Conservative or pro-Brexit views.
By contrast, a total of 268 slots were filled by comedians with publicly pronounced, Left-leaning or woke views, such as Nish Kumar, Adam Hills and Shappi Khorsandi.
Kumar, who appears on The Mini Mash Report, makes Right-leaning politicians the butt of jokes, on one occasion yelling F you, Boris Johnson! to audience cheers.