The Christmas TV Thread 2012

Going back to Christmas TV, what did everyone think of The Snowman and The Snowdog? Personally I thought it was wonderful stuff, sad like the first one too, I couldn't fault it personally, whether they'll repeat it for the next 30 years who knows.

I liked the music- and thought the animation was excellent, and very faithful to the original. I thought it was let down a little by the fact the story was so similar- except with the dog accompanying them.

I don't think they could have made the storyline much different, without losing too much of the original feel.

I didn't like the copout happy ending for the dog.

Yeah sort of strikes me they decided that last minute.

Well done to all involved in it though.

GOLD: pure and utter gold the 1st part of Mrs Brown boys,

I have to say I have also enjoyed the two 1983 and 84 Bullseye Christmas Episodes.

The BBC ident is crap, where is this better one? which was suppose to appear tonight?

Vicar of Dibley going out in correct ratio! On bbconeHD

Outnumbered the highlight of the night for me, while happy they didn't kill off The Snowdog. They did a decent job with the remake - the animation was just right for it while most of the music was great, though the vocal parts were no Walking in the Air. Having watched the original last night though the sequel does kind of seem pointless - I can see why Raymond Briggs resisted so long, but it was probably the right time to do it and if nothing else it'll help ensure the original lives on to.

I enjoyed the over-looked barely promoted 'Friday Night Dinner' special.

I continue to hear from people that xmas telly now a days is crap, but someone said, back in the 70s we only had three channels, and we just aspected the crap on then.

I'm going to stay in the middle of the road, and claim yes there was crap on the TV back then but the listings especial for the BBC could be a bit better. Maybe we need a proper Variety show back on the Christmas day? For most of the other channels it seems there have given up.

3pm Queen
3.10: Festive story
3.40: Film Premier
5.15: News
5.30: ??
6.30: Doctor who
7.30: Eastenders
8pm Big Variety SHOW
9pm: Second Eastenders
9.30: comedy
10pm News
10.15: More comedy
10.45 Hyms
11.15 Late Xmas Film

Just something that may interest you. Top of the Pops (for the Christmas and New Year's specials) are still using the titles/theme (although shortened) that were introduced along with the 'All New Top of the Pops' relaunch just over 9 years ago - they've gone back to just showing the 2003 titles (along with a snowy overlay) instead of having a montage of all the titles used over the years.

Is that some record for the longest-running titles for TOTP? Usually they changed when the current music chart style changed, but obviously they haven't bothered since the show is only aired two days of the year now.