The 100+ Greatest Christmas TV Specials Of All Time
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- DirectorDavid CroftStarsGorden KayeFrancesca GonshawVicki MichelleThe balloon crashes and the airmen end up back at the café, disguised by moose heads. General von Klinkerhoffen assumes control of the whole area, thereby making many enemies. The Resistance hate him for obvious reasons but Colonel von Strohm, Captain Geering and Herr Otto Flick of the Gestapo also feel undermined by his presence. Therefore, at a party he is organizing to mark the Kaiser's birthday, plans are made to kill him, involving poison - in the pill by the till in the jug with the drug - and dynamite hidden in a birthday cake - the candle with the handle in the gateau from the chateau. The poison actually turns out to be aspirin and the candle seems likely to explode and kill everybody so René tips a bucket of sand over it, explaining to von Klinkerhoffen that it was done as a respectful gesture to mark the Kaiser's burial.('Allo 'Allo)
- DirectorJohn B. HobbsStarsGorden KayeVicki MichelleCarmen SilveraTwo years have elapsed and it is now September 1943. The airmen have escaped to England and Bertorelli and the Italian troops have withdrawn. Rene's hopes for peace and quiet are, however, dashed as Yvette announces her pregnancy. With the war now seeming to turn against Germany, Von Klinkerhoffen considers assassinating Hitler. Gruber and Von Strohm hope to sell the original painting and flee to Spain so they get Helga to steal it. To ensure her cut when the sale goes ahead she 'removes' one of the Fallen Madonna's boobies as her insurance.('Allo 'Allo)
- DirectorRichard BodenStarsRowan AtkinsonTony RobinsonMiranda RichardsonAfter a genial spirit shows the benevolent Ebenezer Blackadder visions of his unscrupulous ancestors, he resolves to mend his generous ways.(Blackadder)
- DirectorCarl TibbettsStarsJon HammRafe SpallOona ChaplinThree interconnected tales of technology run amok during the Christmas season are told by two men at a remote outpost in a frozen wilderness.(Black Mirror)
- DirectorRobin NashStarsNick ConwayJean BohtGilly ComanJoey goes to inform Martina that the family will be holidaying in Rome for the Christmas period. She is not a little envious and, Joey detects, rather more than fond of him. The trip is supposed to be a honeymoon for Aveline and Oswalds but there are other romantic encounters, notably between the poetic Adrian and a girl called Magdalena. Nellie however is more than happy to be in the city that begat her beloved - if occasionally trying - religion.(Bread)
- DirectorRobin NashStarsJean BohtGraham BickleyJonathon MorrisJoey tries to help out when Shifty's released from prison, Billy's left facing the anger of the family when the Christmas presents are stolen from the car, the Boswell boys manage to put a smile on Martina's face, Jack and Nellie go out to buy the Christmas turkey, Adrian has a chat with Julie when she upsets Billy yet again, and Joey is faced with a difficult choice.(Bread)
- DirectorJohn B. HobbsStarsJean BohtVictor McGuireJonathon MorrisJack collects the last of his stuff from his room, Aveline joins a protest to save the Liver Birds, Shifty turns up after his three month sentence, Joey has to abandon a lady friend when Grandad goes on another walkabout, Billy asks for help to buy a new sandwich van, Lilo Lil heads back to the shed after selling up in Ireland, and Derek announces that he's planning to move to London to be with his daughter.(Bread)
- DirectorMike StephensStarsTim MarriottMark GillisRussell PorterThis Christmas special has all the staff meeting up on New Year's Eve in the future, looking back at their first New Year's Eve together.(The Brittas Empire)
- DirectorMike StephensStarsHarriet ThorpeJill GreenacreMichael BurnsGordon takes the staff for a military-style team-building exercise into Wales. While dealing with the rigors of the wild, they are relentlessly pursued by would-be assassins. Gordon's well-intentioned motivational skills make things worse.(The Brittas Empire)
- DirectorEd ByeStarsAdrian EdmondsonRik MayallTina FoleyIt's Christmas day and Richie is cooking the dinner to which Dave Hedgehog and Spudgun are invited. Dinner is not up to Michelin standard, but Richie's day improves when he finds out he is the son of God.(Bottom)
- DirectorJames BurrowsThomas LofaroStarsTed DansonKirstie AlleyRhea PerlmanIt's the Christmas season. Frasier is in a anti-Christmas bah-humbug mood much to Lilith's chagrin. Norm has a part-time job he fails to mention. And Cliff is collecting food for the needy all in an effort to win a trip to Disney World. Rebecca has Carla, Woody and Sam all working Christmas Eve as will she. Carla doesn't mind the extra money. Woody isn't going back to Hanover so he doesn't mind. But Sam hates working what he considers the holiday. When it's close to closing time on Christmas Eve, Carla, Woody and Sam decide to exchange their gifts with each other. That's when Sam learns that everyone seems to have a present for Rebecca - which he doesn't - and in turn Rebecca has a gift for everyone. In a panic, Sam rushes out trying to find somewhere - anywhere - that is still open so he can get a gift for her. The second problem may be to find something appropriate, which strikes that perfect balance of being not too expensive but still saying "I want to sleep with you". He may get his wish with the latter.(Cheers)
- DirectorRicky GervaisStephen MerchantStarsRicky GervaisAshley JensenStephen MerchantAndy is unhappy with the fame he has achieved. When a new agent approaches him, Andy fires Darren and quits 'When The Whistle Blows'. Meanwhile, Maggie has hit rock bottom, having given up working as an extra and living in a tiny, dismal flat. Andy however is too self obsessed to notice Maggie's plight.(Extras)
- DirectorDeclan LowneyStarsDermot MorganArdal O'HanlonFrank KellyFather Ted wins the "Golden Cleric", for saving a fellow group of priests from an embarrassing situation.(Father Ted)
- DirectorJames BurrowsStarsKelsey GrammerJane LeevesDavid Hyde PierceFrasier's plans for a merry Christmas with Frederick, Martin and Niles are derailed after Lilith cancels the plans to take Frederick to Austria.(Fraiser)
- 1994–200422mTV-PG7.9 (4.9K)TV EpisodeDirectorGary HalvorsonStarsJennifer AnistonCourteney CoxLisa KudrowIn order for her kitchen staff to acknowledge her authority, Monica hires Joey so she can fire him in front of them. Chandler unsuccessfully tries to set Rachel up with a co-worker. Ross can't choose between two girls.(Friends)
- DirectorGary HalvorsonStarsJennifer AnistonCourteney CoxLisa KudrowRoss wants to introduce Ben to Hanukkah. In order to entice Rachel to move back into their refurbished apartment, Phoebe must drive a wedge between Rachel and current roomie Joey.(Friends)
- DirectorChristine GernonStarsMathew HorneJoanna PageSteffan RhodriThe Barry folk come to Billericay for the holiday. Gavin surprises his mum and Smithy with news of his promotion in the company's new operation, located in Cardiff.(Gavin & Stacey)
- 1994–199546mTV-148.2 (293)TV EpisodeDirectorDominic BrigstockeStarsSteve CooganRebecca FrontKevin EldonAlan presents a one-off Christmas edition of "Knowing Me, Knowing You".(Knowing Me, Knowing You With Alan Partridge)
- 1999–20171hTV-148.5 (392)TV EpisodeDirectorSteve BendelackStarsJeremy DysonMark GatissSteve PembertonAlone in the chapel of hope on Christmas Eve Reverend Bernice hates Christmas,since her mother was carried off by Papa Lazarou disguised as Santa Claus when she was a child. She has three visitors. The first is Charlie Hull,convinced from his recurring nightmare that his wife Stella is using a voodoo coven called the Solutions to stop him winning the line-dance contest. Then an old man who visited Herr Lipp and his wife in 1975 recounts the saga of Lipp's fascination with cute young choirboy Matthew and his belief that Lipp was a vampire. Finally Chinnery comes to unburden himself as to why he is such a bad vet. In Victorian times his great-great-grandfather,the finest vet in England,came to Royston Vasey but was tricked into touching the wrong monkey's testicle,as a result of which all succeeding vets in the family have been cursed. Bernice feels happier after consoling Chinnery but she is unaware that history is about to repeat itself.(The League Of Gentleman)
- DirectorJack BenderStarsNaveen AndrewsHenry Ian CusickJeremy DaviesDuring the helicopter ride to the ship, Desmond's consciousness begins jumping back and forth between present day 2004 and 1996. He is forced to find Daniel Faraday in 1996 in order to get answers and stop the jumps.(Lost)
- DirectorMartin DennisStarsMartin ClunesNeil MorrisseyLeslie AshInterspersed with fantasy scenes of a glorious traditional Christmas in which the two couples are waited on by George and Anthea comes the reality in which Gary shuts the door and carol-singers, nobody gets the present they want and, although Gary offers to cook the turkey, he forgets to turn the oven on. When he finally gets it right he gets so drunk he passes out and the meat is burned to a crisp. Deborah meanwhile tells Tony she thinks they should split up because he is so childish. Feeling guilty she follows him to the pub where Ken has created a bizarre crib but the guilt disappears when she sees Tony cavorting with a stripper. Eventually she forgives him and the two couples have an ersatz Christmas, thanks to last minute shopping at the all-night garage.(Men Behaving Badly)
- DirectorJohn BirkinStarsRowan AtkinsonMatilda ZieglerC.J. AllenChristmas adventures of Mr. Bean include shopping, Christmas Eve at home, and preparing the Christmas turkey.(Mr. Bean)
- DirectorRicky GervaisStephen MerchantStarsRicky GervaisMartin FreemanMackenzie CrookIt's been three years since the BBC documentary crew first arrived at the office. Back for one last visit, they find Gareth Keenan now in charge and is running the office with a military precision. Since we last saw David Brent he has become a sales rep for a cleaning products company, released his own pop single and has acquired an agent to look after his celebrity appearances. He visits his old workplace regularly, despite him successfully suing Wernham Hogg for unfair dismissal. The big news for Tim is the imminent arrival of Dawn. The documentary crew has kindly offered to fly Dawn and boyfriend Lee from Florida back to Slough for the office Christmas party.(The Office)
- DirectorRicky GervaisStephen MerchantStarsRicky GervaisMartin FreemanMackenzie CrookTim's world is rocked when Dawn turns up at the office to say hello. Despite a stern warning from Gareth and wise words from Keith in Accounts, Tim can't help but get his hopes up again. Meanwhile, David Brent has been using the services of a dating agency and, in between making celebrity appearances in nightclubs, he meets up for drinks with a rather disappointing selection of single women. The office Christmas party kicks off like any other but there are a few surprises in store...(The Office)
- DirectorCharles McDougallStarsSteve CarellRainn WilsonJohn KrasinskiSeeing the party is headed for disastrous boredom, Michael breaks corporate policy to buy alcohol for the staff.(The Office US)
- DirectorRay ButtStarsDavid JasonNicholas LyndhurstLennard PearceWhen Del and Rodney's estranged father shows up on Christmas Day after an eighteen-year absence, the Trotter family is suddenly thrown into turmoil. Worse still, he claims he has an hereditary disease that could also affect Del and Rodney. However, following blood tests, it comes to light that this might not be the brothers' only problem...(Only Fools And Horses)
- DirectorRandall EinhornStarsAmy PoehlerRashida JonesAziz AnsariLeslie tries to keep herself busy during her suspension from the department, but gets some bad news about her campaign. Meanwhile, Ben searches for a job in the private sector, and the office makes the perfect Christmas gift for Leslie.(Parks And Recreation)
- DirectorBecky MartinStarsDavid MitchellRobert WebbEliza L. BennettMark has his family over to the flat for Christmas dinner, as well as Dobby, who he is finally going out with, except he hasn't told his parents yet.(Peep Show)
- DirectorSteve BendelackStarsCaroline AherneCraig CashSue JohnstonDenise's water breaks, and the television doesn't, but miraculously Jim still walks upstairs.(The Royle Family)
- 1998–201229mTV-PG8.4 (149)TV EpisodeDirectorCaroline AherneStarsCaroline AherneCraig CashSue JohnstonOn Christmas Day, Darren, Nana, and the Bests--who seem to have raided Baby David's savings for their own presents--turn up at the Royles', but Jim is annoyed: nobody has brought him anything. Later Antony brings Emma and her parents, Valerie and Roger. They are clearly much better off than the Royles--Valerie has had implants and Roger has a boat, a personalized number-plate, and a box at Old Trafford--and, he confides to Jim, a mistress. After they have gone, an embittered Jim rants to Baby David about being a loser. Then he learns that the family has bought him a present after all: a subscription to SkyTV.(The Royle Family)
- DirectorCaroline AherneStarsRicky TomlinsonSue JohnstonCaroline AherneIt's Christmastime again for Jim and Barbara and there's baiting aplenty in their over-decorated living room. Daughter Denise and her husband Dave arrive on Christmas Eve with aspirations for Christmas morning; meanwhile, Twiggy marches in full of festive spirit.(The Royle Family)
- DirectorCaroline AherneStarsCaroline AherneCraig CashPeter MartinJim and Barbara have received the gift of money from their children--but what to do with it? Barbara wants to finally go abroad, while Jim favours buying an HD satellite box.(The Royle Family)
- DirectorCaroline AherneStarsCaroline AherneCraig CashJoanne FroggattAnother Christmas at the Royles' sees Jim incapacitated after an accident at the supermarket and needing to be carried to his chair. Mary has died, so Joe and Cheryl bring her ashes into the house in an urn which is placed next to Nana's--but unfortunately end up in Barbara's new Dyson. After singing 'Bat Out of Hell,' Joe recalls a bizarre naked wrestling match with Bobby Carter, and Cheryl tells of a romantic encounter in the supermarket car-park. Antony is now a successful businessman whose presents put the Bests' gift to the Royles, a fridge magnet, to shame. He has a new girlfriend, heavily-pregnant nurse Saskia--so heavily pregnant, in fact, that history repeats itself.(The Royle Family)
- DirectorCaroline AherneStarsCaroline AherneLorraine BruceCraig CashChristmas is coming, but Barbara is not happy: Not only has she lost her wedding ring, but Jim has won on a scratch-card she found down the back of the sofa while looking for the ring and has kept quiet about the 100 pounds he won. Nor is he especially sympathetic about Dave's impotence problem, though the entire Royle family unite to help recently-widowed Joe from next door enjoy a restaurant-style evening in their house with the equally-scatty Philomena, whom he met through a want ad. On Christmas Day Barbara lashes out at Jim for his laziness and juvenile antics--though his description of a busty barmaid cures Dave's problem. However, she is in for a pleasant surprise when she discovers just how he spent his scratch-card winnings.(The Royle Family)
- DirectorJeff MelmanStarsZach BraffSarah ChalkeDonald FaisonIt is Christmas time and no one except Turk feels like celebrating. Cox gets J.D. to video the birth of a friend's baby, and once again, nothing seems to go right.(Scrubs)
- DirectorDavid SilvermanStarsDan CastellanetaJulie KavnerNancy CartwrightHomer is forced to become a department store Santa when Marge spends the family's Christmas savings on removing Bart's tattoo.(The Simpsons)
- DirectorRichard BodenStarsBelinda LangGary OlsenJulia HillsWhilst Rona spends Christmas alone,all her ex-boyfriends being otherwise engaged, the Porters spend the season with Bette and they hate it, Bill recalls painful childhood Christmas times whilst Ben imagines himself in a scene from 'Misery' with Bette breaking his legs and tying him to a bed to make him stay at her house. They have to watch TV shows they hate,play Consequences - which only David finds funny - and suffer the heating on full blast. Bill tries to explain to her mother her feelings but things start to look up when Bette,hypnotized by the tree lights,falls into a trance. As the titles roll the cast perform Christmas songs.(2point4 Children)
- DirectorRichard BodenStarsBelinda LangGary OlsenJulia HillsOn Christmas Eve the Porters and Rona set out to meet Bette and Pearl at a hotel but get lost in the fog and are nervous when they hear on the radio about an escaped criminal. They make their way to a deserted old house and one by one the three adults set off to get help but never return. Next morning the children find them,stuck in the middle of a minefield,requiring David to guide them to safety. The two old ladies meanwhile have got stoned on some strange tobacco they have found. On Christmas morning everybody returns to the Porters' house,transformed into a 1950s Hollywood film set for a group rendition of 'Home For the Holidays'.(2point4 Children)
- DirectorRichard BodenStarsBelinda LangGary OlsenJulia HillsOn Christmas Eve - having ended up with four trees - Bill is amazed when the message 'Is That You,Bill?' appears on David's computer and cannot be switched off. In reply to cryptic messages Bill cripples the country's television transmission and causes bad weather,discovering to her horror that she has the power to make anything she wants happen. After Rona has got in on the act by summoning three scantily-clad and extremely puzzled young marines it suddenly dawns on the family who the 'Bill' is whose wires have inadvertently crossed with David's computer. Before anything else can happen the family flees to a French chateau for a rendition of the song Relaxez-Vous.(2point4 Children)
- DirectorRichard BodenStarsBelinda LangGary OlsenJulia HillsOn Christmas Eve Ben surprises the others by explaining that he has not bought a turkey as he has won a pig in a raffle. Unfortunately it is very much alive and extremely aggressive,soon eating the family out of house and home. They take it to a farm in the country to join other pigs but it refuses to get out of the van and in desperation Bill phones Battersea Dog's Home. Christine appears and agrees to take the pig but by this time it has given birth to a litter. The cast celebrates with a rendition of 'Rootin' Tootin' Santa Claus'.(2point4 Children)
- DirectorRichard BodenStarsBelinda LangGary OlsenJulia HillsOn Christmas Eve the Porters and Rona set out to meet Bette and Pearl at a hotel but get lost in the fog and are nervous when they hear on the radio about an escaped criminal. They make their way to a deserted old house and one by one the three adults set off to get help but never return. Next morning the children find them,stuck in the middle of a minefield,requiring David to guide them to safety. The two old ladies meanwhile have got stoned on some strange tobacco they have found. On Christmas morning everybody returns to the Porters' house,transformed into a 1950s Hollywood film set for a group rendition of 'Home For the Holidays'.(2point4 Children)
- 1994–202044mTV-148.9 (475)TV EpisodeDirectorGareth CarrivickStarsDawn FrenchGary WaldhornJames FleetGeraldine is so popular that everybody wants her round for Christmas dinner so she won't be alone - Jim and Frank, Alice and her family, who are even more bizarre than Alice herself and the Hortons. Geraldine is protective of Hugo when David bullies him and indulges in a sprout-eating contest. And then Owen turns up wanting company since he has spent every Christmas alone since 1971. As a consequence she has to be taken home on a bulldozer to sleep it off.(The Vicar Of Dibley)
- 1973–197444m8.7 (86)TV EpisodeDirectorBernard ThompsonStarsJames BolamRodney BewesBrigit ForsythTerry has passed his driving test and is working as a mini-cab driver. It's Christmas and Bob and Thelma are off to a dance and have Terry as their cab driver. However Bob and Thelma row when he meets up with an old girl-friend. She asks Terry to drive her home, unaware that Bob & his ex are hiding in the back. The ex forces Bob to drive her home, leading Terry to believe somebody has stolen his car.(Whatever Happened To The Likely Lads)
- DirectorPeter MarkleStarsDavid DuchovnyGillian AndersonSheila LarkenWhile visiting family for Christmas, Scully receives a mysterious phone call that leads to a woman's apparent suicide and a young girl who may be her sister Melissa's daughter.(The X-Files)
- DirectorChris CarterStarsDavid DuchovnyGillian AndersonLily TomlinOn Christmas Eve, Mulder and Scully find themselves trapped in a haunted house with two ghosts who are determined to prove just how lonely the holiday can be.(The X-Files)
- DirectorRonnie BaxterStarsHattie JacquesJoan SimsBarbara WindsorIn this third seasonal helping of festive Carry On fun, set at an eighteenth-century banquet, the team's sketches include a pantomime performance of Aladdin, a rip-roaring Elizabethan sing-song, and biblical goings-on in the Garden of Eden.
- DirectorAlan TarrantStarsSidney JamesTerry ScottCharles HawtreyThe second of the Carry On Christmas specials, this one loosely recounts the story of Treasure Island.
- DirectorRonald FouracreStarsSidney JamesJoan SimsBarbara WindsorIn this fourth and final annual Christmas TV special, Sid is working as saucy Santa in a department store grotto. He reflects on how Christmas has been celebrated though the ages, aided by sketches from the team set in prehistoric, Georgian, World War 1 and Robin Hood times - not to mention a dance routine that's a real nutcracker.