BCG Daily Monday 25th December 2023
Features
Film
Press clippings
Ghosts 2023 Christmas special review
What an utterly charming way to end an utterly charming comedy.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 25th December 2023
Ghosts 2023 Christmas special review
A beautiful farewell to a sublime sitcom.
Jack Seale, The Guardian, 25th December 2023
Caroline Aherne's genius? She knew that ordinary people are the funniest of all
The best thing on TV this Christmas is BBC Two's film about the late comedian. It will make you howl with laughter - and sob, too.
Sarah Carson, i Newspaper, 25th December 2023
Ghosts 2023 Christmas special review
A fittingly slight send-off for a gently, witty comedy that has always been unshowy.
Nick Hilton, The Independent, 25th December 2023
Arena: Caroline Aherne review
In such a short life she left a remarkable body of work, and this suitably warm-hearted documentary stands as fitting testimony to that amazing legacy.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 25th December 2023
Ben Miller: "If I was an elf, I'd give children magic chewing gum"
The comedian, actor and author tells us about his country Christmas traditions and the process of writing children's books.
Rachael Oakden, Country Living, 25th December 2023
Arena: Caroline Aherne review
Craig Cash and other friends and collaborators look back at the phenomenal, but sadly all-too short, career of a woman who insisted comedy didn't need jokes, only people.
Rebecca Nicholson, The Guardian, 25th December 2023
Ghosts 2023 Christmas special review
This episode - the whole show, in fact - has the charm and creativity to stand as a timeless comedy classic.
Rachael Healy, i Newspaper, 25th December 2023
Mrs. Brown's Boys review
A new low - even Brendan O'Carroll doesn't seem to give a feck anymore.
Sean O'Grady, The Independent, 25th December 2023
Ghosts 2023 Christmas special review
Goodbye to a sitcom that has bowed out with its heart intact.
Anita Singh, The Telegraph, 25th December 2023
Arena: Caroline Aherne review
A fittingly grand tribute to an observational genius.
Jasper Rees, The Telegraph, 25th December 2023
Christmas Day TV reviews
Reviews of Arena: Caroline Aherne: Comedy Queen (5*), Barry Humphries: The Last Laugh (4*), Mrs. Brown's Boys (2*) and Ghosts (4*).
Carol Midgley, The Times, 25th December 2023Ghosts' final farewell was undermined by its odd double ending
The sitcom tried to have its (Christmas) cake and eat it too.
David Craig, Radio Times, 25th December 2023Barry Keoghan on stripping off for Saltburn
Barry Keoghan is opening up about the triumphant ending he has in Emerald Fennell's Saltburn that has him stripping away his clothes.
Deadline, 25th December 2023Videos
Online
Podcasts
TV & radio
9am33 min
No More Jockeys
Christmas Special 2023 - Game OneMark Watson, Alex Horne and Tim Key return for a brand new edition of the game in which you must name a person, and a category they fall under - while avoiding naming people from all previous categories.
6:30pm30 min
Alfie Moore: It's A Fair Cop
Christmas Special - Crime at ChristmasAlfie Moore takes us through the ins and outs of crime at Christmas, sharing stories of a gas station Grinch, an inebriated Mary and Joseph, and a Christmas Eve saviour.
7:45pm30 min
Ghosts
Series 5, Christmas Special - A Christmas GiftChristmas is just around the corner and Mike's mum, Betty is staying. Although she is just trying to be helpful, Mike and Alison soon lose patience with her interfering ways.
8pm60 min
You're Dead To Me
Episode 1 - Medieval Ghost StoriesGreg Jenner is joined by Dr Michael Carter and Ghosts star Mathew Baynton to learn all about ghost stories in the European Middle Ages.
9pm15 min
Ricky Tomlinson Remembers... The Royle Family
Co-star Ricky Tomlinson takes a fond look back at sitcom The Royle Family.
10pm60 min
Barry Humphries: The Last Laugh
In this Christmas special documentary a host of top stars reflect on the life and comedy of Barry Humphries - AKA Dame Edna Everage - a trailblazer and a hellraiser whose road to worldwide fame was far from easy.
10:25pm70 min
Arena: Caroline Aherne: Queen Of Comedy
Celebrating the unique life and talent of Caroline Aherne, featuring unseen photographs and contributions from a cast of her lifelong friends.
10:30pm60 min
Paul Black: Nostalgia
A stand-up show at the Music Hall in Aberdeen, with the comedian examining the quality bar of Neds these days and showcasing a childhood photo that he reckons solved one of the great divides in our nation.
10:45pm
Mrs. Brown's Boys
Christmas 2023, Christmas Special - Mammy's MareAll Mrs Brown wants is a nice, peaceful Christmas, but the family have other ideas! Cathy's decided to cook Christmas dinner for the first time ever, a sentimental decoration has gone missing and a surprise dinner guest all have the potential to ruin Agnes's quiet Christmas.