Tony Robinson (Blackadder, Time Team) goes hands on with some of the least pleasant jobs related to the festive season. From Saturnalian vomit collectors to Coastal kelp burners, Tony examines the dirty jobs that someone had to do in order for merriment to ensue.
My heart sinks when one of these flicks opens with a second rate sound alike crooner warbling a holiday standard over festive city b- roll. I know there’s a frazzled career girl with a bad capitalist fiancé just around the corner. But, to its credit A Christmas Inheritance works the spoiled rich kid who needs to learn the true meaning of Christmas instead. OK, not exactly a new idea and the fiancé is still a bit of a jerk, plus she’s off to visit family in a small town to reconnect yadda yadda and she has to do it incognito so nobody knows she's the bosses daughter yadda yadda and... well it hardly matters, what does matter is that A Christmas Inheritance is not terrible. It’s not great but it’s at least a couple of notches higher than what I’m used to this month. And Andie MacDowell!
Decent production values but I’ve pretty much already forgotten it. Something to do with cooking. Meh.
And Vivica A Fox! And Patrick Duffy!
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The thing about British TV is that a Christmas Show isn’t always a Christmas episode and a Christmas special isn’t necessarily festive. Here in the states most shows traditionally began their seasons in September so they’d be in full swing when the holidays came round. In England TV seasons were much shorter and there was a good chance any given series would be in between seasons when the super high viewing audience festive seasons came around. So, a special episode at Christmas would be produced but, it often had nothing to do with Yule tide festivities.
You see where I’m going here, right?
Morecambe and Wise, for the uninitiated, were a much beloved comedy duo back in blighty. Their Christmas specials were a much beloved and anticipated holiday tradition. After years on the BBC, the lads moved over to ITV, and this 78 special marked the beginning of the pairs decline. Still a treat but nothing Christmassy.
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The Naughty: The TV movies were forgettable but not terrible and M and S weren't Christmassy but none of them qualify as Naughty
The Nice: Worst Christmas Jobs. No contest.
