2024’s Festive TV Offerings

While the festive season isn’t exactly my cup of tea, there’s one thing I do look forward to: special episodes of my favourite TV shows. This year’s offerings may not have been overflowing, and a few didn’t quite hit the mark, but there were still some gems worth talking about. So, I thought I’d dive in and share my thoughts on each one!

The Young Offenders: 2024 Christmas Special

Comedy | Friday 20th December 2024 | 21:30–22:00 | BBC One

I liked the original The Young Offenders film—but I can’t say I’ve ever fallen in love with the series. It’s the kind of show I keep watching because it’s familiar and oddly endearing, even if it’s a bit rough around the edges. This year’s Christmas special, though? I’m not convinced it needed to exist. The highlight was the touching moments between Conor and his mum as she goes into labour, but beyond that, it felt a bit aimless. The absence of one of the two leads was glaringly obvious, and trying to shoehorn Billy (the resident psychopath) in as a replacement still doesn’t land for me. By the time the story wrapped up, I couldn’t help but wonder what the point of it all was.

Doctor Who: Joy to the World

Science Fiction | Wednesday 25th December 2024 | 17:10–18:10 | BBC One

My love for Doctor Who isn’t what it used to be; these days, I watch more out of habit than investment. I still enjoy it, but it doesn’t stick with me the way it once did. This year’s Christmas special had some lovely moments, but overall, it felt more like a patchwork of loosely connected side plots than a cohesive story. I was especially surprised by how little screen time Joy had, despite her second billing. I adore Nicola Coughlan in Derry Girls, but I struggled to connect with her character, which felt underdeveloped. On the other hand, Anita came across as far more companion-like, and I feel like we learned a lot more about her than we did Joy. I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re setting up something for the next series with her—maybe tied to the Mrs Flood mystery? I did appreciate how Joy’s storyline tackled the partygate scandal and the emotional toll it took on so many of us. It’s a relatable touch, though I couldn’t help but roll my eyes a bit, knowing it’s bound to stir up more controversy for the show, which obviously turns some viewers off.

Gavin & Stacey: The Finale

Comedy | Wednesday 25th December 2024 | 21:00–22:35 | BBC One

This was ninety minutes of perfection, and definitely my highlight of the festive season. I absolutely adored this finale special. It captured the warmth and realism that makes Gavin & Stacey so beloved while delivering a sense of closure, despite the lives of the characters continuing beyond the screen. I was holding my breath over the fishing trip, desperately hoping they wouldn’t ruin the magic by explaining it—and they didn’t! Leaving it a mystery was the right call. This was the perfect ending: a heartfelt love letter to fans who’ve cherished the series for over 15 years.

Outnumbered: 2024 Christmas Special

Comedy | Thursday 26th December 2024 | 21:40–22:25 | BBC One

This one left me feeling really disappointed. I love Outnumbered—always have. The original magic of the show (and its unique selling point) was the kids outnumbering and outsmarting the adults, with so much of the comedy coming from the improvised moments. Obviously, that’s harder to achieve now that the kids are grown up, and not all of them have continued acting. By not introducing appropriately-aged grandchildren to attempt to revive that spark, this outing failed to recapture what made Outnumbered special in the first place. It was lovely to catch up with the characters, but there didn’t seem to be any real reason for this special to exist. The comedy was sorely lacking, leaving it to feel more like a fly-on-the-wall documentary of a family where nothing much happens. Whilst I love many other shows with that “nothing happens” approach (e.g. The Royle Family, The Smoking Room, Him and Her, Gavin & Stacey), they all have the character-driven comedy to keep you enthralled, which this was lacking. I didn’t mind the cancer diagnosis as a loose plot—it had potential—but they didn’t do much with it. Things like the parcels gag felt overdone, unfunny and out of date.

If I were planning this special, I’d have approached it as a potential revival. Imagine Ben with a wife who can’t keep up with his impulses, with a few kids between them. Jake juggling children with various nightmare exes. Karen stepping into the childless Auntie Angela role. The dynamic could’ve shifted to focus on Pete and Sue’s grandkids visiting them, bringing the series full circle. Instead, despite having eight years of unexplored time since the last special and ten years since the last full series, the showrunners have only created a single three-year-old grandchild, whose entire character revolves around her pretending to be an animal all day. What a waste of potential.

I know it’s out of their control, but the old house was practically a character in itself. Without it, this and the previous special have felt a little off. If they’d been able to recreate the downstairs of the house on a soundstage, it might’ve helped capture the show’s original charm, but I suppose hiring a location is cheaper. Still, it felt like a missed opportunity.

Cunk on Life

Mockumentary | Monday 30th December 2024 | 21:00–22:10 | BBC Two

I absolutely love Philomena Cunk and the uniquely daft humour she brings. That said, the recent entries have felt a bit watered down, leaning more into slapstick than the sharp, clever wit that made her stand out to me initially. Maybe that’s the Netflix effect, trying to appeal to a broader US audience? There were some solid moments in Cunk on Life, but 70 minutes felt unnecessarily long—it could’ve worked just as well, if not better, at 30. My partner and I both chuckled at the “What the fuck is this?” line about the art, not because it was inherently funny, but because Diane Morgan’s delivery was spot on. She’s brilliant in this role; I genuinely can’t imagine anyone else as Cunk. Fingers crossed for more content in the future!

Gavin and Stacey: A Fond Farewell

Documentary | Wednesday 1st January 2025 | 19:00–20:00 | BBC One

Finally, there was the behind-the-scenes documentary, Gavin & Stacey: A Fond Farewell, offering a look at the making of the finale and a nostalgic journey through the show’s history. I loved seeing the passion that went into this project and hearing what it means to everyone involved. It was a heartfelt tribute to a series that has clearly left a lasting mark on so many.

Despite a few misses, the festive TV line-up still brought plenty to enjoy, reminding me why I love these seasonal specials. Whether it’s the warmth of old favourites like Gavin & Stacey, the quirky humour of Philomena Cunk, or the chance to revisit beloved characters, there’s something magical about seeing these stories light up our screens. Even when they don’t quite hit the mark, they spark conversations, laughter, and nostalgia—things that make the season a little less difficult for me. Here’s hoping next year brings even more to celebrate!