Trucks and Christmas clearly go together like, well, nothing. So what better way than to celebrate Christmas Eve than by watching not one, but two festive themed episodes of Eddie Stobart. Yes, it’s all about the trucks on Channel 5 this Christmas.
Christmas Eve.
There’s a rerun of the classic tale of Scrooge (5.10 PM). Sadly, by Christmas Eve, this film has already been played 10,000 times by other channels. It’s also rather sad that they’re playing the 1951 version. So if you need to sleep, it works better than counting sheep.
But the absolute highlight is by far The Muppets and Lady Gaga at Christmas (8 PM) Not only because it features the amazing Gaga, but also because of a cameo is made by Joseph Gordon-Levitt. He sings “Baby, it’s cold outside,” with her. But if you’re not interested in his wonderful voice, you can always just enjoy his dashing good looks. And who doesn’t enjoy a bit of eye candy at Christmas (we’d like it even more if he was wrapped up under our tree… hint, hint, Channel 5).
As well as documenting Eddie’s dramatic delivery of reindeer (oooh, aaaahh) in Eddie Stobart: 12 Days of Christmas (7.30 PM) they’re offering us some delightful countdown themed shows like Greatest Ever Christmas Movies (9.10 PM). Here, a selection of your favourite famous faces like Ollie Locke (he probably just needs the publicity) and Joe Swash talk us through their favourite festive films (aww, cute.) It’s like we needed more of Joe Swash’s opinions on our screens or something. And of course there’s the annual token appearance from Aled Jones, who sung one Christmas (ish) song as a child and just can’t shake it off. What a treat. He’s like Willow Smith or something, but older. And people still know who he is.
Christmas Day.
If for some reason you’re in the company of a child, both days also start with a selection of programmes just for them (or you, if you’re into that sort of thing.) Cartoons like Peppa Pig, Bananas in Pyjamas and Little Princess will all be hitting your screens from 6 AM. And yes, we did say AM. We know you don’t see that time of day, and yes, it is devastating that you’ll have to miss those clothed bananas running around because you’re still in bed. But don’t blame us, blame Channel 5. They could have played it instead of all those truck shows!
As well as a further instalment of Eddie Stobart: 12 Days of Christmas and Greatest Ever Christmas Movies on Christmas Day (8.30 PM and 4 PM, respectively) which are actually just complete repeats from the day before (let’s get a round of applause for Channel 5 here people,) they’re getting super seasonal with Michael Jackson: This is It (9.30 PM.) It features footage from Michael’s rehearsals of what would have been his final tour, before he died in 2009. We know what you’re thinking – is this a Christmas special? No. This literally has no connection with the season to be jolly whatsoever. In fact, playing a film about a dead singer on Christmas is a bit weird, really. ‘Tis the season to be morbid….
Of course, if Channel 5 is still a bit mainstream for you, you could always enjoy the wonders offered by 5USA and 5*. These will be showcasing lots of other American shows, like CSI: NY (10 PM), Ghost Busters (4.55 PM) and Law & Order (6 PM) for you to get your teeth into. Plenty of anti-yule fun in store!