TV Guide 2018-12-15

New shows include Big Star's Bigger Star (ITV, Sat), embarrassing celebrities. First in a new series of Insert Name Here (BBC2, Wed) and of Sam and Mark's Big Friday Windup (CBBC, Fri), both confusing us with a Christmas episode. WIQ is a one-off quiz for the Women's Institute (R4, Mon).

It's the final of Strictly Come Dancing (BBC1, Sat). Also in championship mode: Masterchef The Professionals (BBC2, Thu), Countdown and Fifteen-to-One (C4, Fri)

Christmas specials are in full flow, with The Chase (ITV, Sun), Love Island (ITV2, Mon), Only Connect (2) (BBC2, Tue-Thu), Portrait Artist of the Year (Artsworld, Tue), QI (BBC2, Tue), Top Class (CBBC, Wed), A League of Their Own (The Satellite Channel, Thu), The Big Quiz (2) (ITV, Fri), and Mock the Week (BBC2, Fri). And Celebrity Mastermind kicks off its season (BBC1, Fri).

Last week | TV Guide This Week | Next week

Schedules are accurate at the time of publication; check against EPG for late changes.

Contents

Saturday 15 December

  • Fighting Talk (Radio 5, 11am).
  • Catchphrase (ITV, 1.45), Tenable (ITV, 2.30), Tipping Point (ITV, 3.30), The Chase (ITV, 4.30). The Chase appears to be a new episode.
  • Mastermind (BBC2 NI 5pm, Wales 6.30); House of Games (BBC2 Wales, 6pm) Seen elsewhere last night.
  • Keep Dancing: 14 Years of Strictly Magic (C5, 5.05) A cheeky documentary, repeated from earlier in the year.

Primetime

  • Big Star's Bigger Star (ITV, 5.30) Adam Thomas, Frankie Bridge, and Joel Dommett are joined by their parents who will tell embarrassing stories.
  • Pointless Celebrities (BBC1, 5.40) A repeat of 2017 with Sam and Mark.
  • Strictly Come Dancing (BBC1, 6.30) The grand final features a performance from Michael Bublé.
  • Got What it Takes? The Winner's Story (CBBC, 6.05) Another chance to see Rio at June's concerts.
  • India's Got Talent (Colors, 10pm).

Weekend repeats

Shows seen earlier in the week

Saturday

  • Quote... Unquote (Radio 4, 11pm) From Monday.

Sunday

  • I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue (Radio 4, 12.04) From Monday.
  • Big Star's Bigger Star (ITV, 1pm) From last night.
  • Match of the Day Can You Kick It (CBBC, 1.55pm) All five episodes in one big block.
  • Beat the Internet with John Robins (Dave, 3pm) From Thursday.

Sunday 16 December - Gaudete Sunday

  • Spy School (CITV and ITV Breakfast Broadcasting, 8.30am) Operation Mummy's Boy. Last in the present half-series.
  • Bargain Hunt (BBC1, 12.30).
  • Catchphrase (ITV, 2pm), The Chase (ITV, 2.45), Tenable (ITV, 3.45).
  • Ronnie Corbett's Small Talk (Challenge, 4pm) Three episodes.
  • Celebrity Mastermind (BBC1 Wales, 4.35) A repeat from last year, before the rights expire.
  • Tipping Point Lucky Stars (ITV, 5pm) Sam Bailey.

Primetime

  • The Chase Christmas Special (ITV, 8pm) John Inverdale, Judy Murray, Bernard Cribbins, Scarlett Moffatt.
  • QI (BBC2, 9.45; not NI).
  • 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown (C4, 10.55).

Weekday Daytimes

  • Bargain Hunt (BBC1, 12.15).
  • Countdown (C4, 2.10) Finals Week is with Phill Jupitus.
  • Dickinson's Real Deal (ITV, 3pm) Compilations.
  • Fifteen-to-One (C4, 3pm) The grand final is on Friday.
  • Tipping Point (ITV, 4pm) Repeats.
  • Eggheads (BBC2, 4.45) Repeats.
  • The Chase (ITV, 5pm) Repeats.
  • Pointless (BBC1, 5.15) Repeats.
  • World's Strongest Man Giants Live (C5, 7pm; not Fr) Pre-recorded heats for the looming finals.
  • Christmas University Challenge (BBC4, 7pm) Repeats of last year's festive specials.

Monday 17 December

  • Football Genius (ITV, 12.40am) Arsenal and Liverpool; the pilot episode with some Early Instalment Weirdness.
  • Just a Minute (Radio 4 Extra, 9am and 4pm).
  • WIQ (R4, 3pm) A one-off where Jo Brand asks questions of the Women's Institute.
  • I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue (Radio 4, 6.30) Susan Calman and Rob Brydon in Llandudno.
  • Only Connect (BBC2, 8pm) Hotpots v Durhamites in the first-and-a-halfth round.
  • University Connect (BBC2, 8.30) Second round 5.
  • Love Island the Christmas Reunion (ITV2, 9pm Mon) A Christmas special of the summer's massive hit. Has Gareth forgiven Zlatko for being Marianne's pick?
  • Would I Lie to You (BBC1, 9.30; not Scot) A classic episode with Warwick Davis.
  • Have I Got a Bit More News for You (BBC1 10.45, Wales 11.40) Extended repeat from Friday.

Tuesday 18 December

  • All the Way from Memphis (Radio 4 Extra, 4pm) From 2004.
  • Prosiect Z (S4C, 5.30) Ysgol Boderden. Ooh, shiny tinsel.
  • Only Connect (BBC2, 7.30) In a special match, the Europhiles (champions, series 9, 2013) play the String Section (champions, series 11, 2015).
  • Masterchef The Professionals (BBC2, 8pm) Finals week begins at the chef's table.
  • Celebrity Portrait Artist of the Year (Artsworld, 8pm) With stars such as Vic Reeves, Joe Lycett, and Maureen Lipman.
  • QI (BBC2, 10pm; NI 11.15 Wed) Pubs A Christmas Special, with Cariad Lloyd, Josh Widdicombe, Noel Fielding.

Wednesday 19 December

  • Top Class Christmas Special (CBBC, 5.30) Jaymi Hensley, Richard Wisker, Kimberley Wyatt, Kevin Adams take on Sam and Mark, Sophia Grace, Jonny Nelson.
  • Only Connect (BBC2, 7.30) In a special "sports" match, the Footballers play the Korfballers.
  • Masterchef The Professionals (BBC2, 8pm) Dishes from special places.
  • Your Face or Mine (Comedy Central, 8pm) Charlotte and Matt from Ex on the Beach.
  • Celwydd Noeth (S4C, 8.25).
  • Mark Pougatch's The World Cup (ITV, 9pm) A Christmas special of the summer's massive ratings hit. Remember when Dani and Josh went to penalties?
  • Insert Name Here (BBC2, 10pm) Chris Packham, Suzannah Lipscomb, Carol Vorderman, and James Acaster kick off the new series with a Christmas special.
  • Free Thinking (Radio 3, 10pm) Bobby Seagull talks about the value of play and competitiveness.
  • Dianc! (S4C, 10.15) Trey and Cerys. We'll have a review on Sunday.

Thursday 20 December

  • The Dog Ate My Homework Christmas Special (CBBC, 4.30) Repeat with Hacker T Dog, Ashleigh and Pudsey, Alex Riley, Pippa Evans.
  • Only Connect (BBC2, 7.30) In a special "families" match, the Lasletts and Meeples meet.
  • Masterchef The Professionals (BBC2, 8pm) The grand final.
  • Beat the Internet with John Robins (Dave, 8pm) Two episodes.
  • Takeshi's Castle (Comedy Central, 8pm).
  • A League of Their Own Christmas Party (The Satellite Channel, 9pm) Kriss Akabusi rocks up with a surprise, it says here.
  • Celebrity Juice Ten Years of Best Bits (ITV2, 10pm) Highlights from the last ten years of good-natured nonsense.
  • I'll Get This (BBC2, 11.15) Three episodes repeated.

Friday 21 December

  • Guess What? (Radio 4 Extra, 9am and 4pm) From 1998.
  • Breaking the News (Radio Scotland, 1.30).
  • Countdown (C4, 2.10); Fifteen-to-One (C4, 3pm) Double finals day.
  • Sam and Mark's Big Christmas Wind Up (CBBC, 6pm) It's Game for a Laugh for our days.
  • Christmas University Challenge (BBC4, 7pm) Another chance to see last year's final. Wonder if Reading will do any better this time...
  • A Question of Sport (BBC1 7.30, Wales 9.30, NI 11.55).
  • Mastermind (BBC2, 8pm) Gerhard Richter, 44 Scotland Street novels, Alexander Hamilton, Emma Lady Hamilton.
  • Celebrity Mastermind (BBC1, 8.30) With Amol Rajan (Shane Warne), Richard Coles (operas of Wagner), Courtney Act (Spice Girls), and Mark Lane (Piet Mondrian).
  • The Big Quiz (2) (ITV, 9pm) The annual clash between Coronation Street and Emmerdale.
  • Mock the Week (BBC2, 10pm) Christmas special, the best of the year so far.
  • I'll Get This (BBC2, 11.35) Another three episodes repeated.

Sign language interpretation

  • Family Cooking Showdown (BBC2, 7.30am Mo).
  • Match of the Day Can You Kick It? (CBBC, 1.55 weekdays).
  • Masterchef The Professionals (BBC2, 8am Tu, Th).
  • Great Local Menu (BBC2, 6am We).
  • Lego Masters (C4, 1.35am Fr).
A Labyrinth Games site.
Design by Thomas.
Printable version
Editors: Log in