Russ Abbot, Bullseye, Noel Edmonds and a film we all watched in the same room.

Christmas TV was more exciting in the 80s…

This article comes fromDen of Geek UK.

In the 80s, Christmas was about seeing which fantastic fare the TV had decided to bless us with.

There it was right afterReflections On The Eucharist With The Reverend Paul Leyland.

Their site is a fascinating read, definitely go check it out.

A lot of times are approximate, but as close to reality as I can manage.

Yes, thats me with the mullet.

Now, without further ado… Carols From Kings

Featuring a load of kids that look a bit like Neville Longbottom.

1988 was a good year because BBC1 showedSanta Claus: The Movie.

It was a less good year for ITV, who showedThe Ugly Dachsund.

ITV redeemed itself the following year by showing the premiere of George C ScottsA Christmas Carol.

And their showing ofScroogein 1981 gets bonus points because it had an evening news update in the middle.

BBC1 were showingThe Poseidon Adventurethat year, which isnt very festive.

But for every hit there were a few misses.

), both main channels seemed to really love their murder films.

Hitchcock was a regular, as were films with names like Angry Passion and Bloody Hell.

Celebrity specials

In the BBC corner: Little and Large and Kenny Everett.

In the ITV corner, Cannon and Ball and the mighty Bobby Davro.

Occasionally a take onA Christmas Carol, or maybe a panto.

Also look out forStrike It Lucky,3-2-1,Give Us A ClueandTelly AddictsChristmas specials.

I say look out for, I mean if you happen to be in the past.

Anecdote: My other half once went to a taping ofTelly Addictswith his parents.

Val Doonican

The word to describeVal Doonicans Christmas Showis lovely.

A warm and fuzzy mixture of easy listening, carols, cardigans and light-hearted chit chat.

Val wore a lemon coloured knitted tie, and everyone had a jolly nice time.

But they are very Christmassy.

And hes brought me ten tons of stuff!

Still have a mullet though.

Teeth were sometimes involved.

Afterwards, there were two things to do break my presents and watch TV.

Think foreign imports, vintage animation under the umbrella titleCartoon Time, and shit no one cared about likeDennis.

Maybe a Nativity play, or aTop Of The PopsChristmas party.

Lucky ITV viewers were treated to aBullseyeChristmas special at this time in 1988.

Jim Bowen dicked around and everyone had a lovely time.

Telephone lines will be open for the on-screen dedication service.

If youre interested, heres thefull broadcastof 1988 Noel; still a surprisingly entertaining watch.

So tell us Lucy, how long have you had no kidneys?

1985 also saw ITV putJim Davidsons Top Pop Videos of 85 inthe 1pm slot.

I cant quite figure out what kind of opinion to have on this.

Youll go to prison for laughing.

3.10 teatime: THE BIG MOVIE!

BBC1 and ITV were the ones to watch for the big movie.

ITV often went with a Bond film, while BBC1 tended to go for premieres.

1988 was a stand-out year for the Christmas movie.

God help you if you didnt have a video recorder.

In 1989, BBC1 went with showing episodes ofBreadandOnly Fools And Horsesafter The Queen, while ITV showedThe BFG.

ITV had also airedOn Her Majestys Secret Serviceearlier that day.

However, BBC1 redeemed itself in the evening, with the premiere ofCrocodile Dundee.

Ill call 1989 a draw.

Right, time for some adverts.

Otherwise they just showed documentaries about ballet.

Originally shown onBoxing Day 1982, from 1986 onwardsThe Snowmancemented its place as a Christmas Day staple.

Anyway, if you dont loveThe Snowman, get out of this article, youre barred.

Early evening: News

The news was usually that it was Christmas, which everyone already knew.

Sometimes it would be about some men whod gone for a swim in the buff.

Which is a shame, because I was really looking forward to watching a load, for research.

Re: that last line has anyone got any duct tape for my sides?

In 1982, fans of musical cockneys were spoilt for choice.

Also, give me a better band name than Whispering Hubert and the Constipated Seven.

Pro tip you cant.

And who could forgetCoronation Street 1982, in which Ivy Tilsley couldnt remember where shed left her shoes.

Another ad break, this time from Channel 4 in 1985:

11.00pm: Really?

Fine, well stick a film on.

Barry, what films have we got lying around?

Didnt we show that last Tuesday?

Ok fine, put that on, theyll all be hammered now anyway.

The kids have been asleep sinceRuss Abbotfinished, and the sensible thing to do is go to bed.

Sometimes this effort was misguided as the films were good ones, such asEducating RitaandSome Like It Hot.

Occasionally, BBC1 used this slot for another movie premiere.

But mostly the time was filled with whatever they had handy.

They should have done, because thats a terrific film.

I guess I just watched it a lot on video.

And that brings us to the end of our 80s Christmas.