Highlights December 19 to December 25

Posted on Dec 16, 2022

Monday, December 19

ANTIQUES ROADSHOW's special edition, "Naughty or Nice," makes a list and checks it twice. Enlivening the year-end holiday season, this lineup of favorite appraisals from past seasons will satisfy everyone's wish list. Highlights include: an 1863 Temperance lithograph illustrating the evils of imbibing spirits; a letter from Gerald Ford, written when he was House Minority Leader, to his kindergarten teacher in Michigan who called him "naughty little Gerry Ford"; and a dress worn by Marilyn Monroe in the film Some Like It Hot that was so tight she had to be sewn into it, valued at $150,000 to $250,000. Antiques Roadshow Naughty Or Nice at 7:00 pm.

Join the beloved British home cook and three special friends as they prepare her ultimate Christmas feast with all the trimmings. From the traditional turkey to her classic Christmas pudding, it's the perfect recipe for a deliciously festive holiday. Mary Berry's Ultimate Christmas at 8:00 pm.

Inspiration visits the Saar family of artists (Betye Saar, Alison Saar, & Maddy Leeser), Simon Rodia & Watts Towers, weaver Diedrick Brackens, potter Ayumi Horie, Hmong master of paj ntaub embroidery Suzanne Thao & Mandora Young, artist Mary Little. Craft In America Inspiration at 9:00 pm.

Learn about the building of a $120 million Noah's Ark exhibit, backed by the Creation Museum in Williamstown, Kentucky, and designed to prove the Bible is historically and scientifically accurate, and hear from residents who support and oppose it. Independent Lens We Believe In Dinosaurs at 10:00 pm.

Tuesday, December 20

Henry Louis Gates, Jr. traces ancestors of actor John Lithgow and journalist Maria Hinojosa who thrived in North America long before the birth of the United States. Finding Your Roots The New World at 7:00 pm.

Join Lucy Worsley on a 12-day extravaganza as she discovers that much of what we enjoy in contemporary Christmas - from carols to turkey, gift-giving to mistletoe and mulled wine - has surprising Tudor origins, rooted in devotion and charity. Lucy Worsley's 12 Days of Tudor Christmas at 8:00 pm.

Go behind the scenes at one of the UK's most loved and enduring visitor attractions. Welcoming over 2.5 million guests a year, Madame Tussauds allows the public to enter a glamorous world of celebrity and get up close to the stars. But deciding who the public want to see and bringing them to life in exquisite detail isn't easy - and the stakes are high. Filmed at the London and Blackpool attractions and the waxwork studios, this film reveals what goes into creating the Madame Tussauds' experience - and keeping it relevant in a fast-changing celebrity landscape. Madame Tussaud's: The Full Wax at 8:59 pm.

THE FABULOUS HISTORY OF SKIING traces the evolution of locomotion on two slats of wood - from cave art and a form of 19th century transportation to the leisure sport we know today - revealing surprising insights and unexpected stories from archival material, historians and sports personalities. Fabulous History of Skiing at 9:50 pm.

The sparkling documentary SECRETS OF THE ROYAL JEWELS takes a closer look at the tiaras, earrings, rings, and neckpieces that make up the royal collection, and tell the incredible stories behind them as they pass through the generations. Secrets of the Royal Jewels at 10:45 pm.

Wednesday, December 21

This feature film documents a completely original set of events about a contemporary game-changing "call to action" that features unprecedented access from one of the world's most iconic leaders: Pope Francis. The storyline interweaves the lives of 5 principal characters on a voyage of discovery; which is both an adventure of the mind as well as the body. These life changing experiences raises questions about how science and spirituality are vital to solving perhaps the biggest globally defining issue of our time: climate change. The Letter: A Message for Our Earth at 7:00 pm.

Explore the life of 1970 Nobel Peace Prize winner Norman Borlaug, who tried to solve world hunger. He rescued India from a severe famine and led the "Green Revolution," estimated to have saved one billion lives. But his work later faced criticism. American Experience The Man Who Tried to Feed The World at 8:30 pm.

See a profile of visionary artist Emery Blagdon, who fashioned pieces of wire into patterns and attached foil, beads, ribbons and cast-off items, works he believed could generate natural energy from the earth and heal the sick. Emery Blagdon and His Healing Machine at 9:30 pm.

Revel in modern Southern soul with Nashville's The War and Treaty and Austin's Ruthie Foster. The War and Treaty play songs from their acclaimed album Hearts Town, while Foster performs numbers from across her career. Austin City Limits The War and Treaty/Ruthie Foster at 10:00 pm.

Thursday, December 22

The irreverent documentary DREAMING OF A JEWISH CHRISTMAS tells the story of the unlikely Jewish immigrants who, enamored with Broadway and Hollywood, wrote some of the most popular songs in America: Christmas music. The doc features rarely-seen archival footage, musical performances and interviews. Dreaming of a Jewish Christmas at 7:02 pm.

Chet visits the "Tomato Capital of the World" that's hidden amongst the East Texas pines. He eats some soul food, visits a French-inspired yoga studio, and gets an almost full-body immersion at a local off-road park. The Daytripper Jacksonville, TX at 8:00 pm.

The worlds of miniature dolls houses and real houses collide when prolific real estate agent Alexander Beauvoisin is murdered in front of a crowd at museum exhibit launch . Guest staring Eleanor Bron (Help!; Bedazzled) and Joanna Page (Love Actually; Gavin & Stacey). Midsomer Murders The Miniature Murders, 1 & 2 at 8:29 pm.

Hardy and Ellie uncover the truth, and lives in Broadchurch are changed forever. Broadchurch Season 3, Episode 8 at 10:01 pm.

Friday, December 23

THE REAL BEDFORD FALLS: IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE explores the connections between Seneca Falls, New York, and Bedford Falls, the fictional setting of the beloved movie It's A Wonderful Life. Real Bedford Falls: It's A Wonderful Life at 7:29 pm.

After Rome fell, Europe spent a thousand years in its Middle Ages. Its art shows how the light of civilization flickered in monasteries and on Europe's fringes: Christian Byzantium, Moorish Spain, and pagan Vikings. Then, around A.D. 1000, Europe rebounded. The High Middle Ages brought majestic castles, radiant Gothic cathedrals, and exquisite art that dazzled the faithful and the secular alike. Rick Steves Art of Europe The Middle Ages at 8:00 pm.

Follow an investigation into the centuries-long construction of Notre Dame de Paris, uncovering the vast architectural, technical and human challenges that played out during the turbulent history of one of the world's most celebrated buildings. Secrets of the Dead Building Notre Dame at 9:00 pm.

Saturday, December 24

Two extraordinary women of Palestinian descent, Reem Assil and Lamees Dahbour, use food to bring their misunderstood homeland closer to Western tolerance and acceptance. Migrant Kitchen Man'oushe at 5:00 pm.

Enjoy an hour of late Texas singer/songwriter legend Nanci Griffith's best Austin City Limits performances. Austin City Limits The Best of Nanci Griffith at 7:00 pm.

Bunty, facing a speeding fine issued by Sergeant Goodfellow, agrees to give a talk at Langley Hall, a Borstal for girls of ages 16-23 years. Bunty's compact is stolen, and found in the possession of one of the girls, Brenda, who is placed in solitary confinement. The governor of the Borstal is found murdered, and Brenda is on the run after hiding in Bunty's car. Father Brown and Bunty return to the Borstal to help Sergeant Goodfellow's investigation; Inspector Mallory is on annual leave. They have to unravel the lies and ill feeling between two girls, Kate (who has a secret boyfriend) and Brenda, and tensions among the uniformed staff, as the governor's deputy, liberal-leaning Emily Harris takes charge over long-serving Helen Delaney who is as hardline as the murdered governor. Father Brown uncovers exploitation of recently released girls such as the recalled Brenda and the newly released Kate. Father Brown The Wayward Girls at 7:59 pm.

Celebrity chef, Prunella Gladwell, comes to St Vincent's Convent to record an episode of her TV cooking competition, Queen of the Kitchen,with members of the Great Slaughter Women's Institute. When one of the contestants dies, it's up to Sister Boniface, Detective Gillespie and Sergeant Livingstone to find the killer. Sister Boniface Mysteries Queen of the Kitchen at 8:45 pm.

Hastings is at a friend's house with several other people when the talk turns to flats and houses. Mrs Robinson tells the party how she and her husband have managed to obtain a flat in Knightsbridge for a very attractive price. Poirot is interested and decides to investigate. Inspector Japp tells Poirot that important American naval plans were stolen from that country by an Italian called Luigi Valdarno who managed to pass them to a suspected spy for Japan, Elsa Hardt, before being killed in New York. Hardt fled the United States using the name Robinson. Agatha Christie's Poirot The Adventure of the Cheap Flat at 9:31 pm.

Smallweed, has pressed George for documents in Captain Hawdon's handwriting. Jo has been questioned in Tulkinghorn's rooms about the 'lady' he showed around London. Guppy has visited Lady Dedlock and made it plain he has access to personal letters sent by her to Hawdon. Bleak House Episode 5 at 10:25 pm.

Krook has perished as a result of spontaneous combustion; his property is inherited by the moneylender Smallweed. After caring for Jo, the crossing sweeper, Esther becomes ill, and it is soon apparent that she has smallpox. Bleak House Episode 6 at 11:20 pm.

Sunday, December 25

Join Alan Cumming for the real story of the Nutcracker and the Mouse King with the beloved music of Tchaikovsky. Featuring the Royal Scottish National Orchestra under the direction of John Mauceri, this new version is a rare holiday treat. The Nutcracker and the Mouse King at 11:30 am.

When Australian composer Brett Dean's Hamlet had its world premiere at the Glyndebourne Festival in 2017, The Guardian declared, "New opera doesn't often get to sound this good ... Shakespeare offers a gauntlet to composers that shouldn't always be picked up, but Dean's Hamlet rises to the challenge." Now, this riveting contemporary masterpiece arrives at the Met, with Neil Armfield, who directed the work's premiere, bringing his acclaimed staging to New York. Many of the original cast members have followed, including tenor Allan Clayton in the title role. Nicholas Carter makes his Met debut conducting a remarkable ensemble, which also features soprano Brenda Rae as Ophelia, mezzo-soprano Sarah Connolly as Gertrude, baritone Rod Gilfry as Claudius, and bass-baritone John Relyea as the ghost of Hamlet's father. Great Performances at the Met Hamlet at 1:00 pm.

James and Helen question their future together in the run up to Christmas Day, while things look grave for one of Darrowby's most beloved animals. All Creatures Great and Small On Masterpiece The Perfect Christmas at 7:00 pm.

With Christmas approaching, the midwives move to their maternity clinic and are delighted when their first patient is a familiar face. Life in Poplar returns to normal after the tragic train crash, and everyone unites for a festive talent show. Call The Midwife Holiday Special 2022 at 8:00 pm.

When it comes to Christmas food and entertaining, Britain's country houses have always put on a show. In this sumptuous and heart-warming program, Mary Berry visits Harewood House in Yorkshire to meet its army of skilled staff and dedicated volunteers as they prepare the house for Christmas. With its Robert Adam's interiors, Chippendale furniture and Capability Brown gardens, Harewood is one of the nation's most beautiful stately homes. Mary discovers how houses like Harewood celebrate Christmas on a grand scale and shows us how to make delicious modern recipes inspired by forgotten festive dishes of the past. Harewood's volunteers are the life and soul of the house. Mary discovers their stories as she helps them bake gingerbread and decorate the tree. Delving into the archives, she finds out about the inspiring story of Princess Mary, 6th Countess of Harewood and our current Queen's Aunt, who helped provide Christmas gifts for serving soldiers during the First World War. Then she heads out into Harewood's spectacular grounds, discovering winter gardening tips, and gathering winter foliage for her own seasonal decorations. Mary’s visit culminates in a glittering party for staff and volunteers who gather together to preview the house’s spectacular Christmas decorations and celebrate another magical Christmas at Harewood. Mary Berry's Country House at Christmas at 9:30 pm.