JOE’s pick of the best films, sport and entertainment on TV this Christmas

With livers pickled from Christmas parties, energy zapped from a year’s worth of work, it’s time re-focus our attention to food – and the telly. 

Christmas TV is a double-edged sword because even though we’re spoilt for choice it inevitably means more family rows about what to watch.

Before we slope off to another room with a plate of cold cuts to view exactly what we want, let’s all try and get through a film or two with the family. Even if it does mean Spartacus or Lawrence of Arabia for the 20th time.

Now, get yourself to the sofa…

Film

Alan Partridge, Alpha Papa – Tuesday, December 22, BBC2, 10.30pm

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade – Wednesday, December 23, BBC1, 1.45pm 

Interstellar – Wednesday, December 23, Sky Select, 10pm

Back to the Future Part II – Christmas Eve, ITV, 11.25am

It’s A Wonderful Life – Christmas Eve, C4, 2.15pm

Casino Royale – Christmas Eve, ITV2, 9pm

Happy Feet – Christmas Day, ITV, 11.30am

The Muppet Christmas Carol – Christmas Day, 1.45pm

The Big Lebowski – Christmas Day, ITV4, 12.05am

The Imitation Game – Amazon Prime, Any time, Sunday, December 27

Behind the Candelabra – Monday, December 28, 9pm, BBC2

The Amazing Spider-Man – Tuesday, December 29, ITV, 7.30pm

Back to the Hood – NWA biopic, Straight Outta Compton, iTunes

Sunshine on Leith – Wednesday, December 30, C4, 4.35pm

The Naked Gun: from the Flies of Police Squad – Christmas Gold, Sky 110, Virgin 126, BT 310, 10pm

Goldfinger, aka the best Bond ever – New Year’s Eve, ITV, 12.40pm

Pulp Fiction – New Year’s Day, Dave, 10pm

Entertainment

Luther, Series 4, Episode 2, Tuesday, December 22, BBC1, 9pm

TOTP2 Christmas Special 2015 – Wednesday, December 23, BBC2, 11pm

Toast of London starring Matt Berry – Wedneday, December 23, C4, 10pm

Harry Hill Professor Branesawn Returns – Christmas Eve, BBC1, 5.2opm

Knowing Me, Knowing Yule – with Alan Partridge – Christmas Day, Christmas Gold, 11.40

A Very Murray Christmas is a must see – Netflix, whenever you like

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJP3db3R014

Paddington – Amazon Prime, from Dec 24 (Not just for kids…)

David Beckham: For Love of the Game – Tuesday December 29, BBC1, 9pm

Tommy Cooper: Not like That, like This – Tuesday December 29, ITV Encore, 11.05pm

Charlie Brooker’s 2015 Wipe – Wednesday December 30, BBC2, 9pm

The Graham Norton Show with Jennifer Lawrence, Eddie Redmayne, Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg –  New Year’s Eve, BBC1, 10.45pm

Jools Annual Hootenanny – New Year’s Eve, BBC2, 11.10pm

Sherlock – New Year’s Day, BBC1, 9pm

And did you know, there’s a whole channel devoted to Star Wars (funnily enough called Star Wars) where you can watch the early films and behind-the-scenes docs? It’s on Sky 304, Virgin 411, BT 507. That’s a day gone right there. 

Sport

Arsenal v Manchester City – Monday, December 21, Sky Sports 1, 8pm

NFL: Oakland Raiders v San Diego Chargers – Christmas Eve, Sky Sports 1, 1.25am

Football’s Greatest Players – Christmas Eve, Sky Sports 5, 5pm

NBA: Oklahoma City Thunder v Chicago Bulls – Christmas Day, 7.30pm

Stoke City v Manchester United – Boxing Day, Sky Sports 1, 12.45pm

Two big rugby games on Boxing Day too with Wasps v Saracens, 1.30pm and Harlequins v Gloucester, 4.30pm, BT Sport 1

Hearts v  Celtic – Sunday, December 27, Sky Sports 1, 1.30pm

Middlesbrough v Sheffield Wednesday – Monday, December 28, Sky Sports 1, 5pm

Leicester City v Manchester City – Tues, December 29, BT Sport 1, 7pm

Will Jamie Vardy leave City’s defence in tatters?

Sunderland v Liverpool – Wed, December 30, Sky Sports 1, Wed Dec 30

Northampton Saints v Exeter Chiefs – New Year’s Day, BT Sport 1, 2.30pm