It was like Christmas in July last night for British TV viewers – literally.
ITV2 aired perennial festive movie favourite Love Actually last night – which, in case you’re the forgetful sort, was a muggy, hot-rainy summer’s evening.
People were surprised about the movie’s scheduling  – aside from its Christmassy theme – because ITV2 had originally listed The Dark Knight as its Friday night movie.
However, ITV2 swapped the Oscar-winning Batman movie for the romantic comedy and explained why in a tweet from its official account:
Hi guys. Due to recent events we are screening Love Actually tonight.
The Dark Knight will be shown at a later date pic.twitter.com/n84UIzB0R3
— ITVX (@ITVX) July 15, 2016
It’s not specified but “recent events” is presumably a reference to the horrific carnage in Nice, and perhaps even the turmoil in Turkey. And indeed given the violence and terrorism-themes of that 2008 movie, this seems like a good call on behalf of the TV station.
At least one viewer didn’t quite agree, though.
Some viewers pointed out that the movie is shown in such regular rotation on TV that it might actually start warping our sense of reality:
https://twitter.com/mrsdoigy/status/754209868781936640
Someone better let ITV 2 know that there are other films that exist other than Love Actually, Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz
— Sunny D (@Shannon_Dollard) July 15, 2016
However, most people didn’t seem to mind one bit that they’d be spending their Friday watch Hugh, Martine and Emma and their festive frolics.
https://twitter.com/keith_D01/status/754035911554465796
LOVE ACTUALLY IS ON. HAPPY FRIDAY.
— Olivia Grace (@livpurvis) July 15, 2016
https://twitter.com/GirliePerks/status/754078879665512448
That being said, there was still some momentary confusion:
good call but I just switched over and thought it was December
— Stephi-14 (@14steph11) July 15, 2016
And not everyone is a fan of the movie, as if we need reminding.
At least this unseasonal talk of Love Actually has led us to discover a frankly genius idea for a more up-to-date remake, given the new political situation in the UK:
https://twitter.com/inkstainsclaire/status/753291149213851649
