TV tonight: Jennifer Saunders haunts the hit comedy Ghosts

The comedian makes a deathly appearance in the Ghosts Christmas special. Plus: Sheridan Smith and David Walliams star in Hansel and Gretel. Here’s what to watch this evening

Ghosts

8.30pm, BBC One

In this seasonal special episode, Alison (Charlotte Ritchie) and Mike (Kiell Smith-Bynoe) are dreaming of a quiet Christmas by the fire, but an unexpected visitor who won’t leave puts a stop to that. Of course, it was always going to be a chaotic affair with their ghostly house guests in tow. Keep an eye out for Jennifer Saunders’s short but welcome cameo. Hollie Richardson

Alan Carr’s Epic Gameshow Christmas Special

8pm, ITV

Snowball cocktails at the ready for this festive gameshow romp. Carr revives The Price is Right for a nostalgic classic with a Christmas twist. Contestants hoping to win tonight are big personalities including Carole the nurse who, as Carr puts it: “Everybody at home is going to be rooting for.” HR

Hansel and Gretel: After Ever After

8pm, Sky Max

Hansel and Gretel: After Ever After.
Hansel and Gretel: After Ever After. Photograph: Gary Moyes/Sky

Sheridan Smith and David Walliams star in this atypical fairytale, following Hansel and Gretel after their escape from the gingerbread house. Walliams is also a co-writer, which explains some of the more adult humour – such as the villagers being just as worried about cancel culture as they are about the perils of a child-hungry witch. Henry Wong

Not Going Out

10pm, BBC One

A festive-themed episode of the longest-running sitcom on air (not, as assumed, prime minister’s questions). After Lucy announces she has tickets to see Jason Donovan in panto, a cheesed-off Lee falls asleep and dreams his entire life’s a pantomime: cue Lee as Buttons, Lucy as Cinders and Mr Especially for You himself as Prince Charming. Ali Catterall

And Just Like That …

8pm, Sky Comedy

As the SATC reboot continues, Carrie is navigating grief after that Big shock ending of the opening episode, with the help of Miranda, Charlotte and Stanford. And fans have hopefully just about got over the fact that writers dared to suggest Samantha would ever ghost her best pals (it’s not her style). Another double bill follows next Thursday. HR

Agatha Raisin: Kissing Christmas Goodbye

10pm, Sky Max

Ashley Jensen returns in the refreshingly silly crime romp. The glamorous sleuth is brightening up the dark December days with thoughts of her old flame James Lacey. But her plans to distract herself with the perfect Christmas are thwarted by the need to solve a mystery after a pesky poisoning in the village. Hannah Verdier

Contributors

Hollie Richardson, Henry Wong, Ali Catterall and Hannah Verdier

The GuardianTramp

Related Content

Article image
TV tonight: a comedy road trip with Russell Howard
The standup takes us on his tour of Australia and New Zealand. Plus: the finale of Mare of Easttown. Here’s what to watch this evening

Ammar Kalia, Hannah J Davies, Ellen E Jones, Graeme Virtue and Simon Wardell

31, May, 2021 @5:20 AM

Article image
TV tonight: Golden Globe-winning comedy Ramy is back
An American Muslim continues to explore his identity in the second season of Ramy Youssef’s series. Plus, Who Needs Banksy? Here’s what to watch this evening

Hollie Richardson, Ellen E Jones and Henry Wong

12, Aug, 2022 @5:20 AM

Article image
TV tonight: Bridget Christie’s fantastic comedy about the menopause
After turning 50, Linda (played by Christie) gets on her bike to find herself. Plus: David Tennant stars in There She Goes. Here’s what to watch tonight

Hollie Richardson, Phil Harrison, Ali Catterall, Graeme Virtue and Simon Wardell

21, Jun, 2023 @5:20 AM

Article image
TV tonight: deft comedy about Muslim punk band Lady Parts
Anjana Vasan stars as Amina, a well-behaved PhD student persuaded to join a band. Plus: A year in bloom at Kew Gardens. Here’s what to watch this evening

Ammar Kalia, Ellen E Jones, Hannah J Davies, Jack Seale and Paul Howlett

20, May, 2021 @5:20 AM

Article image
TV tonight: comedy havoc in the return of AP Bio
Daydreams become reality as Glenn Howerton returns to Whitlock High. Plus: Impeachment reaches the supreme court. Here’s what to watch this evening

Hollie Richardson, Hannah Verdier and Henry Wong

02, Nov, 2021 @6:00 AM

Article image
TV tonight: #MeToo takes centre stage in Steve Coogan’s comedy Chivalry
Sarah Solemani wrangles Coogan and cancel culture in Hollywood. Plus: Taskmaster takes on maypoles and aliens – but not at the same time. Here’s what to watch this evening

Hollie Richardson, Jack Seale, Henry Wong and Graeme Virtue

21, Apr, 2022 @5:00 AM

Article image
TV tonight: Catherine Tate’s new comedy about a useless British royal
Tate fans will love the celebrity cameos and chundering. Plus: things go badly for Detective Stocker in German noir Der Pass. Here’s what to watch this evening

Hollie Richardson, Ali Catterall, Hannah J Davies, Graeme Virtue, Katie Rosseinsky and Simon Wardell

16, Jun, 2023 @5:20 AM

Article image
TV tonight: Daisy May Cooper’s twisted comedy is a peculiar treat
Cooper stars in cracking new BBC One series, Am I Being Unreasonable? Plus, it’s the Strictly launch show. Here’s what to watch this evening

Hollie Richardson, Alexi Duggins, Ali Catterall and Simon Wardell

23, Sep, 2022 @5:30 AM

Article image
TV tonight: Lily Allen’s first TV role in comedy-drama Dreamland
Secrets unravel beside the seaside in this new series. Plus: the second part of David Harewood’s look at Black US pop culture. Here’s what to watch this evening

Hollie Richardson, Alexi Duggins, Micha Frazer-Carroll, Jack Seale and Ali Catterall

06, Apr, 2023 @5:20 AM

Article image
TV tonight: the final season of Emmy-winning black comedy Barry
The actor hitman is locked up – but for how long? Plus: what next for the Roy siblings in Succession? Here’s what to watch this evening

Hollie Richardson, Danielle De Wolfe, Phil Harrison, Micha Frazer-Carroll and Jack Seale

17, Apr, 2023 @5:20 AM