On TV tonight, Christmas at Castle Howard sees an 'Into the Woods' themed festive celebration, Lee Mack’s addictive quiz series gets a re-run, and John and Lisa's Weekend Kitchen cooks up some mouthwatering seasonal treats. Here's what you shouldn't miss on TV Tonight.
- Our hand selected recommendations for what's on TV tonight include TV shows, a film, live sport and the latest trending need-to-binge-on-now box set
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- For more information about what’s on TV tonight see our TV Guide
What's on TV tonight
Our expert TV journalists have picked the best things on TV tonight...
Best TV shows on TV tonight
Christmas at Castle Howard, 5.30 pm, Channel 4
We’re coming towards the end of the year in this behind-the-scenes look at 18th-century stately home Castle Howard in North Yorkshire. As well as the challenges posed in a post-pandemic period, the house has also undergone major refurbishment following a fire – will everything be ready in time for the festive season?
It’s largely dependent on the income generated by visitors – approximately 250,000 annually – and last year’s Narnia-themed Christmas was a big hit. But will the current financial situation have an impact on visitors to this year’s magical ‘Into the Woods’ theme? You can see more stately home festivities on Thursday in Christmas at Blenheim Palace (8pm, C4).
★★★★ JP
The 1% Club, 9.15 pm, ITV1
If you missed Lee Mack’s addictive quiz series when it first aired earlier in the year, catch this rerun on ITV1. Once you realise that, unlike most TV quizzes, it’s actually not a test of general knowledge but of logic and common sense, it becomes a lot more appealing (well, unless you’re a pub quiz fanatic). Plus, of course, you can be unbearably smug to the rest of your family if you happen to get the 1% question right!
★★★★ JP
John and Lisa's Weekend Kitchen, 11.40 am, ITV1
John Torode and Lisa Faulkner kick off the festive season with a month of episodes packed with mouth-watering dishes designed to help viewers get ahead for Christmas. First up this Saturday is John’s famous beef Wellington, which he shows us how to freeze, so it can be defrosted and cooked with zero fuss when needed.
There’s also a stunning salmon terrine starter which can be made well ahead of Christmas, posh potato Dauphinoise and some pimped-up peas! A supersize sticky toffee pudding is dessert – we’ll never get off the sofa if we eat all that! Over on BBC1, Saturday Kitchen begins its Countdown to Christmas (10am) with special guest Cliff Richard.
★★★★ RF
Strictly Come Dancing: The Results, 5:40 pm, BBC One
Well, this has all been very confusing! Not only was this week’s Strictly on a Friday (last night – it’s on iPlayer if you missed it) instead of a Saturday, but the results show is on tonight. No doubt the remaining couples will still feel the same sense of trepidation as they wait to hear who is in the dreaded dance-off – but the stakes are even higher now, as next week it’s the semi-final.
★★★★ JP
Best box set on TV tonight
With Slow Horses season 2 airing on Apple TV from Friday, December 2, now is the perfect time to try (or reacquaint yourself) with the first instalment so you can catch up with the new episodes.
Season 1 of the celebrated crime drama follows a group of washed-up MI5 agents who have all made excruciating, career-ending mistakes. They end up in a grotty office block called Slough House, assigned to boring admin tasks instead.
With an all-star cast like Gary Oldman, Jack Lowden and Kristin Scott Thomas, the adaptation of Mick Herron's novel series is well worth a watch.
★★★★ LB
Best film on TV tonight
Love Actually, 9 pm, ITV2
Hugh Grant dad-dancing through 10 Downing Street to the Pointer Sisters’ Jump? Emma Thompson coming to a heartbreaking realisation about her husband (played by Alan Rickman)? Colin Firth mangling the Portuguese language as he decides to follow his heart? Or any bit with Bill Nighy’s jaded rock star behaving inappropriately?
There are plenty of memorable scenes in Richard Curtis’ much-loved Christmas film – which will celebrate its 20th anniversary next year – but even after repeated viewings it’s still more than the sum of its parts. If you’re after a feel-good festive blast, this never fails to deliver.
★★★ JP
Live Sport
- FIFA World Cup: Netherlands v USA, 2:30 pm (k-o 3 pm), BBC One
- FIFA World Cup: Argentina v Australia, 6:20 pm (k-o 7 pm), BBC One
If you watch just one thing on TV tonight…
Don't miss Christmas at Castle Howard for more festive fun!
Not found anything you want to watch on TV tonight? Check out our TV Guide.
Happy viewing!
