Taskmaster, Mammoth, Amandaland – and the last ever Fags, Mags and Bags

Our pick of the comedy on TV, radio and streaming this festive week.

Sunday December 21

SIKISA: LIFE OF THE PARTY This special, compiled from Sikisa’s first two live shows, will be released on YouTube at 7pm today via Turtle Canyon Comedy. Both shows charted how Sikisa, originally from Barbados before moving to South London, grew up as only child from a working-class family, taught that, as a young black female, she needed to be better and smarter than everyone else.

GLENN MOORE: WILL YOU STILL NEED ME, WILL YOU STILL FEED ME, GLENN I’M SIXTY MOORE:. The comic's debut special – but his fifth live show – was taped at London’s Royal Court Theatre and feaures a dense barrage of short, sharp jokes built around a single narrative. Sky Comedy, 10.30pm

Monday December 22

FAGS, MAGS AND BAGS: After 11 series, Sanjeev Kohli's corner-shop sitcom draws to an end. In this finale, Dave (co-writer Donald Mcleary) finally lands on his feet after selling a hugely valuable Moving Alan figure. This show is the longest running TV or radio sitcom to come out of Scotland, and the 10th longest running in BBC Radio 4 history. Radio 4, 2.15pm

RICHARD OSMAN’S HOUSE OF GAMES: Comedians Mel Giedroyc and Harriet Kemsley, Ghosts star Mathew Baynton and Casualty actor Charles Venn take on Mr O's challenges this festive week. BBC Two, 6pm

THE UNBELIEVABLE TRUTH: The David Mitchell-fronted panel show returns for 32nd series, with Ed Byrne, Ian Smith, Maisie Adam and Lucy Porter talking about pigeons, smoking, football and night. Radio 4, 6.30pm

TASKMASTER CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS 4: Previous victors Sam Campbell, John Robins, Andy Zaltzman, Mathew Baynton and Maisie Adam, return to try to win Greg Davies' body forged in gold – to go with the bust they won as their series prize. Channel 4, 9pm

OUT OF ORDER CHRISTMAS SPECIAL:Rosie Jones, Katherine Ryan and Judi Love are joined by Jon Richardson and Josh Widdicombe as they judge members of the public. Comedy Central, 9pm

MAMMOTH: Tony Mammoth (Mike Bubbins) is celebrating his first Christmas since coming back from the dead and he's determined to make it a special one with his family. Through his own thoughtlessness and selfishness, he's on the brink of ruining Christmas for himself and those around him. Meanwhile, Mel tries to contain her anger towards a perfectly nice woman at the homeless shelter and love is in the air for Theo. BBC Two, 10pm

Tuesday December 23

A NIGHT ON MOUNT EDNA: In this classic 1990 special, Barry Humphries' housewife superstar treats Mel Gibson, Gina Lollobrigida, Julio Iglesias and Charlton Heston to a special Christmas extravaganza at her mountain Retreat in the Swiss Alps. Taking Pictures TV, 2.30pm

WITH GREAT PLEASURE AT CHRISTMAS WITH Bill Bailey: With the help of his band, the comedian performs his favourite songs and readings. BBC Radio 4, 5pm.

ONE PERSON FOUND THIS HELPFUL: Frank Skinner and guests Kiri Pritchard-McLean, Sunil Patel, Simon Evans and Ania Magliano play a Christmas-flavoured episode of the panel game based on internet reviews. BBC Radio 4, 6.30pm.

STUFFED: This one-off Christmas comedy drama stars Guz Khan and Morgana Robinson as parents who go on a once-in-a-lifetime family trip to Lapland – but funded by a work bonus that was paid by mistake. Theo Barklem-Biggs, Sue Johnston and Elodie Bains also star, and it was written by Andy Milligan. BBC One. 9pm

QI: Jimmy Carr, Julian Clary and Fatiha El-Ghorri guest in a special edition of the W series celebrating WInter Wonderlands. BBC Two. 9pm

ROB AND ROMESH VS: In this episode, Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan venture into the depths of the Sumatran jungle to find out if they can take a photo worth of entry to Wildlife Photographer of the Year. Sky Max. 9pm

LIVE AT THE APOLLO: The stand-up showcase returns for the first episode of its 20th series, a Christmas special feauting Josh Widdicombe, Andrew Mensah and Harriet Kemsley. BBC Two, 9.45pm

ANIA MAGLIANO: I CAN’T BELIEVE YOU’VE DONE THIS: The comic and Taskmaster star's debut stand-up special, as recorded at the Royal Court Theatre in London. Sky Comedy, 10pm

MICHAEL PALIN REMEMBERS... EAST OF IPSWICH: The former Python looks back at the semi-autobiographical tale that captures how he and Helen, his wife of 57 years, first met whilst still teenagers, on their summer holidays in the 1950s. Describing the 1987 drama as one of the pieces that he's most proud of, Palin shares how his memories of real incidents and characters, including his parents, fed into his screenplay… which has special poignancy following Helen's death in May 2023. BBC Four, 10pm

Wednesday December 24

I DON’T DO... CHRISTMAS! WITH Julian Clary: Bah, humbug! Comedians Jo Brand, Glenn Moore and Fatiha El-Ghorri shun the spirit of Christmas in this panel show pilot, taking a rather negative view of festivities – despite the best efforts of choirmaster Gareth Malone, to raise their spirits. BBC Radio 4, 6.30pm.

FINDING FATHER CHRISTMAS: A heartwarming festive comedy-drama starring Lenny Rush as Chris, a 16-year-old who still believes in Father Christmas. His concerned father (James Buckley) decides it's finally time to tell him 'the truth'. Chris refuses to believe his dad and embarks on a quest with his conspiracy-theorist cousin Holly (Ele McKenzie) who enlist the help of Stephen Fry and scientists Professor Hannah Fry and Dame Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock and former Special Forces soldier Jason Fox to reveal the secrets of Santa (Greg-Davies) Channel 4, 7.30pm

PETER EGAN AND PENELOPE WILTON REMEMBER... EVER DECREASING CIRCLE: Two of its stars look back at the 1980s sitcom. BBC Four, 8pm

MORTIMER & WHITEHOUSE: GONE FISHING: Bob Mortimer, Paul Whitehouse and terrier Ted head to Devon and Cornwall for their festive special where they are joined by Dawn French, doctor Anand Patel and chef Paul Ainsworth. BBC Two, 9pm

8 OUT OF 10 CATS DOES COUNTDOWN CHRISTMAS SPECIAL: Jon Richardson and Daisy May Cooper take on Rob Beckett and Judi Love with Katie Norris joining Susie Dent in Dictionary Corner. Channel 4, 9pm

JOHN BISHOP: 25 YEARS OF STAND UP: Another of Sky's flurry of stand-up specials sees the Liverpudlian star look back on his career, which famously started when he wandered into the open mic night being held at the Frog and Bucket in Manchester – a story told in the upcoming Bradley Cooper and Will Arnett film Is This Thing On? Sky Comedy, 9pm

TWO DOORS DOWN: The ensemble comedy returns for a Christmas special, with Eric and Beth putting their tree up earlier than usual, unwittingly kicking off the Christmas season in Latimer Crescent. As always, the cast includes Arabella Weir, Alex Norton, Doon Mackichan, Jonathan Watson, Elaine C. Smith and Kieran Hodgson BBC One, 10pm

THE LAST LEG OF CHRISTMAS: With guests Harry Hill, Alison Hammond and Rick Astley.Channel 4, 10pm

Thursday December 25

AMANDALAND CHRISTMAS SPECIAL: Ahead of a much-anticipated second series, comes the festive special, with guest star Jennifer Saunders as Aunt Joan, marking a reunion with her Ab Fab co-star Joanna Lumlet. Amanda (Lucy Punch) and the family head to her country house, but she struggles to recreate the magical Christmases she spent there as a child. Read a little more here. BBC One, 9,15pm.

ELIS AND JOHN’S CHRISTMAS CRACKER: Elis James and John Robin's annual special also happens to be the 500th episode they've made together. It was put on BBC Sounds on the 23rd, but airs on the radio now. BBC Radio 5 Live, 10am.

THE INFINITE MONKEY CAGE: THE NORTH POLE UNWRAPPED: In this Christmas episode, Brian Cox and Robin Ince look to the North Pole to explore the science behind the Northern Lights, the extreme adaptations that help animals - and even Santa Claus - survive the Arctic cold, and how the Earth’s magnetic field might just guide him home. BBC Radio 4, 11am.

UNSPEAKABLE: Phil Wang and Susie Dent challenge guests to invent new words to enter the dictionary. In the Christmas special, we hear Matt Lucas's new word for a crucial moment during Christmas dinner, Nick Mohammed coins a new word for your neighbour who goes all out with the decorations, and Sara Pascoe creates a word for when you have to put on a brave face through the festive season.BBC Radio 4, 6.30pm.

MRS. BROWN'S BOYS: Brendan O'Carroll's creation returns for her annual Christmas outing. BBC One, 10.15pm

ROMESH RANGANATHAN'S PARENTS' EVENING:With Larry Lamb and his son George, Motsi Mabuse and her mum Dudu, and Josh Widdicombe and his dad Tom. Romesh's mum Shanthi keeps score ITV1, 10.15pm

BACK FROM THE DEAD - THE RETURN OF SPINAL TAP: Not a documentary about this year's movie sequel, but a show originally made for Radio 2 to mark the band's 2009 reunion tour, and not heard since. In it, Peter Curran spoke with Spinal Tap's remaining band members and played tracks from their comeback album while Jarvis Cocker, Glenn Tilbrook abd Suggs talk about how they were influenced by the band. BBC Radio 4 Extra, 10.30pm

Friday December 26

JORDAN BROOKES: FONTANELLE: A recording of the Edinburgh Comedy Award-winner's live show – very loosely based on this bid to write a musical based around The Titanic – will be available for free from midday UK time on Jordan Brookes’ YouTube channel. Read ou reviews of the stage show from Edinburgh and London.

THE Matt Forde FOCUS GROUP: A comic look at the political stories that shaped 2025. BBC Radio 4, 6.30pm

WOULD I LIE TO YOU?: Unfortunately for the BBC, this Christmas special features David Walliams - newly dropped by his publisher HarperCollins – along with Jools Holland, Radio 1Xtra's Swarzy Shire and actor Helen George. It was also te episode where Walliams made a Nazi salute during recording. Don't expect that to air… BBC One, 7pm

BIG FAT QUIZ OF THE YEAR 2025: Question master Jimmy Carr is joined by Jonathan Ross, Richard Ayoade, Katherine Ryan, Nick Mohammed, Roisin Conaty and Lou Sanders, as they battle it out to see who knows the most about the past year. Channel 4, 9pm

Saturday December 27

ARCHIVE ON 4: HOW THE MUPPET SHOW BEGAN IN BRITAIN: Jim Henson’s puppet troupe was initially rejected by American networks, but found a champion in ATV boss Lew Grade, who backed the series and gave it a home at Elstree Studios. Broadcast on ITV on Sunday nights, The Muppet Show was an overnight hit and in this retrospective. Louise Gold, the show’s first British female puppeteer, guides us through its early days. We hear from guest stars Petula Clark and Twiggy, TV supremo Michael Grade - son of Lew - and Muppet legend Dave Goelz, who still plays Gonzo. Writer Joe Bailey shares what it was like scripting madness, while stage managers and cameramen reveal how the show came together behind the scenes.BBC Radio 4, 8pm

SAM WEST REMEMBERS... PRUNELLA SCALES: The son of the Fawlty Towers star looks back at his mother's work. BBC Four, 9pm

Published: 21 Dec 2025