Watch Best of the Christmas Specials

Best of the Christmas Specials is a cheerful and heartwarming compilation of some of the most beloved holiday-themed episodes from British television. Produced by BBC America, this show brings together a collection of classic moments from well-known titles like Doctor Who, Call the Midwife, and Absolutely Fabulous, as well as lesser-known gems like the comedy sketch show The Catherine Tate Show and the drama series Lark Rise to Candleford.

Each episode of Best of the Christmas Specials is a bite-sized taste of a different show's special holiday episode, ranging from about 20 to 40 minutes in length. Despite the varying source material, the show maintains a consistent sense of seasonal cheer and reverence for the traditions of Christmas.

The highlights of the show are undoubtedly the episodes from Doctor Who, which are perennial favorites among fans of the long-running sci-fi series. These episodes showcase the show's unique ability to blend science fiction with Christmas cheer, often pitting the Doctor and his companions against festive-themed villains and monsters. Some memorable moments include a visit to a futuristic version of Dickensian London in "A Christmas Carol", an alien invasion on Christmas Day in "The Christmas Invasion", and a trip to a planet made entirely of ice in "Last Christmas".

Other shows featured on the program offer a more grounded, realistic take on the holidays. Call the Midwife, for example, focuses on the nuns and midwives of Nonnatus House as they care for the pregnant women and newborn babies of East London in the 1950s. The show's Christmas specials often explore themes of family, community, and the struggles of those who are less fortunate. "Christmas Special 2019", for instance, takes place during a particularly harsh winter and sees the midwives dealing with issues like fuel shortages and homelessness alongside the usual happy arrivals of new babies.

Meanwhile, the comedy shows on Best of the Christmas Specials offer a welcome break from the sentimentality of some of the other episodes. Absolutely Fabulous, for example, is an irreverent and hilarious sitcom about a pair of middle-aged women who are desperately trying to stay hip and fashionable. The show's Christmas special, "Cold Turkey", sees Patsy and Edina attempting to have a chic holiday in St.Tropez, only to be foiled by a tacky hotel and an ill-advised tryst with a French Santa Claus.

In addition to the aforementioned series, Best of the Christmas Specials includes episodes from a variety of other British shows. The Catherine Tate Show, for example, features sketches and monologues from comedian Catherine Tate, including a particularly funny skit in which she plays an office worker who takes her Christmas party dress code very seriously. Lark Rise to Candleford, on the other hand, is a period drama set in a rural English village in the late 19th century. The show's Christmas special, "Christmas 1895", sees the villagers preparing for a traditional holiday celebration, complete with carols, gifts, and a very special visitor.

Overall, Best of the Christmas Specials is a charming and entertaining anthology of holiday-themed television. Whether you're a die-hard Doctor Who fan, a lover of classic British period dramas, or just looking for a good laugh, there's something here for everyone. So pour yourself a cup of eggnog, settle in by the fire, and enjoy this festive celebration of British television at its finest.