It's a Michael Jackson Christmas

Dec 20 2009 by Paul Cole, Sunday Mercury

YOU just can’t escape Michael Jackson as telly goes pop over Christmas.

There are no fewer than five programmes devoted to the late king of pop between now and Boxing Day.

And that’s not counting the private home videos series that seems never-ending.

Others making more than one appearance include comeback chart star Robbie Williams, R&B diva Beyoncé and Swedish supergroup Abba.

Reality TV has a lot to answer for, too, with shows devoted to JLS, Susan Boyle and Simon Cowell.

And there’s a welcome resurrection for Top Of The Pops, if for only a fleeting few minutes.

Our at a glance guide takes in the main terrestrial and satellite channels, but not the music stations, where there’ll be lots more.

SUNDAY DECEMBER 20

Take That: The Circus Live (ITV1, 2.20pm): A re-run of this year’s Wembley sell-out success, reckoned to be the most spectacular pop show ever staged and boasting a setlist to die for.

George Michael Live In London (Sky 1, 9pm): Forget the dodgy X-Factor duet with Joe McElderry. This is Michael at his best, captured live onstage at Earls Court in 2008,

BBC 4 Christmas Session (BBC HD, 10.30pm): Fire And Ice folk special featuring the joyful Bellowhead, The Unthanks, Lisa Knap and Thea Gilmore’s wry take on Christmas.

MONDAY DECEMBER 21

Michael Jackson: The Last Days (Five, 9pm): Documentary about the circumstances surrounding the death of Jackson in June, including interviews with his former manager Frank Dileo, chef Kai Chase, nurse Cherilyn Lee and friends, colleagues and experts.

Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary Concert (Five, 10pm): The king of pop’s anniversary gig from 2001, celebrating 30 years in the business. Guests include Destiny’s Child, Whitney Houston, Luther Vandross, Gloria Estefan and Liza Minnelli. And, of course, this was the Jackson Five reunion, too.

Michael Jackson: Not For Sale (Five, 11.50pm): Documentary exploring the breathtaking highs and bizarre lows of Jacko’s career.

Freddie Mercury: Magic Remixed (ITV4, 8pm): Tribute to the flamboyant former Queen frontman.

TUESDAY DECEMBER 22

Michael Jackson: Live In Bucharest – The Dangerous Tour (BBC2, 11.45pm): You can’t escape Jacko. This is a barnstormer of a gig from October 1992 featuring Jacko’s greatest hits.

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 23

Michael Jackson: TOTP2 Tribute (BBC2, 1.45am): Yet more Jacko in an early hours collection of his BBC appearances.

TOTP2 Xmas 2009 (BBC2, 7.30pm): Mark Radcliffe presents a selection of seasonal classics, including songs by Wizzard, Kirsty MacColl, Tom Jones, Mariah Carey and many more.

CHRISTMAS EVE

Christmas Cooks Challenge (ITV1, 9.25am): Here’s an unlikely one. Blur bassist Alex James pops up as guest chef on the cooking show.

JLS Christmas Crackers (C4, 10.10am): The X Factor stars count down their favourite Christmas music videos. No pushing at the front!

BBC 4 Christmas Session (BBC4, 10.30pm): Re-run of the Fire And Ice folk special featuring Bellowhead, The Unthanks, Lisa Knap and Thea Gilmore.

Shooting Cheryl Cole (C4, 11.15am): Behind-the-scenes look at the making of Cheryl Cole’s debut solo video, Fight for This Love. T4’s Steve Jones gets an access all areas on the video shoot by Lady GaGa and Beyoncé director Ray Kay.

Electric Proms: Robbie Williams (BBC HD, 11pm): The gig that proved the Robster still has what it takes, featuring songs from the new album Video Killed The Reality Star, and a clutch of Williams classic hits.

Simon Cowell: Where Did It All Go Right? (Five, 11.05pm): Love him or loathe him, a profile of the millionaire pop svengali behind X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent.

CHRISTMAS DAY

Comedy Songs – The Pop Years (BBC2, 12.40am): Early hours documentary exploring the history of the comedy pop song.

Beyoncé: I Am Yours (C4, 10.35am): An intimate performance from the Wynn Theatre in Los Angeles gets you up, close and personal with R&B’s biggest star.

Top Of The Pops Christmas 2009 (BBC1, 2pm): TOTP may be dead and buried, but rises from the grave like the ghost of Christmas past.

Fearne Cotton and Reggie Yates count down the year’s biggest chart single successes.

Top Of The Pops Christmas 2009 (BBC3, 9pm): If you missed it, here’s a re-run countdown of the year’s biggest chart singles.

The Abba Years (Five, 9pm): Documentary exploring the success of the Swedish superstars, who conquered the world after winning the Eurovision Song Contest with Waterloo.

Mamma Mia! Where Did It All Go Right? (Five, 10pm): A film exploring the phenomenal success of the Abba musical that became a box office movie.

Abba: The Movie (Five, 11pm): On tour in Australia, the group are pursued by a DJ seeking an exclusive interview. It’s an awful movie but worth watching if you just love the hits and camp costumes.

BOXING DAY

I Dreamed A Dream: The Susan Boyle Story (ITV1, 11.25am): Documentary following the rise of the Britain’s Got Talent runner-up from unlikely talent show contestant to world superstar. Guests include Donny Osmond and Elaine Page.

Ant & Dec’s Christmas Show (ITV1, 7.30pm): Robbie Williams pops up as special guest of the lovable duo. Expect cringe-making one-liners, and at least one song from the Robster’s new album.

Beyoncé Live At The BBC (BBC HD, 12.25am): Hang on just after midnight for show-stopping Beyoncé performances at the Beeb.