Christmas. 11:30 AM. I’ve just cracked open the first Christmas bev of the day in my new pyjamas. Mum’s knackered already. She’s been on her feet since 6 AM stressing about presents, Brussels sprouts and making enough nibbles, and wait, she’s just dunked a turkey in Coca-Cola—because Jamie Oliver told her too. My siblings, on the other hand, are too engrossed in whatever new knick-knack they’ve got to help out—whilst the multipack of new pants and socks remains untouched. Dad is off somewhere doing something, probably hoovering in prep for the grandparents arriving, and recycling the whole roll of wrapping paper he used to wrap mum’s new slippers. Though it’s Christmas Day, it doesn’t feel like Christmas day. It’s not quite sunk in, and time is ticking away.
I’m in Christmas Limbo. It’s not quite time for dinner yet, and the chocolate orange from my stocking has been devoured already—time for the selection box—and the presents are all opened. The exciting bit is over, the mini cocktail sausages aren’t cooked yet and getting up at 7 like an over-excited kid is starting to catch up with me. Oh, why did I go for ‘a few’ on Christmas eve too, I’ve gone and ruined Christmas for myself.
Desperate to savour every moment, I turn on the telly: ‘maybe Shrek is on?” After pulling the remote out from down the side of the settee, and picking off the crumbs stuck to it, I flick through the channels. Two different versions of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol are on—the Muppets one and the scary animated one—three different live cooking shows are on, and Frozen has just started. Blinking and rubbing my eyes I see ‘Top Of The Pops’. ‘Could it be?’ I think mashing the big circle button. ‘It is! It’s back!’
Like a ghost from Christmas past, Top Of The Pops returns every Christmas day at 11:30 AM and every New Years Eve at 4:45 PM.
TOTP is an institution. Sure, there’s been some questionable lip-syncing over the years—I remember a certain Noel and Liam Gallagher swapping vocal lines, and Nirvanna pretending to be shop front dummies—but, it remains one of the best (and few) music-related tv shows. I’m thankful that it can partially save us from an awkward present opening—’oo more deodorant! Thank you, auntie I haven’t seen for five years’. I’m thankful that it helps soothe the hangover of a heavy Christmas Eve. And I’m thankful that it can still get us out of that Christmas Limbo.
There’s a big ol’ list of people appearing on this year’s Christmas Day show; including AJ Tracey & Jorja Smith, Dermot Kennedy, Freya Ridings, Jack Savoretti, James Blunt, Jax Jones & Ella Henderson, Labrinth, Lewis Capaldi, Mabel, Sigala feat. Becky Hill, The Script, and Tom Walker. I’d suggest you go get that selection box when Capaldi comes on, nip for another tinny when The Script returns but don’t—whatever you do—move when Mabel does her thing. Like that cold roast potato from the fridge on Christmas Day night, that shit’s the good stuff.
Top Of The Pops will air on Christmas Day at 11:30 AM, and New Year’s Eve at 4:45 PM. Need a present for a music lover? Get our latest print magazine, it’s pretty swish and packed with cracking content. Get it HERE.
