The return of 'The Den' culminated last night with the arrival of some familiar - and surprising - faces.
What an episode, and a fantastic way to ring out the end of the series. The final episode of 'The Den' kicked off last night with the arrival of one of the more dastardly of characters from ;The Den' Christmas past - Podge.
If you're any sort of true fan of 'The Den', you'll remember the Christmas crisis episode where Podge attempted to tie up Santa in the North Pole and pretend to be the man in the red suit. The 1992 edition of the Christmas children's show was arguably one of the most memorable, and hilarious, Christmas episodes made.
Anyway, Podge has since managed to return to create an upset last night for Ray, Zig, Zag, Dustin, and... Mark Hamill?
After an appearance from Galway actor Nicola Coughlan, from 'Derry Girls' and Netflix's upcoming 'Birdgerton', Podge began to shake things up on set.
Yep, Podge the "Nelf" (naughty elf), captured the naïve Zag and locked him up in the props room in RTÉ, telling the rest of the gang that he had gone back to the planet Zog.
But following a live video call from 'Star Wars' actor Mark Hamill, and then a pre-recorded message from Whoppi Goldberg, the gang began to get suspicious of the new puppet.
Mark Hamill [@HamillHimself] is a big fan of the Irish anyways ?☘️#TheDen | @DoubleZCreative @RadioRayRTE pic.twitter.com/Zm6f6p1EJe
— RTÉ One (@RTEOne) December 20, 2020
The legendary @WhoopiGoldberg wishes everyone in Ireland a Happy Christmas ???#TheDen pic.twitter.com/CNhYU7QxZ0
— RTÉ One (@RTEOne) December 20, 2020
In the end, it was down to Santa to return the favour, and come and save the day. Here's the best rection 'The Den' Christmas special has been getting online.
I think I speak for many of us when I say #theden reboot was a glimmer of light in the basement bedsit that was 2020! @DoubleZCreative ??
— Maïa Dunphy (@MaiaDunphy) December 20, 2020
Finally, Podge returns to #TheDen. One of the greatest screen villains of all time. pic.twitter.com/xMjXy1Bpxf
— Ray (@RayMcGrath) December 20, 2020
Dear Santa & @rte please bring back #TheDen next year! Where else could you see @DustinOfficial @DoubleZCreative @RadioRayRTE @WhoopiGoldberg @HamillHimself a #Nelf, Zag & @rte_co perform an epic song & #ChristmasNo1 raise money for https://t.co/bKs7FK5p7x https://t.co/TSnOxI2dvV pic.twitter.com/zxa3EVTUnK
— Lena Byrne (@LenaByrne) December 21, 2020
Yes! You were amazing on #TheDen @DoubleZCreative @DustinOfficial @RadioRayRTE @rte #ChristmasTVMagic! https://t.co/qm2BFq8uzX pic.twitter.com/hT51TYBBGI
— Lena Byrne (@LenaByrne) December 21, 2020
Can't thank @DoubleZCreative, @DustinOfficial, @RadioRayRTE & @RTEOne enough for #TheDen Christmas Special.
It's been such a tough 24 hours and having that little bit of Ireland still accessible from Tier 4 lockdown London means SO much. Laughed, cried & felt like I was home ❤️ pic.twitter.com/jssM5dVgH6
— Sarah Doran (@sarahisnothere) December 20, 2020
He looks familiar, right? @HamillHimself you are a national treasure. Forever the legend. You put the “Star” in Star Wars. #TheDen #MarkHamill pic.twitter.com/EbAZfFS0YU
— Luke Skywalker (@MentorSkywalker) December 20, 2020
This run of #TheDen has been one of the highlights of 2020.
It's been a wonderful, chaotic, and warm reunion, and you couldn't ask anymore of a Sunday night during a hard winter for everyone.
Thank you, @DoubleZCreative, for sharing that kids' telly magic with us again. ?
— Mike McGrath-Bryan (@mike_mcgb) December 20, 2020
The Christmas Special episode of The Den @DoubleZCreative was hilarious and gave me all the fuzzy feels. ☺️ Just what we needed after the News this eve. Glad ye put Nelf in his place. You're all a tonic guys. Merry Christmas. ?? #TheDen #thedenrte https://t.co/LJor2eDlV4
— Jennifer Larke (@jenniferlarke1) December 20, 2020
#TheDen dont stay away too long, the craic was 90. pic.twitter.com/U9q0Rwuvz7
— roisin finnegan (@inouroc) December 20, 2020
If @rte don't bring #TheDen back in 2021, they're seriously missing a trick.
It's been an absolute buzz watching with the kids - I'm grinning from ear to ear every Sunday. Also love @DustinOfficial running gag with the cards from all the shows ??@DoubleZCreative @RadioRayRTE— Mike Conway (@mrmikeconway) December 20, 2020
Will 'The Den' return in 2021? All eyes are on RTÉ...
