It's Christmas!!!! Okay, not quite but you have to admit, people are pretty unapologetic about their Yuletide cheer at the moment, and it's great. We'll be a miserable enough bunch come January. Next weekend will undoubtedly be a big one for the festivities, so we plan on keeping our liver in tact and putting the feet up for this one. Although, the best laid plans and all that... however, this is what we will be watching if we don't get led astray.
FRIDAY
A Night in with Olly Murs
UTV: 9.00pm
Is it just us, or is there a massive deal being made of Olly Murs at the moment? Somewhere there's a little PR person who hasn't slept in MONTHS. The singer presents this 'musical extravaganza' where he will perform his hits along with songs from his new album and also has a few celebrity guests dropping in. We are particularly looking forward to a lip-sync battle he will have with comedian John Bishop, while he also goes 'photo-bombing' with Nicole Scherzinger and plays a trick on his former Xtra Factor co-host Caroline Flack. He evens stars in his very own EastEnders scene with Alfie Moon... I mean, how he is pulling all this off? He is hard not to like though, in fairness.
The Graham Norton Show
BBC1: 11.05pm
Must be great to be Graham Norton really, mustn't it? I'd say celebrities are banging down HIS door to be on his show by now. He has A-listers coming out of his ears at this stage, and this week's couch is no different. Graham is joined by the legend that is Jim Carrey, soon to be seen back on the big screen in Dumb and Dumber To, the sequel to the 1994 comedy favourite, which we cannot WAIT for. As well as himself, Jude Law will be on ahead of the release of his new movie, Black Sea, while Episodes star Tamsin Greig will also be on for a chat. Music will be provided by Nicole Scherzinger who will be singing her new ballad 'Run'.
The Late Late Show
RTE1: 9.35pm
Great aul lineup in store tonight with Tubbers, no really, it is! First off, the whole Gleeson clan will be in as Brendan, Domhnall and Brian all stop by for the chats with Ryan. The sweetheart of Ireland Miss Imelda May will be on, Monty Python legend John Cleese will be having the chats about his autobiography. As well as all that, Tommy Tiernan, Damien Rice, Spandau Ballet and Keith Duffy will all be on too! Don't know how they're even going to fit them all in...
SATURDAY
The X Factor
TV3: 8.30pm + UTV: 8.30pm
It's here at last, the final weekend of X Factor has arrived, as the last three battle it out to become the 2014 winner. Fleur East, Ben Haenow and Andrea Faustini head to Wembley Arena tonight where each of them will be hoping to sing their way into the final two. We won't have long to wait for the results either as Dermot will announce at the end of the show the singer who will be leaving the competition. The final two will then battle it out on tomorrow night's show to be crowned winner. Our money's on Fleur to bag it but you really wouldn't know WHAT way it would go. (Joking - it's totally Fleur.)
The Chase: Christmas Special
UTV: 7.25pm
Is it just us, or has The Chase become everybody's favourite quiz show? Like it's no 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire' or anything, but it's certainly getting a lot of celebrities on board. In tonight's Christmas Special, Steve Pemberton (Benidorm's Mick Garvey), Paula Lane (Coronation Street's Kylie Platt), comedian and actor Ben Miller and Educating Yorkshire's Mr Burton are the contestants competing to win thousands of pounds for charity. Can they manage to stay one step ahead of that annoying Chaser?
The Jonathan Ross Show
UTV: 10.35pm
Wossy is joined by former X Factor judge Tulisa Contostavlos tonight, yep, she's still knocking around. She opens up about her tumultuous year to Jonathan, or in summary, plays the sympathy card in a bid to get back in the public's favour again. Well sure God loves a trier, and all that. Also on the show is comedian James Corden, who will be heading across the pond shortly to replace the host of The Craig Ferguson Show. While, Mad Men's Jon Hamm will also be on, who'll star in the Black Mirror Christmas special on Channel 4. As well as all that, Celebrity Juice/Through the Keyhole funnyman Keith Lemon will be on, who can be a bit of a head wreck at times, but hopefully Jonathan will bring out the best of him.
SUNDAY
Olive Kitteridge
Sky Atlantic: 9.00pm
Just last Thursday actress Frances McDormand was nominated for a Golden Globe for her role in this drama based on Elizabeth Strout's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. The two-part mini series tells the story of life in a New England town over the course of 25 years through the eyes of Maths teacher Olive Kitteridge. The series itslef is up against True Detective in the Golden Globes so no doubt will prove a fantastic watch, and you only have to wait until tomorrow night for the concluding part.
Sports Personality of the Year 2014
BBC 1: 8.00pm
Gary Lineker, Gabby Logan and Clare Balding present this year's ceremony live from the Hydro Arena in Glasgow, where Andy Murray's successor will be crowned. Could yet another honour be bestowed on Rory McIlroy who managed to win two Majors this year, or could it go to Lewis Hamilton, who has now surpassed Nigel Mansell as the British driver to have won the most Formula 1 races. Other awards on the night include Team of the Year, Coach of the Year and Unsung Hero, and the Helen Rollason Award will be bestowed upon someone who epitomises courage and has the ability to inspire others.
Good Will Hunting
Film4: 9:00pm
The tragic loss of the hilarious actor and comedian Robin Williams hit everybody hard last August, and made us all want to look back at some of the stars finest work. Good Will Hunting was the movie that got Williams his long awaited Oscar, for his role as the therapist to Matt Damon's tortured but genius mind. The movie that propelled Damon and Affleck to stardom, this film wows from start to its beautiful finish, with a couple speeches from Williams that will literally send shivers down your spine and remind you what a truly extraordinary talent he was. RIP Chief.
