We've heard from the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Sky and now finally RTE has released details of its 2013 Christmas line-up with, and we quote, "home-produced entertainment, big movie premieres, lifestyle, drama, young peoples, documentaries and sports programming, [and] special seasonal versions of viewer favourites" ranking high among this year's offerings.
As per RTE Ten, Mrs Brown's Boys leads the way for RTE One with Christmas and New Year's Specials on the cards (as our Sheena said last year - sure why have just the one special when you can have two?), while Fair City brings up the rear with an hour-long Christmas Day episode (for our sins). Add to that a night in the company of Gay Byrne and Phil Coulter (For One Night Only mind you), a special show remembering the life and work of Dermot Morgan (Fearless Funnyman - it sounds like the real highlight of the schedule for us) and a satirical look back at 2013 in the Simon Delaney fronted Good Year/Bad Year and you've got Christmas in a nutshell on the 'main channel'.
A hop skip and a jump over to RTE Two offers a rather more eclectic mix, including a show by the name of Totes Amazeballs - 2013. No, we don't know why that phrase is being allowed to become an actual thing either but we suppose we'll have to give them the benefit of the doubt. Moving swiftly on, there's an extended edition of Republic of Telly, a Mario Rosenstock Show Christmas Special (always welcome given the fact that he's been on flying form this year), a new comedy panel show called Next Year's News, the RTE Sport Awards, sure GAA fan favourite A Summer in Blue and finally, a very special documentary in memory of Donal Walsh called My Story.
Then on New Year's Eve you can join 'The Ultimate Gathering' with Dáithí Ó Sé and Sinéad Kennedy. They'll be presenting from the 3 NYE concert in College Green, Dublin, with Will Leahy welcoming Limerick City of Culture with a special concert on the banks of the Shannon. We're guessing the Rubberbandits won't be making a guest appearance at that one though.
In terms of 'fillums', RTE has pulled a fair few out of the bag with the likes of Shrek Forever After, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Parts 1 & 2, Kung Fu Panda 2, Bridesmaids, Robin Hood and The Guard all popping up on RTE One. Plus, you can keep your eyes peeled for The Dark Knight, Anchorman, Sex and the City 2, The Social Network, Terminator Salvation, Spider-Man 3, GI Joe: The Rise of Cobra, Jackass 2, Die Hard 2 and Burn After Reading on RTE Two.
There'll also be a fine selection of Christmas classics and awesome 80s movies that we've come to expect from the Christmas season. Well, they're certainly not doing things by halves now, are they?
We're just wondering why Zig and Zag's Super Festive Bloopers and At Your Service - To The Rescue aren't billed more prominently. We will never say no to more Francis Brennan. NEVER.
