Some Christmas cheer on this tape. First, for your delectation is Alas Sage & Onion, a special edition of Mel Smith and Griff Rhys Jones’ sketch show.
Almost immediately, the Slatterywatch klaxon goes off.
BBC Genome: BBC Two England, 21 December 1988 21.00
Recording switches to the end of a new bulletin, and the big news is that London is running out of telephone numbers.
There’s a look ahead to programmes on Christmas Eve.
Then we have Blackadder’s Christmas Carol. A lovely special, with scenes revisiting the eras of Blackadder II and Blackadder the Third. Although the less said about the future Blackadder the better.
BBC Genome: BBC One London, 23 December 1988 21.30
Next on this tape is the Lenny Henry Christmas Special, which I think I’ve seen before – definitely the Cheers sketch is familiar. Mica Paris is the musical act.
BBC Genome: BBC One London, 26 December 1988 22.05
Right after this recording, we top off the Christmas jollities with the French and Saunders Christmas Special. Featuring Lananeeneenoonoo.
BBC Genome: BBC Two – 28th December 1988 – 21:00
After this, there’s a trailer for One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, then the recording finishes.