"Part of Channel 4's very first Christmas line-up, this little known oddity was written by former The Good Life mastermind Bob Larbey.And amazingly it was actually quite good. The peculiar show took a 'wry' look at how a modern day psychiatrist might regard the mental state of one Father Christmas. For once appearing in a role that wasn't Dr Who, Worzel Gummidge or a chat show guest bemoaning the fact that Dr Who was never as good after he left the show and toasting the fact that 'The Ghosts Of N-Space' as "number one in the hit parade!", Jon Pertwee filled the role of the psychiatrist, and for some reason elected to play him as a stereotyped New York 'shrink'. Thankfully, though, the audience was spared his previous habit of continually referring to other characters as 'mac' while playing Americans. Interestingly, Larbey apparently wanted to call the show "Is Santa Schizo?", but was overruled by C4 who felt it was in rather poor taste. Who'd have thought it?"I know. That sounds exactly like the sort of title they would give a show like that now. You could do worse also than check out the Off The Telly Festive Television section for a more scholarly approach to the schedules ooking as far back as the 1970s...
The Tv Creamers also offer their formula for creating the perfect Christmas number one, which The Darkness would do well to read, now that something which is actually quite good from a year old film has unnaccountably been crowned this year. The Pop Idols at number five. Avid Merrion at number four despite treating us to a cut price version of the video to Perfect Day with a whole raft of minor celebs (and Bob Geldof (?)). Would someone like to explain to me how John Leslie can go from wanting to sue Mark Wright for libel a year ago to hugging and dancing with him in this promo. That's hatchet burying of the highest order...
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