The best Christmas TV episodes

It seems like every time Christmas comes around there's a discussion among my social circles over what the best Christmas-themed movies are, and which ones people are going to watch. Love Actually makes a regular appearance. So does Die Hard. Actual direct Christmassy films like Miracle on 34th Street or It's a Wonderful Life never seem to make anybody's list.

I figured it was high time to give the same rigour to Christmas-themed episodes of television. Thanks to DVD and Blu-ray more TV series and specials are available than ever, and many shows have featured strong, enjoyable or interesting Christmas episodes. Here, in no particular order, are some of my favourites.

The Goodies: "Earthanasia"
The world's leaders have decided that, in response to rising crime, population and pollution, the world will end at midnight Christmas Eve. The Goodies was always a wonderful comedy series, but I think this is a good contender to be one of their best episodes ever. The concept is so remarkably bleak, yet played so lightly, as we watch the last 28 minutes in Tim, Graeme and Bill's lives. It's all confined to their apartment, and is capped with one of the best punch-lines in British comedy history. (Note: not recommended for people with belly button phobias - you know who you are.)