ABC: summer highlights

ABC has revealed its Programming highlights across December and January.

 

Wrapping up 2016, Charlie Pickering, Tom Gleeson and Kitty Flanagan dissect the year with their trademark caustic humour in The Yearly with Charlie Pickering. A range of Christmas specials will delight audiences including the convivial Steven Fry in the QI Christmas Special (his last ever!), the comic Would I Lie to You? Christmas Special, festive feasts in the Simply Nigella Christmas Special, Father Brown Christmas Special, Call the Midwife Christmas Special and on Christmas Day the star studded 2016 Royal Variety Performance with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. On Boxing Day, Dr Who fans will receive a belated present with Dr Who: The Return of Doctor Mysterio and The Power of The Daleks on ABC iview.

If you just want to escape it all, Robyn Davidson narrates a remarkable new Australian documentary looking at the story of camels first bought into the country for the Burke and Wills expedition in the 1860’s whose descendants continue to populate our deserts, in Running Wild: Australia’s Camels. And lovers of Australian stories will delight in the AACTA Award nominated coming of age film Girl Asleep based on the critically acclaimed play which premieres in December. Other premiere summer titles include the entertaining travel special Stephen Fry in Central America, the absolutely fabulous Joanna Lumley’s Japan, David Walliams first sketch show since Little Britain Walliams and Friends, and everyone’s favourite, Kevin McCloud, returns in a new four-part series of Grand Designs Living in the City / Wild / Suburbs / Country.

For the young at heart, ABC2 Sunday Best returns with a spotlight on the web with We Steal Secrets: The Story of Wikileaks and new series Stupid Man, Smart Phone which asks “can you survive the most remote locations in the world using only your mobile phone?”. And you can dial up your Christmas cheer factor with Ricky Gervais Live and a special Christmas episode of Live at the Apollo. Music lovers will find a happy home on ABC2 from Christmas Day onwards. Tune in for the premiere of a new documentary Queen: From Rags to Rhapsody followed by an encore of Queen: Live at the Odeon. On Boxing Day we showcase the Rolling Stones with The Stones in Exile and Ladies and Gentlemen: The Rolling Stones and an encore of the magical Crowded House: Live at Sydney Opera House.

Finally, not to be missed is the 2016 Family Fireworks and Midnight Fireworks. Broadcast live from Sydney, available for the first time this year in spectacular HD and live on ABC iview.

ABC

Girl Asleep Premiere
tx: Sunday 11 December at 10pm

Running Wild: Australia’s Camels Premiere
tx: Monday 12 December at 9.20pm

The Book Club’s Five of the Best Special
tx: Tuesday 13 December at 9.30pm

The Yearly with Charlie Pickering Special
tx: Wednesday 14 December at 8.30pm

Simply Nigella Christmas Special Premiere
tx: Tuesday 20 December at 8pm

QI Christmas Special Premiere
tx: Wednesday 21 December at 8.30pm

Walliams and Friends Premiere
tx: Wednesday 21 December at 9.10pm

Would I Live To You? Christmas Special Premiere
tx: Thursday 22 December at 8pm

Father Brown Christmas Special Premiere
tx: Saturday 24 December at 7.30pm

2016 Royal Variety Performance Premiere
tx: Sunday 25 December at 7.30pm

Dr Who: The Return of Doctor Mysterio (Christmas Special)
tx: Monday 26 December at 7.30pm Premiere

Call The Midwife Christmas Special Premiere
tx: Monday 26 December at 8.30pm

New Year’s Eve 2016 Exclusive
tx: Saturday 31 December from 8.35pm

Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2016 Premiere
tx: Sunday 1 January at 7.30pm

Grand Designs: Living In The… Specials Series Premiere
tx: From Sunday 8 January at 7.40pm

Stephen Fry in Central America Series Premiere
tx: Tuesday 10 January at 8.30pm

Australian of the Year 2017 Exclusive
tx: Wednesday 25 January at 7.30pm

ABC2

Stupid Man, Smart Phone New Series
tx: Wednesday 7 December at 8.30pm

Candidate Games Special
tx: Wednesday 7 December at 9.20pm

My Mania and Me Premiere
tx: Wednesday 7 December at 9.50pm

Wham Bam Thank You Ma’am Series Premiere
tx: Thursday 8 December at 9.30pm with all episodes available immediately on iview

Fancy Boy Series Premiere
tx: Thursday 8 December at 10pm with all episodes available immediately on iview

Archer series 6 New Series
tx: Tuesday 13 December at 10.10pm

Opening Shot: The End of the Line Premiere
tx: Wednesday 14 December at 9.20pm

Mr Posh: Million Dollar Fraudster Premiere
tx: Wednesday 14 December at 9.50pm

Queen: Rags to Rhapsody Premiere
tx: Sunday 25 December at 8.30pm

Stones in Exile Special
tx: Monday 26 December at 8.30pm

Ladies and Gentlemen: The Rolling Stones Special
tx: Monday 26 December at 9.30pm

Leonard Cohen: I’m Your Man Special
tx: Monday 26 December at 11pm

Joy Division Special
tx: Tuesday 27 December at 11.05pm

Raw Nerve Short Films Premiere
tx: from Monday 2 January to Friday from 10.30pm

Tattoo Disasters UK New Series
tx: Tuesday 10 December at 8.30pm

How To Build A Human Special Premiere
tx: Wednesday 18 January at 9.15pm

Red Dwarf New Series
tx: Thursday 19 January at 9.40pm

Reggie Yates Inside the Billionaire’s Wardrobe Special
tx: Monday 23 January at 9.30pm

ABC iview

Binge on the Best comedy season from December 8th

• Rosehaven
• Please Like Me series 1 – 4
• Wham Bam Thank You Ma’am
• Fancy Boy
• The Ex-PM
• Sammy J and Randy in Ricketts Lane
• The Katering Show series 1 and 2
• Soul Mates series 1 and 2
• It’s a Date series 1 and 2
• ABC Comedy Showroom including Ronny Chieng: International Student and The Letdown

OTHER ABC IVIEW TITLES

Goober Digital First
tx: Monday 26 December
Lost in Pronounciation Digital First
tx: Monday 26 December

Almost Midnight Digital First
tx: Monday 26 December

Doctor Who: The Power of the Daleks Series Premiere
tx: Monday 26 December