What is the true essence of Christmas? Is it the glimmer in a schoolboy’s expectant eye as he opens his pillowcase on Christmas morning and tucks into a delicious walnut and a bruised tangerine? Is it the wide smile on a publican’s face as he welcomes merry revellers with a vat of warm mulled wine he’s made in a sort of electric keg he normally puts oxtail soup in? Is it the haunting harmony of a choir respecting the current Covid protocols? Or, is it a Christmas episode of a TV show that is slightly longer than usual to make it appear “special"?
Mandy from Diane Morgan has a Christmas special with ‘We Wish You a Mandy Christmas’ featuring Johnny Vegas, Pearce Quigley, John Cooper Clarke, Jo Hartley, Michael Spicer. 23rd Dec, BBC Two, time to be confirmed.
Diane Morgan Q&A
Did you enjoy doing the Mandy Christmas special?
It’s based on A Christmas Carol which is the ultimate ghost story, and I love ghosts, so I really loved doing it. And the three ghosts are played by amazing performers so it was great fun.
Can you tell us about the Mandy Christmas special?
Mandy doesn’t really like Christmas, so it’s a Christmas Special about someone who doesn’t like Christmas.
You feel quite sorry for Mandy during the Christmas episode, looking into her past Christmases, can you explain a little bit about why Mandy doesn’t like Christmas?
It’s the same reasons I don’t really like Christmas. It sort of forces you to look into the past, and not everyone is having a great time at Christmas. It’s hard to enjoy the day when you think of all the people on their own while you’re doing a jig.
Mandy wanted to watch Die Hard at Christmas, do you have a Christmas film you watch every year? It’s not a film, but I like the documentary series, The World At War. Although they never made a Christmas episode of it. I suppose the Stalingrad episode is the closest you get.
Who do you think Mandy would want to kiss under the mistletoe? What are those men that pull buses with their teeth?
What was your favourite Christmas TV special?
Morecambe and Wise. They don’t bang on about Christmas very much.
A Word from Jo Hartley
What attracted you to the role?
Diane was what attracted me to the role/s. She's magical, so when she asked me to be part of her wonderful show, I jumped at the chance. Mandy is unique and brilliant. I loved season one, It features some great cameos, plus it's a lot of fun working on cool shows with friends.
Inerviews supplied by BBC.
