The League of Gentlemen
10pm, BBC Two
It says as much about the cultural inertia of this century as well as the passing of time that, crikey, it’s almost 19 years since the League of Gentlemen first graced our screens, making stars of Reece Shearsmith, Steve Pemberton and Mark Gatiss. They return in their grotesque guises to Royston Vasey; the fact that the actors have aged adds an extra layer of eeriness (and makeup) to their familiar creations. David Stubbs
Panorama: Myanmar – The Hidden Truth
7.30pm, BBC One
Important, if inevitably upsetting, documentary that investigates the plight of the Rohingya Muslims. We know that hundreds of thousands of people have fled violence in Myanmar, but here reporter Justin Rowlatt pieces together witness testimony, government documents and footage to investigate how the community may have been systematically weakened in the years leading up to these recent attacks. Sophie Harris
Mary Berry’s Christmas Party
8.30pm, BBC One
A gaily contrived cook-fest in which Berry, who has blossomed as a solo artist after the Bake Off split, invites four nervous celebrities to make party food. The vibe is self-deprecating awe as Alex Jones, Darcey Bussell, Adil Ray, Fearne Cotton and Myleene Klass take turns to be Berry’s sous chef, with the master doling out comfy wisdom at every turn. Then, Mary gets them tipsy on brandy cocktails and they scoff everything. Jack Seale
Birds of a Feather Christmas Special
9pm, ITV
The lovable Birds reboot sees the trio slipping back into their roles to celebrate Christmas in Chigwell. Sharon (Pauline Quirke) is embarking on gift-shopping with a difference and Tracey (Linda Robson) has festive plans that could cause a ruck. And Lesley Joseph – who always steals the show as Dorien – is on a mission to solve a mystery. And, lo, with an Essex-style wink and some bawdy one-liners, a good old-fashioned Christmas special is born. Hannah Verdier
Old People’s Home for 4 Year Olds at Christmas
9pm, Channel 4
Six months ago, this may have seemed a strange idea. As this recap explains, however, a 25-year study in the US has demonstrated that interacting with children has an enlivening effect on elderly people. So it is that we revisit the characterful likes of Hamish, 88, and Michael, 87 (“Most of my close friends are dead, unfortunately!”), who offer poignant thoughts about later life, amid Christmas crafting. Tears possible. John Robinson
Queen Victoria’s Empire
10.50pm, PBS America
Donald Sutherland lends his patrician tones to this decent new series about the tiny princess who grew up to lord it over a quarter of the globe. If Victoria’s reign coincided with the birth of the modern age (“Steam was the genie … and it was the British who let it out of the bottle”), there was an infernal side to this Promethean revolution: social upheaval, industrial accident and disease, and the Queen inherited it all. Ali Catterall
Made in Chelsea
9pm, E4
How do the poshos of SW3 celebrate the festive season? Couture Christmas jumpers play their part, of course, but in this prelude to next week’s Christmas Special, it’s the usual round of makeups and breakups in naff Notting Hill night spots, while Olivia – clearly Made in Chelsea’s answer to Dorothy Parker – delivers the bon mots. If any of these under-the-mistletoe pairings make it to the New Year, I’ll eat my Harrods holly wreath. Ellen E Jones
Film choice
The Hurt Locker (Kathryn Bigelow, 2008) 10.45pm, TCM
Bigelow’s stunning war movie follows a US bomb disposal unit in Iraq in 2004, in particular Jeremy Renner’s Staff Sergeant William James. He’s the best of the bunch, combining both superhuman focus and a crazed recklessness. It’s a unique portrait of a man addicted to his nerve-shredding trade and one of the most visceral war films ever made.
Live sport
Alpine Skiiing: World Cup 5.30pm, Eurosport 1. Including the men’s parallel giant slalom.
Premier League Football: Everton v Swansea City 7pm, Sky Sports Main Event. Can Sam Allardyce get three points on the board for Everton?
NBA: Minnesota Timberwolves v Portland Trail Blazers 1am, BT Sport 1. A Western Conference Northwest Division clash at Target Center.
