Regional News; Weather

With Philippa Forrester, Zoe Ball and Chris Jarvis.

7.10 Timeless Tales
Magical animation. (Repeat)

7.35 Smoggies Animated tale.
(Repeat)

8.00 News
(Subtitled)
Regional News; Weather

8.10 Babar
Cartoon with the famous elephant. (Repeat)

8.35 Litt'l Bits
Mystical cartoon. (Repeat)

9.00 News; Regional News; Weather

9.05 Henry's Cat
Cartoon. (Repeat)

9.10 Defenders of the Earth
Animated adventures. (Repeat) (Subtitled)

9.40 Why Don't You?
Thingsto make. (Stereo)

10.05 Playdays
(Stereo)

10.25 Funnybones
Ghoulish tales. (Repeat) (Subtitled)

Comic and dramatic moments from
British productions.

Submarine drama starring Lloyd Bridges, David McCallum

A team of scientists goes on a dangerous submarine trip to investigate seismic activity on the ocean bed.
(1966)
Film Reviews pages 46-65

(Details at 5.35pm; Stereo Subtitled

Adventure starring Sean Connery Natalie Wood
A giant meteor is hurtling earthwards. Scientists from the superpowers join forces in a race to avert devastation.
(1979) Subtitled
FILM REVIEWS pages 46-65

A chance to meet some very special animals. Stereo Subtitled

With Zoe Ball and Chris Jarvis.

What happens when two Jacks exchange one cow for five magic beans? Find out in this panto featuring some famous faces. With Lesley Joseph , Tricia George and the Chuckle brothers.
Written by Jim Eldndge Rpt

Animated version of Beatrix Potter 's story The Tale of Samuel Whiskers.

A preview of forthcoming attractions.

Highlights from the series.
With John Leslie, Diane-Louise Jordan and Anthea Turner.

Helen and Cameron find themselves in a dangerous situation. Rick and Debbie's plans are stymied.
Stereo Subtitled

With Andrew Harvey. Subtitled
Weather Michael Fish

The 2,000-year-old Roman theatre in Orange in Provence is the setting for this trial of strength and endurance.
Eight of the mightiest men in the world battle it out for the coveted title. Introduced byPaulDickenson.
Producer David Pickthall

In the aftermath of Christmas, Phil finds it hard to keep Kathy and Nadia apart. Sanjay finds himself looking for a babysitter and Pauline has some news.
This week's episodes written by Tony Jordan

(For cast see Thursday 23 December)
(Stereo) (Subtitled)

Many bird species have found themselves increasingly threatened by pesticides, intensive farming and urbanisation. Not so the magpie, busy multiplying and taking up residence in every town garden.
Whether the bird is villainous, as the prosecution alleges, or simply resourceful is the substance of tonight's courtroom drama, which is punctuated by some spectacular film sequences. Geoffrey Palmer makes the case for the defence and also narrates the natural-history film segments, while the prosecution is in the hands of Nicholas Rowe, who starred in Steven Spielberg 's Young Sherlock Holmes.
"This film will explain why magpies instil such feelings of loathing or love," says producer/director Nigel Marven. "And thanks to technology developed by the BBC Natural History Unit, we will be able to fly with the magpies, swoop with a sparrowhawk and eavesdrop in a nest as a magpie feeds its babies."
Written by Mervyn Haisman
SEE THIS WEEK page 24

A new hospital comedy by Andrew Marshall, creator of 2 Point 4 Children and co-writer of the recent drama If You See God, Tell Him. Gary Olsen (who plays Ben in 2 Point 4 Children) is the registrar at the St James's General, whose Surgical Team B faces a daily battle with medical dramas, rising costs and their own chaotic relationships.

This week, Kate is determined that her past relationship with Michael is an obstacle to her remaining on the team.

With Andrew Harvey. Subtitled
Regional News
Weather Michael Fish

Comedy starring Dudley Moore, Daryl Hannah
Advertising executive Emory Leeson is expected to lie for a living. So when he starts writing advertisements that tell the truth, he is packed off to Bennington Sanitorium. Then Emory's honest adverts are printed by mistake, proving hugely successful and his quiet life is turned upside down.
Director Tony Bill (1990)
FILM REVIEW pages 46-65

"It was a year that began with the hope of _ new world order," say Polly Bide and Ed Braman , producers of this look at the year. "There was optimism that peace would break out. But all the time we have had reminders, both at home and abroad, that this assumption has been under constant threat."
Indeed, 12 months ago there was a growing confidence in a brighter future, and there have been events, like the Middle East peace initiatives, that fulfilled those dreams. What happened in Bosnia and Somalia, however, has provided stories of continuing sadness, while at home the murder of 2-year-old James Bulger shocked the nation.
It has also been the year when Inflation fell, Buckingham Palace opened its doors to the public and fashion went grunge. Executive producer Anne Lapping A Brook production for BBCtv

Action thriller starring Chuck Norris
A maverick cop and his young partner are caught up in an escalating gang war.
(1985)
Film Reviews pages 46-65