News roundup, with Asad Ahmad and Susanna Reid. Weather update at 8.25.
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Russian Steps. The second leg of the trip takes Michael Palin by bus, train and barge across Russia from the cities of St
Petersburg in the north to Odessa in the SOUth. (R) (S)
Frank discusses his application to leave Britain. (R) (S)
Drama. Gerald Carmody resents being left at a Cornish hotel over Christmas while his son's family goes skiing. Determined not to enjoy himself, his resolve is broken by Katherine Palmer.
Written by John Kane
Director Mark Haber (R) (S)
A young cast perform Leonard Bernstein 's chamber opera, conducted by Paul Daniel.
A couple face a communication breakdown in fifties America - he is a workaholic and she seeks escapism via films. (W)
The Stepdaughter -tomorrow 1.45pm
Epic romantic drama. Doctor and poet Yuri Zhivago is raised in the family of Alexander Gromeko, whose daughter Tonya he marries. But his love is for Lara, the mistress of a political opportunist. With the outbreak of war, their romance is blighted.
Widescreen. Review page 58.
Director David Lean (1965, 15)
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Burns Baby Burns. Montgomery Burns's illegitimate son arrives in Springfield. Guest voice Rodney Dangerfield. (R) (S)
A one-off comedy film that uses puppets and live action to recall the adventures of four ex-army mascot sheep. Featuring the voices of: Written by Tim Firth (S) (W)
The Second World Championship. Craig Charles and Julia Reed introduce the ultimate event in mechanised mayhem as 16 robots from nine different countries compete in the arena of combat in a bid to wrestle the sport's world championship crown from current titleholder Razer. Repeated on Thursday 3 January at 12.15am
The senes continues on Thursday 3 January at 6pm (S) (W)
Too Short a Season. A veteran Federation admiral tries to prove his ability in negotiating the release of hostages - but his methods conceal a deadly personal secret.
Regular cast on Wednesday 2 January at 6.45pm (R) (S)
Comedy inspired by the seventies TV series. Los Angeles, 1995: the Brady bunch are caught in an idyllic time warp )f seventies values. But the family is in danger of losing their house, so it's up to the kids to raise the$20,000 needed to save their home. Widescreen. Review page 58.
Director Betty Thomas (1995, 12) (S) (W)
Ends 10.30.
Never Mind the Buzzcocks Christmas Special
Mark Lamarr hosts a festive edition of the irreverent music quiz, where team captains Phill Jupitus and Sean Hughes are joined by Hearsay's Myleene Klass , pop siren Belinda Carlisle, Scottish singer Fish and comedian Johnny Vegas. Director John L Spencer : Producers Simon Bullivant and Warren Prentice
Repeated New Year's Day at 10.30pm (S) (W)
Jamie Theakston presents a compilation of highlights from the recent spoof music series in which he interviews some of the biggest names in the music business - from Elton John to legendary crooner Tom Jones to Irish rockers U2 - all of whom are portrayed by Matt Lucas and David Walliams.
Director Gareth Carrivick : Producers Ashley Blaker , Andrew Wiltshire (S)
Surreal and sometimes shocking take on events in 2001. Shown on Thursday 27 December at 10pm (S) (W)
Muppets star Kermit the frog returns to television screens to introduce the highlights and heart-throbs of 1976, including tennis superstar Bjorn Borg and racing driver James Hunt. It was the year that Abba released the hit single Dancing Queen, Sylvester Stallone won Oscars for the film Rocky and punk rocked the news headlines.
Director Irene McMillan (R) (S) (W) A special edition of I Love the Eighties can be seen tomorrow at 8pm, while the I Love the Seventies series continues on New Year's Day at 11pm
Drama, concluding the Crimescenes season, starring Robert Ryan and Ida Lupino. Obsessive detective
Jim Wilson gets results only by the harsh handling of suspects. Sent to investigate a murder, his encounter with Mary, a blind woman, changes his life. Review page 61.
Director Nicholas Ray (1951) (BW) (S)
