Comic Encounters
Imagine: The Art of Stand-Up
BBC1, 11.15pm Alan Yentob concludes his serious look at the funny business, exploring the evolution of stand-up comedy. Among the comics he meets is stream-of-conscious-ness master Eddie Izzard (left). Others revealing their passion for making people laugh are Billy Connolly, Jack Dee, Dara O Briain, Frank Skinner and (er) Jim Davidson.
FALL OF AN EMPIRE
Fiorsceal
TG4, 11.10pm This should be a fascinating insight into the final two years of the USSR, which promises to shed light on the power struggles that led to the sudden collapse of one of the most totalitarian empires of the 20th century.
FESTIVE FLAVOURS
Nigella's Christmas Kitchen
BBC2, 7pm Food writer Nigella Lawson (right) reveals her philosophy for coping with the stress of Christmas cooking (kick the camera crew out, Nige). In the first programme, she prepares festive favourites that can be made in advance and frozen, including mince pies, lamb tagine with dates and pomegranates, as well as roast pumpkin and sweet potato soup with a Stilton swirl. Yummy.
IN THE NEWS
Alex Crawford: A Year to Remember
Sky Atlantic, 9pm A look back at some of the major stories of the year, including the death of Osama bin Laden (remember him?) and the summer riots that took place in towns and cities across England. Crawford also reflects on the Arab Spring uprisings, having filed reports from the streets of Tripoli as Gaddafi's power crumbled.
