It seems to be the case that 'Festivity' climaxes on 24th December. I say this for good reason, and in the light of a review of my TV listing that covers the period from Saturday 19th December through to Friday 1st January. Over the two weeks, on the five main terrestrial TV stations, the compilers of the schedules have chosen to include the word Festive in a way that begged further investigation.
The reason for my delving stemmed from the annoyance felt through seeing the relentless use of this word when there was little need for such. The unwarranted prevalence of this often superfluous, useless and pointless word drove me to check on the usage in a more calculated way. First, though, let's have a look at some examples of the text in the guide.
Keep It in the Family - A festive-themed edition of . . . . . .
Porridge - Festive special, with Ronnie Barker.
Best Christmas Bakes Ever - Jane Asher introduces festive recipes . . . .
The Christmas Big Sing - . . . . festive music from the Royal Albert Hall
Countryfile: Cornish Coastal Christmas - Festive reports from Truro . . . .
Simply Nigella: Christmas Special - A guide to stress-free festive cooking . . . .
Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas - Festive spin-off . . . .
Mock the Week Christmas Special - A festive edition . . . .
My Crazy Christmas Obsession - . . . . who take festive decorating to the extreme.
The Supervet at Christmas - Festive edition . . . .
A Question of Sport Christmas Special - A festive edition . . . .
All Star Mr & Mrs - Festive special . . . .
Posh Pawn at Christmas - . . . . struggles to get into the festive spirit.
Celebrity Come Dine with Me - . . . . get into the party spirit in a festive special.
The Simpsons - Four tales celebrating the festive season.
Can't Pay? We'll Take It Away! Christmas Special - moral dilemmas during the festive period.
The Snowman - . . . . festive tale . . . .
Jamie's Night Before Christmas - . . . . festive dishes . . . .
My Crazy Christmas Lights - . . . . festive lights . . . .
Rude Tube Christmas Cracker - . . . . 50 festive internet clips.
Through the Christmas Keyhole - Keith Lemon has a festive rummage . . . .
Christmas with the Double Acts - An hour of festive fun . . . .
Chas & Dave's Xmas Knees Up! - Festive entertainment from 1982.
Are you bored yet? Most probably.
The spread of the word Festive during the 14 days of television throws up the following results:
The fifty instances of "Festive" show a clustering on Christmas Eve, when there was the most use of the word. The other finding was a most definite recognition of each channel's level of festivity. Channel 4 was by far the most festive, followed by ITV, then Channel 5. The BBC has clearly lacked festiveness this year.
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