For the past two or so years, Catherine Tate has released some exceptional coasters (packaged in DVD boxes). The discs inside have certainly kept the coffee remnants off my dining room table fairly adequately.

I made the unfortunate mistake of putting *this* Christmas Special coaster in the DVD player to see what would happen. As expected, a whirlwind of inept monotony splattered across the screen with all the ambitiion and grace of a grey piece of phlegm. For the first time in DVD history, a studio audience whose laughter feels forced. I'm sure if they had included a making-of documentary for this programme, we'd see the floor runner holding up the "Laugh" sign - and next to him, a couple of masked men with machine guns in case the audience forgot to laugh.

To say that the worried look on the face of your oncologist is funnier than this Christmas special is to vastly understate the material, and tate's talent. Catherine roundly resorts to swearing and impromptu singing… more »

For the past two or so years, Catherine Tate has released some exceptional coasters (packaged in DVD boxes). The discs inside have certainly kept the coffee remnants off my dining room table fairly adequately.

I made the unfortunate mistake of putting *this* Christmas Special coaster in the DVD player to see what would happen. As expected, a whirlwind of inept monotony splattered across the screen with all the ambitiion and grace of a grey piece of phlegm. For the first time in DVD history, a studio audience whose laughter feels forced. I'm sure if they had included a making-of documentary for this programme, we'd see the floor runner holding up the "Laugh" sign - and next to him, a couple of masked men with machine guns in case the audience forgot to laugh.

To say that the worried look on the face of your oncologist is funnier than this Christmas special is to vastly understate the material, and tate's talent. Catherine roundly resorts to swearing and impromptu singing sessions for her craft; all of which are grossly unfunny. The laugh count on this DVD could be equated to a Ken Loach drama. It's *unusually* unfunny. It's actually quite depressing. I'm sure psychology students could use this as a study on viewers to see how delighted they were before and after they watched this dreadful, embarrassing slop.

And - a lifetime first - George Michael's cameo is years away from being spotted before it actually happens. Hint: If that nurse starts singing a George Michael tune - in a Christmas special - it'd take an amoeba to NOT figure out who's behind the cutain. Don't get me wrong, such treats can be great and really heighten the enjoyment factor. In this special it feels forced, and you almost want to cry for all involved. Almost. Until you realise they now have your ten quid.

But is this "special", as the title indicates? Why of course. It's special in the sense that "special children" are "special". Poor ickle Catherine, tried so hard, oh how cute... okay, move her into the other room, the important guests have arrived...