But what of our American friends? Do their shows also rise to the festive challenge? Well, the Paramount Comedy Channel is putting that to the test this Christmas with a whole weekend dedicated to back-to-back yuletide episodes of some of the channels big hits – Two and a Half Men, Scrubs, Frasier, Everybody Loves Raymond, King of Queens, and That 70’s Show. Now I’m no fan of ELR or KOQ, but I could happily lap up episodes of the others from now until Xmas day. Having been privy to some of the episodes being aired, here are three highlights to look out for:

  1. Two and a Half Men: Walnuts and Demerol 20th December, 8:30pm
  2. Scrubs: My Own Personal Jesus 21st December, 8pm Is Scrubs the funniest US comedy of the noughties? Quite possibly. It’s certainly one of the most emotionally involving and hands down features the best all-round cast. This episode from the very first series centres largely on Turk and his waning faith and Dr Reid’s (oh, be still my beating heart) personal problems in dealing with a pregnant teenager. As usual, though, it’s the ridiculously talented Zach Braff and John C McGinley who shine here. Watching Braff in this first series, it’s hard to believe he’s not become a bigger star in Hollywood (Garden State aside) such is his comedic timing and screen presence. As for McGinley, will someone please give this man better movies to star in than Rob Schneider flick, The Animal? A highlight from the first series, the reworking of the Twelve Days of Christmas is a Scrubs classic moment.
  3. Frasier: We Two Kings 21st December 7pm Adopting the classic Frasier plot of sibling rivalry, brothers Niles and Frasier compete for who should host the family Christmas dinner, with dad, Martin Crane, casting the deciding vote. As with all great Frasier episodes this is all about the interplay between the three, and the gags come thick and fast. Paramount Comedy’s Christmas Comedy Weekend airs from 20th – 21st December from 9am until 8.30pm.   19 December 2008