THE SWEET MAKERS: A CHRISTMAS TREAT, BBC2, 9pm
WE look back at how the Victorians celebrated Christmas, focusing on the rich, sweet, sugary recipes the families would indulge in. However, the programme starts with a reminder that it was Prince Albert who popularised the Christmas tree, and that the Victorians would stuff the branches with flickering candles. Oh, the risk of fire must have been ludicrous! It made me shudder. I wanted to yell across the years at all the Victorian children: “Hey, watch the tree!”
Tonight, four modern bakers recreate the forgotten festive treats our ancestors enjoyed, and our mouths will water at sugarplums, jelly pistols and the chocolate apple.
A good dose of social history is also provided. We’re reminded that the elaborate treats, such as Twelfth Cake, were only available to the rich. The poor had to be content penny sweets like sugar mice.
LOVE HURTS: ROY ORBISON, BBC4, 9pm
ROY Orbison’s son Alex narrates this documentary about his brilliant father’s life and legacy.
The great man has been dead for 29 years, but the story of his life is still vivid and terribly painful. His wife was killed in a motorbike accident in the 1960s, and we see a video clip of Roy Orbison saying he had to go home and tell his sons that their mom wasn’t coming home. But he found work “therapeutic” and thankfully kept producing his great songs. Later on came more tragedy, when his house burned down and two of his sons were killed.
He recalls the advice his mother gave him, which is probably the only thing anyone could have said: “Son, give it a couple of years and you’ll feel a little better.”
Interview clips show Roy Orbison was thoughtful, deep, fascinating and intelligent, and we all know how great his music was and still is.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here