Here We Go’s chaotic and hilarious New Year special tonight is a seasonal must-watch

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Looking for a New Year’s Eve TV special that avoids bagpipes, overly emotional moments, or a recap of this year’s difficult news? Then Here We Go: Our New Year’s Fireworks Fantasaganza might be just what you need.

Man, this BBC show has been keeping me hooked! Season three just came out earlier this year, and I’m already hyped for season four – it’s coming soon, which is awesome.

Okay, so this special is exactly what you’d hope for – total Jessop family chaos! They’re thrown into a New Year’s Eve filled with stress, hilarious mistakes, and a lot of arguing. Seriously, the shouting matches happen constantly, and it’s all incredibly funny. Think fireworks – both the literal kind and the explosive family drama!

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Katherine Parkinson delivers another brilliant performance, showcasing her talent for subtle comedy. She portrays Rachel Jessop as someone constantly struggling to cope, managing to keep everything afloat through determination and a quietly assertive attitude.

Naomi Parkinson excels at portraying characters who are secretly frantic but maintain a polite exterior, and this episode provides her with ample opportunity to showcase that talent.

Jim Howick’s character, Paul, is as confused as ever, and this time he’s dealing with a massive boil on his face. After a disappointing firework display on Guy Fawkes Night, he tries to avoid hosting a New Year’s Eve party. His plan? A complicated house swap: renting out his own home will fund a family vacation to Devon with a sauna, and he’s hoping to bring along a large stash of fireworks he bought at a police auction.

Get ready for a wild road trip – especially if you’re planning to spend the holidays traveling on the M6 with your entire family! It might be a bit too close for comfort.

I have to say, Tom Basden really knows how to write things that hit a little too close to home – and honestly, that’s what makes it hilarious, right? The show had me hooked when Freya Parks, playing the daughter Amy, casually dropped that the biggest party of the year was happening at their place. What followed was this frantic scramble – first trying to kick everyone out, then completely reversing course and begging them to stay! It was brilliantly chaotic.

And then the Fireworks Fantasaganza, which of course goes nowhere near Paul’s plan.

Jude Morgan-Collie plays Sam, who’s always filming and subtly guides the story. He also has a sweet, understated storyline about a breakup caused by a gift-giving misunderstanding.

Alison Steadman is still a standout as Sue, the grandmother who’s both outspoken and delightfully unpredictable. Her character’s unusual diet club meets at places like KFC and all-you-can-eat buffets, and Steadman clearly enjoys playing every funny moment – and indulging in the food along with it.

The show really shines because it stays true to what it does best. Here We Go isn’t about huge jokes or elaborate scenes. It excels at unexpected moments, quick looks to the camera, sudden shifts in tone, and dialogue that feels natural and spontaneous, even though it’s carefully written.

This episode really embraces the show’s signature style, piling on misunderstandings and poor choices until everything feels like it’s about to fall apart. It’s a comedy that builds slowly, not through obvious gags, but by making you realize things are only going to get worse as no one seems able to handle the situation. It feels like a classic sitcom, delivered with a comedic timing similar to The Office.

New Year’s Eve is a great setting for this story. The night is usually filled with hopes, loosely formed ideas, strong feelings, and ultimately, some letdown – and Here We Go playfully pokes fun at all of it without being negative or harsh.

It recognizes that most people celebrating the New Year aren’t aiming for flawlessness – they just want to make it through the year with as few problems as possible.

Holiday-themed episodes can be tricky for sitcoms. If they try to do too much, they risk losing the show’s core humor. But if they don’t change enough, the episode feels ordinary despite the festive setting.

This holiday special strikes the right balance. It delivers exactly what longtime fans expect, while also being accessible for new viewers. It’s more expansive and energetic than a typical episode, and uses the excitement of New Year’s Eve to subtly amplify the show’s existing strengths.

Everyone has high hopes, but tensions are running high, and the family’s difficulty talking to each other without arguing is what makes the story both funny and heartwarming.

Looking for something to watch tonight? This is a good choice. Or, if you plan on catching up on TV tomorrow, this will show you exactly what you avoided!

The New Year is best greeted with laughter, and maybe a little bit of amusement at the quirks of other families – which can sometimes feel a little too close to home.

Here We Go: Our New Year’s Fireworks Fantasaganza is on BBC One at 8pm on New Year’s Eve

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2025-12-31 10:20