Gavin and Stacey: Christmas Special 2019

Watching this before the finale tomorrow

Danny S

I love how you're continuously saying you don't go for the romance yet I've watched you react to LOTS of videos where you get invested in the sloppy stuff lol! Admit it, you like it haha! LOVING your reactions, my friend :)

Darren Hall

I actually never watched the Christmas special, was like watching it with you! Great episode

https://www.stand4socks.com/products/nessa-whats-sock-urrin-christmas-sock How fitting!

Manly Stump

Not sure when Gavin will be free to film again, or James, Gavin is currently in my home town filming a comedy about my home town - he’s from around here originally, not Essex. Tried to get some work on it but sadly not yet 😂

Kieran B

Have heard rumours recently of another special

Kieran B

What I love about following along with you with this series was when you started you said you don't go for all that cheesy romantic stuff, and because you get so attached to the entire dynamic of these characters, how they all have their own personalities, like Smithy, being high maintenance and needy, ness, not giving a fuck, and bryn being so sheltered and innocent, the way both families come together, you just want to be in there with them, your reaction at the cliffhanger ending told me that you didn't realise how much you did have an emotional connection to the smithy and ness love story.

Alpha Gamer

I will put it on my list bud.

After Work Reactions

That's awesome man I am glad you ended up enjoying the show.

After Work Reactions

I agree he might no be able to film anything major until the late night show ends, I am sure that is a pretty demanding filming schedule.

After Work Reactions

That would be awesome if they did, thanks for the link bud about to check it out.

After Work Reactions

https://www.hellomagazine.com/film/20211013123907/james-corden-admits-reason-bringing-back-gavin-and-stacey/

Chris

It was in the news just the other day that they are going to do one more episode. God knows when it'll be though

Chris

Spaced AWP and porridge have to be done

Chris

I’d imagine there won’t be another episode until James Cordon’s contract hosting the Late Late show ends in the US, although I think he and Ruth Jones did write and film this one after he started that job. Perhaps the pandemic has put a spanner in the works. I expect there will be a follow up eventually. However, if there isn’t, leaving it to everyone’s imagination kind of works.

Gary Tamblyn

Now I understand some of the negative reaction to this special. This was my first time watching through. I was confused when I'd heard some fans say it was disappointing when it came out. Clearly those people don't like a, make it up in your own head what happened cliffhanger! I for one, loved it! So glad you did this show. It's showed me what I'd been missing and turned me into a fan. I know I'll be revisiting this next year at some point.

Daryl

In the next polls, I think People Just do nothing should be moved over to the 'short series' polls over from the long series. The 4 webisodes are only 10 minutes long (and quite low quality) so could probably be done in one viewing.

Daniel

Josh reacts to American films so I see no reason why he cannot react to American TV shows albeit I would say perhaps the TV show reactions are exclusively British because he may have already seen most American shows, and we are predominantly British ourselves, so we're showing off our culture and our entertainment to him and watching him enjoy it. Whilst I wouldn't be averse to some American shows creeping in (NOT Friends, please NOT Friends! :p) I always thought that the Britishness of the TV was the point. With films, it's a much narrower pool to draw from - the American film industry is huge and we are more influenced by American films than British over here on balance I'd say, at least more of an even split in any case. American TV reaches such a wide audience it's hard to find shows seen by us in the UK and unseen by Josh I'm guessing, whereas British TV, particularly comedy, isn't as widely exported, and we have countless "hidden gems". They're a big part of our culture, but nigh on invisible to America.

Ash Jeffries

New poll coming soon, as much as I want to see some of the shows that have been on the polls for ages (Spaced, Black Books etc.), I think it's a good opportunity to put some non-British sitcoms on the poll. "Josh discovers new comedy" should be the point of his channel, not "American reacts to British things".

Ben

Loved this and look forward to the next show. I think it's worth adding 'Still Game' and 'My Hero' to the poll if they're not already on

Josh

In slight defense of Sonia, I've heard people say she's like a surrogate for the audience dropped into the show. She just doesn't understand any of the running jokes or character quirks. 'Whats occurring' she's like 'nothing is' like what are you talking about. 'Neil the baby' She says 'he's not a baby' Not understanding Nessas stupid presents just being a 'Nessism' These are all things that are normal to us as the audience now because we know these characters so well. But when looked at in isolation are actually quite strange 😂 But obviously all the trying to change Smithy stuff is just sad, he's fine leave him alone.

Michael Harrop

Neil the Baby is played by the same kid that played him as a baby! I love Bryns unnecessary anger towards Gwen, it cracks me up every time. 'It's Christmas eve Gwen....THINK!' Also Bryn is wearing his 'my niece went to greece' shirt that he made as a joke in series 2 when he sleeps in Christmas morning. Love the tribute to Doris and one last hurrah with these characters, whether they make more or not it was so great to have this episode. Glad you enjoyed the show Josh, I was more excited about this show than any other poll winner, its just so charming. Till next time Joshlaaaa

Michael Harrop

It’s been a pleasure with this show Thanks Josh, I have enjoyed the laughs and odd tears with this show, another gem ending, sad but, here is to a new one beginning

Gareth Hood

Superb idea! Josh, you should absolutely do this! I was very surprised to see you were unfamiliar with the song Nessa and Bryn sang in the pub. Fairytale of New York is more famous than the National Anthem in the UK (and Ireland, naturally! :-p). I just always assumed it was known all over the world but evidently not! Haha!

Ash Jeffries

Could Auf Wiedersehen Pet be added to the list of next series please

Mark Parker

I think my favourite joke is when Nessa describes her and Smithy being like Hall & Oates, Morecambe & Wise, or Mel & Sue between the sheets. (Which she clearly intends to mean they have great chemistry...however they're all same sex double acts who definitely don't have sex!)

David Lyons

Josh also didn't seem to be familiar with Step Into Christmas by Elton John (of which the chorus was sung early in the episode). Now that I think about it, most of the Christmas songs we consider to be iconic (by Slade, Shakin' Stevens, Wham, Jona Lewie, Wizzard, Cliff Richard, Band Aid...) all originate from here in the UK. Does the US have much in the way of Xmas songs post-1950s & 60s? Only artists that spring to mind are Jackson 5 and Mariah Carey...

David Lyons

They have alluded to there being another episode, but said that really will be the last one ever. I guess with the main focus to finish smithy and nessa’s story as the main plot of course

Joe S

Josh maybe on your YouTube channel you should react to some classic British Christmas songs, start with ‘Elton John- Step into Christmas’ which is what smithy sang when he came in the house with the others so that was the “are you asking me to step in” joke lol and the song in the pub was called “fairytale of New York”. But also: Slade- merry Xmas everybody (where he famously shouts it’s Christmas, like Gavin did) Wham- last Christmas Wizzard- I wish it could be Christmas every day Jona lewie- stop the Calvary John Lennon- happy Xmas Band aid- do they know it’s Christmas

Joe S

cant believe you havnt heard fairy tale of new york , my fave christmas song of all time! also their better be another special you cant end a show like that mannn haha

Jake Lol

I think they purposely ended the episode like that with the intention to do another special sometime down the road. Who knows, we’ll see!

AWR93

Great reaction :) aaargh the end was so frustrating lol. Maybe they're leaving it open to keep people wanting more. I don't think I'd have ever watched all of G & S if it wasn't for being on here, I'd seen a couple of episodes before and never got into it. But I grew to really enjoy it. Nessa is my favourite character, she's great :D I was surprised you hadn't heard the song, Josh! It's Fairytale of New York by the The Pogues and Kirsty McColl. My favourite Christmas song. It isn't Christmas for me until I hear that playing somewhere.

BelladonnicHazeyJaneII

I really hope there is another episode but i have my doubts. A bit of trivia from the episode, the actor who played Neil the baby is the same actor who played the original Neil the baby 10 years ago, i thought that was a nice touch from Ruth & James.

Scott Williamson

Scumbags and maggots and cheap lousy faggots are EVERYWHERE.

Tony Smyth

I was just as enraged at how they ended it! The cast had been asked for years about bringing it back and thought this episode would stop people asking them..Now people want another episode even more! Ruth & James are evil geniuses haha. Loved watching this series with you, it’s been a great ride.

Sam Owen

Sad to see this end, but *cough* Spaced *cough* is a good replacement ;)

Jay

No one is re-writing history. That song unedited is available everywhere. Shane MacGowan, the writer of the song, stated himself that he has no problem with that word being censored wherever necessary. If your sole enjoyment over the song is that one word, then perhaps you're enjoying it for the wrong reasons? It's a great song with that word or without.

Jay

I dont think I've ever met someone who doesn't know Fairytale of New York lol

will doyle

Can I make a suggestion for the next poll? It'd need to be for a long-running series poll as it's 69 episodes but I make this suggestion here because I think Gavin and Stacey proved you can watch and really enjoy a comedy series that has a slightly "romantic" vibe to it and a gentle, feel-good factor, something you have said you don't generally go for. I also suggest this show because it's extremely popular with American audiences. But what I will say is that it's very well-written and superbly acted, with a stellar cast including Dame Judi Dench who I am sure you will be familiar with. The show is called As Time Goes By. It's a gentle, charming sitcom with witty dialogue and wonderful on-screen chemistry. Without giving too much away, I would say that you will fall in love with the main characters but also the supporting cast who are weird and wonderful and similarly to Gavin & Stacey, it's the supporting characters who are (mostly) the more overtly comedic. Dench and Geoffrey Palmer are more so the "straight men" in a similar way to Gavin & Stacey, but they're older. The show's premise is a really interesting one and I really think it's something you would enjoy. It has a romantic strain to it, but it's more charming and feel-good than anything else, and it's an intelligent show - more so than G&S I think if I'm being honest, but relatable and down-to-earth with it too. I don't know how well it would perform on a poll but I love it and would vote for it! Haha! Just a thought! :-)

Ash Jeffries

Great reaction, Josh! :-) The show does end on a cliffhanger but I have a theory as to why: - The original ending (the previous episode) was very "complete" but it was brought back as a nice gift from the writers after 10 years and so it's all really a post-ending episode, an epilogue or encore of sorts. So it's not a true finale, really. - I think given that they brought it back after 10 years, it's very unlikely that we won't ever get another one - it could be years down the line, but it'll happen I'm sure. And we'll finally see whether Smithy accepted the proposal or not! :-D In fact, I would say it ended on a cliffhanger deliberately so that they have every reason to do another one. Clever tactic! :-D Not that the BBC would ever turn it down as it's a massive ratings winner in the UK. When they totted up the viewing figures for this episode at the end of 2019 it broke records for being the most watched TV special of the 21st century. It was considered remarkable especially in the current age of on-demand TV, far fewer people watching anything live. So they would snap up another episode. It's only the availability of the cast that stops it from going ahead. It's a brilliant bit of writing that ending especially I think. Smithy did change dramatically around Sonya and she was very insulting to him and disrespectful when she was around everyone else. After all that though, he didn't do what some men would've done, and gone with her to her mum's to stay in her good books. He may be a little compromised in their relationship, even as we Brits would say "under the thumb" (being controlled by the other person in the relationship), but his loyalties are stronger than that elsewhere. He loves and is devoted to his son so he stayed put. I believe that Nessa has fallen in love with him over time and it hinges largely on how good a father he is - she even said it in this episode, and I think his *not* going off with Sonya was the catalyst to her proposal at the end. As for how old Nessa is - who knows?! Haha! Ruth Jones is 55 (she would've been 53 during filming of this episode) and looks considerably younger I think. You are right - she's barely aged since the first episode, where she would've been 41, and she could pass for mid-40s here easily. Gavin and Stacey are around the early 40s mark, as is Smithy. Pam and Mick were in their 50s ten years ago so presumably 60-something here. I suppose people generally do age a bit more between 30 and 40 than they would moving from their 50s to their 60s. So glad you've enjoyed this show. I've really enjoyed rewatching it and I can't wait to see which show ends up replacing it!

Ash Jeffries

It's not British. It's Irish.

Tony Smyth

The song is a classic loved in Britain, Fairytale of New York by The Pogues and Kirsty Mccall.. It's about a drunk guy and his wife and their toxic relationship.. the joke is that Nessa sings the guy part, hence the low notes.. Kirsty then tragically died in a boat accident saving one of her children. Sad story.

Austin Stratton

Ruth Jones and James Cordon wrote the funniest lines for the other characters, not themselves. I'm gonna miss this show.

Tony Smyth

Another classic show finished, for now at least! Yeah again if you could add Brassic to the Monday poll would be much appreciated, for any of you who haven’t seen Brassic, it’s brilliant 👍

Joe S