Home is at the heart of TV3’s Christmas shows

UNCLE Vincent is berating everyone from the couch, the kids are obsessing over X Factor, granddad Bill is explaining how they should be lucky to get a penny apple, and almost every show on TV seems to be a re-run or a Christmas special.

TV3 may regularly broadcast reality programmes, but the station’s holiday season schedule is the closest bosses have come to mirroring daily home life.

In the station’s yuletide shows — so varied as to include Can’t get home for Christmas; Dublin Airport: Coming Home for Christmas; Michael Bublé at Home for Christmas; and Homeless at Christmas — TV3 is attempting to bring Christmas home to viewers.