Rhys Jones: Rex the Runt (1998)

Ben Baker's Christmas Box

Welcome to Ben Baker's Christmas Box, a badly decorated ham stuffed with holly and choirboys. In each short episode I talk to a guest about a TV programme that represents the end of December to them and today I'm joined by writer and academic type Rhys Jones who provides a plasticine pal with a very rude mouth in the literal mould of Rex The Runt, a lesser-spotted Aardman cartoon which ran throughout Christmas 1998 on BBC Two.

Here we discuss the first episode of the domestic and yet fantastical series "Holiday In Vince" first aired on December 21st 1998 at 6:25pm. There's also a look at other less kid-friendly cartoons of the time, bad language at teatime, Judith Chalmers, random Pavarotti disease, losing Peppa Pig, Chihuahua eating and all sorts of other model behaviour.

Watch "Holiday In Vince" here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yDqO5yWjGo

Find Rhys on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/DrRhys

I've just released a new book all about the programmes, people and pop culture that made up the 20th century Christmas TV experience. Find it here: https://linktr.ee/BenBakerBooks.