Last year, a new tradition was launched on SVT, where the program "Cyklopernas land" was basically given free rein to broadcast live for three hours on Christmas Eve evening. This year, they will continue until midnight, making the program one hour longer than last year.
"Magical cocktail"
However, in the days leading up to the broadcast, a dark cloud has loomed over the cultural sky: host Christopher Garplind has fallen ill.
I don't want to reveal what it is, but it's not monkey pox, at least. I'm feeling a bit better now after a magical cocktail of medications I got from a kind of doctor, he says.
But do you have a voice or will it be sign language on screen?
It will be voice. I unfortunately don't think SVT provides sign language interpretation for us.
Large parts of the evening's program feel familiar from last year: such as author Stig Larsson leading the rhyming competition and handing out cash "to taxpayers", and the participants having to guess which celebrity is hiding in a Christmas goat costume. Last year, it was actor Gustaf Hammarström.
Borrowed villa
This year, however, they are not holding the event in a turn-of-the-century apartment in central Stockholm.
Last year, I was in the mood for a city Christmas, so we were in an apartment near Mariatorget. This year, I'm in the mood for a big bloody villa, so I've borrowed one, says Christopher Garplind.
This year, "Cyklopernas land's Christmas Eve" will also face tough competition from Pernilla Wahlgren and "Allsång på Skansen".
It's nice that there's something for everyone. I don't think we have the same type of viewers.
"Cyklopernas land's Christmas Eve" will be broadcast on December 23, starting at 8 pm on SVT Play and SVT2.
