Misery and whine: 9 of the saddest and un-Christmassy Christmas specials ever made

8. ALF, Christmas special (1987)

Usually a lighthearted sitcom, ALF turned very very bleak for its extended Christmas special in 1987. In fact, it’s arguably the most miserable festive episode of anything ever. The main plot centres around a terminally ill eight-year-old girl having her last Christmas, as well as a character called Mr Foley whose wife has just passed away who then tries to take his own life by jumping from a bridge before being stopped at the last minute by ALF. Jeez. Perhaps saddest of all is that there is a really inappropriate laughter track on the whole episode. One word: baffling.