Most of us would rather chug a gallon of spoiled eggnog than be subjected to a corny Perry Como-y Christmas special. But what if it were hosted by a cardigan-and-turtleneck-clad Stephen Colbert? And what if he wound up singing the best new holiday tune of the century? (I’m not saying "Another Christmas Song" fits that bill; I just thought we were tossing around hypotheticals here.)
From the cozy confines of a mountain-cabin set, the faux political pundit says at the start of Comedy Central’s A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All! (Sunday, 10 p.m.): ”I’m so excited right now, I’m sporting a yule log.” Why? Because he’s decked his halls with a swell bunch of celebs; musical guests include Elvis Costello, Feist, Willie Nelson (”The Little Dealer Boy”), John Legend (crooning a sexy song about nutmeg), and Toby Keith (who declares war on the war on Christmas). Even Jon Stewart drops by for a duet about the potato-pancaked joy of Hanukkah. (He also drops a bleeped-out explanation of a tradition that involves a lamb shank. Don’t say you weren’t warned.) Also prepare thyself for a miniaturized Nelson; when asked by Colbert what he’s doing inside a nativity scene on top of the piano, he responds, "Stephen, right now, I’m so high, you’re hallucinating." Let us award special props to Costello: Not only does he prove to be a highly versatile thespian in this special (read: he wears multiple costumes), but at one point he marvels to Santa: "You got me just what I wanted most — the gift of not being digested by a bear." (In or out of context, that line just works.) While a musical number or two last a wee bit too long, the special nicely blends cheer with cheek. And when a disturbing mistletoe moment occurs between Colbert and said grizzly, you’ll definitely grin and bear it. (One clip from the show is below and you can see three more after the jump.)
Stephen Colbert
Jon Stewart
Toby Keith
John Legend
More Holiday TV:
25 Classic Holiday TV Episodes
Comments (1-30) of 140 Add your comment
My DVR is already set to record this. Can’t wait!
check this out http://www.kasiokristmas.com
I don’t think Christmas speacials should air before Thanksgiving, but for Mr. Colbert I can make an exception. This is sure to be great. (:
I think it was very rude to make insulting remarks about Mr. Como. At least it was beautiful Christmas music, instead of most of the garbage on this day and age, which has nothing to do with the whole reason of Christmas anyway – Christ’s birthday!!!
Hey Bug H. — You’ll really love this Christmas Special. You really seem to GET IT.
Hey Bug H. — You’ll really love this Christmas Special. You really seem to GET IT.
OH YES!
WE NEED A LITTLE (COLBERT) CHRISTMAS RIGHT THIS VERY MINUTE!
It’s Stephen Colbert… watching anything less would be uncivilized!!
THE FRUIT WAS POISONED
I too loved Perry Como. It was a different time… Stephen Colbert is today, in all its glory and dysfunction!
They both deserve Christmas specials.
As someone from Perry Como’s hometown of Canonsburg, PA, I’m just happy he got a shout-out!
Hey Bug H., Jesus wasn’t even born in December!
Is there anything he can’t do?
I meant Stephen Colbert, not Jesus.
WRONG! The world would love a COMOy true Christmas special with singers and musicians that have true talent and thoughts that inspire the Christmas spirit of humanity.
Go Colbert! The last thing we need is another sappy, lame, TV special for a sappy, lame holiday! Jesus isn’t the reason for the season. Wal-Marts bottom line is.
FJFUHXDHGJUBJHBJBNJJJVJJHHJCHVJJHBGVHJHBHJVHBHJHJJHVHJBBJVJVHJGVJB HJNJJJJJJJNHBJHNKBJBKJNJNJJJJJNJBJJJMKJBKJ
I may be out of line here, but I think the world could use a Perry Como-y kind of sappy show. And I also think Wal-Mart’s bottom line wouldn’t even come into the equation if we returned to that sappy sort of life. This year, aside from my child, everyone is getting a card with a note telling them that I have made a donation in their name to their favoite charity.
Colbert was originally more amusing that he has been of late – not sure why – sad for me. Personally, I would enjoy a rousing redux of Auntie Mame’s “We Need a Little Christmas – Right This Very Minute…” and lots of bourbon in egg nog, sugar plums and Rudolph. The real world is much too much with us.
Who is Costello? I thought this was about Colbert.
I agree with LindyLou and others… what’s wrong with sappy Christmas shows? What happened to this world over the past few decades to make everyone filled with some much hate for the holidays?
I’m watching this. I love John Legend AND Nutmeg.
The problem with sappy shows is that life isn’t like that anymore. This is no longer the 50s. Families dont gather around the fire and tv, and sing christmas songs. Colbert is a comedy genious and this is JUST the kind of show we need.
At LINDYLOU, if you were my mother and you decided to donate to charities in my name and gave me a card Christmas morning stating as much… you would not be on the receiving end of a very Merry Christmas. No matter what we’re made of it, Christmas in the U.S. traditional sense is for the kids. That means…. video games, toys, fun in the snow. Anything else is just obscene.
AT TRAVIS. What happened? Well…pseudo-Christians have been running the US the past few decades and pretending to care about their fellow man. Meanwhile they have their corporate friends sneak up from behind – rape you, then charge you a fee for being raped by them. The figures who present themselves as wholesome and too good to be true have been found to be wolves in sheep’s clothing. Let the mocking commence.
Has anyone else noticed how much like “Bob” Stephen looks in this special?
Slack and eggnog = a decidedly dangerous combo…
For Mitch: We know Jesus was not born in December; That is not the issue. We celebrate what He represents and the world is offended by that. Why are you?
This is great! I love everything about it!
I loved it. I loved the introductions for each guest and the applause. I loved all the songs, especially the Chanukkah song with Jon Stewart.
I can’t believe I missed it! Will it be airing again?