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A Colbert Christmas: Thank you, Santa!

Nov 23, 2008, 12:17 PM | by Dan Snierson

Categories: Television

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


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Toby still is a hero for the ignorant and still spreads hate. No place for him at Comedy Central. His fans will never get it . . .

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louise Tue, Nov 25, 2008 at 10:33 AM EST

People who are easily offended should not have even bothered tuning in. This isn't Disney's World of Christmas nor was it aired on CBS. You know what you're in for on Comedy Central so to cry "offended" now seems silly. I thought it was funny, irreverent and guess what? Not everyone even believes in your version of Jesus so to get self-righteous about it seems fairly ridiculous. Lighten up or turn the channel.

Carrie Mon, Nov 24, 2008 at 08:47 PM EST

Seriously, I never found nutmeg to be a dirty word before, but John Legend has opened my eyes. :)

And who knew that Toby Keith had a sense of humour? Makes me hate him just a little bit less.

Susan Casey Mon, Nov 24, 2008 at 01:51 PM EST

I love it. It was fresh and ingenious. Who know that Stephen and Jon Stewart could sing so well? I thought Willie was the best,and I almost choked on my eggnog when he finally got to the punchline - and I don't even LIKE Willie Nelson - I much prefer Perry Como. And I've been to Canonsburh PA Just outside of Pittsburgh to view the statue of Perry there but WHERE CAN I GET THAT WILLIE SONG? It's sure to be a Christmas classic henceforth. Thank you, Mssr. "Coolbear!"

S. Casey in Annapolis, MD

Em Mon, Nov 24, 2008 at 01:50 PM EST

I liked the special. I was offended by the Willie Nelson song, but it wouldn't have been a Comedy Central sepcial if I hadn't been offended by SOMETHING! I thought the rest of it was really great, and my new Christmas wish is to not get digested by a bear.

Laurie Mon, Nov 24, 2008 at 01:09 PM EST

Yesterday was my birthday, and the Colbert Christmas special is one of the best birthday presents I've ever received. (Although, granted, my birthdays do frequently suck.) The special has definitely earned a permanent slot in my holiday lineup, in between Charlie Brown and that one with the mice and the broken clock that was supposed to appease a wrathful Santa. Thank you, Colbert!

half nelson Mon, Nov 24, 2008 at 12:31 PM EST

This is my new favorite Christmas special! The music was phenomenal, if irreverent. Toby Keith's song is great self-parody. Who knew he had a sense of humor? And the last number was genuinely touching.

Bob Mon, Nov 24, 2008 at 11:58 AM EST

I absolutely loved it. The offensive bits were intentionally excessive. You should have been tipped off by the opening song where he shut out the poor orphans. The songs were funny and well-performed. Stephen Colbert is irreverent but he is not required viewing. If you don't enjoy him turn the channel immediately.

Kevin Mon, Nov 24, 2008 at 10:30 AM EST

I loved the whole thing. Thought it was hilarious. The Willie Nelson song was my favorite...he sang it so seriously that it made it THAT much funnier. Also loved the John Legend song. And Feist is just too cute. Now, in the words of John Legend, "I'm going to find a Meg to nut".

lstu Mon, Nov 24, 2008 at 10:22 AM EST

We really loved it.....(although some parts were hard to watch with teenagers). Right afterwards my 23 year old got out Peewee's Christmas and an old tape of an Andy Williams Special and we really laughed all night. Not digested by a bear may become our classic Christmas wish.

John Mon, Nov 24, 2008 at 10:14 AM EST

Hey Chris, I am not advocating pushing a cripple out of a wheelchair, I am saying that it is pretty bad taste to have a "Christmas" show with songs about giving pot to baby Jesus. Would you feel better if I said there should have been a song about electrifying the chimney and setting and bear trap at the bottom?

To Julie Mon, Nov 24, 2008 at 10:10 AM EST

Did you really not get that the laugh track was as much as spoof as everything else?

Winona Mon, Nov 24, 2008 at 09:59 AM EST

I thought it was brilliant and hilarious. Granted, it was slightly offensive, but it was aired on Comedy Central, people - a channel that's not known to tiptoe around the controversial.

Chris Mon, Nov 24, 2008 at 09:49 AM EST

It was nice of John to confirm his ignorance for us by comparing a song about Islam to pushing a "cripple" from a wheelchair.

Talk about being offensive and in bad taste.

Debbie Mon, Nov 24, 2008 at 09:29 AM EST

Hey John - that great that you will now get to spend that extra half hour with your family from 11:30 to 12:00 every night. I'm sure they really missed you and your hypocrital moralizing for that half hour every day.

Grainne Gillespie Mon, Nov 24, 2008 at 08:59 AM EST

GIJOE, if you were my kid you'd get a boot up your arse for being an ungrateful little knacker.

Bob Mon, Nov 24, 2008 at 08:53 AM EST

Hey John,

You sound like the typical hypocrit. You can stand to make fun of the religion and beliefs of others, but get upset when someone does it in return. Give me a break!

Emma Mon, Nov 24, 2008 at 08:20 AM EST

My plan is to buy the DVD, memorize all the songs, hum them throught Christmas dinner preparations, and burst into full song as the turducken is carved!

John Mon, Nov 24, 2008 at 08:18 AM EST

I thought that the Willie Nelson song about bringing the baby Jesus pot was rather offensive and in bad taste. Hey Stephen, why not push a cripple from a wheelchair or sing a song about Islam? I was a long time fan, you just gave me MY Christmas wish...more time spending time with my family and NOT watching the Colbert Report. Merry Christmas, Mr. Scrooge.

julie Mon, Nov 24, 2008 at 08:17 AM EST

Loved it!
My only complaint was that the show didn't need to show where the "laughs" were by having a laugh track, or studio audience's constant, never-varying laughter at EVERYTHING. The bits stood on their own accord--I knew where to laugh. And the never-ending guffawing got monotonous after 5 minutes.


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