Colbert’s Christmas special truly ‘spectacular’
November 24, 2008
Lo and behold all ye Colbert faithful, for he has come and brought with him the miracle of a Christmas special.
America’s greatest hero, Dr. Stephen T. Colbert, D.F.A., grabs your Christmas sack and makes you wish you celebrated Kwanzaa in his hour-long original musical special, “A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All!”
The special begins with Colbert in his cabin showing off his pipes by singing “Another Christmas Song,” a plea to America to make the song a Christmas standard so he can get the royalties. After his over-the-top dance number, he prepares to leave for New York City to film his Christmas special with Elvis Costello.
But oh no! A bear has trapped him in his cabin!
For the next 40 minutes, various musicians visit Colbert, trying to relieve his anxiety and teach him a little something about the holidays.
Each performer is Colbertized, or depicted as an extreme Christmas version of themselves.
Each of the six musical guests sing a holiday inspired tune that has something to do with their persona.
Wiseman Willie Nelson, who is so high even Colbert is hallucinating, sings “Little Dealer Boy,” Park Ranger John Legend sexily sings “Nutmeg” and Angel Feist sings “Please Be Patient,” telling a praying Colbert that the next available angel will answer his prayers shortly.
Guests also include a machinegun-toting Toby Keith and a very jolly George Wendt.
The best moment of the special is when Jon Stewart from “The Daily Show” visits Colbert and tries to cheer him up by letting Colbert know that he does not have to celebrate Christmas. Complete with latkes and dreidels, the Comedy Central fake-news duo sing “Can I Interest You in Hannukah?”
Though not as scathing as “The Colbert Report,” because he’s not bringing the hammer down on anyone, “A Colbert Christmas” is patented Colbert. Just like the show, the special is a mixture of sharp writing and complete absurdity, just with a hint of Christmas spirit.
He sings. He dances. He wields a lightsaber.
If all Christmas specials were this spectacular, I wouldn’t mind the fact that America begins to celebrate Christmas on Nov. 1.