It’s December! And the TV Networks Have You Covered With Tons Of Christmas And Holiday Specials

December 2, 2013 by Masterclass Lady 8 Comments


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Happy December everyone! And what a December it is going to be!

There are innumerable television specials – most of which are happening on NBC. The NBC network is digging into some deep pockets this season to bring us some exciting holiday fare.

First and foremost, with only two months left in Jay Leno’s contract, expect to see an exciting array of guests on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno during the months December and January. Jay has been slowly but methodically bringing back some of his favorite guests, such as last week’s appearance of Garth Brooks and Ellen DeGeneres a few weeks back.

Which brings us to our seasonal shows. On Wednesday, December 11th at 10:00 PM, Jay makes an appearance on Kelly Clarkson’s Cautionary Christmas Music Tale. That is an intriguing title and it will be interesting to see now this show plays out.

But, I, for one, cannot wait to see Kelly perform in the company of , Jay Leno, Blake Shelton, Reba, Trisha Yearwood, Matt Lauer, Robin Williams, Whoopi Goldberg, William Shatner, Danica Patrick, Heidi Klum, Ken Jeong (“Community”) and Jai Rodriguez (“Queer Eye for the Straight Guy”).

However, before we see Kelly’s special, we have two biggies this week.

On Wednesday, December 4th, my favorite Christmas special, Christmas In Rockefeller Center is set to ring in the Christmas season at 8:00 PM on NBC. Scheduled to appear are Mary J. Blige, Toni Braxton, Mariah Carey, Kelly Clarkson, Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, Goo Goo Dolls, Ariana Grande and Jewel.

Then, on Thursday, December 5th, the much anticipated live televised production of The Sound Of Music is set to entertain us beginning at 8:00 PM on NBC. Of course! Starring in the role of Maria is Carrie Underwood, supported by an exceptionally strong cast including Broadway star, Audra MacDonald.

This is a huge coup for Carrie and, vocally, I am more than thrilled that she is using her spectacular voice beyond the confines of country music. She has much to offer the Broadway genre – her voice is perfect for this style of music. I am concerned about how strong her acting skills will fare but, hopefully, she has achieved wise and meticulous direction.

And then, on Wednesday, December 18th, one of my favorite artists, the great Michael Buble, presents his third annual Christmas special, Michael Buble’s Christmas Special at 10:00 PM on NBC. Appearing with Michael are Mariah Carey and Mary J. Blige, as well as Cookie Monster, on songs including “The Christmas Song,” “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” and “Let It Snow.”

And we cannot forget the National Tree Lighting Ceremony, featuring performances by Mariah Carey, The Avett Brothers, Grammy award-winning violinist Joshua Bell, acclaimed soprano and musical ambassador Renée Fleming, multicultural operatic trio Forte, Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin, singer/songwriter Janelle Monáe, Latin music superstar Prince Royce, jazz legend Arturo Sandoval, the multiplatinum, Grammy-winning band Train, and Nolan Williams, Jr. and Voices of Inspiration. The show will air on your local PBS station during the month of December.

And that’s just a few of the offerings this holiday season. So, if you are out partying, make sure you set your DVRs now so you can watch all of your favorite shows at your leisure and still enjoy the company of family and friends during this joyous time of year.

What did I miss? Which shows are your favorites? Please comment away! ‘Tis the season to come together!

Cariie Underwood, Christmas, Holidays, Jay Leno, Music, Television, The Jay Leno Show, The Tonight Show
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About Masterclass Lady

Rosanne (Giallonardo) Simunovic began her musical career in Timmins, Ontario. She studied piano with Anne Pizzale and later, at an advanced level, with Soeur Anita Vaugeois (Sister Cecile of Les Soeurs De L’Assomption in Timmins). Her vocal and accompaniment skills were nurtured by her aunt, the late Dorothea Mascioli. When Rosanne graduated from O’Gorman High School, she moved on to the University of Toronto where she continued her piano and vocal studies while attaining a Bachelor of Arts Degree. She was hired as a piano accompanist for several musical companies, most notably, the National Ballet Of Canada. She presently holds an A.R.C.T. Teacher’s Diploma in Voice from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. Rosanne has studied choral conducting with numerous well known Canadian Conductors, including Wayne Riddell of Montreal, Quebec and the internationally renowned Dr. Elmer Iseler. She has been a founding member of numerous community-based arts organizations: the Timmins Arts Council, later known as Arts & Culture Timmins, the Timmins Symphony Orchestra, and, the Timmins Youth Singers…as well as the TYS Alumnus choir, the Timmins Concert Singers. In 1987, she was also selected to be the conductor of the Timmins Board Of Education Choir, comprised of talented students from Grades 5 to 8. In 1988, she was elected to the Board Of Directors of the Ontario Choral Federation (now known as Choirs Ontario), where she served as Chair of the Festivals Committee for six consecutive seasons. In 1996, in honour of the Ontario Choral Federation’s 25th Anniversary, Rosanne was selected as one of 25 recipients of the OCF’s Distinguished Service Award for outstanding contribution to the choral art. The ceremony was presided by Lieutenant Governor, Hal Jackman. In November 1997, Rosanne Simunovic was selected by the Rotary Club Of Timmins to receive the prestigious Paul Harris Award for her years of dedication to the artistic development of young musical talent in Timmins. In August of 2002, Rosanne Simunovic was selected by the Board Of Directors of Choirs Ontario to serve as Conductor of both the Provincial Junior and Teen Choir Camps, now renamed in honour of the Camp Benefactors, Don and Lillian Wright. In November 2002, Rosanne was the one of the recipients of the Commemorative Medal for the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, honouring her work in the development of the arts in Timmins. Under Rosanne Simunovic’s direction, the Timmins Youth Singers and the Timmins Concert Singers have been featured in numerous choral festivals and performing opportunities outside of Timmins. In 1985, they were selected to partici
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8 Responses to “It’s December! And the TV Networks Have You Covered With Tons Of Christmas And Holiday Specials”

  1. Peggy Bendell December 2, 2013 at 10:20 pm

    My question is this: How many of them even mention the Christ child, the Nativity, the real reason for Christmas? VERY FEW is my guess. So sad. Not even the saying of grace at a meal.

    I know that there are who say ‘what if we don’t believe in the Christ child. Why should we have that thrown in our face?’ I would ask this question: For very many people Christmas is about Christ. Why should He be totally ignored out of fear of offending those who don’t believe? We are offended because He is omitted.

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  2. Peggy Bendell December 2, 2013 at 10:26 pm

    By the way don’t get me wrong – I enjoy most of the Christmas specials, the Made for TV movies. I just wish….

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  3. Peggy Bendell December 2, 2013 at 10:29 pm

    Oh, and I am looking forward to watching Carrie Underwood’s performance. I enjoyed watching the making of the Sound of Music. My thought, though was “What a shame. All that work and set building, etc., for just one show 😦 ” My VCR is set to record. (yes, VCR!)

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  4. Masterclass Lady December 2, 2013 at 10:33 pm

    Peggy – I do agree. It is very sad. If you want to see a Christmas special that celebrates the true meaning of Christmas, you should watch the Morman Tabernacle Choir special. Usually airs on PBS. Gorgeous special

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  5. Peggy Bendell December 2, 2013 at 10:39 pm

    It doesn’t have to be all music or preachy. There were 2 tv shows – Doc and Sue Thomas, FBEye – that weren’t preachy but acknowledged God. And currently Blue Blood isn’t ashamed to say grace and then there’s Duck Dynasty which I will start watching very soon!!!

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  6. awestruck December 5, 2013 at 1:35 pm

    watched the Christmas Tree Lighting at Rockefellar Centre last night. Thought it was lovely overall. Mariah sure puts everything she has into it and has an amazing ability, but I could do without so many vocal gymnastics, lol. Ariana Grande sure has a voice for such a little thing. Was something amiss with Toni Braxton’s voice? She seemed ‘held back’ by something. Maybe just trying to be subtle?

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  7. Suncatcher December 16, 2013 at 12:28 pm

    I LOVE Michael Buble’s now annual Christmas show! I was hoping he might have Forte as guests this year – maybe next year…? Either way, I’ll be watching this Wednesday night, 12/18! Thanks for the great seasonal heads up, Rosanne! And, Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays & Happy New Year to you and yours! It’s been great discovering you this year! : )

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