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'American Idol' winner Carrie Underwood's All-Star Holiday Special
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Monday night FOX aired "American Idol" winner Carrie Underwood's All-Star Holiday Special. Hoo boy. Video below.First off, if I wasn't a HUGE Carrie Underwood fan, I would've turned this off after about 15 minutes. They saved the strongest stuff for the end but I would've been gone by then. In fact, the only reason I stuck with it was to see Carrie sing with Dolly Parton.
The opening was Carrie's current hit "Cowboy Casanova." That's fine because it's her big hit right now. But Carrie was wearing a Slutty-Sandy-from-Grease outfit (seriously, they probably had to sew her into it) and she was surrounded by all these creepy male back-up dancers. My boyfriend remarked, "Is this Christmas in Hell?"
After the opening performances of "Cowboy Casanova" and "Before He Cheats," Carrie did a skit where we heard the thoughts of her dog Ace. It sounds terrible, but that actually elicited the ONLY laugh from me and my boyfriend all night.
Following the dog sketch, we got to the girl group medley by Carrie, Kristin Chenoweth and Christina Applegate. It was... my God. Simon Cowell would rip that performance to shreds. I love all those women but... it was bad. Just bad. Was Kristin Chenoweth drunk? And who told Christina Applegate that she can sing?
The show got better when Carrie sang "Louisana Woman, Mississippi Man" with Brad Paisley. It's a country classic by Loretta Lynn and Conway Twitty and was completely great. If Brad Paisley weren't married to a wonderful woman with whom he has two beautiful children, I would wish he and Carrie Underwood could get married and just sing duets all the time.
Carrie ended with the Dolly Parton moments that was fantastic. The jokes were actually funny when Carrie came out dressed like Dolly ("Did your mama used to be a drag queen?" and "Get somebody to hold those up, don't be a hero") and the singing was awesome. Carrie and Dolly do "I WilL Always Love You" and it's great.
Dolly by herself did "Here You Come Again" and it was great, though I do appreciate the irony of Dolly singing, "Looking better than a body has a right to," because... woman, please.-Pot kettle-black anyone? Seriously, how old is Dolly Parton? She looks like she hasn't aged a day since 1985. It's simultaneously awesome and terrifying. My boyfriend remarks, "They just pull her out of the cooler for appearances. She's got a spot next to Walt Disney."
Carrie finally go to the "holiday" portion of the night with "Jesus Take the Wheel" and Dolly sang "I'm Comin' Home for Christmas" and then Carrie did "O Holy Night," which is my very favorite Holiday song and it was just beautiful, absolutely gorgeous.
Finally, Carrie sang "Change," which is her be-socially-conscious song. It is intercut with footage of her trip to Africa. That's cool. I can't really get all cynical because it's nice to help others and encouraging that is great. Also, Carrie seems to get pretty emotional singing the song and it's nice to feel that a celebrity touting that sort of thing seems sincere.
But overall... I don't see FOX calling Carrie's name again anytime soon on this one. Maybe the ratings will prove me wrong but I don't know. Also, as much as this special was pretty rough, I give Carrie kudos for being such a good sport to do all this silly stuff and see if it works.
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Photo credit: FOX
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I watched what I could bear because I like her so much. I wanted more Christmas music and holiday spirit!!! you pretty much got it right with your review though. You could tell she was trying in the skits, but it just wasn't landing like I hoped.
Who was the voice of Carrie's dog Ace? It kinda sounded like Neil Patrick Harris.
Circle gets the square, Cool. That was Neil Patrick Harris.
I totally agree, aps.
Man... Terrible.. Terrible reporting!! Obviously you don't know anything about country music because Brad only has 2 CHILDREN! No wonder you didn't like it... You don't know crap about this genre!!
Oh yea ever hear about proof reading??? Talk about typo's it is ridiculous!!
Thank you, Kristin. I could've sworn they had three kids but I was mistaken. I have amended my mistake.
Geez, Kristin, you don't have to rip her head off. She's entitled to her opinion. I personally thought the show was cute. Everyone had a good time making fun of themselves, and there was a light-hearted feel. I wish there had been more Christmas music and Christmas-based material, but I still didn't mind it.
OK, you ditz! First off, we could care less if you have a boyfriend.
2 hours of XMAS music would have been boring! The show was more about family, friends, and togetherness - ain't that what the "holidays" are about? YES!
I think Carrie did a great job with most of the music. I also would of liked more christmas music. I don't believe that you did not mention American Idol Winner David Cook. I thought his performance of "LIE" was emotionally beautiful. He had the audience on there feet.
Maybe it's your expectations. I thought the show was great. It was a variety show to make fun of her life. Kristin and Christina were perfect. They weren't supposed to be professional singers. Good Lord, whoever you are, lighten up.