Stephen Colbert's Christmas Special - The Greatest Gift of All! (soon to be out on DVD, naturally) - sticks to two things at once: the tenets of the Colbert Report's rigorous and silly-cum-satirical bits on the religious right and Conservatives an other little tidbits that people who watch the Colbert Report know (like, for example, Stephen's problem with "BEARS!"), and to mocking the traditions of shoddy and schmaltzy Christmas and holiday specials. In a sense this is the opposite of the Star Wars Holiday Special, though not off at all on the laugh-count, in that the Star Wars fiasco was unintentionally hilarious while, of course, Colbert hits it on the mark again and again. His attitude here is one of running gags ("Misteltoe!"), over-zealous Christmas and nativity worship (Toby Keith doing an actually funny song on Christmas-time pride and Willie Nelson as the 4th wise man crooning on about smoking pot for the Lord), and some gentle prodding at the "other" big holiday of the season (no, not "America's Christmas: 4th of July", Hannukah, featuring Jon Stewart's words of wisdom).
Granted, it helps if one watches the Colbert Report a lot and is a fan, but a good deal of those who tune into Comedy Central likely are and will find it as entertaining as it means to be, even when an occasional song falls flat like the last number (yes, the piano duet with Stephen and Elvis is clever in lyrics but just not funny) or when one could actually pass for a Christmas song like John Legend's Nutmeg (after all, there is Lil' John, so enough said there). But it's little moments and giant/exaggerated facial expressions from Colbert that steal the show among the many cheerfully obvious bits of dialog, such as the reaction to the bear or the crazily inspired feat of George Wendt's appearance. So, load up on eggnog, turn on Comedy Central (or pop in the DVD if it comes to it) and croon along and stomp your feet to an awesome holiday treat.
Granted, it helps if one watches the Colbert Report a lot and is a fan, but a good deal of those who tune into Comedy Central likely are and will find it as entertaining as it means to be, even when an occasional song falls flat like the last number (yes, the piano duet with Stephen and Elvis is clever in lyrics but just not funny) or when one could actually pass for a Christmas song like John Legend's Nutmeg (after all, there is Lil' John, so enough said there). But it's little moments and giant/exaggerated facial expressions from Colbert that steal the show among the many cheerfully obvious bits of dialog, such as the reaction to the bear or the crazily inspired feat of George Wendt's appearance. So, load up on eggnog, turn on Comedy Central (or pop in the DVD if it comes to it) and croon along and stomp your feet to an awesome holiday treat.