Colbert's Christmas Parody Tacky But Fun

Stephen tries too hard in special, but fans will enjoy it

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Nov 22, 2008 2:22 PM CST

(Newser) – Stephen Colbert fans will find much to love in his parody of old-time Christmas specials, though critics carp that the gags are too long and chuckles too few. “Colbert is delightful,” writes Alessandra Stanley of the New York Times, but “the show is too long and more than a little strained, much like the holiday specials it mocks.” Still, this "felicitous hoax," which debuts tomorrow night on Comedy Central, is destined to become a perennial rerun, notes Tom Shales of the Washington Post.

“It would be foolish to say that A Colbert Christmas is bad,” says Matthew Gilbert of the Boston Globe, "since it is so intentionally tacky and awful.” An over-the-top Toby Keith number and a Jon Steward duet about Hanukkah come to mind. Indeed, Aaron Barnhart of the Kansas City Star loved the show, saying it sets the bar high for this year’s Christmas specials: “We’re talking Charlie Brown high.”

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Stephen Colbert is shown during his one-hour musical holiday special, "A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All," airing Sunday, Nov. 23, 2008, at 10:00 p.m. EDT on Comedy Central. (AP Photo/Comedy Central, Kristopher Long)

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Comedian Stephen Colbert enlists the help of musical friends Toby Keith, Feist and many more for this Sunday's 'A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All!' (AssociatedPress)

Toby Keith and Stephen talk about their favorite time of the year. (Wiredsetvideo)

Jon Stewart tries to interest Stephen in a festival of lights. (Wiredsetvideo)

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It would be foolish to say that A Colbert Christmas is bad, since it is so intentionally tacky and awful. - Matthew Gilbert

Daily Show host Jon Stewart duets with Stephen, and in the process demonstrates why he is not usually called upon to sing on television. - Aaron Barnhart

Mr. Colbert is delightful, a few of the song parodies are clever, but over all, the show is too long and more than a little strained, much like the holiday specials it mocks. - Alessandra Stanley

It is merry. Definitely merry. As merry as a stumbling drunk slipping on ice. - Tom Shales

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Colbert's Christmas Parody Tacky But Fun