Happy Holidays: The Best Of The Andy Williams Christmas Shows (2001)
Airs Nov. 23 at 9PM ET and Dec. 16 at 10PM ET
THE ANDY WILLIAMS SHOW was broadcast for nearly a decade, and during that time, each December Andy celebrated Christmas with a special program. This special, featuring reminiscences from Donny Osmond, son Bobby Williams and from Andy himself, presents the best of the Andy Williams Christmas shows.
Starring: Andy Williams, the Williams Brothers, and the Osmond Brothers.
Bing Crosby and the Sounds of Christmas (1971)
Airs Nov. 25 at 8PM ET, Nov. 30 at 9PM ET and Dec. 16 at 9PM ET
Bing Crosby stars in the 1971 edition of his annual holiday specials,bringing the sounds of Christmas to life with help from original SLEEPING BEAUTY star Mary Costa; the Mitchell Boys Choir; members of the Crosby Family; and fan-favorite vocalist Robert Goulet. Highlights include the Crosby/Costa collaboration “Bells Medley”; the campy carol “Christmas Island”; and Crosby’s timeless rendition of “White Christmas,” with Costa, Goulet, and the Crosby Family. (OAD: 12/14/71)
Starring: Bing Crosby, Robert Goulet, Mary Costa, and the Mitchell Boys Choir
Christmas With Danny Kaye (1966)
Airs Nov. 25 at 10PM ET and Dec. 23 at 9PM ET
In this episode of “The Danny Kaye Show”, acclaimed song-and-dance man Danny Kaye puts his undeniable charisma on display in this evening of laughs and music, featuring the sultry sounds of blonde bombshell Peggy Lee, as she duets with Danny for a genre-spanning rendition of “Jingle Bells”; as well as hilarious skits with series regulars Harvey Korman and Joyce Van Patten. But the true highlight is, arguably, the show-stopping performance by a 24-year-old Wayne Newton, as he blazes through “Jingle Bell Rock,” the WEST SIDE STORY classic “Somewhere (A Place For Us),” and the Dean Martin staple “Every Street’s A Boulevard (In Old New York),” in one of his earliest television appearances. (OAD: 12/21/66)
Starring: Danny Kaye, Peggy Lee, Wayne Newton, Harvey Korman, Joyce Van Patten, and the International Children’s Choir
The Perry Como Christmas Show (1974)
Airs Nov. 25 at 9PM ET, Dec. 7 at 9PM ET and Dec. 23 at 8PM ET
Celebrated showman Perry Como gets viewers into the spirit of Christmas, teaming up with the Carpenters to deliver an hour of holiday standards such as “Carol Of The Bells” and “Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town,” as well as unforgettable Como and Karen Carpenter duets on “Sleep Well, Little Children” and the tag-team medley covering the Como and Carpenter hits “Close To You,” “It’s Impossible,” “We’ve Only Just Begun,” and “And I Love You So,” among others. The special also includes comedian Jack Benny as Santa Claus, world-class impersonator Rich Little, and Olympic Champion figure skater Peggy Fleming. (OAD: 12/17/74)
Starring: Perry Como, The Carpenters, Rich Little, Jack Benny, and Peggy Fleming
Merv’s Christmas With The Kids (1973)
Airs Nov. 30 at 10PM ET and Dec. 21 at 10PM ET
Merv Griffin celebrates the Christmas season with a roster of child stars, in this musical special that features appearances from future REAL HOUSEWIVES OF BEVERLY HILLS alum Kim Richards (NANNY AND THE PROFESSOR), as well as Ricky Segall (THE PARTRIDGE FAMILY), Eric Scott and Mary Elizabeth McDonough (THE WALTONS), Rodney Allen Rippy and the Robert Mitchell Boys Choir.
Starring: Merv Griffin, Kim Richards, Mary Elizabeth McDonough, Eric Scott, Ricky Segall, and Rodney Allen Rippy.
Christmas With the King Family (1967)
Airs Dec. 2 at 10PM ET and Dec. 16 at 8PM ET
America’s First Family of Song stars in their first Christmas special, following the success of THE KING FAMILY SHOW variety series, which premiered in 1965. During the hour-long presentation, the family invites viewers into a traditional Christmas setting, as they decorate a Christmas tree, learn the story of a Christmas donkey, and bring the Nativity to life, while performing a variety of Christmas classics such as “Happy Holidays,” “Caroling, Caroling,” “Deck The Halls,” “Sleigh Ride,” and many more. The family’s musical legacy is still alive and well today, as King Cousin Liza Rey Butler plays harp for indie rock mainstays Arcade Fire, fronted by her sons Win and Will. Recently, the Four Cousins, featuring Tina Cole (MY THREE SONS) have returned to the concert stage.
Starring: The King Sisters, Alvino Rey,Tina Cole, The Four King Cousins, Cam Clarke, Robert Clarke, Ric de Azevedo, and the King Kids.
Mitzi Gaynor Christmas Show (1967)
Airs Dec. 2 at 9 PM ET and Dec. 23 at 10PM ET
The incomparable Mitzi Gaynor takes the stage at the Kraft Music Hall in New York City, putting her signature song-and-dance twist on a multitude of Christmas favorites including “It Came Upon A Midnight Clear,” “Hark The Herald Angels Sing,” and “We Need A Little Christmas,” among others. Gaynor is joined throughout the night by TONIGHT SHOW icon Ed McMahon, for the duets “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” and “I Believe In You”; as well as stage legends Cyril Ritchard and Tony Tanner in a raucous A CHRISTMAS CAROL sketch. This episode hasn’t been seen on TV since 1968 and has never been released on DVD. (OAD: 12/20/67).
Starring: Mitzi Gaynor, Ed McMahon, Cyril Ritchard, and Tony Tanner
The Andy Williams Christmas Show (1966)
Airs Dec. 2 at 8PM ET
Beloved crooner Andy Williams sings his way through a Winter Wonderland of cherished Christmas classics, including “Carol Of The Bells,” “Mary’s Boy Child,” and his trademark rendition of “It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year,” with the help of his wife, French songstress Claudine Longet; his singing siblings the Williams Brothers; and showbiz legends the Osmond Brothers.
Starring: Andy Williams, Claudine Longet, the Williams Brothers, and the Osmond Brothers
The Christmas Sonny And Cher Comedy Hour (1973)
Airs Dec. 9 at 8PM ET and Dec. 14 at 9PM ET
Groovy duo Sonny and Cher give “A Gift Of Song” in their second Christmas special, putting their quirky touch on Christmas with holiday favorites such as “O Come All Ye Faithful,” “Jingle Bells,” “O Holy Night,” “Joy To The World,” and “The First Noel,” and charming skits starring CANNON star William Conrad and their four-year-old daughter Chastity. This rare 1973 special stands out as one of three Christmas shows that the couple did during their television tenure, and remains one of the only places where viewers can see either Sonny or Cher performing Christmas songs.
Starring: Sonny Bono, Cher, William Conrad, Chastity Bono