Today's Entertainment

December 14, 2014

The Brainerd Dispatch - Today's Entertainment Magazine

Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/433289

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 1 of 19

2 D ecember 14 - 20, 2014 Br ainerd Dispatch By Jacqueline Spendlove TV Media A s you join the throngs of Christmas shoppers in the malls and department stores this year, chances are you'll be sere- naded by Canada's token crooner amongst the holiday music with which we've been bombarded since the first of November. With his dulcet-toned take on time-hon- ored Christmas songs, Michael Bublé's voice has become a fixture during the holidays. In what's becoming an annual tradition, the singer will also have his hour in the spotlight in prime time with his fourth Christmas special. Taped at the famed Radio City Music Hall, "Michael Bublé's Christmas in New York" airs Wednesday, Dec. 17, on NBC. With the success of past Christ- mas specials, it's no surprise that the multiple Grammy and Juno award winner is taking the stage for the holidays once again. The first program in 2011 saw 7.1 mil- lion viewers tune in — the same year he released his chart-topping "Christmas" album — and his sophomore special in 2012 notched an impressive 5.66 mil- lion viewers. Last year's show raked in an audience of roughly five million, beating out Celine Di- on's "Home for the Holidays" spe- cial that aired earlier that same night on CBS. This year's song lineup consists of seasonal favorites, including "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)," "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" and "All I Want for Christmas Is You." Bublé also performs unplugged versions of a number of songs requested by his hordes of social media follow- ers, including "Blue Christmas," "I'll Be Home for Christmas" and "Cold December Night." It's the perfect event to get peo- ple into the holiday spirit, though Bublé's silky voice isn't the only thing that's drawing in viewers. The specials feature some distin- guished guests, which in the past have included big names such as fellow canucks Justin Bieber and Carly Rae Jepsen, plus megastars Rod Stewart and Blake Shelton. Last year, he welcomed musical powerhouses Mariah Carey and Mary J. Blige to the stage, plus, perhaps the biggest name of all, Cookie Monster. Bublé is upping the ante this year, having scored the legendary Barbra Streisand as part of his im- pressive and diverse guest list of bodacious babes. Fellow song- stress and former teen idol Ariana Grande ("Victorious") will be lighting up Radio City Music Hall as well this year, along with Miss Piggy and The Rockettes, and their host is be- yond thrilled. "I could not be more excited to celebrate the Christmas holidays in New York with such a fantastic array of tal- ented women," he told the media. "I think my fourth holiday special for NBC may be the very best yet. I can't wait for everyone to see it." Bublé is big on duets, which is why it's so great to get killer voices such as Stre- isand's and Grande's (and of course, Miss Pig- gy's) together on the stage for an event like this. He's performed heaps of songs alongside some major players in the music and acting world, including Boyz II Men, Reese Witherspoon ("Walk the Line," 2005), Idina Menzel ("Rent," 2005) and Bryan Adams. This isn't the first time he and Stre- isand will be teaming up, either. The two joined forces on the "Fun- ny Girl" (1968) star's newest al- bum for a rendition of "It Had to Be You" that's been garnering mad love. Christmas is a particularly spe- cial time for Bublé, who holds the holiday close to his heart. Growing up, his family played Bing Crosby's "White Christmas" record non- stop throughout the season. "It was the only Christmas re- cord my parents had, and we played it from late October through December," he told "The Telegraph" back in 2011. "It intro- duced me to jazz, to crooning, to music, really. I think it's the reason why, when I heard standards later in my life, there was a great sense of comfort." Releasing a Christ- mas album of his own had long been a dream of Bublé's, and "Christmas" saw that dream real- ized. The full-length album shot to No. 1 on the charts, where it re- mained for five weeks, and it stands apart as being the first hol- iday album to win a Juno for Al- bum of the Year. No stranger to collaborations, the crooner teamed up with a number of art- ists to record duets for the album, including Shania Twain, The Pup- pini Sisters and Thalía. "Christmas in New York" promises to give an exciting live take on the classics that make up the album, and with the addition of his special guests, it's safe to say we're in for a spec- tacular show. With Christmas just around the corner, the holiday warm-and- fuzzies are coming in hard and fast. As he's done for the past three years, Bublé is doing his part to spread the Christmas spirit around with his jazzy take on the classics. Join the Canadian super- star and his special guests as they take the stage for his "Michael Bublé's Christmas in New York." Packed to the gills with holiday fa- vorites, the special airs Wednes- day, Dec. 17, on NBC. Belt it out Michael Bublé's fourth Christmas special delivers holiday favorites Cover Story this week Miss Piggy and Michael Bublé as seen in "Michael Bublé's Christmas in New York" "Your One-Stop, Locally-Owned Medical Supply Company." 206 W. Washington, Tyrol Hills Center Brainerd (218)829-2100 BRAINERD MEDICAL SUPPLY We Process Medical Assistance, Blue Cross, Medicare and Most insurance. 24 Hour Emergency Oxygen Service Remember: If you haven't purchased your diabetic shoes now's the time before the end of the year! Certified fitters on hand. GREAT HOLIDAY GIFTS Valid With Coupon. CASH sales only. No other discounts apply. Expires Dec. 24, 2014 PRIDE LIFT CHAIRS Valuable Coupon $75.00 OFF NICE SELECTION OF COLORS AND STYLES With Serta's Premium cool action memory foam Valid With Coupon. CASH sales only. No other discounts apply. Expires Dec. 24, 2014 NEW! DR. COMFORT BOOTS AND SLIPPERS Valuable Coupon EXCEPTIONAL COMFORT AND STYLES Free delivery in our service area 8-5:30pm M-F, 9-12 001174078r1 NOW 10% OFF AND STYLES NOW 10% OFF NOW 10% OFF 501 W Washington St, Brainerd | Ph: 218-828-1823 Free Pick Up & Delivery or Loaner Cars Available. We Can Do That! FREE AIR PRESSURE CHECKS! INCLUDES: - Lube, Oil Change & New Oil Filter (Up to 5 quarts conventional oil); 4-Tire Rotation, Check Tread Depths & Adjust Air Pressure to Manufacturer's Specifi cations; Top Off Under Hood Fluid Levels (Exclude extended life); Complete Visual Vehicle Inspection. Offer Valid Through 1/17/15. Not Valid With Other Offers. Must Present Coupon At Time Of Purchase. Canister cartridge fi lter and diesel oil extra. Addition charge for shop supplies, up to 7% or $25 maximum WINTER CAR CARE PACKAGE $29.95 PACKAGE WITH SYNTHETIC BLEND OIL: $41.95 PACKAGE WITH FULL SYNTHETIC OIL: $55.95 SELECT ANY 2 PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE SERVICES AND RECEIVE $50.00 OFF INCLUDES: automatic transmission fl uid fl ush, manual transmission service, transfer case service, air induction service, differential service, power steering fl uid fl ush, coolant fl uid fl ush, 3 or more services get an additional $10 off. Offer Valid Through 1/17/15. Not Valid With Other Offers. Must Present Coupon At Time Of Purchase 001173781r1 (Most Vehicles)

Articles in this issue

Archives of this issue

view archives of Today's Entertainment - December 14, 2014