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Michael Bublé sings up a winter wonderland By Jacqueline Cutler © Zap2it Somewhere, someone may love Christmas more than Michael Bublé, but if that person exists, it's Santa. Bublé listens to Christmas music yearround and talks about the holiday with the sort of sincerity usually reserved for wish lists while perched on Santa's knee. He brings that love of the holiday, his incredible voice and warmth back to NBC for his second Christmas special, "Michael Bublé: Home for the Holidays," Monday, Dec.10. "It's better than last year," Bublé says. "It's so completely fast, fun and loose." Bublé grew up watching "The Andy Williams Christmas Special," relishing the warmth and ease with which Williams welcomed his guests and audience. Bublé aims to replicate that and understands the importance of being a gracious host. "The truth is my goal is to have an annual special," he says. "I wanted to make an old-school special." Relaxing in a Manhattan hotel overlooking Central Park, Bublé is so guileless and enthusiastic that the interview is less promotional and more inspirational as he tells why he adores Christmas. "The Christmas of my youth was full of love," Bublé says of growing up in a Vancouver home where his mom put up the tree in late October, and he listened to Bing Crosby's "White Christmas" in the summer — and fall and spring as well. Now his family and friends descend on his Vancouver house, where, he says, "we all eat too much and drink too much and laugh." Last year's party went until 4 a.m., when police arrived. They told Bublé the party must be quieter, then the police wound up staying for drinks. Bublé is so genuinely amped up about the holiday it's natural to ask about his favorite gifts. He approaches the question far more honestly than many people who have made a lot of money and says, without airs, that he can buy himself anything he wants. He does, after all, co-own a hockey team. Bublé considers what his presents have been and comes up with socks and underwear. He shows the underwear, which he is wearing. Only Bublé could do this while talking about the joys of Christmas and not come off as a perv. Incidentally, he reveals briefs emblazoned with "I want you" that his wife gave him. Bublé also shows something else, which Meet Your Goshen Advertising Representative Penny Seegers everyone gets to see — the special. As of this interview, the show is not finalized, and the rougher version is on his laptop. "The show isn't about me," Bublé says. "Hopefully, it is where artists will come to promote Christmas songs." The special has him singing with fellow British Columbia native Carly Rae Jepsen, Blake Shelton, Rod Stewart and Elmo. The opening is a beautiful montage of Vancouver. Bublé alights from a plane, singing "Let It Snow." He even skatedances wearing a jersey of his hockey team, the Vancouver Giants, then drives the Zamboni. Bublé has a duet of "White Christmas" with his beloved Bing Crosby, courtesy of the specialeffects people from "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button." Elmo, wearing a festive green plaid vest, turns down Bublé's offer of cookies and explains, "Elmo likes wasabi. That's why Elmo doesn't have any eyelids." Bublé and Elmo sing, "All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth." With Jepsen, Bublé sings a medley of "Jingle Bell Rock" and "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree." "It was a total ball," Jepsen says earlier in the month from her tour. "Michael is a lot of fun. He is very easy and hilarious to work with and was cracking me up. I had to do a lot of takes." This was a mutual admiration, as Bublé, separately, says, "I kind of have a crush on her. She is from my hometown, and we went through the same talent competitions and clubs. "She had worked for 10 years before she was signed," he continues. "I was the same. It makes you more humble, more appreciative. Your head is on straight; you are more appreciative. She has a great voice and is quirky and beautiful. All of us fell in love with her." Another guest on the special is Bublé's close pal Shelton. Bublé rewrote Shelton's hit "Home" as a Christmas song. They perform that as a duet. Bublé cheers Shelton's success. "That gave me faith that good things happen to good people," Bublé says. This special also has him singing "Winter Wonderland" with Stewart. Stewart solos on "Blue Christmas." Bublé's "Michael Bublé Christmas" became the second best-selling CD of 2011, selling more than 6.5 million copies. "Having last year's special under my belt, I understood about bumpers (separating segments). And doing it from home made it so much fun," Bublé says. "I'll never again allow anyone to come up with a concept for anything. I am not a control freak. I have a great team around me, but ideas? Never, never, ever!" 574.533.2151 Ext. 339 2 Save on Rentals • Breakfast Get Free Glass Cleaner Save on a Quilt Find these great savings plus more on Coupon Craze! In The Goshen News every Monday, Online everyday! Nobody covers your hometown better 114 S. Main St., Goshen 574-533-2151 www.goshennews.com Place Your Employment Ad Today! goshennews.com / Over 3,500 resumes are posted on monster.com in The Goshen News readership areas. 574-533-2151 ext. 398 Contact Penny At Nobody Covers Your Hometown Better Catch the Craze & Save! "Michael Bublé: Home for the Holidays" airs Monday on NBC. The Goshen News • Viewer's Choice • Monday, December 10, 2012-Sunday, December 16, 2012

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