Colbert hosting Costello, Feist for "Christmas"
LOS ANGELES (Billboard) - Comedy Central star Stephen Colbert is getting an early start on Christmas, enlisting musicians Elvis Costello, Feist, Toby Keith, John Legend and Willie Nelson for a one-hour holiday special that will air November 23 on the cable network.
"A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All!" has something of a narrative arc: Colbert will be snowed in at his cabin in upstate New York and will pass the time with his musically inclined friends.
Original songs will be written for the special by David Javerbaum, the executive producer of "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart," and composer Adam Schlesinger, from Fountains Of Wayne and Ivy. The duo recently collaborated on the Broadway musical "Cry Baby."
Songs and their performers include "Another Christmas Song," to be performed by Colbert; "Have I Got a Present for You" by Keith; "Little Dealer Boy" by Colbert and Nelson; "Hanukkah" by Colbert and Jon Stewart; "Nutmeg" by Colbert and Legend; "Please Be Patient" by Feist; "There Are Much Worse Things To Believe In" by Colbert and Costello and "(What's So Funny 'bout) Peace, Love And Understanding" performed by the entire ensemble.
The DVD of the show will be released November 25, with a portion of the proceeds to benefit the charity Feeding America. DVD extras will include a "book burning Yule log," a video advent calendar and alternate endings.
Reuters/Billboard
