gc123517 from Canada had a good review, but I'll add a little more information It is definitely titled "Christmas With The Stars" and has the copyright 2001--the final credits were shown after it played this morning on ABC7Chicago. You'll like this special if you were also a fan of shows such as "I Love Lucy," "Father Knows Best," "Gunsmoke," "Andy Griffith Show," and music such as Crystal Gayle's "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue."
Patrick McNee seems to be host and Lou Rawls narrator. The cast (which appears to have mostly been popular in the '70s) lipsynch to Christmas songs that will be appreciated by people born in the '40s who watched Christmas specials throughout their lives. Having heard these voices, I believe all of the singing is done by the people who are performing on screen; all had been known for voice performance. In scenes with a background choir and "extra" actors around them--such as the people on Main Street while Barbara Eden sings a Santa medley--are very staged, which is why I have given the show a low star rating. Reviewer gc123517 had it right by writing "a little bland." Unless doing laundry, other folks might become bored quickly. Still, an interesting walk down memory lane for those people who recall these stars. In particular, gc is right: Sorvino (father of Mira Sorvino) has a fantastic voice, which is probably why he had a long career on Broadway and "helped found the American Stage Company, a group that launched several successful Off-Broadway shows..." (wikipedia.org).
Patrick McNee seems to be host and Lou Rawls narrator. The cast (which appears to have mostly been popular in the '70s) lipsynch to Christmas songs that will be appreciated by people born in the '40s who watched Christmas specials throughout their lives. Having heard these voices, I believe all of the singing is done by the people who are performing on screen; all had been known for voice performance. In scenes with a background choir and "extra" actors around them--such as the people on Main Street while Barbara Eden sings a Santa medley--are very staged, which is why I have given the show a low star rating. Reviewer gc123517 had it right by writing "a little bland." Unless doing laundry, other folks might become bored quickly. Still, an interesting walk down memory lane for those people who recall these stars. In particular, gc is right: Sorvino (father of Mira Sorvino) has a fantastic voice, which is probably why he had a long career on Broadway and "helped found the American Stage Company, a group that launched several successful Off-Broadway shows..." (wikipedia.org).
