Kelly Clarkson's Cautionary Christmas Music Tale | |
---|---|
Directed by | Hamish Hamilton |
Starring | Kelly Clarkson Blake Shelton Reba McEntire Trisha Yearwood Robin Williams Whoopi Goldberg William Shatner Jay Leno Matt Lauer Danica Patrick Heidi Klum Ken Jeong Jai Rodriguez Morgan Bastin |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language | English |
Production | |
Executive producer | Ian Stewart [1] |
Production locations | The Venetian Las Vegas, Nevada, USA |
Running time | 60 minutes |
Production company | Done and Dusted [2] [3] [4] |
Release | |
Original network | NBC |
Original release | December 11, 2013 |
Kelly Clarkson's Cautionary Christmas Music Tale is a 2013 Christmas television special produced by Done and Dusted for NBC. Directed by Hamish Hamilton, it stars Kelly Clarkson, Blake Shelton, Reba McEntire, Trisha Yearwood, Robin Williams, Whoopi Goldberg, William Shatner, Jay Leno, Matt Lauer, Danica Patrick, Heidi Klum, Ken Jeong, Jai Rodriguez and Morgan Bastin. It is a musical comedy pastiche loosely based on Charles Dickens's 1843 novella A Christmas Carol where Clarkson's character learns the true meaning of Christmas, accompanied by the music of her sixth studio album Wrapped in Red . [5] [6]
With its musical performances filmed live at The Venetian Las Vegas on October 30, 2013, [4] the television special itself was broadcast on December 11, 2013 on NBC in the United States. [5] The special won a Gold World Medal for best Variety Special in the New York Festival's International Television & Film Awards. [7] The special was aired on December 23, 2014 and December 17, 2015.
The story is narrated by a little girl (Morgan Bastin), who sits in a chair and reads the story from a book.
Kelly's career has been fading, so she, her manager (Ken Jeong) and her assistant Chad (Jai Rodriguez) make a plan to revive it. Kelly decides to do a Christmas special and makes a deal with an NBC executive (William Shatner) that many celebrities will star in her special. She also says that children will benefit from the special, although it is only a pretext to have more publicity for the special. Kelly promotes it on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno .
She manages to get Reba McEntire and Trisha Yearwood to sing "Silent Night" with her on her special by blackmailing them. Kelly wants more celebrities including George Clooney. Nevertheless, everyone including Whoopi Goldberg, Robin Williams, Danica Patrick and Heidi Klum declines. Kelly is furious and fires her assistant Chad. The only one who wants to participate is Blake Shelton but Kelly is afraid that he would overshadow her. She makes him sew her dresses and iron them. When he asks her what she wants to do for the finale, she is not paying much attention and replies that probably something with elves.
On the night of the finale, Kelly faces the humiliation of being unable to get any celebrities to join her. She panics and runs away from the theater, where the special is shot. Outside, it is snowing. Kelly encounters a man begging on the street with a little girl. The man turns out to be Chad and the girl is his little sister, Poppy. When he sees that Kelly is cold, he gives her his coat and takes her to a shelter where he lives now. Kelly is moved when she sees all the homeless children who live there. Chad give some sweets to the children and Poppy gives her own candy cane to Kelly. Kelly is touched by her generosity and realizes that she was wrong and that Christmas is not about her career. Having nothing else to give, she sings "White Christmas" to the people in the shelter. When she finishes, Chad tells her that he managed to get George Clooney on the phone and that he was available for the special. Much to his surprise, Kelly only wishes Merry Christmas to Clooney and hangs up.
Meanwhile, a video of Kelly singing "White Christmas" has gone viral on YouTube, having more than 25 million views, and the fact is announced by Matt Lauer. When the celebrities who refused to participate in the special before see it, they call Kelly as they want to be a part of the show now. Nevertheless, Kelly does not pick up her phone. Instead she invites Poppy and her new Boston and Seattle friends to join her on stage and sing "Underneath the Tree". When Kelly heads home after the performance, she meets Blake Shelton who is wearing an elf costume. He bitterly yells at her for not including him into her special, claiming that he is "way too cool for this". The story ends with the narrator saying "and they all lived happily ever after" to which Kelly replies "for the most part, anyway" and winks at the camera.
The narrator finishes the story and bids the viewers farewell and a happy holiday.
Kelly Clarkson's Cautionary Christmas Music Tale marked the first time Clarkson solely hosted a Christmas special. [8] She had previously headlined the An American Idol Christmas and Kelly, Ruben & Fantasia: Home for Christmas with Ruben Studdard and Fantasia Barrino, both of which were aired on Fox in 2003 and 2004, respectively. [9] [10] [11] [12] Clarkson cited the 2003 Christmas feature film Elf as one of her inspirations, she remarked: "I wanted to tell a real story, make a new classic, not just do some skits that aren't really related." [4] Ian Stewart, the television special's executive producer, said it will feature a full narrative from the beginning to end. He remarked, "the spine is her singing. We'll have a young girl, narrating the story, sitting in an overstuffed chair in front of an amazing fire, reading the story from a book. And yes, it starts with 'once upon a time' and ends with 'happily ever after.'" [4] Stewart, through his company Done and Dusted, had previously produced television events such as the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show and the 2012 Summer Olympics opening ceremony, revealed producing a Christmas special presents similar challenges, citing: "Supermodels in lingerie is a very lovely thing, but if that's all you give, like chocolate, it makes you sick, so you keep refreshing, to keep people excited. And that's what makes you go back to the core—in this case, to see Kelly sing." [4] The television special aired on December 11, 2013 on NBC in the United States. [13] According to NBC, the story is based loosely on Charles Dickens' novella A Christmas Carol , during which Clarkson’s character learns about the true meaning of Christmas. [3] [6] [14] It also shares certain metafictional aspects of Mel Brooks' Silent Movie, particularly the device of framing cameo appearances by celebrities as requests for such appearances.
Source: [1]
Clarkson revealed that the television special will be a part comedy and part musical performances, to which Stewart added, "the story is a way to refresh the palate, so viewers go, 'Oh, my God, she sounds beautiful. Let's hear her sing!' You want to remind them why they're there." [4] The music of Kelly Clarkson's Cautionary Christmas Music Tale features the songs from her sixth studio album Wrapped in Red . [8] The television special's musical performances were taped in front of a live audience at The Venetian Las Vegas on October 30, 2013, a day after Wrapped in Red's street release. [4] It features special guests Reba McEntire, Trisha Yearwood, and Ronnie Dunn, accompanied by twenty-nine musicians and a choir. [4] RCA Records also announced plans to release some of the television special's performances into music videos, such as "Silent Night", performed by Clarkson, McEntire and Yearwood. [4]
On October 21, 2014, the special was released on a bonus DVD with Wrapped in Red as a part of Walmart exclusive reissue. [15]
Reba Nell McEntire, or simply Reba, is an American country music singer and actress. Dubbed "the Queen of Country", she has sold more than 75 million records worldwide. Since the 1970s, McEntire has placed over 100 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, 25 of which reached the number one spot. She is an actress in films and television. She starred in the television series Reba, which aired for six seasons. She also owns several businesses, including a clothing line.
Kelly Brianne, known professionally as Kelly Clarkson, is an American singer, songwriter, author and television personality. She rose to fame after winning the first season of American Idol in 2002, which earned her a record deal with RCA. Her debut single, "A Moment Like This", topped the US Billboard Hot 100, and became the country's best selling single of 2002. It was included on her debut studio album, Thankful (2003), which debuted atop the Billboard 200. Trying to reinvent her image, Clarkson parted ways with Idol management and shifted to pop rock for her second studio album, Breakaway (2004). Supported by four US top-ten singles – the title track, "Since U Been Gone", "Behind These Hazel Eyes", and "Because of You" – Breakaway sold over 12 million copies worldwide and won two Grammy Awards.
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American singer-songwriter Kelly Clarkson has released ten studio albums, seven extended plays, one compilation album, one remix album, and 55 singles. In 2002, she won the inaugural season of the television competition American Idol and was immediately signed to a recording deal with 19 Recordings, and RCA Records. She made her chart debut in September 2002 with the double A-side single "Before Your Love"/"A Moment Like This", latter of which topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart and eventually became the year's best-selling single in the United States. Her debut album, Thankful, was released in April 2003 and entered the US Billboard 200 chart at number one. Thankful produced the hit lead single "Miss Independent" and was certified double-platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
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American country music artist Trisha Yearwood has released 15 studio albums, nine compilation albums, 43 music videos, 56 singles, 29 other charted songs and appeared on 29 albums. Yearwood's self-titled debut album was released in 1991, peaking at number 2 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and number 31 on the Billboard 200. It became the first debut female country album to sell one million copies, later certifying double platinum by the RIAA. The album would spawn an additional three singles, including "The Woman Before Me". Her second studio album was the critically acclaimed Hearts in Armor (1992). It spawned the top five country hits "Wrong Side of Memphis" and "Walkaway Joe". Her third studio record The Song Remembers When (1993) enjoyed similar success and the lead single reached number two on the Billboard country chart. A holiday album appeared before her platinum-selling fourth studio album Thinkin' About You (1995). Reaching the number 3 on the country albums chart and number 28 on the Billboard 200, its first two singles topped the Hot Country Singles chart. Her sixth studio album Everybody Knows (1996) spawned Yearwood's fourth number one single, "Believe Me Baby ".
Karyn Rochelle is an American country music songwriter and vocalist. As a songwriter, she has written or co-written songs which became hits for Trisha Yearwood, LeAnn Rimes, Ronnie Milsap, Sunny Sweeney, and, moving outside of her primary genre into R&B, Kenny G.
Wrapped in Red is the sixth studio album by American singer Kelly Clarkson, released on October 25, 2013 by RCA Records. The album is a follow-up to her first greatest hits album, Greatest Hits – Chapter One, and its companion extended play, The Smoakstack Sessions Vol. 2. Produced by Greg Kurstin, it is her first Christmas album and her only record to be solely released by RCA. Wrapped in Red consists of sixteen tracks, featuring five original songs co-penned with Kurstin and eleven cover versions of Christmas standards and carols, two of which are duets featuring singers Ronnie Dunn, Reba McEntire and Trisha Yearwood.
"Underneath the Tree" is a song by American pop singer Kelly Clarkson from her sixth studio album and first Christmas album, Wrapped in Red (2013). She co-wrote the track with its producer Greg Kurstin. It is a Christmas-themed song that sings of gratitude for companionship during the holidays, in which the loved one is referred to as the only present needed "underneath the tree". Accompanied by various instrumental sounds, the song prominently incorporates a Wall of Sound treatment along with sleigh bells and bell chimes to resonate a holiday atmosphere. "Underneath the Tree" was first released to Adult Contemporary radio stations on November 5, 2013, by RCA Records as the album's lead single.
"Just for Now" is a song by English recording artist and producer Imogen Heap, from her second studio album, Speak for Yourself (2005). Written and produced by Heap, the song was originally written for the second-season episode of the television series The O.C. entitled "The Chrismukkah That Almost Wasn't", but was deemed too dark for the episode. "Just for Now" is an electronica song about a constant mayhem within a holiday environment, in which the singer sings to set aside the disarray for a short time of peace. Heap has performed the song in live performances, which she invites the audience to participate on it. "Just for Now" was covered by American recording artist Kelly Clarkson, for her sixth studio album Wrapped in Red (2013). Her version of the song, produced by Greg Kurstin, musically quotes the Christmas standard "Carol of the Bells" and was met with positive reviews. The song was also sampled in Clams Casino's composition I'm God, featured on both Instrumentals and Lil B's 6 Kiss, and was covered by Pentatonix on their 2015 deluxe edition of their Christmas album That's Christmas to Me.
"Winter Dreams " is a song by American recording artist Kelly Clarkson, from her sixth studio album, Wrapped in Red (2013). Produced by Greg Kurstin, Clarkson co-wrote the song with Ashley Arrison and Aben Eubanks for her then-fiancé, Brandon Blackstock, stepson of American recording artist Reba McEntire. A slow-tempo Christmas neo-jazz pop song, "Winter Dreams" features a 50-piece chamber orchestra conducted and arranged by film composer Joseph Trapanese. Its lyrical theme mainly depicts love and escapism during the holidays, in which Clarkson sings about spending her first holiday with Blackstock, to whom the song is also dedicated. Unlike the deep lyrical themes of "Every Christmas", in which she refers to her life before meeting Blackstock, Clarkson had described "Winter Dreams" with a lighter fare, referring to it as her holiday life after meeting him.
"PrizeFighter" is a song by American singer Trisha Yearwood and the titular song from her studio album, PrizeFighter: Hit After Hit (2014). Written by Jessi Alexander, Sarah Buxton, and Ross Copperman, it features background vocals from American singer Kelly Clarkson. An uplifting country ballad, "PrizeFighter" was released on September 15, 2014 by RCA Records Nashville and Gwendolyn Records as the lead single from the album.
PrizeFighter: Hit After Hit is a re-recorded studio album by American country artist Trisha Yearwood. It was released on November 17, 2014, via Gwendolyn Records and RCA Records Nashville. The album marked Yearwood's first release of new material since 2007's Heaven, Heartache and the Power of Love.PrizeFighter contained six new songs as well as ten re-recorded versions of her hits. Two singles were released to radio, including the title track, which became a charting single on the Billboard country chart. The album received mixed reviews from critics upon its release.
Miracle on Broadway was an annual Christmas benefit concert by American recording artist Kelly Clarkson. Presented by Live Nation, the first of a planned annual series of benefit concerts was held at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee on December 20, 2014 and featured musicians Reba, Trisha Yearwood, Garth Brooks, Ronnie Dunn, Kacey Musgraves, Hayley Williams, Chad Gilbert, Charles Esten, Meghan Trainor, Martina McBride, Kix Brooks, and Deborah Allen performing renditions of various Christmas songs and tracks from Clarkson's Christmas album Wrapped in Red (2013). The concert raised over US$500,000 ticket sales and donations for four charities based in Nashville: Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, Monroe Harding Children’s Home, Second Harvest Food Bank, and Thistle Farms. Clarkson had also announced plans to turn Miracle on Broadway into an annual benefit concert and planned to hold one in Bridgestone Arena on December 18, 2015. However, this concert was cancelled due to Clarkson's health complications during her second pregnancy. The 2016 concert was held on December 16, 2016.
American singer Kelly Clarkson has released two video albums and has appeared in forty-four music videos. In 2002, she made her debut music video appearance for the video "Before Your Love", which was immediately released after winning the first season of American Idol. An accompanying music video for the companion single, "A Moment Like This", was also issued later that same year. From her debut studio album, Thankful (2003), Clarkson released music videos for the singles "Miss Independent", "Low", and "The Trouble with Love Is", the foremost of which earned her three MTV Video Music Award nominations, including Best New Artist in a Video. Thankful was immediately followed by the release of Clarkson's debut video album Miss Independent that same year. In 2004, a music video for her single "Breakaway" was released to promote the Disney feature film The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement. Clarkson's sophomore studio album Breakaway (2004) issued accompanying music videos for its singles "Since U Been Gone", "Behind These Hazel Eyes", "Because of You", "Walk Away", and an additional live video for "Breakaway". The music videos for the songs "Since U Been Gone" and "Because of You" earned a total of three MTV Video Music Awards and a MuchMusic Video Award. Clarkson's second video album Behind Hazel Eyes was released in 2005 as a companion piece to Breakaway.
My Kind of Christmas is the thirtieth studio album and third Christmas album by American country music singer Reba McEntire. It was released on September 2, 2016, by Nash Icon/Rockin' R Records exclusively through Cracker Barrel Old Country Store. McEntire produced the album with her musical director Doug Sisemore. The album was reissued to all retailers, as well as all digital platforms on October 13, 2017, with additional tracks and new cover art. The album was further reissued in October 2018 with one additional bonus track, the CD version of which was exclusive to Walmart stores in North America.
Every Girl is the fifteenth studio album by American country music artist Trisha Yearwood. It was released on August 30, 2019 via Gwendolyn Records. The lead single, "Every Girl in This Town", was launched two months prior to the album's release date and became a minor hit single on the Billboard country charts that summer. It is Yearwood’s first new collection since 2007.
When Christmas Comes Around... is the ninth studio album by American singer Kelly Clarkson, released on October 15, 2021, through Atlantic Records. Produced by Jesse Shatkin, Jason Halbert, Joseph Trapanese and Aben Eubanks, it is her second Christmas album after Wrapped in Red (2013) and a follow-up to her eighth studio album Meaning of Life (2017). Featuring cover versions of Christmas songs, as well as original co-penned tracks and duets with Chris Stapleton, Ariana Grande and Brett Eldredge, its release was preceded by the singles "Christmas Isn't Canceled " and "Santa, Can't You Hear Me". It also includes previously released singles "Christmas Eve", "All I Want for Christmas Is You", and "Under the Mistletoe" as bonus tracks. The album was nominated for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards.
The twenty-fourth season of the American reality television series The Voice will premiere on September 25, 2023, on NBC. The season will be presented by Carson Daly, who will return for his twenty-fourth season as the host. This season's coaching panel consists of Niall Horan, who will return for his second season; John Legend and Gwen Stefani, who both will return for their eighth and seventh seasons, respectively, both after a one-season hiatus; and debuting coach Reba McEntire.