Most Christmas traditions can be dated back to centuries ago. They have become part of the national identity of many nations around the world. One tradition is more recent and began here in the United States; the television Christmas special. It can usually take the form of a very special holiday themed episode for a popular TV series or it can be a stand alone show usually along the lines of a variety hour. Most typically the later are done by popular singers and the networks tend to rerun them every single year without fail. In some ways this is a dying television format. You really don’t see a lot of popular singers or musicians putting together a new variety hour show. Yes, there was the Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey special a few years ago but back when many of us were growing up this was done by just about every TV star. In the fifties there was Perry Como, Andy Griffith and Pat Boone each with their own spin on the prototypical format. If you are too young to recognize these names ask your parents; perhaps you might have to go back to your grandparents for this one. Well this old tradition is getting a make over from a very unlikely source, Steven Colbert. The leading right wing pundit of the fake news has come out with his first ever Christmas spectacular. This is an incredibly funny show and it works on several levels. It is first of all entertaining on its own. The guest stars are all very talented musicians. The show is also a parody of not only the format but much of what is shown as evening news of late.

If you are not familiar with Stephen Colbert then you are missing some of the best political satire ever. He started out as a correspondent for Comedy Central’s fake news ‘The Daily Show’ with Jon Stewart. Often Colbert would interview real politicians and other news makers in these segments. He was then given a shot at his own series ‘The Colbert Report’. As fans of the series will tell you for some reason the ‘T’ is silent in both words. Together with its parent show the ‘Report’ is part of one hour of incredibly sharp parody of politics. The ‘Daily Show’ is structured as a straight cable news show. In contrast the ‘Report’ is a brilliant take off of those ultra right wing pundit news shows; particularly the ‘O'Reilly Factor’. What is so great about both of these series is you have to be extremely knowledgeable about the government and world events to get the jokes. I have heard of some studies that indicate that people who watch these shows known and understand more about current events that normal. In his on screen persona Colbert is further right than O'Reilly could ever imagine. His only concerns about the Republican Party are they don’t go far enough to the right of the political spectrum. Colbert is the epitome of the super patriot literally waving flags and displaying eagles at ever opportunity. He is also the only person who is correct on each topic discussed. He so perfectly gets into his on screen persona that it is difficult to believe that it isn’t real. His show has garnered its share of awards including not only an Emmy but the prestigious Peabody Award. Colbert has even coined some terms such as ‘truthiness’ that have found their way into modern dictionaries.

The DVD for this most unusual Christmas special is released by Comedy Central through parent company Paramount. Even the box cover art is a spoof. The cover depicts Colbert with the obligatory red holiday sweater and pip sitting in front of a fireplace. He is busy wrapping this disc as presents. On the back cover all of the guest stars are shown in the style of ‘Peanuts’ characters. There is also a notation there that ‘every time you buy a copy of this disc an angel gets his wings.’ On the menu for the disc you can choose between watching the special watching it with the live audience. The only difference here is the laugh track made from said audience. It you would rather supply your own laughs when you want to choose the first option. Parents should be aware that there are some more mature jokes present here. Colbert states he is so happy he is sporting a ‘Yule log’. Remember that the target audience for the parent show is basically political aware college aged people although us who are aged enhanced will find it great fun. He also has the habit of breaking the forth wall as he speaks directly to the audience. Here he refers to all the people on one wall of his ‘mountain cabin’. Colbert has created a strange world of his own and this Christmas special is completely consistent with it.

Colbert tells the audience he is writing all new Christmas carols since it is a great way to avoid paying royalties. He also offers to freshly hobble a child to play Tiny Tim. Most of them are in the style of night club faire and when done by Colbert, well, let’s just say he will most likely never win a Grammy. What this actually is intended to do is parody the people who just break out in song during the more tradition Christmas specials. Fortunately, his musical guest stars are all very talented and professional. His co-host is singer Elvis Costello, who is shown in a wooden solider costume; obviously a very good sport. Country singer Toby Keith shows up at Colbert’s door dressed in an Elmer Fudd like hunting outfit complete with a large rife. He has a music video that takes his ultra pro-American song to a new limit. When Colbert looks in his manger scene there is Willy Nelson as one of the wise men. He also gets a music number. All of this is perfectly crafted as a throwback to the format of the old specials. Also showing up for a little skit and a song are John Legend as a forest ranger and Feist as the angel on top of the tree. Even Jon Steward has an awkward song with Colbert.

The DVD has extras befitting the strangeness of the show. There is the Yule log of burning books and a bonus Colbert Christmas carol. Toping things off is Colbert’s 25 advent calendar and a ‘shocking’ alternate ending. This is a funny take on a standard television format and a poke in the eye to the right wing all at the same time. It will become a holiday tradition; at least in some of the more liberal homes in the country.