Peter Jackson shared this clip from The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey featuring Gollum (played by Andy Serkis) and Bilbo Baggins (played by Martin Freeman) on his personal Facebook page. He introduced it with the simple question: “Ready?”
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey enters theaters on Friday, December 14, 2012 and stars Freeman, Serkis, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage, Cate Blanchett, Ian Holm, Christopher Lee, Hugo Weaving, and Elijah Wood.
The Plot:
The adventure follows the journey of title character Bilbo Baggins, who is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from the fearsome dragon Smaug. Approached out of the blue by the wizard Gandalf the Grey, Bilbo finds himself joining a company of thirteen dwarves led by the legendary warrior, Thorin Oakenshield. Their journey will take them into the Wild; through treacherous lands swarming with Goblins and Orcs, deadly Wargs and Sorcerers.
Although their goal lies to the East and the wastelands of the Lonely Mountain, first they must escape the goblin tunnels, where Bilbo meets the creature that will change his life forever… Gollum.
Here, alone with Gollum, on the shores of an underground lake, the unassuming Bilbo Baggins not only discovers depths of ingenuity and courage that surprise even him, he also gains possession of Gollum’s “precious” ring that holds unexpected and useful qualities… A simple, gold ring that is tied to the fate of all Middle-earth in ways Bilbo cannot begin to know.
'American Idol' Logo - Photo Credit: FoxFox’s singing competition series, American Idol, has been named by the National Association of Broadcasters as an inductee into the NAB Broadcasting Hall of Fame. “For over a decade, American Idol has shaped the reality competition television genre, brought families together by entertaining viewers of all ages and made a huge cultural impact,” stated NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith. “NAB is proud to recognize this innovative television program.”
For nine seasons, American Idol has ranked first among total viewers. Per Fox: “Former Idol contestants have produced 370 No. 1 Billboard hits and accrued more than 250 million iTunes downloads. Season 11 winner Phillip Phillips’ first single, “Home,” has been certified double-platinum. Season 10 winner Scotty McCreery’s debut album Clear As Day also went platinum as it dominated the Billboard Country Albums chart. Past winners Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Hicks and Jordin Sparks have all dominated the music charts and won multiple awards, including Grammy Awards, American Music Awards, Country Music Awards and Billboard Music Awards. Additionally, Jennifer Hudson is an Academy Award winner, and other former contestants such as Daughtry, Kellie Pickler, Adam Lambert and Jessica Sanchez have all become household names and made their marks on the recording industry.”
American Idol will be joining a list of inductees that includes Betty White, Garry Marshall, Meet the Press, Bob Newhart, The Tonight Show, Saturday Night Live, Ted Koppel, M*A*S*H, 60 Minutes, The Today Show and Star Trek.
The 12th season of American Idol with judges Randy Jackson, Mariah Carey, Keith Urban and Nicki Minaj will premiere on January 16, 2013.
Coach Blake Shelton’s The Voiceseason two protege RaeLynn returned to The Voice stage to perform her new single, “Boyfriend,” on the December 11, 2012 season three episode of the singing competition. The Country singer’s been keeping busy since her time on The Voice, touring with Blake Shelton and his wife Miranda Lambert – and helping prove that you don’t need to win the show to wind up with a career.
I’m convinced that soon there will be more recycled releases, remakes, sequels, and spin-offs than actual new films in theaters. Just added to the list of films coming back for a second helping at the box office is the dramatic action movie Top Gun starring Tom Cruise, Meg Ryan, and Val Kilmer. Paramount’s re-releasing Top Gun in IMAX theatres in 3D on February 8, 2013.
The special re-release will last for just six days and will only be playing in select IMAX theatres.
According to Paramount, Top Gun has been “re-mastered for the big screen from high-resolution original negative scans and painstakingly converted to 3D by Legend3D under the supervision of the film’s director, Tony Scott.”
Following its IMAX 3D release, Top Gun will be released on Blu-ray in 3D and 2D. The Blu-ray 2D will include the re-mastered film in high definition and a six-part Making Of documentary, a behind-the-scenes featurette, interviews with Tom Cruise, commentary by producer Jerry Bruckheimer, director Tony Scott, and co-screenwriter Jack Epps, Jr.
Anders Holm, Blake Anderson, and Adam Devine from 'Workaholics' - Photo Courtesy of Comedy CentralThe Burn with Jeff Ross returns for season two, all new episodes of Workaholics will debut in mid-January, and Comedy Central will premiere the sketch comedy series Kroll Show with Nick Kroll as well as The Jeselnik Offensive starring Anthony Jeselnik early next year. All of these shows and more make up the network’s 2012-2013 mid-season schedule.
Also set to debut in the upcoming months are The Ben Show with Ben Hoffman, the docu-reality comedy series Nathan For You, and Amy Schumer’s Inside Amy Schumer.
Comedy Central’s Schedule:
Original Series and Specials
“The Burn with Jeff Ross” (Season Two Premiere)
Tuesday, January 8 at 10:30 p.m.
The infamous “Roastmaster General,” Jeff Ross, is back to take aim at the week’s hottest topics in season two of “The Burn with Jeff Ross.” Ross and his panel of fellow comedians return to take on the week’s topics, Roast style – taking aim at public figures and current events. Popular segments include “Friendly Fire,” in which Ross visits his friends for some friendly put-downs; last season’s targets included John Stamos, Jimmy Kimmel, and Sarah Silverman. In “Public Enemies,” Jeff heads out on the tricked out Segway, dubbed the “Roaster Coaster,” to roast public menaces; and in the cringe-inducing “Too Soon,” he pays tribute to an extremely recently departed celebrity, the only way he knows how – by roasting them.
“Workaholics” (New Episodes)
Wednesday, January 16, at 10:00 p.m.
From the minds of the hilarious and irreverent Internet sketch group Mail Order Comedy, “Workaholics” returns with all-new episodes. The single-camera comedy features three friends who work together from 9 to 5, live together from 5 to 9 and party together 24/7. Dress codes, deadlines and waking up before noon are not things these guys are used to. They do their jobs and sometimes they even do them well, but they show up late, leave drunk and always live for the day…even if they don’t know what day it is. Whether it’s Blake (Blake Anderson) dressed in a bear coat, Adam (Adam Devine) singing about Catherine Zeta Jones while high on mushrooms or The Ders (Anders Holm) celebrating his birthday with a drinking triathlon, the boys always seem to run into trouble wherever they go. This past season, they spent their days dropping acid on a business trip, helping out and harassing their coworkers Montez, Jet Set and Waymond, trying to prove their worth to the boss, Alice, and still managed to get the job done.
“Kroll Show” (Series Premiere)
Wednesday, January 16, at 10:30 p.m.
Known for his role as “Ruxin” in the FX comedy “The League,” along with his stand-up specials and roles on “Community,” “Children’s Hospital,” “Parks and Recreation” and “Portlandia,” Nick Kroll comes to COMEDY CENTRAL as the creator/writer/star of “Kroll Show,” a fresh take on sketch comedy, showcasing Kroll’s incredible ability to create memorable and hilarious characters who pop off the screen. While “Kroll Show” is made up of sketches, it’s not just a sketch show. It’s ultimately Kroll’s smart and absurd take on of-the-moment pop culture topics like internet life, professional sports, nightclub culture and the television landscape. Kroll (@nickkroll) fans will recognize many of their favorite characters including “The Ed Hardy Boyz,” Bobby Bottleservice, the incomparable Fabrice Fabrice, and the “Rich Dicks.” They’ll also be introduced to an entirely new part of the Kroll Universe as Kroll transforms himself into an eccentric cast of characters throughout the season including “Liz,” a young, female publicist in LA; “Legs” the new kid at a school for handicapped kids; “Dr. Armand,” the premier canine plastic surgeon; and “Ref Jeff,” a big-butted basketball ref trying to “lock down” plans with players during the game.
Joining Kroll for the first season of “Kroll Show” are a roster of well-known actors and comedians including Fred Armisen, Andy Daly, Kathryn Hahn, Ed Helms, Rob Huebel, Chelsea Peretti, Adam Pally, and Jake Johnson, who showcase their comedic abilities when they make guest appearances and add an element of surprise to the show – fans never know who will pop up next.
“Tosh.0” (Season Five Premiere)
Tuesday, February 5 at 10:00 p.m.
Look out, internet – Daniel Tosh premieres the fifth season of “Tosh.0” this February on COMEDY CENTRAL. Tosh is back to break down that vast field of twarties, vlogs, hashtags and deluded YouTube sensations for your viewing pleasure. Tune in for a brand new season of Tosh’s take on the online Universe.
“The Jeselnik Offensive” (Series Premiere)
Tuesday, February 19 at 10:30 p.m.
“The Jeselnik Offensive” brings Anthony Jeselnik and his signature dark and twisted point-of-view to COMEDY CENTRAL in a new weekly, topical series. Jeselnik, known for his blistering appearances on the recent Roasts of Charlie Sheen and Donald Trump, will unleash his razor-sharp take on each week’s must-see “train wreck” news ripped from the headlines of Gawker, Reddit and the places we all troll for the darker, more shocking and lurid stories. Two panelists will join Jeselnik to further bash pop culture and gleefully rip the veil of sanctity from off-limit topics.
“The Ben Show” (Series Premiere)
Thursday, February 28 at 10:00 p.m.
“The Ben Show” is a sketch show/man-on-the-street hybrid starring comedian Ben Hoffman. Between sketches, Hoffman works towards a personal goal, like forming a band, going on a blind date, buying a gun or returning to his home town in Kentucky. Hoffman seeks advice and guidance from strangers to people he knows including his dad, ex-girlfriends and therapist, who also help Ben introduce the sketches. Hoffman was a Writer/Correspondent for COMEDY CENTRAL’s “Sports Show with Norm Macdonald” and wrote for the “COMEDY CENTRAL Roast of Roseanne.” In addition, he has appeared on “Arrested Development,” “The New Girl” and “Drunk History.” Earlier this year, Hoffman memorably pranked the Twittersphere during President Obama’s Hollywood fund-raising event with George Clooney, tweeting as if he was present at the event.
“Nathan For You” (Series Premiere)
Thursday, February 28 at 10:30 p.m.
In this docu-reality comedy, Nathan Fielder (“Jon Benjamin Has A Van”) uses his business degree and life experiences to help actual small businesses turn a profit. From getting buzz for a yogurt shop by introducing a controversial flavor, helping a taxi company reinvent the cab ride, and finding a legal way for a gas station to charge $1.75 per gallon and still make money, Nathan goes as far as it takes to make his ideas come to life. But because of his unorthodox approach, Nathan’s sincere efforts to do good often draw real people into an experience far beyond what they signed up for.
“Inside Amy Schumer” (Series Premiere)
Tuesday, April 30 at 10:30 p.m.
Take a journey into the provocative and hilariously wicked mind of Amy Schumer as she explores topics revolving around sex, relationships, and the general clusterf*ck that is life in the new series “Inside Amy Schumer.” Through a series of scripted vignettes, stand-up comedy, and man-on-the street candid interviews, Schumer tackles various themes such as “Denial,” “Getting Your Way,” and “Threesomes.” She was recently featured as one of Variety’s “Top Ten Comics to Watch” and her one-hour special, “Amy Schumer: Mostly Sex Stuff,” was one of COMEDY CENTRAL’s highest-rated and most-watched stand-up specials in 2012, drawing over 1.6 million total viewers for its premiere. In 2011, Schumer released her first album “Cutting” on COMEDY CENTRAL Records. Her film credits include “Seeking a Friend for the End of the World” starring Steve Carell and Keira Knightley and opposite Parker Posey in “Price Check.”
Stand-Up Specials
“Anthony Jeselnik: Caligula” (World Premiere)
Sunday, January 13 at 10:00 p.m.
Everyone’s favorite dark prince of comedy, Anthony Jeselnik, is finally bringing his new one-hour stand-up special to the common man. “Anthony Jeselnik: Caligula,” filmed at the legendary Vic Theatre in Chicago, obliterates subjects no one else jokes about and most people don’t even talk about. Tune in to see what everyone will be complaining about January 13th on COMEDY CENTRAL.
“Kristen Schaal: Live at the Fillmore” (World Premiere)
Friday, January 18, at Midnight
Known to many as a correspondent on “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” and as an eccentric crazed fan on HBO’s “Flight of the Conchords,” Kristen Schaal unleashes her hysterical comedic wit upon San Francisco in her first COMEDY CENTRAL original one-hour special. “Kristen Schaal: Live at the Fillmore” debuts Friday night, January 18, at Midnight on COMEDY CENTRAL.
“Katt Williams: Kattpacalypse” (Network Television Premiere)
Saturday, February 23 at Midnight
Prepare yourselves, the Kattpacalypse is coming! Comedian, rapper, and actor Katt Williams headlines a stand-up concert at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles before 7,000 appreciative fans. In the network television premiere of “Katt Williams: Kattpacalypse” the comedian brings his trademark explosive energy to riffs covering everything from Doomsday to Obama.
Acquired Series
“It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” (COMEDY CENTRAL Premiere of Season Eight)
Thursday, January 24 at 10:00 p.m., followed by Thursdays from 10:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Spend an hour every Thursday with episodes from season eight of “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” on COMEDY CENTRAL. This season, the gang figures out what to do with their Nazi grandpa, ruins a Ponderosa-McPoyle wedding, and finally seeks some mental help. It’s sure to be one crazy escalation after another with Dennis, Charlie, Mac, Sweet Dee and of course, Frank!
Love this cast…hope the movie turns out worth watching. James McAvoy, Mark Strong, Andrea Riseborough, and David Morrissey (The Walking Dead‘s Governor) star in the dramatic thriller Welcome to the Punch heading to theaters in 2013.
The Plot:
Ex-criminal Jacob Sternwood (Mark Strong) is forced to return to London when his son is involved in a heist gone wrong. This gives his nemesis, detective Max Lewinsky (James McAvoy), one last chance to catch the man he’s always been after.
Hosts Kristin Chenoweth and Trace Adkins and Lady Antebellum perform "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" during the AMERICAN COUNTRY AWARDS - Photo Credit: Ray Mickshaw/FOX Luke Bryan wound up the big winner at the 3rd Annual American Country Awards, picking up nine awards including wins in the Single of the Year, Album of the Year, and the Artist of the Year categories. And Carrie Underwood set a new American Country Awards record by collecting two awards this year and becoming the most honored artist ever in ACA history with 11 awards total. Also setting a new record was Lady Antebellum who picked up two awards and is now the most honored group in ACA history with seven total wins.
2012 American Country Awards Winners:
Artist of the Year – Luke Bryan
Artist of the Year: Male – Luke Bryan
Artist of the Year: Female – Carrie Underwood
Artist of the Year: Group – Lady Antebellum
Artist of the Year: Breakthrough Artist – Jake Owen
Artist of the Year: New Artist – Lauren Alaina
Album of the Year – Luke Bryan, tailgates & tanlines
Single of the Year – Luke Bryan, “I Don’t Want This Night To End”
Single of the Year: Male – Luke Bryan, “I Don’t Want This Night To End”
Single of the Year: Female – Miranda Lambert, “Over You”
Single of the Year: Group – Lady Antebellum, “We Owned The Night”
Single of the Year: New Artist – Hunter Hayes, “Wanted”
Single of the Year: Breakthrough Artist – Brantley Gilbert, “You Don’t Know Her Like I Do”
Single of the Year: Vocal Collaboration – Brad Paisley (Duet with Carrie Underwood), “Remind Me”
Touring Artist of the Year – Jason Aldean
Music Video of the Year – Luke Bryan, “I Don’t Want This Night To End”
Music Video of the Year: Male – Luke Bryan, “I Don’t Want This Night to End”
Music Video of the Year: Female – Miranda Lambert, “Over You”
Music Video of the Year: Group or Collaboration – Little Big Town, “Pontoon”
Music Video of the Year: New Artist – Hunter Hayes, “Wanted”
Song of the Year – Eric Church, “Springsteen” (Eric Church, Jeff Hyde and Ryan Tyndell)
Most Played Radio Track – Luke Bryan, “I Don’t Want This Night to End”
Most Played Radio Track: Male – Luke Bryan, “I Don’t Want This Night to End”
Most Played Radio Track: Female – Miranda Lambert, “Over You”
Most Played Radio Track: Group – Zac Brown Band, “Keep Me In Mind”
Most Played Radio Track: New Artist – Kip Moore, “Somethin’ ‘Bout A Truck”
The 2012 American Country Awards took place at Mandalay Bay in Vegas and were broadcast on Fox on December 10, 2012.
“For You” from “Act of Valor”
“Metaphorical Blanket” from “Any Day Now”
“Let It Rain” from “Being Flynn”
“Learn Me Right” from “Brave”
“Touch the Sky” from “Brave”
“Airport” from “Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best”
“Come on Girl” from “Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best”
“Someday” from “Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best”
“Protect the King” from “Brooklyn Castle”
“California Solo” from “California Solo”
“Casa De Mi Padre” from “Casa De Mi Padre”
“Del Cielo” from “Casa De Mi Padre”
“Yo No Se” from “Casa De Mi Padre”
“No Other Plans” from “Celeste and Jesse Forever”
“Before My Time” from “Chasing Ice”
“By the Light of the Moon” from “Crossroad”
“The Sambola! International Dance Craze” from “Damsels in Distress”
“When You Comin’ Home” from “Darling Companion”
“Death by China” from “Death by China”
“Delhi Safari” from “Delhi Safari”
“Ancora Qui” from “Django Unchained”
“Freedom” from “Django Unchained”
“100 Black Coffins” from “Django Unchained”
“Who Did That to You?” from “Django Unchained”
“How Bad Can I Be?” from “Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax”
“Let It Grow” from “Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax”
“Thneedville” from “Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax”
“Ain’t No Train” from “Downtown Express”
“You Don’t Have to Be a Star” from “Fame High”
“Jose’s Martyrdom” from “For Greater Glory: The True Story of Cristiada”
“Strange Love” from “Frankenweenie”
“Voodoo” from “Halloween Party”
“Luna Nascosta” from “Hidden Moon”
“Song of the Lonely Mountain” from “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey”
“Abraham’s Daughter” from “The Hunger Games”
“Master of the Seas” from “Ice Age Continental Drift”
“We Are” from “Ice Age Continental Drift”
“Looking for a Sign” from “Jeff, Who Lives at Home”
“From Here to the Moon and Back” from “Joyful Noise”
“He’s Everything” from “Joyful Noise”
“I’m Yours” from “Joyful Noise”
“Wide Awake” from “Katy Perry: Part of Me”
“Cosmonaut” from “Lawless”
“Beaten Up and Broken Down” from “Least among Saints”
“Suddenly” from “Les Misérables”
“Pi’s Lullaby” from “Life of Pi”
“When I Grow Up” from “Losing Control”
“Love Always Comes as a Surprise” from “Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted”
“Ladies of Tampa” from “Magic Mike”
“The Baddest Man Alive” from “The Man with the Iron Fists”
“This Gift” from “The Odd Life of Timothy Green”
“Still Alive” from “Paul Williams Still Alive”
“Dotted Line” from “People Like Us”
“Snake Eyes” from “Promised Land”
“Razors.Out” from “The Raid: Redemption”
“I’m Not Leaving” from “Re:Generation”
“Still Dream” from “Rise of the Guardians”
“Undercover Love” from “Rock of Ages”
“Big Machine” from “Safety Not Guaranteed”
“I Be Here” from “Saint Dracula”
“I Have Secrets” from “Saint Dracula”
“Skyfall” from “Skyfall”
“Breath of Life” from “Snow White and the Huntsman”
“Gone” from “Snow White and the Huntsman”
“One Wing” from “Sparkle”
“Not Running Anymore” from “Stand Up Guys”
“Feel Love” from “Struck by Lightning”
“Everybody Needs a Best Friend” from “Ted”
“Never Had” from “10 Years”
“Dull Tool” from “This Is 40”
“She Won’t Let Go” from “Until They Are Home”
“Kiss Me Goodbye” from “Virginia”
“Anything Made of Paper” from “West of Memphis”
“Hashishet Albi” from “Where Do We Go Now?”
“When Can I See You Again?” from “Wreck-It Ralph”
Per the Academy: “During the nominations process, all voting members of the Music Branch will receive a Reminder List of works submitted in the category and a DVD copy of the song clips. Members will be asked to watch the clips and then vote in the order of their preference for not more than five achievements in the category. The five achievements receiving the highest number of votes will become the nominations for final voting for the award.
To be eligible, a song must consist of words and music, both of which are original and written specifically for the film. A clearly audible, intelligible, substantive rendition of both lyric and melody must be used in the body of the film or as the first music cue in the end credits.”
The nominations will be announced on January 10, 2013. The 85th Academy Awards will take place on February 24, 2013.
Source: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
It’s better than the previous trailer, but is the new Man of Steel video going to win over fence-sitting Superman fans? Directed by Zack Snyder and starring Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Laurence Fishburne, Diane Lane, Kevin Costner, Michael Shannon, and Russell Crowe, Warner Bros Pictures will be releasing this reboot of the Superman franchise on June 14, 2013.
For Robert Deaton, Executive Producer of The CMA Awards and CMA Country Christmas, there’s a world of difference between the two ABC-TV specials. It ultimately comes down to one word.
“Tension,” he specified. “There’s a lot of tension in the room for the Awards show because there’s so much riding on who’s going to win and it’s a live broadcast. The Christmas show is very different. It’s warm and open. People are there to have a good time.“
So they were on Saturday, Nov. 3, when Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena filled with early celebrants of the season. Most wore festive Christmas colors, including scarves and winter hats. And all broke into applause as Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles, marking her third year as host of CMA Country Christmas, walked out to center stage.
Beaming and obviously in her late stage of pregnancy, Nettles playfully announced, “Now, like Santa Claus, I’m expected to deliver very soon. But tonight I’m going to try to break the record for costume changes by a woman in her third trimester!” (Nettles and husband, Justin Miller, welcomed son Magnus Hamilton Miller to the world on Thursday, Dec. 6.)
If such a record does exist, Nettles shattered it, beginning with the opening number. Dancers in vivid reds and greens swirled across the stage as she sang “A Naughty Christmas” and even joined in on a few steps. By the end of the evening, her other performances and interviews put to rest any doubts about whether she was up to the challenge.
“I was nervous from the moment last summer when Jennifer told me she was pregnant,” Deaton admitted. “But the very next thing she said was, ‘Can I still host the Christmas show?’ It was really important to her and we’re so lucky to have her.”
Yes, but was there a backup plan, just in case? “I never really had a Plan B,” Deaton said, with a laugh. “I thought about it and then just decided to roll the dice and hope she’s going to make it. If she didn’t, at the last minute, I’d figure something out.”
Luckily, Plan A worked. Unlike the two previous shows, this year’s taping benefited from having a full day after the CMA Awards broadcast to prepare. Several changes were made to the format: To keep the flow smooth, the program was shot in sequence. And in a new feature, the host sang a couple of duets, one with Lady Antebellum and another with R&B superstar John Legend.
“Having some different influences on the show does broaden our scope,” Deaton said. “John Legend, for example, has been to Nashville and written with John Rich and Faith Hill and Lady Antebellum, and Jennifer wanted to sing with him, so we took advantage of that opportunity. (Pop sensation) Colbie Caillat was invited because she has a Christmas album coming out. And when (mezzo-soprano) Katherine Jenkins has a new Christmas album and wanted to come to Nashville, I say we open our arms. This is the kind of show where we can do that.”
Several Country headliners made their CMA Country Christmas debuts this year too, including The Band Perry, Dierks Bentley, and Lady Antebellum. Others made return visits. “Keith Urban gladly accepted our offer for him to come back to the Christmas show,” Deaton said. “We had Little Big Town come back because Christmas music and the holidays are all about singing together and caroling, and their harmonies are so good. And not only does Martina McBride have a Christmas album, but she’s also doing a Christmas tour, so we asked her to come back too.”
The “fireside chat” segment returns as well, though it too has been slightly tweaked. Once again, performers were welcomed into a backstage set complete with comfortable couch, throw pillows and a glowing fireplace — actually, a 40-inch plasma screen with a video of burning logs. To make it easier to weave their comments together, writer David Wild set up his questions to them along “fill in the blank” lines.
“We had a concept of ‘my favorite Christmas story’ and all the artists answered,” Deaton noted. “For example, Hillary Scott of Lady Antebellum talked about her biggest memory being when she got a bike — I think it was a pink tricycle. Keith Urban talked about how his family in Australia would have its Christmas lunch on the beach. And The Band Perry talked about playing Aaron Neville’s Christmas record on Thanksgiving.”
But to Deaton, what carries over from one “CMA Country Christmas” to the next matters more than whatever changes get introduced. “We’re creating a tradition with this show,” he said. “It’s not just a Christmas special. It’s the ‘CMA Country Christmas’ special.”
“CMA Country Christmas” will air Thursday, Dec. 20, and repeat Saturday, Dec. 22, and Sunday, Dec. 23, on ABC.
