Amazon.com

Self-proclaimed as “the greatest newsman-hosted holiday special since ‘A Walter Cronkite Tet Offensive,’” this fine, foolish and sentimental musical special is better than an Oreo with a cookie in the middle. ‘Tis not the season to be bloviating. It’s a kinder, gentler Stephen Colbert, of Comedy Central’s The Colbert Report, clad in homey blue jeans, red turtleneck and a (basic) cable-knit cardigan who welcomes viewers to his mountain cabin. Will a marauding bear at his doorstep prevent him from getting to his New York studio to film his Christmas special? It certainly doesn’t prevent inexplicable celebrity drop-ins by country music superstar Toby Keith, country music legend Willie Nelson, indie folk darling Feist and even “ageless icon of generosity and joy Santa Claus (George Wendt).” It’s all merrily “cheesy, crass and a commercial travesty” in the time-honored tradition of network holiday specials, and Colbert delivers with a smile, a song, and the (more…)