Motown Christmas Special, NBC

[zani57]

https://deadline.com/2024/10/motown-...bc-1236163823/

[reese]

This is something to look forward to. Thanks for sharing.

[Spreadinglove21]

For the classic Motown acts promised for this special, are these going to be archival clips of them performing, or as they are now? I can't imagine putting Martha on to sing live these days given the condition of her voice.

[woodward]

Why Halle? Wouldn't it be more realistic if in addition to Smokey that Diana Ross or Gladys Knight would co-host it with him? Just a thought.

Also Brenda Holloway or Thelma Houston would be more appropriate in my opinion.

[daviddesper]

My guess is that this will be about 90% today's people and 10% clips from the past.

[DWSheffer]

Yeah, I don't watch these modern "specials" going in with very high expectations...too many times in the past it's new artists butchering standards, at least in my humble opinion. :P
Darin

[woodward]

I just had a thought about the program. In view of the current project to expand the museum in Detroit, it would be great for the publicity to get out about what is taking place in Detroit. I hope this is included.

[Boogiedown]

it won't be much of a Motown special without Jennifer Lopez

[lockhartgary]

"NBC has announced a new holiday special A Motown Christmas, set to air Wednesday, December 11th at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Hosted by Smokey Robinson and Halle Bailey, the show will feature numerous Motown and Hitsville USA veterans performing their biggest hits alongside modern stars."

Full article here: https://www.udiscovermusic.com/news/...s-special-nbc/

[reese]

Both articles forget that there was also an NBC Motown Xmas special in 1987, hosted by Philip Michael Thomas. Guests on that one included Smokey, the Tempts, Darlene Love, Ronnie Spector, as well as some newbies like Desiree Coleman and Carrie McDowell.

[carlo]

Am I imagining this, or was this special planned years ago, and then got cancelled? My memory is a bit fuzzy. Either way, glad that they're doing this. Anything is better than nothing, especially these days.

[reese]

Martha just posted on Facebook that she and the Vandellas were thrilled to participate in the upcoming special and to reunite with old friends like Smokey, Gladys, and the Tempts. So it looks like the performances are new.

[woodward]

I would really like to see Lionel Richie as well as Kim Weston included; even if it is vintage footage of Kim. Nobody ever mentions her and you never hear anything about her at all. That is a shame IMO.