The Holidays always feature a number of TV “Specials” and 2024 is no different. I watched A Nonsense Christmas with Sabrina Carpenter on Netflix and An Evening With Dua Lipa on CBs (and streaming on Paramount+).
Sabrina Carpenter blends traditional Christmas songs and new original songs to give her Christmas Special a unique flavor. Clearly, Sabrina is having fun for the whole 50 minutes.
A Nonsense Christmas has a retro feel to it. Sprinkled in amid the songs are scenes of Sabrina backstage talking directly to the camera. There are plenty of duets and “guest stars,” too! If you’re in the mood for a fun Christmas Special, A Nonsense Christmas is worth watching and singing along with! GRADE: B
buy me presents by Sabrina Carpenter Lyrics
It’s the Most Nonsense Time Of The Year by Sabrina Carpenter Lyrics
This Christmas (Hang All The Mistletoe) by Tyla & Sabrina Carpenter Lyrics
santa doesn’t know you like i do by Sabrina Carpenter Lyrics
Santa Baby by Shania Twain & Sabrina Carpenter Lyrics
What Do I Get My Brother-In-Law? by Sabrina Carpenter (Ft. Jillian Bell & Kyle Mooney) Lyrics
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus by Kali Uchis & Sabrina Carpenter Lyrics
Last Christmas by Sabrina Carpenter & Chappell Roan Lyrics
cindy lou who by Sabrina Carpenter Lyrics
A Nonsense Christmas by Sabrina Carpenter
An Evening With Dua Lipa— the English and Albanian singer– is a musical extravaganza! Dua Lipa is accompanied on stage of Royal Albert Hall by a 53-piece orchestra and musicians related to the artist, notably the Heritage Orchestra conducted by Ben Foster. This 90-minute performance features Dua Lipa’s hits like “Houdini” and “Levitating.”
The crowd loved the duet with Elton John singing “Cold Heart.” Between some of the songs, Dua Lipa talks about her musical influences and the trajectory of her amazing career. I liked the S–shaped catwalk that looped around Royal Albert Hall that provided a launching pad for Dua Lipa’s dancers. If you’re looking for an entertaining musical experience, An Evening With Dua Lipa delivers! Do you have a favorite Holiday TV special? GRADE: B+
SONG LIST:
| 1. | “Overture” | Ben Foster Charles Monneraud William Bowerman | 1:46 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2. | “End of an Era” | Dua Lipa Kevin Parker Danny L Harle Caroline AilinTobias Jesso Jr. | 3:59 |
| 3. | “Houdini“ | LipaParkerHarleAilinJesso | 3:56 |
| 4. | “Training Season“ | Lipa Parker Harle Ailin Jesso Nick Gale Martina Sorbara Shaun Frank Yaakov Gruzman Steve Mastroianni | 3:40 |
| 5. | “These Walls“ | Lipa Andrew Wyatt Harle Billy Walsh Ailin | 3:50 |
| 6. | “Whatcha Doing” | Lipa Parker Harle Ailin Jesso Ali Tamposi | 3:58 |
| 7. | “French Exit” | Lipa Parker Harle Ailin Jesso | 3:45 |
| 8. | “Illusion“ | Lipa Parker Harle Ailin Jesso | 3:57 |
| 9. | “Falling Forever” | Lipa Ian Kirkpatrick Harle Emily Warren Tamposi Ailin | 4:00 |
| 10. | “Anything for Love” | Lipa Kirkpatrick Harle Jesso Julia Michaels Ailin | 3:09 |
| 11. | “Maria” | Lipa Wyatt Harle Ailin Michaels | 3:45 |
| 12. | “Happy for You” | Lipa Parker Harle Ailin Jesso | 4:23 |
| 13. | “Love Again“ | Lipa Bing Crosby Chelcee Grimes Stephen Kozmeniuk Irving Wallman Clarence CoffeeMax Wartell | 6:02 |
| 14. | “Pretty Please“ | Lipa Michaels Kirkpatrick Ailin | 3:25 |
| 15. | “Levitating“ | Lipa Coffee Sarah Hudson Jason Evigan | 4:24 |
| 16. | “Sunshine” | Cleopatra NikolicDean Cover | 4:42 |
| 17. | “Cold Heart” (with Elton John) | Elton John Bernard Taupin Andrew Meecham Samuel Littlemore Nicholas LittlemorePeter Mayes | 5:28 |
| 18. | “Be the One“ | Gale Jack Tarrant Lucy Taylor | 4:49 |
| 19. | “Dance the Night“ | Lipa Ailin Wyatt Mark Ronson | 4:07 |
| 20. | “Don’t Start Now“ | Lipa Ailin Kirkpatrick Warren | 4:25 |
Dear Mother of God, did Carpenter have to include “Santa Baby”? Grrr.
Jerry, “Santa Baby” riles up a lot of people with its SEDUCTIVE implications.
Yeah, Jerry, is there nothing sacred? Of course – and not having heard it, this is just a guess – I doubt it is as bad as Madonna’s version. And, apparently, Michael (ugh) Buble did a version which has been called “one of the worst Christmas songs ever.”
And keep off our damn lawns, George!
The chances of my watching either of these specials is non-existent by the way. We watch Christmas specials of favorite British series, NOT people singing Christmas songs, however well or badly. Favorite Christmas specials? None, but if I had to choose one, I guess A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS. Or ERNEST SAVES CHRISTMAS.
Not.
Jeff, Diane likes to watch A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS every chance she gets!
I don’t even know who these two performers are, so far off am I from 2024 pop culture. I saw the first couple of minutes of the Lipa show, but it the staging and orchestra were too heavy-handed for my taste.
Fred, Dua Lipa’s original songs were not recorded with a 50-piece orchestra. The symphonic approach transformed many of her songs during this Holiday Special.
Despite Spotify assuring me that Dua Lipa’s “Illusion” was my second-most listened to song in 2024, I have no desire to watch either her or Sabrina Carpenter’s special. In our house, this time of year we watch “Blackadder’s Christmas Carol”, “Bernard and the Genie” (an obscure English TV movie from the early 1990s with Alan Cumming, Lenny Henry, and Rowan Atkinson), and, of course, “A Christmas Story”. The girls always manage to squeeze in a viewing of the MST3K version of “Santa Claus Conquers the Martians” (featuring a very young Pia Zadora), and “Elf” gets some screen time at least once during the Christmas season.
Nice choices, Deb. We watch MEET ME IN ST> LOUIS (which introduced “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” one of my favorite Christmas songs) and LOVE ACTUALLY (a favorite of Jackie’s), plus specials of THE GOOD LIFE, GAVIN & STACEY, THE DARLING BUDS OF MAY, JONATHAN CREEK (already watched), plus new ones this year – DEATH IN PARADISE, BEYOND PARADISE, CALL THE MIDWIFE.
Jackie enjoyed Netflix’s HOT FROSTY movie, and I’m sure you and the girls will enjoy it too.
Yeah—the girls & I will have to reserve watching “Hot Frosty” for when John goes to music practice. It doesn’t seem to be his cup of tea at all, lol.
Jeff, HOT FROSTY has garnered some positive reviews. I may have to check it out. Meanwhile, Diane has at least a dozen HALLMARK Christmas movie to watch after Patrick and Katie fly back to NYC and Boston on December 26.
Deb, it probably won’t surprise you to learn that I had a massive crush on Pia Zadora early in her career. Diane’s favorite movie is WHEN HARRY MET SALLY. I’m a fan of an unlikely Christmas movie: DIE HARD.
George, we watch When Harry Met Sally on NYE.
Jeff, Diane will tell me: “I need to watch WHEN HARRY MET SALLY.” The impulse can come at any time!
Never heard of either of these two babes, as you might have surmised! Come to think of it, I’ve managed to dodge every Christmas movie and special aired this year! I’ll be glad when the whole megillah is over!
Bob, you need to get off Santa’s NAUGHTY LIST!
I usually hold my nose to get through the holidays. Thanks God for football overload ;-)))
I must say that An Evening with Dua LIpa was very watchable. For a change, grand orchestra music didn’t put me to sleep thanks to the excellent upbeat music by Dua Lipa.
Her screen presence is magnetic. She draws you in, I don’t care who you are.
Plus, the stories of her life narrated by her in her lovely accent were very inspirational.
Amazing how being born in a loving family that recognizes and supports their child’s talent and aspirations can do for a gifted soul.
LG, I feel the same way about Dua Lipa as you do. Very inspirational!