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A NONSENSE CHRISTMAS WITH SABRINA CARPENTER and AN EVENING WITH DUA LIPA

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

SONG LIST:

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 Bowerman1:46
2.“End of an Era”Dua Lipa Kevin Parker Danny L Harle Caroline AilinTobias Jesso Jr.3:59
3.HoudiniLipaParkerHarleAilinJesso3:56
4.Training SeasonLipa Parker Harle Ailin Jesso Nick Gale Martina Sorbara Shaun Frank Yaakov Gruzman Steve Mastroianni3:40
5.These WallsLipa Andrew Wyatt Harle Billy Walsh Ailin3:50
6.“Whatcha Doing”Lipa Parker Harle Ailin Jesso Ali Tamposi3:58
7.“French Exit”Lipa Parker Harle Ailin Jesso3:45
8.IllusionLipa Parker Harle Ailin Jesso3:57
9.“Falling Forever”Lipa Ian Kirkpatrick Harle Emily Warren Tamposi Ailin4:00
10.“Anything for Love”Lipa Kirkpatrick Harle Jesso Julia Michaels Ailin3:09
11.“Maria”Lipa Wyatt Harle Ailin Michaels3:45
12.“Happy for You”Lipa Parker Harle Ailin Jesso4:23
13.Love AgainLipa Bing Crosby Chelcee Grimes Stephen Kozmeniuk Irving Wallman Clarence CoffeeMax Wartell6:02
14.Pretty PleaseLipa Michaels Kirkpatrick Ailin3:25
15.LevitatingLipa Coffee Sarah Hudson Jason Evigan4:24
16.“Sunshine”Cleopatra NikolicDean Cover4:42
17.Cold Heart” (with Elton John)Elton John Bernard Taupin Andrew Meecham Samuel Littlemore Nicholas LittlemorePeter Mayes5:28
18.Be the OneGale Jack Tarrant Lucy Taylor4:49
19.Dance the NightLipa Ailin Wyatt Mark Ronson4:07
20.Don’t Start NowLipa Ailin Kirkpatrick Warren4:25

THE SPAMALOT DIARIES By Eric Idle

I’ve seen Spamalot twice and laughed a lot each time. Of course, I grew up watching Monty Python’s Flying Circus with Graham ChapmanJohn CleeseEric IdleTerry JonesMichael Palin, and Terry Gilliam presenting their own unique brand of humor. Some of that quirky humor shows up in Spamalot because the musical is based on the 1975 film Monty Python and the Holy Grail. The musical offers a highly irreverent parody of Arthurian legend, with the title being a portmanteau of Spam and Camelot.

The original 2005 Broadway production directed by Mike Nichols received 14 Tony Award nominations, winning in three categories, including Best Musical. During its initial run of 1,575 performances, the production was seen by more than two million people and grossed over $168 million.

While Eric Idle was working with Mike Nichols on developing Spamalot, he kept a diary about the give-and-take of getting a musical to Broadway. If you’re interested in how a musical is put together with stars like Tim Curry (as King Arthur), Audra McDonald (as Lady of the Lake), Hank Azaria (as Lancelot), David Hyde Pierce (as Robin), and Roger Bart (as Galahad), The Spamalot Diaries takes you behind the scenes to see how a show comes together. I found The Spamalot Diaries fascinating and revealing! Are you an Eric Idle fan? GRADE: A

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Introduction — xi

To New York City for the first read — 1

Anxiety and final rewrites before rehearsal — 35

New York rehearsals begin — 49

November in New York — 75

December in Chicago — 87

The New York opening — 145

Afterword — 185

Acknowledgments — 187

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS VS. BUFFALO BILLS (CBS)

The 3-11 New England Patriots take on the 11-3 Buffalo Bills in a “flexed” game that was moved from the 1:00 P.M. time-slot to the 4:30 time-slot. The Bills are 14-point favorites.

Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen is on fire! In the past three games, Allen has 1,027 total yards, 14 total touchdowns, no turnovers and has not taken a sack. He’s tallied seven passing touchdowns, six rushing touchdowns and a receiving touchdown in that stretch.

Allen has led Buffalo to at least 30 points in eight straight games, tying the longest such streak in NFL history.

How will your favorite NFL team fare today?

MY FAVORITE EGGNOG

During the Holiday Season, I like to enjoy eggnog. I’ve tried over a dozen different brands of eggnog over the years–both non-alcoholic and alcoholic–and currently my favorite eggnog is Southern Comfort Traditional Non-Alcoholic Eggnog. It has a rich, creamy flavor. If you’re a fan of eggnog, you’ll love this!

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Almost as good as Southern Comfort Traditional Non-Alcoholic Eggnog is Turkey Hill Eggnog. And, as a bonus, Turkey Hill also sells Turkey Hill Eggnog Ice Cream during the Holiday Season! Yummy!

I’m also fond of Hood’s Golden Eggnog which tastes like melted ice cream: thick and rich. You can’t go wrong with any of these three wonderful eggnogs! Do you like eggnog? What’s your favorite?

FRIDAY’S FORGOTTEN BOOKS #824: MS. TREE: HEROINE WITHDRAWAL By Max Allan Collins & Terry Beatty

Just in time for the Holidays, Hard Case Crime offers a gift for that Hard-to-Buy-For person on your Gift List. Ms. Tree: Heroine Withdrawal features a new collection of classic detective stories featuring a P. I. at her graphic best.

Ms. Tree: Heroine Withdrawal is the fifth volume Hard Case Crime has published in their Ms. Tree series. Max Allan Collins and artist Terry Beatty provide these noirish tales with plenty of action and adventure.

Who wouldn’t want a fabulous book like Ms. Tree: Heroine Withdrawal under their tree? GRADE: A

Ally McBeal: A Very Ally Christmas

TRACK LIST:

Vonda ShepardThis Christmas Backing Vocals – Jeff Young (2)Vonda Shepard Bass – Jim Hanson Drums – Andy Kamman Guitar – Val McCallum Piano, Keyboards – Jeff Young (2) Written-By – Donnie Hathaway*, Nadine McKinnor3:51
2Vonda ShepardThe Man With The Bag Arranged By [Horn] – Jerry Hey Bass – Jim HansonDrums – Fritz Lewak *Guitar – Bruce Watson Piano – Jeff Young (2) Saxophone – Larry Williams Trombone – Bill Reichenbach (2) Trumpet – Gary GrantJerry Hey Written-By – Dudley A. Brooks*, Hal StanleyIrving Taylor2:34
3Vonda ShepardPlease Come Home For Christmas Bass – Jim Hanson Drums – Andy KammanGuitar – Val McCallum Organ [B-3], Organ [Wurlitzer] – Neil Larsen Piano – Vonda Shepard Synthesizer – Jeff Young (2) Written-By – Charles BrownGene Redd 3:06
4Vonda ShepardSilver Bells Backing Vocals – Davey FaragherJeff Young (2)Bass – Davey Faragher Bells [Sleigh] – Pete Thomas Celesta – Vonda Shepard Drums, Percussion – Andy Kamman Guitar – Bruce Watson Pedal Steel Guitar – Greg Leisz Piano – Jeff Young (2) Written-By – Jay Livingston, Raymond Evans1:42
5Vonda ShepardLet It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow Acoustic Guitar – Val McCallum Arranged By [String] – Jerry Hey Cello – Stephen Erdody *Concertmaster [Violin] – Ralph D. Morrison III *Pedal Steel Guitar – Greg Leisz Piano – Vonda Shepard Viola – Roland Kato Violin – Rachel R. Purkin *Written-By – Sammy Cahn, Jule Styne 2:15
6Macy GrayWinter Wonderland Backing Vocals – Dawn BeckmanSy Smith Bass – Greg Richling Chamberlin – Patrick Warren Drums – Matt Chamberlain Producer – Andrew Slater Recorded By, Mixed By – Dave Way Turntables [and DJ] – Kiili Beckwith *Written-By – Dick Smith (3)Felix Bernard 2:54
7Jane KrakowskiRun, Rudolph, Run Backing Vocals – Brandon AdamsMelanie TaylorRenée Goldsberry*, Terron Brooks Bass – Davey Faragher Drums – Andy Kamman Guitar – Bruce Watson Piano – Jeff Young (2) Written-By – Johnny MarksMarvin Brodie2:14
8Lisa Nicole CarsonSanta Claus Got Stuck In My Chimney Bass – Jim Hanson Drums – Andy Kamman Guitar – Val McCallum Percussion – Vonda Shepard Piano – Jeff Young (2) Written-By – Billy Moore, Jr.William D. Hardy 1:27
9Jane KrakowskiI Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus Backing Vocals – Renée Goldsberry*, Sy SmithVatrina King *Bass – Jim HansonDrums – Andy Kamman Guitar – Val McCallum Piano – Jeff Young (2) Written-By – Tommie Connor 2:30
10Calista FlockhartSanta Baby Backing Vocals – Carmen CarterLynn DavisVatrina King *Bass – Davey Faragher Drums – Rob Ladd Guitar – Val McCallum Piano – Jeff Young (2)Saxophone – Dan Higgins Written-By – Joan JavitsPhilip SpringerTony Springer 2:11
11Vonda ShepardHave Yourself A Merry Little Christmas Arranged By [String] – Jerry Hey Cello – Stephen Erdody *Concertmaster [Violin] – Ralph D. Morrison III*Guitar – Michael Landau Piano – Jeff Young (2)Viola – Roland Kato Violin – Rachel R. Purkin *Written-By – Hugh MartinRalph Blane2:33
12Robert Downey Jr.River Arranged By [String] – Jerry Hey Backing Vocals – Vonda Shepard Cello – Stephen Erdody *Concertmaster [Violin] – Ralph D. Morrison III *Guitar – Bruce WatsonPiano – Neil Larsen Viola – Roland Kato Violin – Rachel R. Purkin *Written-By – Joni Mitchell 4:07
13Robert Downey Jr. & Vonda ShepardWhite Christmas Arranged By [String] – Jerry Hey Cello – Stephen Erdody *Concertmaster [Violin] – Ralph D. Morrison III* Guitar – Val McCallum Piano – Neil Larsen Viola – Roland Kato Violin – Rachel R. Purkin *Written-By – Irving Berlin 2:41
14Vonda ShepardWhat Are You Doing New Year’s Eve Arranged By [Strings] – Jerry Hey Bass – Davey FaragherCello – Cecilia TsanStephen Erdody*Concertmaster [Violin] – Ralph D. Morrison III*Drums – Pete Thomas Guitar – Val McCallum Piano – Neil Larsen Viola – Roland KatoVictoria Miskolczy *Violin – Jacqueline Brand*, Josefina VergaraKaren Jones (2)Katia PopovMargaret R. Wooten *Written-By – Frank Loesser3:25