A ‘Legendary Christmas’ story
Chrissy & John and Co. invite you in.
Watch your backs, Mr. and Mrs. Claus.
John Legend and Chrissy Teigen are breaking out the mistletoe for NBC’s aptly titled “A Legendary Christmas with John and Chrissy” (Wednesday, 10 EST/PST), a song- and star-filled holiday special featuring the singer’s and model’s family and friends.
Now, we know what some of you are thinking: Do we really need yet another reminder that they’re “extreme couple goals” and the “most relatable” celebs ever? Not really, but to Legend and Teigen’s credit, they lean into the one-hour special’s hammiest bits: winking to the camera as they deliver cutesy puns and one-liners (“This Christmas isn’t just gonna be great, it’s gonna be legendary!”) and regularly sending up their picture-perfect marriage.
Teigen, the best-selling cookbook author extraordinaire, amusingly competes with Legend throughout the special as they whip up gingerbread houses and macaroni and cheese, culminating in a hilarious bit in which regular people taste-test their creations as the couple watches behind one-way glass. Legend even finds a moment to spoof his “lookalike,” children’s cartoon aardvark “Arthur,” which has been a long-running joke on the pair’s social media.
Performances from Legend, Stevie Wonder and Esperanza Spalding are interspersed with celebrity cameos including “Crazy Rich Asians” star Awkwafina, who fails epically cooking one of Teigen’s recipes, and “fairy god-momager” Kris Jenner, who makes a convincing case for why “Chrissy” and “Christmas” should really start with K.
The couple’s children, Luna and Miles, make brief yet adorable appearances in “Legendary Christmas,” a heartwarming addition to the stable of reindeer, snowmen, Peanuts and Grinches that regularly grace our TV screens this time of year.
Other new holiday specials you should consider:
‘RuPaul’s Drag Race Holi-slay Spectacular’ (VH1) Dec. 7, 8 EST/PST
Get ready to carol for your life. Fresh off its first Emmy win for realitycompetition series, “RuPaul’s Drag Race” reunites eight fan-favorite queens for its first festive faceoff in the Werk Room, where they’ll sashay and lip-sync to original Christmas music from RuPaul’s seasonal albums: 2015’s “Slay Belles” and this year’s “Christmas Party.” YouTube personality Todrick Hall will choreograph, and judges Michelle Visage and Ross Mathews help crown the champ.
‘Darci Lynne: My Hometown Christmas’ (NBC) Dec. 11, 9 EST/PST
There’s no shortage of merry music specials, from the return of ABC’s “CMA Country Christmas” (Dec. 10, 8 EST/ PST) with host Reba McEntire to CW’s “Jingle Ball” concert (Dec. 16, 8 EST/ PST) featuring performances by Cardi B and Shawn Mendes from this year’s iHeartRadio tour. But we’re most intrigued by this tuneful new offering from singer/ventriloquist Lynne, last year’s endearing 14-year-old winner of “America’s Got Talent,” who’s joined by a colorful cast of puppet characters and guests Kristin Chenoweth, Toby Keith and Pentatonix.
‘Dr. Pimple Popper: The 12 Pops of Christmas’ (TLC) Dec. 13, 9 EST/PST
Yes, you read that correctly: Dermatologist Sandra Lee of TLC’s explosive hit “Dr. Pimple Popper” is getting her own squirm-inducing holiday special, in which she’ll zap the zits and extract the cysts of patients in her Southern California office. Because nothing says “yuletide cheer” like an oozy pop-apalooza, right?
‘Full Frontal: Christmas on I.C.E.’ (TBS) Dec. 19, 10:30 EST/PST
It wouldn’t be the holidays without at least one eggnog-fueled shouting match with your relatives over politics. Host Samantha Bee is here to galvanize or grate on your family’s nerves with a hotbutton holiday episode, described as a “less-godless-than-the-usual-liberal Christmas variety spectacular.” The late-night show will benefit migrant families who have been separated, with Olympic medalist Adam Rippon on hand to teach Bee Ice Skating 101.
‘Call the Midwife Holiday Special’ (PBS) Dec. 25, 9 EST/PST
Like the virgin Mary in Bethlehem, “Call the Midwife” is delivering a special Christmas installment of the British period drama. Ex-Army nurse Valerie Dyer (Jennifer Kirby) aids a pregnant woman who goes into early labor, while a new nun (Miriam Margolyes) and four Chinese orphans bring delight and disarray to nursing convent Nonnatus House.