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2 TV ENCORE By Jacqueline Spendlove TV Media A s you join the throngs of Christmas shoppers in the malls and department stores this year, chances are you'll be serenaded by Canada's token crooner amongst the holiday music with which we've been bombarded since the first of November. With his dulcet- toned take on time-honored Christmas songs, Michael Bublé's voice has become a fix- ture during the holidays. In what's becoming an annu- al tradition, the singer will also have his hour in the spotlight in prime time with his fourth Christmas special. Taped at the famed Radio City Music Hall, "Michael Bublé's Christmas in New York" airs Wednesday, Dec. 17, on NBC. With the success of past Christmas specials, it's no sur- prise that the multiple Grammy and Juno award winner is taking the stage for the holidays once again. The first program in 2011 saw 7.1 million viewers tune in — the same year he released his chart-topping "Christmas" album — and his sophomore special in 2012 notched an impressive 5.66 million viewers. Last year's show raked in an audience of five million, beating out Celine Dion's "Home for the Holidays" special that aired ear- lier that night on CBS. This year's song lineup consists of seasonal favorites, including "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)," "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" and "All I Want for Christmas Is You." Graybeals Carpet 2 x 3" Pear Tree Gallery 3 x 2" Harrison- Metzger 2 x 2" On the Cover Bublé also performs unplugged versions of a number of songs requested by his hordes of social media followers, includ- ing "Blue Christmas," "I'll Be Home for Christmas" and "Cold December Night." It's the perfect event to get people into the holiday spirit, though Bublé's silky voice isn't the only thing that's drawing in viewers. The specials feature some distinguished guests, which in the past have included big names such as fellow canucks Justin Bieber and Carly Rae Jepsen, plus megastars Rod Stewart and Blake Shelton. Last year, he welcomed musical powerhouses Mariah Carey and Mary J. Blige to the stage, plus, perhaps the biggest name of all, Cookie Monster. Bublé is upping the ante this year, having scored the legendary Barbra Streisand as part of his impressive and diverse guest list of bodacious babes. Fellow song- stress and former teen idol Ariana Grande ("Victorious") will be lighting up Radio City Music Hall as well this year, along with Miss Piggy and The Rockettes, and their host is thrilled. "I could not be more excited to celebrate the Christmas holi- days in New York with such a fantastic array of talented women," he told the media. "I think my fourth holiday special for NBC may be the very best yet. I can't wait for everyone to see it." Bublé is big on duets, which is why it's so great to get killer voices such as Streisand's and Grande's (and of course, Miss Piggy's) together on the stage for an event like this. He's per- formed heaps of songs along- side some major players in the music and acting world, includ- ing Boyz II Men, Reese Witherspoon ("Walk the Line," 2005), Idina Menzel ("Rent," 2005) and Bryan Adams. This isn't the first time he and Streisand will be teaming up, either. The two joined forces on the "Funny Girl" (1968) star's newest album for a rendition of "It Had to Be You" that's been garnering mad love. Christmas is a particularly special time for Bublé, who holds the holiday close to his heart. Growing up, his family played Bing Crosby's "White Christmas" record non-stop throughout the season. "It was the only Christmas record my parents had, and we played it from late October through December," he told "The Telegraph" back in 2011. "It introduced me to jazz, to croon- ing, to music, really. I think it's the reason why, when I heard standards later in my life, there was a great sense of comfort." Releasing a Christmas album of his own had long been a dream of Bublé's, and Michael Bublé's fourth Christmas special delivers holiday favorites "Christmas" saw that dream realized. The full-length album shot to No. 1 on the charts, where it remained for five weeks, and it stands apart as being the first holiday album to win a Juno for Album of the Year. No stranger to collaborations, the crooner teamed up with a number of artists to record duets for the album, including Shania Twain, The Puppini Sisters and Thalía. "Christmas in New York" promises to give an exciting live take on the classics that make up the album, and with the addi- tion of his special guests, it's safe to say we're in for a spec- tacular show. With Christmas just around the corner, the holiday warm- and-fuzzies are coming in hard and fast. As he's done for the past three years, Bublé is doing his part to spread the Christmas spirit around with his jazzy take on the classics. Join the Canadian superstar and his spe- cial guests as they take the stage for his "Michael Bublé's Christmas in New York." Packed to the gills with holiday favor- ites, the special airs Wednesday, Dec. 17, on NBC. Miss Piggy and Michael Bublé as seen in "Michael Bublé's Christmas in New York" D&J Liquors 3 x 2" Animal Shop 2 x 2" Corner of 4th & Market ~ Downtown Logansport 574-737-8374 Pear Tree Gallery fi ne custom framing at... Yes Virginia, there really is a Partridge in a Pear Tree. • Original Artwork • Framed Prints • Art Classes • Art Supplies www.ransfuneralhomes.com HARRISON-METZGER & RANS FUNERAL HOMES 304 S. Chicago St. | Royal Center, IN • 574.643.2265 123 E. 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