After watching Carrie Underwood: An All-Star Holiday Special last night for two straight hours, I couldn't help but feel a little up in the air. Yes, Underwood did a wonderful job entertaining the world. But what about her poor sister, Stephanie? Carrie tried repeatedly to find her sister a man, but by the end of the show, nothing.
That family drama aside, the special really did have something for everyone. It wasn't even all that Christmasy. Just kind of an old-school variety show. But Underwood managed to show her range vocally (which she always does) and dramatically (which is kind of new for her).
There were her big hits like "Cowboy Casanova," "Before He Cheats" and "Jesus, Take the Wheel," obviously. But her new songs, such as "Songs Like This" and the outstanding mandolin-laced "What Can I Say" that she did with Sons of Sylvia, were huge standouts, too.
And then, there was Dolly Parton. She was clearly a musical influence on Underwood growing up, but it looks like she may have had an effect on her sense of humor as well. That's a good thing. And she also covered the Conway Twitty/Loretta Lynn hit "Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man" with a via-satellite Brad Paisley.
But it wasn't all old-time country music. David Cook was also there to wow the audience with his brilliant "Lie" tune, about how "I'm OK with the quiet." And Kristen Chenoweth and Christina Applegate joined Underwood for a medley of songs from '60s girl groups with "Be My Baby," "Then He Kissed Me," "Leader of the Pack" and "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow."
Best though, by far, was Underwood's powerful pipes on "O Holy Night" toward the end of the show. O night divine, indeed.
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