*Turner Broadcasting recruited their TBS and TNT talent to spread a little Christmas cheer for its one-hour special “SURPRISE! Instant Xmas Carol,” where celebrity carolers surprise listeners with their own unique renditions of a classic Yultide songs.
TBS stars Conan O’Brien (“Conan”) and Rashida Jones (“Angie Tribeca”) join Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal of TNT’s “Inside the NBA,” as well as Jane Lynch, Ludacris, Kenny G, Tony Sirico, Vincent Curatola, Joseph Gannascoli, A$AP Ferg, Three Loco, Samantha Ronson, Alfonso Ribeiro, Fred Willard, Keke Palmer and T-Pain for the special, which premieres on TBS tonight (Dec. 21) at 10 p.m. (ET/PT).
The carolers hit the road in search of people who look like they could use some lifted spirits. The result is a holiday special packed with unforgettable songs performed in often wild and unpredictable situations.
“Utilizing unique celebrity combos, we are committed to bringing back the long-forgotten tradition of this very special season: the Christmas carol,” said Michael Bloom, senior vice president of unscripted series and specials for TBS & TNT. “These inspiring and mostly in-tune performances will reestablish the carol as a cornerstone of the holiday celebration.”
In addition to the one-hour special, the performances in “SURPRISE! Instant Xmas Carol” will be presented individually throughout the holiday season as on-air and digital shorts.
Below, watch Ribeiro, Jones and Barkley carol together, Keke Palmer surprise folks at a train station, Ludacris and Shaq rock a crowd dressed as Santa and his elf (respectively), T-Pain and Fred Willard surprise Uber passengers and A$ap Ferg team with Olivia Culpo at a NYC restaurant:
On Christmas Eve at 7 p.m. (ET/PT), TBS & TNT will team for a simulcast of “SURPRISE! Instant Xmas Carol,” followed by a simulcast of the annual “24 Hours of A Christmas Story” marathon.
The film first aired in 1997 on TNT, where it drew an ever-increasing audience for seven years. The marathon moved to TBS in 2004, continuing its audience expansion. And in 2014, Turner began simulcasting the marathon on both TBS & TNT. Last year, it was viewed by a total of 36 million viewers across the 24 hours and scored cable’s #1 non-sports telecast for the entire day.
TBS & TNT’s slate of holiday-related programming also includes the animated classic Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas on TBS (Nov. 20 & Dec. 10) and TNT (Dec. 14); TBS’s annual Friends Thanksgiving Day marathon (Nov. 24); a Black Friday Star Wars marathon of the first six movies on TBS (Nov. 25); a “Festivus” marathon of Seinfeld episodes on TBS (Dec. 9); A Christmas Carol, starring Patrick Stewart, on TNT (Dec. 19); and several opportunities to enjoy the family favorite The Wizard of Oz on TBS (Nov. 20 & Nov. 27) and TNT (Dec. 12 & Dec. 14).
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