Mariah! Dolly! Carrie! 2020 Canât Quarantine This Cheer
Pop stars try to pull off a Christmas spectacular in tough times, with three sparkly but heartfelt specials now on streaming services.
Pop divas in holiday sparkle: from left, Carrie Underwood, Mariah Carey and Dolly Parton.Credit...From left: Anne Marie Fox/HBO Max; Apple TV+; CBS
By Lindsay Zoladz
Dec. 18, 2020
With the C.D.C. advising against faithful friends who are dear to us gathering anywhere near to us, itâs understandable that we all might need some extra assistance getting into the holiday spirit this year. One of the few bright spots of the season, though, is the abundance of new Christmastime musical specials, helmed by some of our most beloved and benevolent divas. Thank the streaming wars, in part: HBO Max, Apple TV+ and CBS All Access have all jockeyed to get a different A-list angel atop their trees, perhaps in hopes that theyâll persuade you to subscribe to one of their services before your long winter hibernation (or at least forget to cancel before your free trial is over.) Whether gaudy, glorious excess or down-home simplicity, each offers a different take on a perplexing question: How do you stage a Christmas spectacular in decidedly unspectacular times?