Post by jo on Dec 16, 2013 18:41:58 GMT -5
Someone from THE WASHINGTON POST does not like Hugh too much 
www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/tv/christmas-in-washington-a-feel-good-night-with-hugh-jackman-and-the-first-family/2013/12/16/1895399e-6666-11e3-8b5b-a77187b716a3_story.html
*Of course Hugh never said he was a comedian...that was why the Oscars 2009 went over well - his sense of humor was displayed in a self-mocking way. Which went well with his personality! I am sure that was not the main talent for which he was chosen to host this Christmas concert but his ability to entertain in general plus his popularity with American audiences ( all demographics!).
*How can a show with its " jumble of genres and styles" be "classy, lovely, and perfectly planned" if it did not seem to have made use of the talents available ( what a waste not to have featured Hugh's triple threat talents) and the script did not seem to have been very professionally done ( check out the Oscars 2009). Isn't the Hollywood and Broadway type of humor not part of the American scene?
*Didn't she know that Santa was originally known as Saint Nicholas and many other names in other cultures much, much earlier? ( See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Claus)... Did she know that the Christmas tree was of German origin ( O tannembaum!), adopted by Queen Victoria ( if my memory serves right), before it came over to the USA? Did she know that The Nutcracker was a ballet inspired by Tschaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite and performed in his homeland first? And " 'Twas the Night Before Christmas", while written by an American, is appreciated elsewhere even if they do not have the traditional White Christmasses! And here in Asia - we even have a special dispensation from the Vatican for a very special Christmas tradition practiced only in our country ( we are predominantly Roman Catholic) - the holding of a nine-day novena dawn Masses before Christmas Day, which we would not mind sharing with others! And of course, it was that little town in Bethlehem in the land of the contested Middle East where the first Christmas was celebrated!
What does it matter -- Christmas traditions are universal!
*Ha - she didn't even choose a photo which included the host to give life to her account of the event!
Sorry for the rant! Is she supposed to be a critic or just an entertainment reporter? Maybe her favorite comic book character is not Wolverine ( that last dig about Hugh using the event to promote his movie was unnecessary -- even President Obama was probably advised to include a reference to Hugh's iconic entertainment persona in his remarks).
Jo
www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/tv/christmas-in-washington-a-feel-good-night-with-hugh-jackman-and-the-first-family/2013/12/16/1895399e-6666-11e3-8b5b-a77187b716a3_story.html
‘Christmas in Washington’: A feel-good night with Hugh Jackman and the first family
Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP - The first family, from left; Malia Obama, Sasha Obama, President Barack Obama, and first lady Michelle Obama, join, fifth from left to rright; AJ McLean of the Backstreet Boys, country singer Sheryl Crow, and Janelle Monáe, sing the Christmas carol during the annual 2013 Christmas in Washington presentation at the National Building Museum in Washington, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
By Emily Yahr, Updated: Tuesday, December 17, 7:11 AME-mail the writers
Everything about TNT’s family-friendly “Christmas in Washington” concert is classy and lovely and perfectly planned, like a present neatly wrapped with a big red bow. So that’s why it was surprising when Hugh Jackman — who boasted he was the first Australian to host the annual show — hinted at something even vaguely controversial.
“Santa is also from overseas — and that’s a fact,” Jackman said during his opening monologue, presumably referring to the “debate” that erupted on Fox News last week over the color of Santa’s skin. The line did not get a big response from the crowd in the festively decorated National Building Museum, where President Obama and the first family were in attendance; there was some scattered laughter, and a few “ooohs.” Jackman paused. “Not for the kids,” he admitted.
And that was the end of topical humor. Of course, the remark escaped the many children in attendance Sunday night, who were dressed in their holiday best, accompanied by parents, there to watch celebrities sing Christmas carols. Always a jumble of genres and styles, this year’s lineup included pop star turned trying-to-be-country-songstress Sheryl Crow; R&B siren Janelle Monae; actress and “Cups” singer Anna Kendrick; always-reliable Train frontman Pat Monahan; and the group that landed a “special appearance” billing, the Backstreet Boys.
“Boys” may not be the proper term for the former teenybopper superstars at this point. Brian Littrell’s pushing 40, A.J. McClean’s on his way, and Howie Dorough and Kevin Richardson are already there. It was quite the throwback to see them all together again, though; the dapper quintet gamely kicked off the show with “Christmas Time,” offering well-rehearsed harmonies and trading off lead vocals. Backed by a choir, they still embraced cheesy dancing — particularly Nick Carter, who was really into it.
Also showing off moves: the Washington Youth Choir, with a particularly rousing rendition of “Come Tell It on the Mountain,” complete with a choreographed mini-dance routine. It was delightful, and a nice shot of energy compared with soaring but slower songs from Crow (“Please Come Home for Christmas,” “O Holy Night”) and Kendrick (“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “Silent Night”).
The feel-good event, which supports the Children’s National Health System and will air on TNT Friday, also featured Monahan’s vocal aerobics on “Merry Christmas Baby” and a spirited “This Christmas” courtesy of Monae. As usual, the grand finale was a group performance featuring all of the artists, along with the president, first lady, Malia and Sasha, who arrived onstage to dole out hugs and join in a mass sing-along to “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.” President Obama spoke for a few minutes about the spirit of the season, and threw in a joke about Jackman’s movie alter ego, thanking him for “leaving the Wolverine claws at home.”
One element of the seamless broadcast became glaringly apparent: Jackman is not a comedian. In recent years, hosts Conan O’Brien and Ellen DeGeneres kept the crowds laughing. Not so much this time. Jackman’s stilted delivery was almost a relief, however: Someone that strikingly attractive does have a flaw.
Because, oh right, he can sing. Beautifully. And he did, during the finale, belting out “Angels We Have Heard on High,” joining the first family and artists in capping off the warm and fuzzy night — but, as any celebrity should, only after plugging “The Wolverine” on DVD.
Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP - The first family, from left; Malia Obama, Sasha Obama, President Barack Obama, and first lady Michelle Obama, join, fifth from left to rright; AJ McLean of the Backstreet Boys, country singer Sheryl Crow, and Janelle Monáe, sing the Christmas carol during the annual 2013 Christmas in Washington presentation at the National Building Museum in Washington, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
By Emily Yahr, Updated: Tuesday, December 17, 7:11 AME-mail the writers
Everything about TNT’s family-friendly “Christmas in Washington” concert is classy and lovely and perfectly planned, like a present neatly wrapped with a big red bow. So that’s why it was surprising when Hugh Jackman — who boasted he was the first Australian to host the annual show — hinted at something even vaguely controversial.
“Santa is also from overseas — and that’s a fact,” Jackman said during his opening monologue, presumably referring to the “debate” that erupted on Fox News last week over the color of Santa’s skin. The line did not get a big response from the crowd in the festively decorated National Building Museum, where President Obama and the first family were in attendance; there was some scattered laughter, and a few “ooohs.” Jackman paused. “Not for the kids,” he admitted.
And that was the end of topical humor. Of course, the remark escaped the many children in attendance Sunday night, who were dressed in their holiday best, accompanied by parents, there to watch celebrities sing Christmas carols. Always a jumble of genres and styles, this year’s lineup included pop star turned trying-to-be-country-songstress Sheryl Crow; R&B siren Janelle Monae; actress and “Cups” singer Anna Kendrick; always-reliable Train frontman Pat Monahan; and the group that landed a “special appearance” billing, the Backstreet Boys.
“Boys” may not be the proper term for the former teenybopper superstars at this point. Brian Littrell’s pushing 40, A.J. McClean’s on his way, and Howie Dorough and Kevin Richardson are already there. It was quite the throwback to see them all together again, though; the dapper quintet gamely kicked off the show with “Christmas Time,” offering well-rehearsed harmonies and trading off lead vocals. Backed by a choir, they still embraced cheesy dancing — particularly Nick Carter, who was really into it.
Also showing off moves: the Washington Youth Choir, with a particularly rousing rendition of “Come Tell It on the Mountain,” complete with a choreographed mini-dance routine. It was delightful, and a nice shot of energy compared with soaring but slower songs from Crow (“Please Come Home for Christmas,” “O Holy Night”) and Kendrick (“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “Silent Night”).
The feel-good event, which supports the Children’s National Health System and will air on TNT Friday, also featured Monahan’s vocal aerobics on “Merry Christmas Baby” and a spirited “This Christmas” courtesy of Monae. As usual, the grand finale was a group performance featuring all of the artists, along with the president, first lady, Malia and Sasha, who arrived onstage to dole out hugs and join in a mass sing-along to “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.” President Obama spoke for a few minutes about the spirit of the season, and threw in a joke about Jackman’s movie alter ego, thanking him for “leaving the Wolverine claws at home.”
One element of the seamless broadcast became glaringly apparent: Jackman is not a comedian. In recent years, hosts Conan O’Brien and Ellen DeGeneres kept the crowds laughing. Not so much this time. Jackman’s stilted delivery was almost a relief, however: Someone that strikingly attractive does have a flaw.
Because, oh right, he can sing. Beautifully. And he did, during the finale, belting out “Angels We Have Heard on High,” joining the first family and artists in capping off the warm and fuzzy night — but, as any celebrity should, only after plugging “The Wolverine” on DVD.
*Of course Hugh never said he was a comedian...that was why the Oscars 2009 went over well - his sense of humor was displayed in a self-mocking way. Which went well with his personality! I am sure that was not the main talent for which he was chosen to host this Christmas concert but his ability to entertain in general plus his popularity with American audiences ( all demographics!).
*How can a show with its " jumble of genres and styles" be "classy, lovely, and perfectly planned" if it did not seem to have made use of the talents available ( what a waste not to have featured Hugh's triple threat talents) and the script did not seem to have been very professionally done ( check out the Oscars 2009). Isn't the Hollywood and Broadway type of humor not part of the American scene?
*Didn't she know that Santa was originally known as Saint Nicholas and many other names in other cultures much, much earlier? ( See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Claus)... Did she know that the Christmas tree was of German origin ( O tannembaum!), adopted by Queen Victoria ( if my memory serves right), before it came over to the USA? Did she know that The Nutcracker was a ballet inspired by Tschaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite and performed in his homeland first? And " 'Twas the Night Before Christmas", while written by an American, is appreciated elsewhere even if they do not have the traditional White Christmasses! And here in Asia - we even have a special dispensation from the Vatican for a very special Christmas tradition practiced only in our country ( we are predominantly Roman Catholic) - the holding of a nine-day novena dawn Masses before Christmas Day, which we would not mind sharing with others! And of course, it was that little town in Bethlehem in the land of the contested Middle East where the first Christmas was celebrated!
What does it matter -- Christmas traditions are universal!
*Ha - she didn't even choose a photo which included the host to give life to her account of the event!
Sorry for the rant! Is she supposed to be a critic or just an entertainment reporter? Maybe her favorite comic book character is not Wolverine ( that last dig about Hugh using the event to promote his movie was unnecessary -- even President Obama was probably advised to include a reference to Hugh's iconic entertainment persona in his remarks).
Jo
