If you’re looking for some uplifting background music to open gifts by on Christmas morning, you could do worse than WFLD-Ch. 32’s “Christmas Glory,” a pleasing hour of gospel music featuring the talented Winans family, which might surprise some.
Airing at 6 and 9 a.m. Friday, the show is celebrating its fifth Christmas presentation. It was produced by Amethyst Entertainment Productions and taped Dec. 5 at the Apostolic Church of God in Chicago.
Because “Christmas Glory” is on so early Friday–when some might still be sleeping in after late-night bicycle-assembling and last-last-last minute gift wrapping–the special might be overlooked. Big mistake.
The show was twice nominated for Emmys for best variety program and is entertaining, uplifting and, most importantly, indicative of how important and vital local television production is.
With so many cost-cutting moves instituted at television stations around town (WGN-Ch. 9 and WBBM-Ch. 2 have abandoned Saturday morning newscasts; and local lifestyle newsmagazines, staples for practically all the stations during the 1970s, are almost non-existent now), a made-in-Chicago product like “Christmas Glory” is especially appreciated.
Hosted by Channel 32’s Robin Robinson, “Christmas Glory” combines powerful singing, spirited music, and the charm of local production to create a nice, neat package–with the Winans the special bow.
But the clan is just a part of the story. The Chicago Sinfonietta and the 260 members of the Apostolic Church of God Sanctuary Choir also provide traditional and contemporary holiday musical entertainment.
Some of the highlights include guitarist Kenneth Smith’s passionate rendition of “A Christmas Message;” some expert and creative camera work to complement soloist Elizabeth Norman (the show was directed by Leonard E. McGee); and sharp teamwork by the Sinfonietta and the Sanctuary on several songs.
But the draw of “Christmas Glory” is the Grammy-winning Winans family, who Robinson says “gospel wouldn’t be gospel” without.
Debbie, the youngest Winans, sets the tone with “A Grown Up Christmas,” a lovely tune that asks for “no more lives torn apart/and wars would never start.” Later in the program, brothers Marvin, Carvin, Michael and Ronald bring joy to “The First Noel.”
BeBe Winans, who gained popularity in gospel music circles in duets with sister CeCe, injects a special kind of sophistication, showmanship and a hint of sensuality with his body language, hand gestures and phrasing during “Hark the Herald.”
Not to sound like a Grinch, but it would have been nice to see more Winans and fewer commercials. When “Christmas Glory” returns next year for its sixth edition, perhaps some local corporation can give a gift of underwriting so the special can flow seamlessly.
– Christmas tricks: The wild and crazy guys of magic are your Christmas gift from FX, as Fox’s cable entertainment network runs a “Penn & Teller’s Sin City Spectacular” marathon from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday.
The variety series has been a welcome one, with the gonzo magicians trotting out a cadre of special celebrity guests to perform bits with the pair, as well as new and classic tricks from the boys themselves. Drew Carey, “Dharma & Greg’s” Thomas Gibson, Whoopi Goldberg and a singing Jerry Springer are among the celebs featured during the marathon.
But it is the variety acts presented by Penn & Teller that make “Sin City Spectacular” a gem.
From a man who can juggle tables, to a ventriloquist who uses a dog as his puppet, to the magician who is retro in this era of flashy Copperfieldian acts, Penn and Teller have provided a televised forum for artists who otherwise might not get one. For that, they and FX merit a salute.
– Where’s the dance floor: “Fox News Sunday,” which is known for it news-video feature–a lighthearted way to musically bump segments along–gets jiggy this Sunday at 9 a.m. on WFLD-Ch. 32.
To jump into year-in-review overdrive, which will dominate next week, the scamps at Fox have produced a set of music-video bits to accompany some of the big stories of the last 12 months.
Johnny Paycheck’s “Take This Job and Shove It” is clever in pinpointing Ken Starr; Abbott and Costello’s “Who’s on First?” bit works for the House Judiciary Committee; and Helen Reddy’s “That Ain’t No Way to Treat A Lady” is a clever take on Monica Lewinsky, Betty Currie, Linda Tripp and other ZipperGate females.
