Mariah Carey's Magical Christmas Special
Mariah Carey's Magical Christmas Special | |
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Christmas special | |
Written by | Caroline Fox |
Directed by | Hamish Hamilton Roman Coppola |
Starring | Mariah Carey |
Composer | Mariah Carey |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language | English |
Production | |
Executive producers |
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Running time | 43 minutes |
Production company | Done and Dusted[1] |
Original release | |
Network | Apple TV+ |
Release | December 4, 2020 |
Mariah Carey's Magical Christmas Special is a
The special features guest stars including
Plot
Arriving at the North Pole, Billy informs Carey that holiday cheer levels are at the lowest they have ever seen in which Carey responds that they should put on a festive Christmas concert to cheer up the world. At first Billy is skeptical that they don't have enough time, but Carey informs him of some of her achievements,[a] stating that she would be able to handle a show. As they work together to come up with a setlist ("When Christmas Comes"), Billy informs Carey that they do not have much time. Carey rebukes the idea of schedules when Woodstock flies in. In the Peanuts segment, Linus and Charlie Brown are racking their brains trying to find out what they are missing for Christmas, only to figure out it is spending time with friends and family ("Christmas Time Is Here").
After Carey is settled into her cabin to take a rest before the concert, she sneaks off the toy factory to watch the
Carey wakes up in her apartment back in New York, telling Little Mimi and her kids that she was dreaming, only for Billy to reveal himself and start the Christmas concert ("Joy to the World"). Halfway through the concert, Billy accidentally cuts the power, causing Carey to sing a different song, under candlelight ("Silent Night"). After the song, Carey gives a heartwarming speech about celebrating love and light after a rough year. Christmas is saved, Carey performs an encore and Little Mimi regains her love for Christmas ("All I Want For Christmas Is You").
Cast
- Mariah Carey as herself
- Billy Eichner as Billy, Santa's trust secretary
- Ariana Grande as herself
- Jennifer Hudson as herself
- Snoop Dogg as himself
- Jermaine Dupri as himself
- Tiffany Haddish as the narrator
- Misty Copeland as a Sugar Plum Fairy
- Mykal-Michelle Harris as Little Mimi
Amongst the cast, multiple celebrities make cameos, including
Production
Carey originally teased the Christmas special on social media, sharing a shot of three directors chairs with her, Ariana Grande and Jennifer Hudson’s initials printed on them.[4] The special was directed by Hamish Hamilton and Roman Coppola and filmed "under strict COVID-19 protocols".[10] In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Carey stated that the "most important thing for her in terms of a vision for the special, was that the spirit of Christmas came through during a challenging 2020 dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic.[11] She went on to say:
I know that for me, there's a certain spirit that happens during that time of year. I was even thinking about it the other day, sitting around wondering, why is it different for me when I look at Christmas decorations or decorate? But it is. There’s just a different feeling that I get. It's like an actual, tangible feeling that comes over me that I just want everybody to feel this happy [...] I know everybody can’t, but I wish that everybody could have the mindset of let’s really make it through. Let’s be unstoppable and power through this.[11]
Broadcast and promotion
Initially teased on social media, Carey appeared on
Although Apple TV+ does not release viewership data, Billboard and The Hollywood Reporter reported that Carey's special hit number one in more than 100 countries.[16][11]
Reception
Critical reception
Upon release, Mariah Carey's Magical Christmas Special received positive reviews. The special has a rating of 86% on
Actors response
Actress Tiffany Haddish praised the work Carey put in behind the scenes.[5] She stated that while she "was watching Mariah, [she] wished [she] had some eggnog" calling the experience "magical".[5] Grande also expressed her adoration on social media for getting to work with Carey on "Oh Santa!", sharing an old tweet of Grande saying "Mariah Carey I love you".[23] Despite initial comparisons at the beginning of her career, Grande went on to praise Carey a month later on her Netflix documentary, Ariana Grande: Excuse Me, I Love You.[24] Grande broke in tears saying that "It just means a lot to hear from her because my sound was so influenced by her and the 90's pop sound".[24]
Accolades
Awards | Year | Category | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Hollywood Makeup Artist and Hair Stylist Guild Awards | 2021 | Best Contemporary Hair Styling for a Television Special | Nominated | [25] |
Best Contemporary Make-Up for a Television Special | ||||
Imagen Awards | Best Primetime Program – Special or Movie | Nominated | [26] | |
Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Contemporary Makeup for a Variety, Nonfiction or Reality Program (Non-Prosthetic)
|
Nominated | [27] |
Soundtrack
Mariah Carey's Magical Christmas Special (Apple TV+ Original Soundtrack) | ||||
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Soundtrack album by | ||||
Released | December 4, 2020 | |||
Recorded | 2020 | |||
Genre | Christmas | |||
Length | 33:23 | |||
Label |
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Producer |
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Mariah Carey chronology | ||||
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Singles from Mariah Carey's Magical Christmas Special (Apple TV+ Original Soundtrack) | ||||
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Mariah Carey's Magical Christmas Special (Apple TV+ Original Soundtrack) is the third Christmas album and second soundtrack album by American singer-songwriter and producer Mariah Carey. The soundtrack featured a variety of musical guests, including Ariana Grande, Jennifer Hudson, Jermaine Dupri and Snoop Dogg,[28] and also included a brand new rendition of Leroy Anderson's "Sleigh Ride".[1] The soundtrack was released exclusively on Apple Music and iTunes Store on December 4, 2020, and was later released on all other platforms on December 11, 2020.[28]
Singles
The only single from the soundtrack, a re-recorded version of Carey's original Christmas song "Oh Santa!", originally released in 2010 as the lead single from Carey's second Christmas album Merry Christmas II You, was released across all platforms on December 4.[28] The new version includes Grande and Hudson as featured artists.[28] The song was received with high praise, and was described as a "girl group moment".[5] The song peaked at number 76 on the US Billboard Hot 100, surpassing the original version's peak of number 100;[29] and also charted in several European countries, including Germany, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
Critical reception
When released, the soundtrack received generally positive reviews. Brett White of Decider praised Carey and Grande's "harmonized
Commercial performance
In the United States, the soundtrack album debuted at number three on the Billboard
Carey's rendition of "
Track listing
Credits adapted from Tidal.[34]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Overture "Little Mariah's" Theme" |
|
| 0:14 |
2. | "Sleigh Ride" |
| 2:39 | |
3. | "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" (Interlude) | Traditional |
| 0:19 |
4. | "When Christmas Comes" (Magical Christmas Mix) |
|
| 2:27 |
5. | "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" (Outro) |
| 0:13 | |
6. | "Peanuts...All I Want" (Interlude) |
| 0:43 | |
7. | "Christmas Time Is Here" |
| 1:58 | |
8. | " Santa Claus Is Coming to Town " (Intro) |
| 0:25 | |
9. | "Oh Santa!" (featuring Ariana Grande & Jennifer Hudson) |
| 3:20 | |
10. | "Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane) / House Top Celebration" (featuring Snoop Dogg & Jermaine Dupri) |
| 2:20 | |
11. | "Sugar Plum Fairy" (Magical Christmas Mix) | Traditional |
| 1:18 |
12. | "Christmas Time Is in the Air Again" (Magical Christmas Mix) |
|
| 3:04 |
13. | "O Holy Night" (Magical Christmas Mix) | Adolphe Adam |
| 2:50 |
14. | "Joy to the World" (Magical Christmas Mix) |
|
| 4:11 |
15. | "Silent Night" (Magical Christmas Mix) | Traditional |
| 2:28 |
16. | "All I Want for Christmas Is You" (Magical Christmas Mix) |
|
| 4:29 |
17. | "Little Mimi's Theme" (Magical Christmas Mix) |
|
| 0:17 |
Total length: | 33:23 |
Notes
- ^[a] signifies a co-producer
Charts
Chart (2020–2022) | Peak position |
---|---|
Canadian Albums (Billboard)[35] | 99 |
Irish Albums (OCC)[36] | 47 |
Japan Hot Albums (Billboard Japan)[37] | 100 |
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[38] | 37 |
UK Album Downloads (OCC)[39] | 18 |
UK Soundtrack Albums (OCC)[40] | 10 |
US Billboard 200[41] | 100 |
US Soundtrack Albums (Billboard)[42] | 3 |
US | 28 |
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[44] | 40 |
The Magic Continues
In 2021, Apple TV+ released a follow-up special titled Mariah's Christmas: The Magic Continues.[45][46] The 18 minute special featured performances of "Fall in Love at Christmas", "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" and an interview with Zane Lowe.[47] The special was executive produced by Carey, Tim Case, Charleen Manca, and Matthew Turke and directed by Joseph Kahn.[47]
Notes
- ^ Carey mentions her 15 studio albums, raising two children, writing her memoir The Meaning of Mariah Carey, the audiobook for the memoir and working out in high heels.[5][6]
References
- ^ a b c ""Mariah Carey's Magical Christmas Special" debuts Friday, December 4 on Apple TV+". Apple TV+ Press. November 18, 2020. Archived from the original on November 18, 2020. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
- ^ a b Turchiano, Danielle (November 18, 2020). "Mariah Carey's Christmas Special Premiere Date, Soundtrack, Guest Lineup Announced by Apple TV Plus". Variety. Archived from the original on November 18, 2020. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
- ^ Brandle, Lars (November 18, 2020). "Mariah Carey Sets 'Magical Christmas Special', Featuring Ariana Grande & More". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 18, 2020. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
- ^ a b Del Rosario, Alexandra (November 18, 2020). "Mariah Carey's AppleTV+ Christmas Special Reveals Premiere Date, Guest Lineup & 'Oh Santa!' Collaboration With Ariana Grande & Jennifer Hudson". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 18, 2020. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
- ^ a b c d "Mariah Carey Is Here to Un-Cancel Christmas". Elle. December 2020. Archived from the original on May 31, 2021. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
- ^ a b c d "Mariah Carey's Magical Christmas Special, Apple TV+, review: A fantasy of glitter and festive joy". iTV News. December 4, 2020. Archived from the original on April 18, 2021. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
- ^ "Mariah Carey's "Magical Christmas Special" Review". Pop Style. Archived from the original on April 10, 2021. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
- ^ "Mariah Carey's Christmas Special Is The Dose of Cheer We Needed This Year". USA Today. Archived from the original on April 15, 2021. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
- ^ "Apple Lands Rights to Charlie Brown, Snoopy and Co. in New Peanuts Deal". The Hollywood Reporter. December 14, 2018. Archived from the original on November 25, 2020. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
- ^ a b c d "Review: Mariah Carey keeps Christmas spirit alive in Apple TV special". The Detroit News. Archived from the original on March 3, 2021. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
- ^ a b c "Mariah Carey's 'Magical Christmas Special' Tops Apple TV+ Charts in 100 Countries". The Hollywood Reporter. December 8, 2020. Archived from the original on January 30, 2021. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
- ^ a b "Mariah Carey Talks Magical Christmas Special, Spreading 'Holiday Spirit' Amid Pandemic". GMA. Archived from the original on April 18, 2021. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
- ^ "Mariah Carey Set to Deliver a Magical Christmas This Weeknd on Graham Norton". TV Black Box. Archived from the original on April 18, 2021. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
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- ^ "Mariah Carey's 'Magical Christmas Special' Tops Apple TV+ Charts in 100 Countries". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 18, 2021. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
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- ^ "This week's home entertainment: from Mariah Carey's Magical Christmas Special to Stillwater". The Guardian. November 27, 2020. Archived from the original on May 22, 2021. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e "Stream It or Skip It: 'Mariah Carey's Magical Christmas Special' on Apple TV+, a Befuddling and Bedazzled Holiday Treat". Decider. December 7, 2020. Archived from the original on May 8, 2021. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
- ^ "Review: Mariah Carries Christmas with New Holiday Special". Daily Titan. Archived from the original on January 28, 2021. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
- ^ a b "In Mariah Carey's Magical Christmas Special, a Diva Embraces Her Inner Camp". Jezebel. December 4, 2020. Archived from the original on May 6, 2021. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
- ^ "Ariana Grande Just Won the 'How it Started vs. How it's Going' Challenge". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 18, 2021. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
- ^ a b "Ariana Grande Tears Up During Discussion About Mariah Carey And Music". Elle. December 23, 2020. Archived from the original on April 15, 2021. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
- ^ Giardina, Carolyn (February 18, 2021). "'Bill & Ted Face the Music' Leads Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild Awards Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on February 18, 2021. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
- ^ Hipes, Patrick (August 2, 2021). "Imagen Awards Nominations: 'Selena: The Series', 'Vida', 'La Llorona' Top List". Deadline. Archived from the original on August 3, 2021. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
- ^ Grobar, Matt (July 13, 2021). "'Ted Lasso's Creators & Stars React To Apple TV+ Series' 20 Emmy Nominations; Surpassing 'Glee' As Most Nominated Freshman Comedy". Deadline. Archived from the original on July 13, 2021. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
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- ^ "Official Irish Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
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