Christmas in Washington

Christmas TV special

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Christmas in Washington was an annual Christmas television special that originated on NBC and later aired on TNT. It ended in 2015 after a 33-year run.

## Background

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One of two annual holiday specials produced by George Stevens Jr. (the other being the Kennedy Center Honors), the variety show first aired in 1982 on NBC before moving to its most recent home on TNT in 1998. Recorded in Washington, D.C. at the National Building Museum, on the second Sunday of each December before being re-edited for later broadcast, Christmas in Washington is a one-hour concert featuring artists from musical genres. Each guest performs at least one solo, but the prominent marquee performer usually has one or two more songs. The show sometimes had at least one guest from the world of opera. Each of the musical performances are backed by a full orchestra and chorus. The show's finale consisted of a medley performed by all the musical guests before the attendees-of-honor, the President of the United States and the First Lady, make a closing statement followed by the singing of "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing".

Recent events have benefited Children's National Medical Center.

## Host and performers

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From 2004 to 2008, the show was hosted by Dr. Phil and his wife, Robin. However, since 2009 and for the remainder of its most recent run, the show had a single host. The 2013 edition featured Hugh Jackman as host and The Backstreet Boys as marquee performers, marking the first time in six years that a group has been featured as marquee performers. The show aired live on pay-per-view internationally and in most major cities, after which a re-edited 42-minute version (with commercials in a one-hour slot) aired on network television.

## Cancellation

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In 2015, shortly after the Stevens' production company sold the rights to their companion program, the Kennedy Center Honors, the special was cancelled after being unable to find a new network or presenting sponsor (TNT had declined to renew the show after the 2014 edition).

## Editions

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The marquee performer is marked in bold.

Year  | Host  | Performers

|
|

1982  | Dinah Shore |

* Dinah Shore
* Diahann Carroll
* John Schneider
* Debby Boone
* Ben Vereen
* Shiloh Baptist Church Choir
* United States Naval Academy Glee Club

1983  | Andy Williams |

* Andy Williams
* Julio Iglesias
* Leslie Uggams
* United States Naval Academy Glee Club

1984  | Hal Linden |

* The Osmonds
* Frederica von Stade
* Nell Carter
* United States Naval Academy Glee Club

1985  | Tom Brokaw |

* Pat Boone
* Natalie Cole
* Amy Grant
* United States Naval Academy Glee Club

1986  | John Forsythe |

* Mac Davis
* Sandi Patty
* Shiloh Baptist Church Choir
* United States Naval Academy Glee Club

1987  | Barbara Mandrell |

* Barbara Mandrell
* Marilyn McCoo
* Jack Jones
* Vienna Boys' Choir
* United States Naval Academy Glee Club

1988  | James Stewart |

* Vikki Carr
* Shirley Jones
* Kathleen Battle
* Gary Morris
* Eastern High School Choir
* United States Naval Academy Glee Club

1989  | Olivia Newton-John |

* Olivia Newton-John
* Diahann Carroll
* Vic Damone
* Sir James Galway
* Michael W. Smith; Take 6
* Eastern High School Choir
* United States Naval Academy Glee Club

1990  | John Denver |

* John Denver
* Reba McEntire
* Aretha Franklin
* Eastern High School Choir

1991  | —  |

* Anita Baker
* Vince Gill
* Johnny Mathis
* Anne Murray
* Eastern High School Choir

1992  | Julie Andrews |

* Peabo Bryson
* Neil Diamond
* Midori

1993  | Kirstie Alley |

* Mary Chapin Carpenter
* Patti LaBelle
* Wynton Marsalis
* Aaron Neville
* Ricky Van Shelton
* Eastern High School Choir

1994  | Helen Hunt |

* Anita Baker
* Jon Secada
* Kathy Mattea
* Tim McGraw
* Kenny G
* Sounds of Blackness
* Eastern High School Choir

1995  | Kelsey Grammer
David Hyde Pierce
Jane Leeves
Peri Gilpin
John Mahoney |

* Clint Black
* Gloria Estefan
* Al Green
* Eastern High School Choir

1996  | John Lithgow
Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Kristen Johnston
French Stewart
Jane Curtin |

* Luther Vandross
* Faith Hill
* CeCe Winans
* Ruth Ann Swenson
* Eastern High School Choir

1997  | Glenn Close |

* Hanson
* Deana Carter
* Aaliyah
* Shirley Caesar
* Eastern High School Choir

1998  | Brooke Shields |

* Kenny Loggins
* Martina McBride
* Aretha Franklin
* Audra McDonald
* Eastern High School Choir

1999  | Brendan Fraser |

* Christina Aguilera
* B.B. King
* Jewel
* 98 Degrees
* United States Naval Academy Glee Club

2000  | Sarah Michelle Gellar |

* Marc Anthony
* Chuck Berry
* Jessica Simpson
* The Corrs
* Billy Gilman

2001  | Reba McEntire |

* Tony Bennett
* Charlotte Church
* Mandy Moore
* Usher

2002  | Katie Holmes |

* Brooks & Dunn
* Alison Krauss
* The Brian Setzer Orchestra
* Yolanda Adams

2003  | Patricia Heaton |

* Ashanti
* Kenny Chesney
* Joss Stone
* Renée Fleming

2004  | Phil McGraw and Robin McGraw  |

* LeAnn Rimes
* JoJo
* Vanessa Williams
* Ruben Studdard

2005  |

* Rascal Flatts
* Carrie Underwood
* Ciara
* Jane Monheit
* The Click Five
* CeCe Winans

2006  |

* Taylor Hicks
* Il Divo
* Gretchen Wilson
* Chris Brown
* Corinne Bailey Rae
* Bianca Ryan

2007  |

* Katharine McPhee
* Ne-Yo
* Vanessa Hudgens
* Alan Jackson
* Colbie Caillat
* Heather Headley
* Andrea Bocelli

2008  |

* Casting Crowns
* Julianne Hough
* Kristin Chenoweth
* Darius Rucker
* Straight No Chaser

2009  | George Lopez |

* Mary J. Blige
* Neil Diamond
* Sugarland
* Rob Thomas
* Usher
* Justin Bieber

2010  | Ellen DeGeneres |

* Mariah Carey
* Miranda Cosgrove
* Andrea Bocelli
* Annie Lennox
* Maxwell
* Matthew Morrison

2011  | Conan O'Brien |

* Justin Bieber
* CeeLo Green
* The Band Perry
* Jennifer Hudson
* Victoria Justice

2012  |

* Diana Ross
* Demi Lovato
* Megan Hilty
* Scotty McCreery
* Chris Mann
* Psy

2013  | Hugh Jackman |

* Backstreet Boys
* Sheryl Crow
* Anna Kendrick
* Janelle Monáe
* Pat Monahan[1]

2014  | Dwayne Johnson |

* Darius Rucker
* Aloe Blacc
* Christina Perri
* Hunter Hayes
* Rita Ora

## References

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1. ^ "Breaking News - Hugh Jackman to Host TNT's "Christmas in Washington," Featuring Special Guest Charles Barkley and Performances by Backstreet Boys, Sheryl Crow, Anna Kendrick, Janelle Monae and Pat Monahan". TheFutonCritic.com. 2013-11-21. Retrieved 2022-05-06.

Source: for Christmas in Washington 2000: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0271434/