September 16, 2008

By By Ann Donahue, L.A.

Comedy Central funnyman Stephen Colbert will debut "A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All!" on Nov. 23, featuring performances by Elvis Costello, Feist, Toby Keith, John Legend and Willie Nelson.

The one-hour show has something of a narrative arc - Colbert will be snowed in at his cabin in upstate New York and will pass the time with his musically-inclined friends.

Original songs will be written for the special by David Javerbaum, the executive producer of "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" and composer Adam Schlesinger (from Fountains of Wayne.) The duo recently collaborated on the Broadway musical "Cry Baby."

Songs and their performers include "Another Christmas Song," to be performed by Colbert; "Have I Got A Present For You" by Keith; "Little Dealer Boy" by Colbert and Nelson; "Hanukkah" by Colbert and Jon Stewart; "Nutmeg" by Colbert and Legend; "Please Be Patient" by Feist; "There Are Much Worse Things to Believe In" by Colbert and Costello and "(What's So Funny 'bout) Peace, Love And Understanding" performed by the entire ensemble.

The DVD of the show will be released Nov. 25, with a portion of the proceeds to benefit the charity Feeding America. DVD extras will include a "book burning Yule log," a video advent calendar and alternate endings.

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