An Irish Holiday

I'm sorry, but there's something a little sad--creepy even--about watching a bunch of people pretending to be best buds (when they were most likely thrust together under wholly artificial circumstances), sitting around a big ol' table, and celebrating Christmas for the benefit of…who? Public television subscribers? Begosh and begorrah, I'd like nothing better than to join the Irish for a pint or five of Guinness until we're all properly stocious, langered, fluthered, berco, and gee-eyed. And there are some talented folks “doing a turn” (i.e., singing and playing music, storytelling, and such) in this program recorded at Slane Castle; it's always nice to hear Maire Brennan (here called Moya), lead singer of Clannad, and Brian Kennedy (known to some from his stint in Van Morrison's band) is in fine voice as well (others include author Frank McCourt, host/pianist Phil Coulter, and singer Maura O'Connell). But there are simply too many cloying moments--superb sound (DTS and Dolby Digital 5.1) and visuals notwithstanding--unless, of course, your idea of holiday cheer is hearing that timeless Christmas classic (?!) “Danny Boy” crooned by the oh-so-earnest Celtic Tenors. OK, perhaps I'm being a bit harsh. An Irish Holiday may not be as useless as a chocolate teapot, as the Irish would say, but…put it this way: if you must watch TV on Christmas, make it the 1951 version of A Christmas Carol with Alastair Sim as Scrooge. Now that one's a keeper. Optional. Aud: P. (S. Graham)