Combining puppetry, computer animation, and live-action, this holiday Sesame Street special finds Stiller the Elf (voiced by Ben Stiller) telling a story to talking snowball Stan about a Christmas near-miss. Stiller wants to bestow the annual honor of operating the magical advent-style Christmas Counter-Downer—necessary to ensure that the holiday arrives on time—on grouchy Oscar, who tosses the gadget, scattering the 10 window boxes. Working with others, Elmo and Stiller reclaim the missing pieces, while fairy Abby Cadabby helps put the device back together in numerical order. Along the way, viewers are treated to songs and skits, including Oscar-winners Jennifer Hudson's version of “Carol of the Bells” and Jamie Foxx's R&B adaptation of “The Nutcracker Suite,” as well as Anne Hathaway and Big Bird's duet “I Want a Snuffleupagus for Christmas.” Other highlights include Elmo, Alicia Keys, and the Brooklyn Youth Chorus joining together for “Do You Hear What I Hear?” country singer Brad Paisley and Grover's rendition of “Jingle Bells,” Sheryl Crow singing “It's Almost Christmas,” an Extreme Makeover: Christmas Carol edition featuring Ty Bennington and the Count, and a rocking finale starring Kevin James as Santa (“You Just Gotta Believe”). A merry production featuring plenty of star-studded cheer, this is highly recommended. Aud: P. (J. Williams-Wood)
Sesame Street: Elmo's Christmas Countdown
(2008) 44 min. DVD: $14.95. Genius Entertainment (avail. from most distributors). Volume 23, Issue 6
Sesame Street: Elmo's Christmas Countdown
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