Preview: 'A Colbert Christmas'

The Pitch: Comedy Central's resident faux-pundit Stephen Colbert hosts a hokey, old-fashioned Christmas special, complete with guest appearances from a random assortment of musicians (Elvis Costello, Toby Keith, Willie Nelson, Feist, John Legend), cheesy special effects, dubious new holiday songs and Colbert's former Daily Show cohort Jon Stewart.

Verdict: A little of Colbert's smarmy persona can go a long way, but his bloviating self-importance doesn't get old over the course of this hourlong special. It helps that the political content is minimal, and the goofy songs (written by The Daily Show's David Javerbaum and Fountains of Wayne's Adam Schlesinger) are catchy and fun even while mocking holiday-special conventions. Colbert and his writers strike just the right balance between satire and sweetness, making this the perfect holiday entertainment for people who are ready to have Rudolph euthanized.

Airs: November 23 at 10 p.m. EST on Comedy Central

Also available November 25 on DVD.

Photo courtesy of Comedy Central