Do you remember the AI Christmas Show in 2003? The holiday special taped on October 30, 2003 and aired on November 25, 2003. It featured American Idol finalists Clay Aiken, Ruben Studdard, Kimberley Locke, Tamyra Grey, Christina Christian, and Kelly Clarkson. The show also included the American Juniors.
The hour-long show showcased the idols singing various Christmas songs as solos, duets and group numbers. Clay Aiken hosted the evening show.
Coming off the popular Season 2 of American Idol, the show was popular and the TV audience was large. The show was reviewed by most of the well-known entertainment critics and, as always, their opinions varied as much as the performances by the entertainers.
Anika Van Wyk of the Calgary Sun said of Clay:
Second season runner-up Clay Aiken MCs most of the show and proves he has so much more stage presence than Ruben Studdard, who won Idol 2. Aiken’s rich pipes are also very well suited to holiday classics.
The magazine, Entertainment Weekly said:
FEAT OF CLAY Guarini was originally intended to be the special’s host, but a runner-up who actually sells CDs — Clay Aiken — will fill his shoes. And if the show’s producer is to be believed, Aiken’s talent for emceeing (think Ed Sullivan, not Eminem) matches his preternatural pipes. ”Clay was a total natural,” says Warwick. ”We struck gold there.”
Clay will do plenty of singing as well. He’ll start with ”Don’t Save It All For Christmas Day,” a tune originally attempted by a chanteuse who shares his melodramatic bent, chest-thumper Celine Dion. The Clayster will also belt Irving Berlin’s classic ”White Christmas” with Kimberly Caldwell, and will chime in with ”The First Noel” during a show-closing medley of standards.
I don’t know the author of this review, but Caldwell instead of Locke?? OPPS!!
I do remember watching the show. There are two things that I remember. First, who had the “brilliant” idea to put Ruben in a White, fur-trimmed Parka? Under the hot, bright lights, it must have been very uncomfortable. Secondly, and the best of the evening, I heard Clay sing Don’t Save It All For Christmas Day for the first time. I had never heard the song before and his performance was amazing.
The following videos are fun to watch. It’s Merry Christmas Time!!
Did you watch this show on TV?
So many gorgeous photos and great videos from that wonderful Christmas Show. I so remember watching it and was totally excited with it – of course because Clay was such a star! It was just the beginning of Clay showing everyone what a great performer he would be in the future years – as we all know! There is so much joy that comes from watching him perform! This is a great memory!
Thank you so much for sharing this Christmas Show!
Thank you for all the pictures and the videos. I do remember the show Clay was showing the beginning of a great performer. His voice is like a fine bottle of wine. It has gotten better with age. Thank you again for the videos. It was fun to watch it again.
I watched this show & taped it. So much fun to watch it again and wonder what all the performers are doing now. It was so exciting to see Clay as the MC of the show and watch the audience react to him. Good times.
I do remember this show I really like the way Clay sings Don't Save It All For Christmas Day. IT was so great to see this again it brings back so many memories Thank you for all the pictures and the videos I enjoyed them very much.
Was very excited when I first watched the AI Christmas Show. Wish I remembered to record this special event, though. Thank you, CANN for sharing!
I do also remember this show the way clay sang don't save it all for christmaas day was indeed amazing thanks for the pictures and videos it sure was indeed very great to see this all over again it sure does bring back memories for me also