The Biebs has blown off rehearsal to sleep in, putting some good, old-fashioned holiday panic into the usual clockwork preparations for “Christmas in Washington,” the annual pop concert taped downtown.
Along with the sleepy teen superstar, this year’s bill includes Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson, increasingly ubiquitous country trio the Band Perry, Nickelodeon star Victoria Justice and Cee Lo Green of “[Forget] You” fame, and is hosted for the first time by Conan O’Brien. Among the 999 invited guests in attendance: President Obama, the first lady, the first daughters and the first grandma, Marian Robinson.
Showtime is less than six hours away, and Green is just arriving. He plops down in a front-row seat labeled “POTUS,” nursing a mug of something hot. Once he’s called to the stage, he opts to save his voice, mumble-crooning “This Christmas” as if he’s just returned from the dentist. (He’s actually just returned from a last-minute tux-fitting at Rochester Big & Tall.)
Executive producer George Stevens Jr. (amber sunglasses, cable-knit sweater the color of juiced grapefruit) and producer-director Michael Stevens (casual blue jeans, serious tan blazer) look concerned. The father-son team are fresh off producing last Sunday’s Kennedy Center Honors, another TV extravaganza populated with musicians that follow the duo’s “a little something for everyone” credo.
“This show, like all music shows, really has to evolve with the way the music business is evolving,” Stevens-the-younger says at rehearsal. With the music business ever slumping, that means latching onto hyper-telegenic stars with onscreen magnetism — be it on Nickelodeon (Justice), on “The Voice” (Green), in an Oscar-winning role (Hudson) or in a 3-D concert film (Bieber). They also have to be able to really sing.
"It's especially exciting to be here during this joyous season, when we celebrate the arrival of a miracle child, worshiped by millions around the world. Of course I'm talking about Justin Bieber," O'Brien said. "My 8-year-old daughter loves him. Or at least that's what I tell people when they ask why I'm carrying a lock of his hair in my pocket."
The late-night talk-show host pointed out that he was pleased to be at an event that supports such a good cause, the Children's National Medical Center.
"The last event I hosted was Kim Kardashian's bridal shower," O'Brien quipped. "I had a bad feeling about that one."
Bieber, Cee Lo Green, Jennifer Hudson, the Band Perry and Nickelodeon star Victoria Justice took turns singing holiday classics and new favorites. Before Bieber took to the stage, Green kicked off the evening's performances with his renditions of This Christmas and Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.
During Sunday's rehearsal, Green said the holidays are "a time for tradition, and the appreciation of tradition is always special … family, friends, food, football."
Singing I'll Be Home for Christmas, the Band Perry was accompanied by the men of the United States Naval Academy Glee Club. Justice sang Winter Wonderland and Let It Snow.
Finally it was Hudson's turn.
The singer belted out Do You Hear What I Hear— she says her favorite is Whitney Houston's version — with the help of the American Family Choir. "I don't know how many times I've sang for the president, but every time feels like the first time. "
Hudson's 2-year old son, David, "was supposed to come, but his trip got cut short, so he's back at home with his grandma, but hopefully we'll get to watch this together.
"I recorded O Holy Night, and he just says, 'Mommy, play it again!' and he tries to sing it. It's the cutest."
With two movies, a book and a new album in the works, Hudson is in for another busy year in 2012. "But I'm always Mommy first!"
The talent gathered onstage for the closing medley, which included Mary Did You Know (the Band Perry), Away in a Manger (Bieber), It Came Upon a Midnight Clear (Justice), Silent Night (Green) and O Holy Night (Hudson).
President Obama expressed his gratitude for the evening, offering a special thanks to O'Brien, "host of the best late-night show on TBS."
Obama called this the "season to celebrate miracles." He emphasized "service to others, compassion to all, treating others as we wish to be treated."
To end the evening, the first family gathered with the performers to sing Hark! the Herald Angels Sing.
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