Deano was the king, thanks for the reminder!

Here's the full episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LHl0zf09pE

Guest stars Dom Deluise, Bob Hope, Lucille Ball, Barbara Feldon (Agent 99!)... it must've been amazing to spend Christmas around the tv back then.

I probably watched this special way back then, but don't recall it, if so. I do remember lots of Andy Williams Christmas specials and lots of Bing Crosby & Family Christmas specials. All of each were annual holiday faves I looked forward to and always enjoyed.

@genplant29 said:

I probably watched this special way back then, but don't recall it, if so. I do remember lots of Andy Williams Christmas specials and lots of Bing Crosby & Family Christmas specials. All of each were annual holiday faves I looked forward to and always enjoyed.

I’m jealous. I grew up after Christmas specials had fallen out of favor (the big extravaganzas you had). We would just get reruns of A Christmas Story every year, which wasn’t bad but not the same thing 😐

I know there were various celeb Christmas specials back during the late '60s (which is when I start remembering much) through '80s, though the trend seems to have mostly faded after that.

Andy Williams and Bing Crosby seemed to have the longest-running ones, with several consecutive years apiece.

@brat, can you recall who else had some during the '60s through '80s? I know Donny and Marie Osmond did, the Carpenters, and probably Sonny and Cher. I think I remember Steve Lawrence and wife Eydie Gorme having one or more. Lawrence Welk. I believe Frank and/or Nancy Sinatra?

@genplant29 said:

I know there were various celeb Christmas specials back during the late '60s (which is when I start remembering much) through '80s, though the trend seems to have mostly faded after that.

Andy Williams and Bing Crosby seemed to have the longest-running ones, with several consecutive years apiece.

@brat, can you recall who else had some during the '60s through '80s? I know Donny and Marie Osmond did, the Carpenters, and probably Sonny and Cher. I think I remember Steve Lawrence and wife Eydie Gorme having one or more. Lawrence Welk. I believe Frank and/or Nancy Sinatra?

Here are two lists. It might be possible that some are available on YT (just google).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_Christmas_television_specials#Celebrity-hosted_and_variety_shows

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_Christmas_television_episodes#Celebrity-hosted_variety_shows