Turkey with Beyonce: R&B star scores Thanksgiving special

 

The holiday season is upon us, and the music industry is bringing out its big guns -- even if they don't have a new studio album to promote. Beyoncé will be the beneficiary of her first-ever Thanksgiving special, set to air Nov. 26 on ABC at 9 p.m.

Thanksgiving concert specials are a network tradition of sorts. Artists such as Madonna, Justin Timberlake and Harry Connick Jr. have had specials on or around Thanksgiving in the past. ABC is definitely getting into the musical spirit this holiday season. It was earlier reported that R&B star Jennifer Hudson will have a December special, "Jennifer Hudson: I'll Be Home for Christmas," on the network. Also in December, Fox will air "Carrie Underwood: An All-Star Holiday Special."

Beyoncé's ABC program will be the centerpiece of a campaign around the release of a deluxe edition of last year's "I Am ... Sasha Fierce" and a live CD/DVD "I Am ... Yours: An Intimate Performance at Wynn Las Vegas." 

A teaser for the concert special is available online. The special promises plenty of "intimate" and behind-the-scenes footage of the star, and, according to the commercial, includes the requisite longing look out a hotel window. However, you and your relatives probably shouldn't expect a post-Thanksgiving dinner step-by-step how-to of the "Singles Ladies" dance. 

The flurry of Beyoncé activity could have Grammy implications. 

"Sasha Fierce" was released too late in 2008 to be considered for the 2009 awards, but it will be in the running for major categories at the Grammys that will air in 2010, including quite possibly album of the year. The reissue, live concert and ABC special will ensure that Beyoncé is front and center on Grammy voters' minds while votes are collected in December (Grammy nominations will be announced Dec. 2). 

--Todd Martens

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Photo: Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[miquel butlero]

oh, i thought they were talking about kanye west as the turkey!

[norma]

Beyonce is just alright for me. Yes, she can dance and she can sing a little bit. Bee is way overrated and not very interesting in her hoildays. Jennifer Hudson is amazing and I love her voice. She is very talented, but underrated in the industry. Jen's beautiful dark skin, and her lovely size is against her as a top rated artist. If I know Jen like I think I do she will over come and bet the odds.