The legendary singer-songwriter Barry Manilow is ready to spread some festive cheer with his new TV special, Barry Manilow’s A Very Barry Christmas. The one-hour show, which will air on NBC on December 11 and stream on Peacock the next day, will feature Manilow performing his greatest hits and classic Christmas songs with his 24-piece band.
A Very Barry Christmas: What to Expect
Barry Manilow’s A Very Barry Christmas will showcase Manilow’s most loved hits, such as “I Write the Songs,” “Looks Like We Made It,” “Copacabana,” “Can’t Smile Without You,” and “Mandy.” Fans will also enjoy hearing him sing holiday favorites like “Jingle Bells,” “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “Feliz Navidad,” and “White Christmas.” The special will be filmed at the Westgate Hotel in Las Vegas, where Manilow performs his hit show, Manilow: Las Vegas—The Hits Come Home!
“I love doing our Christmas show! We get to sing my pop hits and my favorite Christmas songs,” Manilow said in a press release. “It’s a feel-good hour full of music.”
The special will also feature some surprise guests, including Santa Claus himself, who may drop by for a visit.
Barry Manilow: A Musical Icon
Barry Manilow is one of the most successful and enduring artists of all time, with a career spanning over five decades. He has sold more than 85 million records worldwide and has won numerous awards, including a Grammy, an Emmy, and a Tony. He has also written and composed songs for musicals, films, and commercials.
Manilow recently broke a Las Vegas record when he surpassed Elvis Presley as the longest-running resident artist in Sin City. Elvis had set the record in 1978 with 636 shows. Manilow, now 80, smashed the record in September and shows no sign of slowing down.
Manilow is also working on his second musical, Harmony, which is set to debut on Broadway on November 13. The musical tells the true story of the Comedian Harmonists, a group of six young men in 1920s Germany who rose from unemployed street musicians to become world-famous entertainers.
Barry Manilow: A Fanilow at Heart
Barry Manilow has a loyal and devoted fan base, who call themselves “Fanilows.” Manilow said he used to hate the term, but he has changed his mind over the years.
“I used to think it was a put-down,” he told Billboard. “But then I realized that it was a term of endearment. They’re proud to be Fanilows. And I’m proud of them.”
Manilow said he is grateful for the support and love he receives from his fans, especially during the pandemic.
“They’ve been so wonderful to me,” he said. “They’ve been sending me cards and letters and emails and texts. They’ve been keeping me going.”
Manilow said he hopes his TV special will bring some joy and happiness to his fans and everyone who watches it.
“I think we all need a little bit of lightness and fun right now,” he said. “And that’s what this show is all about.”
