Lady Gaga Artpop Album Cover - S 2013
LONDON – U.K. broadcaster Channel 5 has inked a deal to bring British TV viewers Lady Gaga & The Muppets’ Holiday Spectacular this holiday season.
The broadcaster acquired the show, which features the star performing with the Muppets songs from her new album Artpop, in a deal with Disney. Financial details weren’t disclosed.
The show is Lady Gaga’s second primetime Thanksgiving night special for ABC.
As is tradition with the Muppets, Kermit the Frog offered his thoughts on the show in a statement. “We have a long history with Ms. Gaga, so we jumped at the chance to do a holiday special with her. We won’t even mind if she mistakes some of the Muppets for pieces of her wardrobe — again.”
Lady Gaga said the holiday special “wouldn’t be a complete night of laughter and memories without the Muppets!”
Performance highlights include a duet between Lady Gaga and Kermit the Frog, a rendition of Gaga’s hit “Applause” with special Muppet guests, and performance duets with Elton John, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and RuPaul.
Kristen Bell is also slotted to star in a special sketch alongside the Muppets and Lady Gaga.
In addition, the Swedish Chef, Beaker and Animal will perform special Muppet renditions of the holiday classics “Deck the Halls” and “Jingle Bells.”
Channel 5 head of acquisitions Katie Keenan said, “What a combination: world-class performer Lady Gaga together with the greatest family entertainers, the Muppets. This special will be a real treat for Channel 5 viewers this Christmas.”
Dayna Donaldson, executive director of media distribution for Disney U.K. & Ireland, added: “This is set to be a high energy and truly unique musical show full of fun. We’re sure that Channel 5’s viewers will be hugely entertained by the unique pairing of Lady Gaga and the Muppets this Christmas.”
The program will also feature a sneak peek from the upcoming Disney movie Muppets Most Wanted, which features a Gaga cameo.
Disney’s Muppets Most Wanted hits cinemas on March 28, 2014.
Lady Gaga & The Muppets’ Holiday Spectacular is produced by Sunset Lane Entertainment in association with ABC’s Lincoln Square Productions, with Salli Frattini as executive producer, and is directed by Gregg Gelfand.
