“American Idol” winner Taylor Hicks belted out “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.” Country singer Wilson crooned “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus.” Even 12-year-old “America’s Got Talent” champ Bianca Ryan chimed in with her rendition of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” And, let’s not forget pop-opera quartet Il Divo’s take on the holiday classic “White Christmas.” All incredibly talented singers and worthy of being invited to perform at the annual “Christmas in Washington” concert at the National Building Museum.
However, there was one name (okay, two) on the list that made me raise an eyebrow– TV talk show host “Dr. Phil” McGraw and his wife, Robin. No, they didn’t make like Sonny and Cher and sing their own version of “O Holy Night;” rather they were the night’s emcees. You may be thinking: So what? And, that’s fine. But, I just wonder how with all of the hundreds, nay, thousands of performers available, Phil McGraw was chosen to host a national concert? (Actualy, I think this was his second shot as host.)
Don’t get me wrong–I have nothing against Dr. Phil–I’ve never even met him (though one of my best friends sat next to him in first-class on a flight from Chicago to Dallas in his “Oprah” days and she says he was quite rude to the flight attendants, but like I said I’ve never met him). However, I do know from watching a few of his shows that his is a self-professed “horrible singer.” I believe his exact words were: “I can’t carry a tune to save my life.” What’s more, it’s not as though he is a mega-star in his own right. So again, I ask, how did he get the job as concert emcee?
Could it be because he works with needy children and the event benefits the Children’s National Medical Center? Who knows? What I do know is that the event began a quarter of a century ago and has since become one of the most popular holiday traditions in D.C. The concert airs Wednesday night on Turner Network Television. Perhaps then we’ll find out how he got the gig. What’s your take?
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