Christmas in Washington: Diana Ross, Demi Lovato, PSY entertain the Obamas, America

Image Credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

Tonight marked the airing of the 31st Christmas in Washington gala, the countrys annual seasonal celebration benefiting the Childrens National Medical Center. Every year, the event brings in the lions share of D.C. VIPs, including the POTUS, the FLOTUS, the VP, and this year PSY.

But well get to that in time. First, to open up the TNT telecast of the event (which took place Dec. 9), was Diana Ross. Backed by a merry, scarf-clad chorus, the legendary diva opened the night with a tone-setting medley of seasonal standbys that included Stevie Wonders Someday at Christmas, Sleigh Ride, Paul McCartneys Wonderful Christmastime, Jingle Bells, and Its the Most Wonderful Time of the Year. Barack and Michelle Obama and their family watched on with smiles as wide as the National Mall.

With the tone set for the evening, host Conan OBrien took the stage. Good evening Mr. President, Mrs. Obama, Mr. Vice President, and friends, opened OBrien, whos helmed this shindig before. Its good to see that both the president and I were given a second term. Congratulations to both of us! The joke gave Barack a good laugh, though Sasha didnt seem amused. How irrelevant does it make you feel to realize that Conan Conan! is just another old person to the younger First Daughter?

First Daughterly approval aside, though, OBrien powered through his monologue, milking jokes out of red-state marks like Honey Boo Boo and Speaker John Boehners complexion, as well throwing a broader barb regarding the fiscal cliff. (Its unnerving that that joke is still relevant two weekends after the events actual taping.)

But enough with the gags: OBrien soon surrendered the stage to Smash star Megan Hilty, who ably delivered a few soothing verses of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. Which was nice and all, but the Bombshell bombshell couldnt hold a Yan! kee candle to the next act: top-billed Demi Lovato, who delivered an impassioned All I Want for Christmas Is You. Simply put, the X Factor judge nailed it.

OBrien then introduced the next entertainer, singer Chris Mann, who may or may not just be Michael Bubl in disguise. With help from the Naval Academy Glee Club, he touchingly dove into Ill Be Home for Christmas a wise, fitting selection for a nation in wartime.

American Idol winner Scotty McCreery brought the mood back up with a rollicking run through Elvis Prestleys Its Christmas Time Pretty Baby, which prompted some measured headbanging from the President and the First Lady. (The daughters, however, once again proved to be tougher to please. Maybe they had finals on their minds?)

The next performer, though, was one that a billion people of all ages can recognize: K-pop sensation PSY. Even Coco couldnt help but chuckle as he introduced the YouTube-crushing rapper, who came out in a glitter-festooned red sweater and similarly blaring pants.

The viral star initially PSYched everyone out with a traditional, English-language rendition of The Christmas Song, but those chestnuts did not roast for long. No, no, no, he protested mid-verse. This is not the reason Im here. And so commenced PSYs raison detre: Gangnam Style, Christmas Edition! Yes, thats right PSYs did his goofy little invisible-pony dance and rapped in Korean in front of an assembly of bemused Beltway officials, including the leader of the free world. And any concerns about the singers potentially anti-American past didnt seem to worry the audience, who gave PSY some the loudest cheers of the night.

Well, almost the loudest. Obama, of course, was the shows biggest star. After a sweeping encore that brought back all of the nights non-PSY performer! s, the pr! esident closed the night with a special Christmas message. With the house on its feet, Obama reminded the crowd and the nation of the altruistic message at the heart of the holidays.

So yes, tonights about Conan and Diana Ross and Santa and all the other talented folks on this stage, Obama concluded. But its also about the Americans who are spending this holiday on a hospital bed or shelter or protecting our freedom in a battlefield far from home.

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