A Diva's Christmas Carol

A new twist on an old classic, this VH1 production may not look like the Dickens favorite with Alistair Sim, but it's true to its spirit. Vanessa Williams is "Ebony Scrooge," a miserly Diana Ross-type singer. She was once part of 1980s trio Desire, but Marli Jacob (TLC's Chilli) was killed in a car crash and Ebony abandoned Terry for a solo career. While in New York for a "charity" concert--designed to benefit her more than anyone else--Ebony is visited by four spirits. First comes Marli, followed by the Ghosts of Christmas Past (Suddenly Susan's Kathy Griffin), Present (Duran Duran's John Taylor), and Future. The last is a tragically humorous episode of Behind the Music, featuring cameos by Nile Rodgers and Brian McKnight. It's enough to make a diva change her wicked ways--some of them, at any rate. Williams sings several songs, notably "Sleigh Ride" and "Heartquake." --Kathleen C. Fennessy