( feedback screeches )
( heartbeat thumps )
( clanking and whirring )
( sprockets reeling )
( whirring and droning )
( music playing )
[Captioning sponsored by PARAMOUNT PICTURES]
( seasonal ballad intro playing )
¶ Ooh... ¶
¶ Mmm... ¶
¶ As the season wraps around us ¶
¶ Like gifts around a tree ¶
¶ I can't help but remember ¶
¶ What Christmas used to be ¶
¶ As the child inside me wanders ¶
¶ To a time I can't forget ¶
¶ Where candy canes and magic ¶
¶ Filled the days that we shared ¶
¶ And the truth of those moments ¶
¶ Still shines like a star ¶
¶ For the joy that lives inside them ¶
¶ Is where the season starts ¶
¶ 'Cause the heart of Christmas ¶
¶ Lies beyond what we can see ¶
¶ It's the love that embraced us ¶
( coughing ): ¶ Like arms around our need ¶
¶ Yes, that heart of Christmas ¶
¶ Is so easy to find... ¶
( gagging and coughing )
( playback continues ): ¶ When good will takes over ¶
¶ The heart of... ¶
Hey! You up there!
You trying to kill me, or what?
DIRECTOR: C'est coupe! Cut!
Well?!
Don't tempt me.
( coughing )
Ebony, cherie, are you okay?
Ooh, I better be...
( coughing )
If my throat got scratched...
It's bad enough I'm stuck
in this cheeseball, fake fur, Bigfoot getup.
I'm surrounded by smelly brats.
It's hot as hell in here.
You people are starving me, and my phone guy is missing!
( clears throat )
You know, you don't actually have to dump that toxic waste
down my throat
to make it look like it's snowing in here!
Perhaps they didn't teach you that
at the Academy de la Minimum Wage!
Je ne comprends pas!
( muttering ): Bitch!
Hello.
Get over here now.
And for the 90th time, can I get some French toast?
10:00 in the morning
I still haven't had any damn breakfast.
And don't forget the powdered sugar.
...a la prochaine prise.
English!
We are very sorry
for having too much snow before.
Not as sorry as you're going to be.
And you, what did I
tell you about the water?
Didn't I say if I step off the set
have a bottle of water in my hand?
Am I off the set?
Is there water in my hand?
What about this one?
Right.
Empty hands.
Goez-vous and get me
a damn bottle of water, s'il vous plait.
Ebony...
What? What?
What are you all staring at?
Do I have to start yelling?
( clearing throat )
What the hell is that?
Oh, you asked for toasted French bread.
French toast. French toast!
For God's sake, aren't we in France?
You know what?
Ebony. Screw it.
I'll be in my dressing room.
Merde! Ceci, c'est un cirque.
Oh, quelle merdeuse!
Elle est folle, ou quoi, alors?
Yves, Yves, I am so sorry, she's...
She is a monster.
Everything they say about her is completely true!
No, no, see, we have been on the road for months.
She's tired.
We've been going city to city, a show almost every night
most of us away from our families...
Bob, Bob, this is fine, but... French toast...
qu'est-ce que c'est French toast?
( chuckles )
What you do... you take bread, right?
Well, actually, first, you have to take...
You know what? I'm going to go try
and get her out of her dressing room.
Ebony.
These, these people have no idea how to treat a superstar.
You're the one who wanted to do a Christmas video.
To move the single.
Christmas is a marketing machine we cannot ignore.
I know that, but when you're squeezing a video shoot
in the middle of a European tour, it gets a little bit...
Ouch! Watch it!
For what we're paying them
they can accommodate a few simple requests.
( knock at door )
Great. Now what?
It's me, Ernie. Can I come in?
Cratch. Ernie.
You know, uh, paychecks were late again this week.
Yeah, we had to shuffle a couple of things around.
We're short again, Ebony.
Now how can that be?
I'll look into it.
Hmm...
You know how money is: One minute it's there, the next minute...
Poof! Wait, I've got an idea.
We'll have a Christmas concert.
Whoa, whoa, whoa. We'll have what?
When? Where?
( clearing throat )
Thank you.
You know, they're good.
We should take them on the road.
Whitney's got her own people, so I...
E... the concert?
Christmas Day, New York City.
And since when do you give a damn about Christmas?
A concert would promote the hell out of the album
get a lot of good press.
So you're talking about, like, a charity concert?
Hmm...
Just think of the write-off.
A charity concert, mmm, yeah...
but, uh...
exclusive, intimate... intimate setting.
Charge a fortune for the tickets.
Tourists will pay anything for a little holiday spirit.
Okay, and who would it benefit?
So, how's the family there, Bob?
My godson, little Tom?
Tim.
Whatever.
He's fine. About the concert--
you can't have it on Christmas Day.
Oh?
We're off Christmas Day.
Your people want to go home and see their families.
They've got the next day off.
You can't do this.
Well, I just did.
Tickets will go on sale
tomorrow morning.
And how am I going to tell everybody
that there's no Christmas break?
I'm sure you'll think of something.
( booing and groaning )
I know.
It sucks.
I know.
I haven't been home in four months.
Neither have I. Yeah, but I have a kid.
Me, too.
Bob, I already bought my ticket
home to St. Louis. What am I going to do about that?
Well, you're just going to have to change it.
But it's not worth flying home for just one day off.
Well, that's going to have to be your decision to make.
Look, your hotel in New York is covered
for the two nights of Christmas.
Oh, great.
¶ On the two nights of Christmas ¶
¶ The diva gave to me ¶
¶ Absolutely, positively nothing! ¶
She can't do this. Hey, it's a charity concert.
Yeah, you know what? Charity begins at home.
Well, can we at least invite our families?
I mean, New York's
not such a bad place to spend Christmas.
Um...
Oh, no, no, no, no. Do not even tell me...
No tickets for the staff.
They're selling every one.
I mean after all, it's a...
We know.
ALL: A charity concert.
( clears throat )
I'll see you in Nice.
It's perfect.
We promise them the proceeds
but when we deduct "legitimate" production expenses
travel costs and financing fees, we stand to make...
$1,276,000.34.
Not bad for one day's work.
Will that make up for the shortfall?
I'm sure it will.
But does any money actually go to charity?
Absolutely.
I want to see a picture of me
and one of those giant checks
on the cover of Billboard.
( chuckling )
I'm sorry.
WOMAN: Bob, you promised you'd be home.
I thought that I'd be free.
Well, I need some help over here.
I can appreciate that, Kelly
but you know I've got to work.
So where's this month's check?
( sighing )
We got paid late again.
Oh, you're just full of good news.
Look, Kelly
you know the deal, okay? Ebony...
Oh, Ebony, Ebony, Ebony.
That song is so old.
When are you going to learn?
When are you going to back off?
What is it with you and her?
Look... I don't want to have this fight again, okay?
There's no point, is there?
( sighing )
I guess not.
Okay.
Can I talk to Tim?
Yeah. One sec.
Tim, it's your dad.
Any word from the doctor?
Well, he's still anemic
and his blood pressure's high, so...
More tests.
When are they going to figure out what's wrong?
That poor kid.
It's tough on all of us.
Well, here you go.
Daddy!
Hey, champ, how you doing?
I'm great. How's, um...
Paris, right?
Paris is okay, but it's no Cleveland.
I can't wait for Christmas.
You still coming home?
I'm certainly going to try, kiddo...
but, uh, we're getting pretty busy here with work, so...
Won't Aunt Ebony let you have a day off?
I wish she would
because I've been working pretty hard
and I miss you bad.
Listen, do me a favor and, uh, take care of your mom
for me, all right?
You betcha.
I wish I were half as brave as he is.
Me, too.
Kelly, I love you guys
and I will see you soon.
But not for Christmas.
Kelly...?
WOMAN: I don't understand.
In the month I've been with you guys
every show was sold out.
She must be raking it in.
What's the deal?
She's just a miser.
I heard she melts down her gold records for scrap.
Do you know, she won't even let me get a new hairbrush
till the next leg of the tour?
"Those brushes are $16 each.
If everyone got one when they felt like it..."
Tell me about it!
I can't get new guitar strings.
I've been faking G for weeks.
What about that hotel in London?
You know the room is filthy
when you've got to pee
and you'd rather hold it till you get
to the bus terminal.
Oh, well, Diva stayed at the Park Lane.
GUITARIST: I got a look at the rider once.
The promoter pays
for all of us to be in good hotels
but she puts us in fleabags and pockets the rest.
Did she stay at different hotels from Marli and Terry?
No, they were best friends. Inseparable.
So what happened to Desire?
Marli died, that's what happened.
Then she dropped Terry like a hot potato.
Got herself a nice, fat solo career.
Whatever became of Terry?
Who knows?
TV ANCHOR: ...writing a book on diva behavior along the way.
And now, after an extensive tour of Europe
Ebony's returning to New York City
for a special Christmas show. Oh, this is us.
ANCHOR: She'll perform songs from her new Christmas album.
So, let's go back to 1988
when we got our first look
at Ebony and Desire. No way!
Here's "Heartquake."
How is that for timing?
( upbeat pop intro )
And five and six and seven and...
Ooh! Don't move your lips when you count.
Check out Marli.
Yeah, Ebony can barely keep up with Terry.
Oh!
¶ You can't be serious... ¶
I bet that look's coming back any second, don't you?
If we're not careful, it just might.
¶ Am I delirious, or do I feel a heartquake? ¶
¶ This is critical, how much can I take? ¶
¶ It's so electrical, I know that it's a heartquake ¶
¶ Love was a stranger, never at my door... ¶
If somebody moonwalks, I'm going to lose my lunch.
¶ With love came a danger I never felt before ¶
¶ I was stopped ¶
¶ In my tracks ¶
¶ Too late... ¶
You know, I worshipped this album.
I wore it out.
That's why I was so excited to get this gig.
Tour with the one and only Ebony.
I mean, come on...
tell me you didn't love this.
I have the 12-inch single.
¶ How much can I take? ¶
( women joining in ): ¶ You can't be serious ¶
¶ There must be some mistake ¶
( joining in ): ¶ Am I delirious? ¶
¶ Or do I feel a heartquake? ¶
¶ This is critical ¶
¶ How much can I take? ¶
¶ It's so electrical ¶
¶ I know that it's a heartquake ¶
¶ You've got imagination... ¶
MAN ON P.A.: Bon Avion appel le passenger Ebony Scrooge.
Ebony Scrooge, s'il vous plait.
I was paged.
You are Ebony Scrooge?
Just Ebony, if you don't mind.
Tickets and passport, please.
Thank you.
Funny, you look, uh, thinner on TV.
Anyway, well, you know the 7:00 flight was canceled
so we are trying to accommodate
all the passengers onto this flight.
And, uh, you seem to have an extra first class seat.
What's the problem?
They want my second seat.
Oh, uh, that seat's paid for.
The promoter always buys two seats for Ebony.
Oh, so you are the one sitting
next to Mrs. Scrooge?
No, no, I'm in coach.
Well, why, then, do you need the...?
Because I can't spend an entire flight to New York
having my ear yapped off
by some Formica salesman.
I need my space. I need my privacy.
I need to be able to...
If you give up your seat, we'll give you a voucher
for a first class ticket anywhere we fly
and a full refund for this ticket.
Cash?
Oui.
Deal.
Well...
Bob, of course, if you want the seat...
No, no, I'm fine with the band.
Just sign here, please.
¶ We wish you a Merry Christmas ¶
¶ And a Happy New Year ¶
¶ Everybody get together... ¶
( tires squealing )
Maybe they drive like that in Russia
but here, in the United States
we drive with one foot on one pedal at a time.
I don't see why you had to cancel the limo.
Because I'm not paying 100 bucks for a ride from the airport.
Right.
Well, pay the man.
Right.
Please help the poor.
Save it for the suckers, Grandpa.
Merry Christmas, ma'am.
Bob.
( groans )
Yeah?
Where is everybody?
The screaming fans, the reporters...
the usual?
I-I did just what you asked.
Switched the plans and lied to the press
so you'd be left alone.
Well, I thought you'd at least
leak it to Page Six-- There's nobody!
God, do I have to do everything myself?
T-Bone, I don't want to be disturbed for at least three hours.
It's going to take that long to wash the Parisian stink off me.
The Princess Suite, ma'am.
I guess the Queen wasn't available?
Well, some people
actually prefer the more intimate setting of the...
Please.
( sighs )
Well, it'll do.
Oh!
So bright in here.
( sighs )
Don't scratch that bag.
Hey, not bad.
Olivia.
How'd you get past security?
T-Bone? Please.
Aunt Ebony, it's so great you're in New York
for Christmas; now you can come over for...
Come on, come on, come on.
I know you want tickets for tomorrow night's concert.
On Christmas? Course not.
We've got friends coming for dinner
and we're inviting you, too.
Mmm.
For some lovely frozen turkey.
Supermarket pie.
Box wine.
Box wine? I love box wine.
It's so easy to gift wrap.
Well, let me consider
your appealing offer for a second.
Uh, mmm, no.
Well, suit yourself, Auntie.
But I'm just going to keep on asking
and one of these days, you'll remember
I'm the only family you've got.
And then you'll come over for dinner
and give everybody a heart attack.
Whatever it takes.
Merry Christmas, Ebony.
Merry Christmas. Right.
( door opens )
( sighs )
( door closes )
Hey.
I just saw Olivia.
You're going to be hanging with her tonight?
Of course not.
Got to get some sleep.
I have A.M. America tomorrow at 7:00
a photo shot at 8:00.
How often do you get to see your only niece?
Family is an accident of birth.
That is so beautiful.
Have you ever considered writing for Hallmark?
Hey, it's Christmas.
You know, peace on Earth, goodwill towards man?
Christmas exists for one reason only--
to sell crap to the masses.
This year I happen to have a Christmas album.
I'm trying to unload some all about that holiday spirit.
Please.
If people were really interested in peace on Earth
they'd be doing something about it
instead of shopping and overeating
and dressing up fat, old drunks as Santa Claus.
Hello.
Cratch.
Ernie.
Ebony, I need you to sign the contract for the charity.
Which charity is that again?
Uh, the National Homeless Coalition, of course.
Oh.
Any good?
Sure. They help the homeless.
I thought my tax dollars built homeless shelters.
Rat holes.
Most people would rather die than live in those shelters.
Some of them might be better off if they did.
Hmm.
( door closes )
But, anyway
that's, uh, that's who we're helping.
So how about you?
I know this isn't your favorite time of year
what with Marli's accident at Christmas.
Yeah, I'm fine.
I just need a decent night's sleep.
Well, why don't you try some hot milk
for a change?
Hey, Bob, you're not my daddy.
Hot milk.
I need sleep, not calcium.
Uh, yeah, I want to order some dinner.
The Princess Suite.
Uh, spinach salad.
But make sure it's washed.
If I find one grain of sand in it, I'm sending it back.
Seared tuna, but rare.
I want the inside blood red or I'm sending it back.
And farfalla, but al dente.
If it's soggy...
No, if it's soggy
I'm coming down there and shoving it up your...
( chiming )
You got it?
( chiming continues )
Charming.
Is there a snooze button on that thing?
( low rumbling )
( electrical zapping )
What the hell...?!
( rumbling intensifies )
There are no earthquakes in New York.
( glass breaking )
( rumbling stops )
( knocking )
MAN: Room service.
( relieved sigh )
The seared tuna and al dente farfalla.
( door closes )
So dinner just got here.
What did I tell you about the spinach?
There's enough sand in it to make glass.
Well, somebody better come up and get it
because I'm not eating it
and in five minutes, it'll be on the wall.
( wind rushing and thunder crashing )
Oh, now what?
Hey, I'm not paying for that.
Seven dollars for goobers?
Well, this is just unacceptable.
Hello!
Hello, get me the manager!
( alarm whistling )
( pounding at door )
That was quick.
( screaming )
Boo.
( screams )
Ebony.
( screams )
Ebony, don't be afraid.
( screams )
You know me, girl.
Like hell, I do.
I was your best friend, your partner.
Sister, you need help.
I really am Marli.
Look, you may think you're Marli
and maybe you look a little like her
but you're crazy, and Marli is dead.
You're telling me.
Look at this.
( pops )
No way.
Way.
This Pharmalain's never given me hallucinations before.
You know what?
You need to stop taking those pills.
Now I'm getting lectured by a hallucination?
I'm not an hallucination.
It's me.
I'm really here.
Really?
Marli?
I'll be damned.
You got that right.
Huh?
I'm here to warn you, Ebony.
About what?
You're going to end up like this.
What? You haven't aged a day.
Because I'm dead.
No, it's worse.
Undead, stuck in limbo, wandering forever.
Well, you don't look so bad.
Nothing a little Lancome and Spackle can't fix.
This... this is for you.
This is what I really look like.
Blech!
Well, I guess they don't have facials in the afterlife.
Facials?!
( scoffs )
Girl, no facials
no massages, no body wraps
and you break your nails every day.
( gasps )
No, not the nails.
Yes.
That's why I'm here, Ebony-- to help you.
What, do my nails?
No, to save your soul.
Is this about the royalties?
'Cause we settled that.
If I wrote 65% of the song
I get 65% of the...
No, Ebony. I mean...
I think I'm way past worrying about money now.
Well, then, you must be dead, 'cause nobody's past
worrying about money.
And what's with the get-up?
I thought you quit the whips and chains
when you broke up
with that guy from Paramus.
These chains are to remind me of my mistakes.
How I threw away my life.
I'll say you did-- what a waste.
We were getting so big.
But how did we use our success?
You know, what did we do to help our own?
In the true business of life, we were flops.
Mmm, that makes no sense.
Girl, I have tried--
Lord knows I have tried
so many times to reach you from...
wherever it is I am
and tonight, I finally did
and I am telling you that you have got to start...
What gives you the right to tell me what to do?
What gives me the right?
We were best friends.
You tell me what happened to that.
You ruined it, that's what happened.
You pushed us out of the spotlight.
Oh, so it's my fault.
Excuse me, I'm talking.
One minute, we're a trio-- the next, Terry and I
are your backup singers, and that hurts.
Oh, so it's my fault you got into drugs?
Please. You can't blame me for...
And you stood by.
You should have been looking out for me.
How?
I tried, but you wouldn't listen.
The more I told you to quit, the more you did.
Because you were always...
I loved you
but there was a business to run.
It's not my fault.
Well, where were you Christmas Eve, 1990?
Where was I?
I was getting the news that you got messed up
and wrapped your Porsche around a tree.
Yeah, and I took two innocent lives with me.
And what did you do?
I cried my eyes out.
I've never gotten over that.
The very night I died, you abandoned Terry
and started planning your own solo act.
No, that's not true.
And I had to watch all of it.
My hell is watching you screw up your life.
Remember that showcase at Tramps that Bob put together?
Yeah, that night was make-or-break.
We did a good show, we get signed
we choke, we be history-- remember?
Yeah, we... we kicked butt.
Well, tonight is like that.
You're going to be visited
by three spirits-- at 1:00, 2:00...
Ooh... tonight's no good.
Well, tough.
I have to get some sleep.
I have A.M. America at 7:00...
They're spirits; they don't care about no talk show.
Oh, Marli
no one cares about talk shows.
Look at my calendar. I...
Damn.
That Pharmalain's some powerful sh...
I got to get a new prescription.
Oh, yuck.
WOMAN: Room service.
I thought you were sending a new order up right away.
It will be there any moment.
Yeah, but I ordered it over...
( knocking at door )
Oh. Okay, you're there.
Good evening.
I better eat something soon-- I am trippin'.
Yeah, I'm kind of a klutz myself.
Hey, look what time it is.
Did you see what...?
Let me guess.
You're the first spirit?
Was it the dress?
I hope you know you're not getting a tip.
It's okay, I'm a spirit.
Our currency is magic and creepiness.
Who are you, anyway?
Who am I?
Exactly.
Who are any of us-- I mean, really?
But, I digress.
Hi.
Ghost of Christmas Past.
What, like "chestnuts roasting on an open fire"?
Uh, hope you're going to be dressed warm.
It's going to be a little cold where we go
okay, crazy lady?
I'm not going anywhere.
Already she's starting.
Gucci.
Not bad.
I got it free.
Last year, I had to show Tom Ford
all his past Christmases.
Well, now I got to change.
No time; we got to go.
Why are you really here?
To help you.
Well, you may as well go, then
since the only help I need
is a good night's sleep.
No, no-- to save you, then.
But you're so... annoying.
And you're cranky.
Let's go, missy!
Whoa! What's happening?
Just another day at the office for me.
My home town-- Paterson, New Jersey.
That explains the smell.
Oh! No, it's a quaint little town.
Well, take a good, hard look.
In 20 years, this is all going to be a strip mall.
There's Pat's.
Marli, Terry and I
used to hang out there all the time.
Hey, Pat.
Pat!
I guess he can't hear me.
See that basketball court?
My brother Ronnie and I used to play there every afternoon...
until...
Oh, there's Old Man Miller's place.
And Mancone's Pizza.
( laughs )
Oh-- Roosevelt High.
I remember everything.
Really? You'd never know.
Huh?
Oh, see this place?
The acoustics in the girls' bathroom were perfect.
We used to sneak in on league nights
and work out our harmonies.
Right there.
Mrs. Healy?!
Mrs. Healy!
Why can't anybody hear me?
Because these aren't
real people.
It's like... Los Angeles.
Oh.
Merry Christmas, everybody!
Ho, ho, ho, ho! Happy holidays!
Oh, there's Andy the Fish, Scooter, Jackie...
( gasping ): Marli!
There's Marli!
And where's little Ebony
during all this excitement?
Oh, there you are.
Let's go inside.
Ah, no, I don't want to.
Suit yourself.
¶ Do, re, mi, fa ¶
¶ Sol, la, ti, do ¶
¶ Do, ti, la, sol ¶
¶ Fa, mi, re, do. ¶
It's Christmas Eve, and you're here practicing scales?
You must really love it.
Oh, yeah.
You should be home on Christmas.
Home?
Song title.
Four words.
First word.
Down?
Floor? Feet?
House? Home?
Here.
"Here Comes Santa Claus"!
What did I tell you?
Keep it the hell down out here!
Now, what the hell are you crying about?
( wailing softly ) Leave her alone.
Who do you think you...?
( wailing )
Girl, look, when I tell you to shut up
I want you to shut up!
Git off me! Git!
Give me this thing here.
( wailing )
For the last time--
there's no Christmas in this house.
There's nothing
to celebrate.
You see any presents?
You see your mother anywhere?
You're lucky
you got a damn roof over your head!
Now, you stop your crying, or I'm going to give you
something to cry about.
You hear me?
( crying )
WOMAN: Children's Welfare. May I help you?
No!
Ronnie! Ronnie!
No!
Ronnie! I don't want to go!
Please!
I'll be good. No!
Don't make me go. No!
Please!
Get in.
Please!
Ronnie!
Let's see another Christmas.
( Ebony humming with piano )
( door closes )
YOUNG MAN: Ebony.
Ronnie?
Ronnie!
Oh, God
I can't believe it.
What are you doing here?
I've come to take you home.
Home?
I can't go back there.
Eb-Ebony
I've been keeping in touch with Dad.
He's been really good.
He stopped drinking.
If you just came home with us, everything...
I can't forgive him.
How am I supposed
to ever trust him again?
Of course, my dad started drinking again
so Ronnie took off.
Got married straight out of high school, had Olivia.
And then, just like that, he was gone.
An aneurysm, can you believe it?
First, you lost Ronnie, then Marli.
His daughter really is the only family you have.
You must spend a lot of time with her.
I just saw her last night.
Uh-huh. Let's go-- another Christmas.
Hey, isn't there any other night you can show me?
There was a New Year's in '95 that was really...
Oh, right, and that Arbor Day in '96.
Whoo! They're still talking.
Sorry, I just do Christmas.
Problem is, you're a little thin
on Christmases worth remembering.
And that's my fault?
Well...
There's one.
What?
( dance music playing )
Nice. Takes attention away from your face.
Was that a backhanded insult?
ANNOUNCER ON P.A.: And now, Club 52 and WRKZ present
the number-one new R&B act Come on, y'all.
in the nation. One for all...
And all for one.
ANNOUNCER: Ladies and gentlemen, put your hands together
for Desire! What is she doing?
( crowd applauding and cheering )
( "Heartquake" intro plays )
¶ Oh ¶
Whoo!
¶ Heartquake ¶
¶ You can't be serious ¶
¶ Must be some mistake ¶
¶ Am I delirious? ¶
¶ Do I feel a heartquake? ¶
¶ This is critical ¶
¶ How much can I take? ¶
¶ It's so electrical ¶
¶ I know that it's a heartquake ¶
¶ Love was a stranger ¶
¶ Never at my door ¶
¶ With love came a danger ¶
¶ I never felt before, I was stopped ¶
¶ Stopped ¶
¶ In my tracks ¶
¶ Too late ¶
¶ There's no turning back ¶
¶ You've got imagination ¶
¶ Let's put it to the test ¶
¶ Tell me what I'm thinking... ¶
Not bad.
"Not bad"?!
Well, the harmonies are a little predictable
and the dancing's a little, you know, dated.
EBONY: What are you, a critic?
No, no, not professionally
but, where I hang out, Billie Holliday duets
with Otis Redding
and last night, Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell...
Nothing worse than a cocky spirit.
¶ ...My heart begins to pound, and then ¶
¶ My heart stops ¶
¶ Stops ¶
¶ I can't breathe ¶
¶ The room's too hot... ¶
So, how come you do mostly ballads now?
Mmm... it's what the record company wants.
¶ ...Am I delirious ¶
¶ Or do I feel a heartquake? ¶
¶ This is critical ¶
¶ How much can I take? ¶
¶ It's so electrical ¶
¶ I know that it's a heartquake ¶
¶ Where am I? ¶
¶ What's it mean? ¶
¶ It's out of control ¶
¶ In my heart ¶
¶ I like it ¶
¶ So deep in my soul ¶
¶ You can't be serious ¶
¶ Must be some mistake ¶
¶ Am I delirious ¶
¶ Or do I feel a heartquake? ¶
¶ This is critical ¶
¶ How much can I take? ¶
¶ It's so electrical... ¶
He's cute.
Who, Bob?
It seems like such a long time ago.
¶ This is critical ¶
¶ How much can I take? ¶
¶ It's so electrical ¶
¶ I know that it's a heartquake. ¶
( cheering )
( whistling )
Thank you.
Whoo!
Hi, everybody, I'm Marli.
I'm Ebony.
I'm Terry.
And we are...
ALL: Desire!
( cheering )
Merry Christmas, New York.
How are y'all doing?
( cheers and applause )
1988 has been such an amazing year for us
and we have all of you to thank.
Thank you so much.
And next week, we start our first world tour
and we may be gone for a long time
but no matter what happens to us
we will always remember our first fans. Whoo!
Yeah.
( laughing )
( rock and roll "Sleigh Ride" intro plays )
TERRY: Merry Christmas, everybody!
EBONY: How you doing?
MARLI: We're Desire, and we got a song for you!
¶ Just hear those Sleigh Bells ring-a-ling ¶
¶ Ring, ting, ting-a-ling, too ¶
¶ Come on, it's lovely weather ¶
¶ For a sleigh ride together with you ¶
¶ Outside the snow is falling ¶
¶ And friends are calling "Yoo-hoo!" ¶
¶ Come on, it's lovely weather ¶
¶ For a sleigh ride together with you ¶
¶ Giddyap, giddyap, giddyap, let's go ¶ ¶ Let's go ¶
¶ Let's look at the snow ¶ ¶ Look at the snow ¶
¶ We're riding in a wonderland of snow ¶ ¶ Wonderland ¶
¶ Giddyap, giddyap, giddyap, it's grand ¶
¶ Just holding your hand ¶
¶ We're gliding along with the song ¶
¶ Of a wintry fairy land-- Whoo! ¶
Wow, you guys rock the Christmas house.
¶ Can you feel it? ¶
I forgot how perfect that night was.
¶ Say what? ¶
¶ Uh-huh, uh-huh, say what? ¶
Well, we got to go.
We're running out of time.
Can't we stay a little longer?
Hmm, let me consider that for a minute.
Uh, um, no!
¶ Our cheeks are nice and rosy, and comfy cozy... ¶
Where are we going next?
I don't know yet.
Well, will you make up your mind?
I mean, what if you drop me?
That would suck for you.
It's a long way down.
Well, that's my point.
Let's find out.
( screaming )
( screaming continues )
Ah, relax. I had you the whole time.
I-I...
I...
Don't worry.
I can't kill you... yet.
I'm not done with you.
Oh, that's comforting.
( screaming )
BOB: I don't understand.
We will see each other every day.
So much is happening, Bob.
We're both going through
all kinds of changes.
I'm not.
I'm not changing at all.
I'm still exactly the same guy
and I feel exactly the same way about you.
What about in a month, when I'm busy all the time
and I'm being pulled in a million different directions?
I'm not going to have time for you and...
And nothing!
I love you.
I will understand.
I'll see you at night.
I will see you on your days off.
I can wait.
E, you don't have to do this.
And there'll be girls throwing themselves at you.
How do I know I can trust you?
Me?!
Wh... you can't trust me, or you can't trust yourself?
Same difference.
Things happen, you know.
"Out of sight, out of mind"?
Don't throw cliches at me.
Just give me a little space, okay?
There's another one.
Look, Bob, I am grateful
for everything you've done for me.
I mean, I wouldn't even have a record deal
if it wasn't for you.
This is not about a record deal!
It's not like I'm firing you or anything.
I want you on the road.
Fire me?!
I am your boyfriend
every bit as much as I am...
How's this?
When the tour's over
we'll see how things are... how we feel, okay?
He was just the tour manager.
He wasn't good enough for you.
Well, that's not it.
No, you were going to be rich and famous.
You could find someone better.
I never said that.
Or maybe you were just afraid to lose him
like all the others.
I love you for who you really are.
I knew you when you were nobody.
What makes you think
you can find a love like that again so easily?
I'm not looking for love.
I'm looking for success.
You coming?
( sighs )
( door opens )
( door closes )
Merry Christmas.
Oh, Bob...
Take me home.
I can't stand this.
Just one more.
¶ Deck the halls with boughs of holly ¶
¶ Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la ¶ ( humming )
¶ 'Tis the season to be jolly ¶
¶ Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la... ¶ ( knocking at door )
Just a sec.
( knocking at door )
Just a sec!
¶ ...our gay apparel ¶ ( sighs )
¶ Fa-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la ¶
¶ Troll the ancient Yuletide carol ¶ Oh...
¶ Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la. ¶
Here you go, Terri-- your special Christmas dinner.
There's no way that's Terri.
Where are we supposed to be?
When?
This is just a year ago.
Last stop on the tour.
Thank you, Mary.
That's really kind of you.
Terri, any chance you could
come down to the shelter
and sing for everybody this year?
( sighs )
( chuckling ): I wish I could, honey
but my voice ain't what it used to be.
It would mean an awful lot
to the folks.
You're our most famous client.
Oh, God!
Well, listen, I-I'll see what I can do.
I can't promise anything.
Thanks, Terri, and Merry Christmas.
And you, too, sweetheart.
( sighs softly )
I had no idea.
How'd she end up like this?
This isn't Where Are They Now?
Okay, that's on later.
When was the last time you checked up on her?
Did you ever give her any money?
No.
She had her share.
It's not my fault she blew it.
As far as I know, she never worked again.
She tried.
She tried to start a new Desire.
Well, I couldn't let that happen.
Course not.
Your lawyers crushed her.
That's how she ended up like this.
Oh, this place is giving me the creeps.
Why won't you accept responsibility?
Just get me out of here.
Don't blame me!
I'm just showing you what's been.
I don't make this stuff up.
Well, I don't care. Stop haunting me.
Stop being so hauntable!
Oh, you skinny bitch!
( gasps )
Did you say skinny?
( growls )
( gasping )
Oh, never again.
( woman laughing )
( rock music playing ) What the hell...?
( laughing continues )
( glass breaking )
Outrageous.
( music and laughter continuing )
( doorknob rattling )
If there's anybody in there, you better open up.
( glass breaking )
You are messing with the wrong bitch, now.
I'm going to call security by the count of three!
One... two...
( clock tolls twice )
( music volume increases )
( tolling continues )
All right.
You better watch out.
I'm coming in.
MAN: Come on, come on.
Don't do this to me.
Just one more shot.
Who the hell are you?
Oh, hello.
Fancy a drink?
Mmm... guess not.
I said
who the hell are you?
Keep your shirt on.
I heard you.
You don't... you don't recognize me, then?
No. What are you doing in my room?
Having a party, baby.
What does it look like
I'm doing?
Who are you?
I'm the Spirit of Christmas... Present.
Christmas presents?
No, not Christmas presents.
Christmas Present.
( whispering ): Everyone always gets that wrong.
Look, you can just call me...
( belches )
...Steve.
( belching ): Steve.
Just Steve.
The belch is silent.
And how did you get in my room, Steve?
Holiday magic.
Well, how'd you get past T-Bone?
Oh, him.
He's sleeping like a baby.
Really cute, too.
Look, uh...
Charming as it is to hang around here
talking to you all night, we got to hit the road.
So, uh, grab hold.
I will not.
We've not got all night.
There's a lot of stops and not much time, so grab hold.
Well, stop saying that.
Am I going to have to get nasty with you?
Oh, you mean, you get nastier?
I do.
( sighs )
Ooh, you've got nice soft skin, haven't you?
( groans )
Hang on!
( Ebony screaming )
¶ Noel, noel ¶ ( background conversations )
¶ Noel, noel... ¶
What a dump!
This is where your people are staying.
Sweet, huh?
It was nicer in the brochure.
Mm-hmm.
Well, look, it's not that bad.
Look. They have their own refrigerator.
Oh.
Well, still...
Why don't you put them in a nicer place?
You have no idea how much it costs
to keep a crew this size on the road.
How much do you need?
When are you going to spread a little around?
Ask my business manager.
No, I'm asking you.
It's Christmas Eve.
Look at this place.
Did somebody say, "Eggnog"?
Oh, no!
"This is the best Christmas ever.
God bless us, every one."
Oh, shush.
( giggling )
Anybody for Chinese?
To our not so benevolent...
dictator.
Ebony the Frozen-Hearted!
WOMAN: Hear! Hear!
Off with her head.
Hey, you, you're fired
Miss Thang!
Oh, have a sense of humor.
They want to like you, you know.
You don't give them a chance.
It's Christmas Eve!
( groaning )
KELLY: Hello?
Hey, it's me.
Me?
Me.
I'm sorry, I don't know any "me."
Unless you're referring to that husband guy
that I used to see.
All right, so it's not our best Christmas.
Oh, no, it's great.
Santa's, uh, just left
and-and Rudolph's sitting by the fire...
Come on, Kel, it's just one night.
And how many do we have left?
What do you mean?
I mean Tim.
He's... well, the doctors still don't know what it is.
He's tired.
He's not eating.
He's losing more weight.
He's weak.
He's sleeping all the time.
And when he does wake up, he asks for you
and you're not here.
And I don't know what to do
because every time I look at him, he looks worse.
Oh, I wish to God I was there.
Then get on the damn plane, and come here.
I just got to get Ebony
through the concert tomorrow, and then...
Oh, to hell with Ebony.
You have a family!
How dare she...?
We would have nothing if it weren't for Ebony.
And how do we cover the medical bills if I quit?
I don't know, but...
You know I've had a good job with her for 13 years.
She's been very generous.
Generous?
Ha!
Listen to me, Bob.
Your son is sick, and your marriage
isn't looking too healthy, either.
Now, may I suggest that you get your ass home?
Right after the concert tomorrow
I will get on a plane...
I just hope it's not
too late.
( sighs )
Dad?
Ye-- sweetheart, hey!
Is that you?
How are you?
I'm fine, Dad.
Don't fight with Mom.
She's just worried.
So am I.
I'll be okay.
I'm just tired.
Well, then, do me a favor, kiddo
and get a little rest, huh?
And I will see you soon.
I love you, Daddy.
Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas to you, Tim.
( sighs )
I had no idea Tim was so sick.
You had no idea his name was Tim.
Will he live?
Not my department.
I'm Christmas Present.
Sure don't look good, though, does it?
Oh, God.
What do you care?
Might be better off, right?
Can I go home now?
Hell, no. Pardon the expression.
Let's see how everyone else spends their Christmas Eve.
Ooh! Park Avenue...
Nice.
Yeah, this is how
your accountant spends his Christmas Eve.
Hmm. I must pay him too much.
Uh... Not exactly.
How about another toast to my boss
my benefactress Ebony?
If she had any idea how much she really pays me
she would choke and die.
Which wouldn't be such a bad thing
considering I've carved myself
a nice little piece of her estate.
You're a bastard!
I'm a genius.
Oh, and so handsome, too.
Oh, I'm so glad you agree.
EBONY: Yuck, what a creep.
Imagine, stealing from someone who trusts you.
What a heartless so-and-so.
Come on.
But, you see, Christmas does suck.
Nothing but sickness and death and dishonesty and...
At least you got your fans.
Those losers.
Those losers bought all 2,500 tickets
to your overpriced concert in 11 minutes flat.
Where do you think you'd be without them?
Oh, pick it up, will you?
Hi, Bob. How are you?
Merry Christmas, Bob.
Merry Christmas to you, Mary.
Hi, how are you?
Merry Christmas.
MARY: Merry Christmas.
CHRISTMAS PRESENT: Even these people have Christmas spirit.
They have nothing.
Not even a place to sleep, but they know Christmas.
MARY: Merry Christmas.
On the bright side, these are the folks
who will be benefiting from your concert.
Don't forget to come to the show tonight.
That's right.
How much will they end up with?
Maybe enough for a new blanket.
You must be so proud.
( music playing softly )
( partygoers converse indistinctly )
Hey!
How you doing?
You're invited, right?
MAN: What did she say next?
She said, "Come over for your frozen turkey dinner
"supermarket pie and box wine?
I don't think so."
That woman thinks
she's all that.
She's got no idea what she's missing.
Well, if she'd rather have room service.
Honey, why do you even bother?
For real, 'cause it's a well-known fact
that your Aunt Ebony is a full-on
master-class, diva bitch.
Hear. Hear.
You know, I never liked him, anyway.
OLIVIA: No, no.
She's... she's all right.
What?
You don't know.
She's had a tough life. It makes you hard.
What are you talking about?
She has everything.
You know what?
She doesn't have this.
She doesn't have Christmas.
With everything she's got, I pity her.
I would never want to be in her shoes, live her life.
Never.
Here's to my Aunt Ebony.
Oh, no, no, no, no.
No, no, no-- She may be mean
she maybe bitter
but I will keep inviting her to Christmas
every year until she comes to join us for a meal
'cause she's family.
My father loved her, and I love her, too.
You're an angel, baby.
Come on.
Now, how about a good, old-fashioned
game of charades?
Come on. You all know how to play.
Okay, Matt, you're on.
I think we better get going.
Oh, please! They're playing charades.
Just a few more minutes.
Okay, one round.
It's a song title.
Two words.
First word.
Chest.
"Best of My Love."
Pound.
Hit? Beat!
Come on!
Heart.
Uh...
Heart.
Heart?
( grunts )
The heartbeat!
"Heartbreak Hotel."
What? That's two words.
Second word.
"Heartquake!"
Klutz? Uh, drunk.
Somebody-- "Heartquake."
Earthquake.
Oh, "Heartquake!"
Finally.
( laughter )
We really got to go.
I thought you were the party animal.
Yeah, well, your partying's over for one night.
Whoo! I'm finally getting used to this.
Keep an eye out for two things, Ebony:
ignorance and greed.
Both killers.
Sneak up on you when you're not looking.
Ignorance, greed. Got it.
Can I get you a drink or, uh...?
Oh.
Bye.
( knocking )
Spirit Number Three, right on time.
I'm ready for you.
Oh, it's you.
Yeah, look, I'm sorry it's so late
but I didn't want to leave without saying good-bye.
Leave? Where are you going?
I've got to get home.
Tim is sick, and Kelly...
Well, I need you.
You can leave after the concert.
You don't understand.
Yes, I do.
No.
No. Look, I got to try and catch the first plane.
Hey, Bob, you're not a doctor.
There's nothing you can do for Tim.
I don't see the point in you rushing off to....
He is my son, and I've got to see him.
Now, if you can't understand that, Ebony...
I don't care.
You want to call it a personal day, great
you want to call it quitting, that's fine, too
but either way...
good-bye.
Hey, you can't walk away from me!
( elevator bell dings ) After all I've do...
Oh!
( clock tolls three times)
( crackling )
TV ANNOUNCER: With all that fame and success...
Come on, buddy.
The roads you crashed...
The nightmares, the headaches.
Do you have any regrets?
It's about time they started to air this thing.
ANNOUNCER: She burst onto the music scene as part of a pop R&B trio.
Did the interview about six months ago.
Tragedy launched her
on a solo career that made her a household name.
Charges of cruelty and miserliness were made
but never stuck and she became one of the biggest-selling
female artists in history.
Tonight a special edition: Ebony: Behind the Music.
( wind whistling )
EBONY ( on TV ): I'm not out to impress.
I'm out there doing my thing
and if people dig it, that's great.
Just watching my show.
ANNOUNCER: Coming up on Behind the Music
the remarkable life and tragic death
of a diva.
What?!
ANNOUNCER: Legions of fans
all over the world bought her records
and attended her legendary live performances.
Even those who knew her best were in awe of her talent.
NILE ROGERS: Ebony was a great artist.
One of the most important in the history of my label.
Oh, Ebony always knew
that she wanted to be successful
above and beyond anyone else or anything else in her life.
She was a great singer...
Great.
And she'll continue to be important.
I mean between "best of" albums
dance re-mixes, the unreleased songs
there's going to be
Ebony music for years.
ANNOUNCER: So many were saddened to hear of Ebony's death
from fans to stars, including
one of the top artists in the music business.
I'll never forget how it all went down.
I heard that Ebony was recording a song of mine
and I was thrilled.
Her albums always shipped gold, minimum.
And then I heard that she died.
I was crushed.
ROGERS: What he didn't know was that
Ebony had recorded a demo of the song just the day before.
We rush-released it as a memorial single.
McKNIGHT: And it went through the roof.
It was great.
And the workers are just about
finished with the new pool.
Thanks, Ebony. I'll never forget you.
You bastard!
Of course, it's always tragic
when an artist dies so young, but ultimately
I have to say it's the best thing that could have happened.
Better now than later, that's for sure.
You know, she's worth ten times as much dead as she is alive.
Ten times?!
Make that 20.
I'll have your head for this.
ANNOUNCER: Ebony's fierce temper was well-known.
Who let this guy...?
Get the... get your camera out of here.
There was an incident that I remember.
She pissed a director off so much
that he actually smashed six television sets.
One time, she fired her personal staff
for making eye contact with her and not backing out of the room.
Remember the time Ebony stole Mariah Carey's dress
at a TV taping?
That poor girl.
Had to go out in her underwear.
That's not true...
exactly.
Luckily, nobody noticed.
I heard she once fired her cook for eating some of her food.
Her cook.
He stole a rib roast.
PATRICE: I think it's great
that she'll be remembered
but thank God we don't have to deal with her.
I mean, great singer...
Nice butt.
...but such a bitch.
She smelled really bad.
Oh, you're all fired.
That's why I quit.
You know, some people say she even took out Marli Jacob.
I never believed that rumor.
Cut the brake line.
Anyway, that's, uh, just what I heard.
( gasps )
That is terrible.
ANNOUNCER: But the fans never abandoned her.
When a cache of Ebony's personal possessions
hit the collectors' market
price seemed to be no limit.
We were lucky to come across Ebony's personal diary.
Very juicy stuff. Oh, what a nightmare!
I mean, we're talking deepest fears
emotional insecurities, the real inside dirt.
Quite a find.
ANNOUNCER: Of course, the book
will be published this fall.
An advance copy of the book was leaked
by one her closest friends and confidants.
Oh, no. Don't read from my diary.
ANNOUNCER: "July 14th:
"I've really got to break it off with Anne Heche.
"What's fun at a party isn't a relationship..."
This is insane. I'm not dead. I'm right here.
ANNOUNCER: Ebony: millions of records, millions of fans...
( high-pitched whine )
...a treasury of songs we'll never forget.
But what about those who knew her best?
Hey, let me out of here!
TINA: Will I miss Ebony?
I'll miss the gig, I'll tell you that much.
Well, I really can't comment on Ebony.
My lawyers have advised against it.
BOB: I miss Ebony.
She was an enormous part of my life.
No! This can't be!
BOB: I don't know that I can ever forgive her, though, um...
We were out on tour, and she never really gave us time off
and because of that...
I was away the day that, uh, my son Tim...
...died.
I'm sorry, can we, uh...
can we stop this?
( whooshing ) But all this hasn't happened.
This whole show...
Oh, God, of course.
They're not really talking about me.
There's some kind of mix-up.
I'll just call them in the morning
and straighten things out
as soon as I'm done with A.M. America
and the photo shoot.
It's a simple mistake, obviously.
They... They're probably really talking about Celine Dion.
( gasps )
It is Celine Dion!
ANNOUNCER: Rest in peace, Ebony, rest in peace.
No!
Not Bette Midler!
( gasping )
This isn't true!
None of this has happened!
I can stop it from happening!
This doesn't make sense!
Why show me if I can't do anything about it?
I've learned my lesson!
I have! I'll change!
Just give me a chance!
I swear it!
I'll keep Christmas!
I will!
I'll keep it all year long!
Every freaking day will be Christmas!
I love Christmas!
Really!
Please, I can change!
No, I will! I'll listen!
I'll...!
( gasps )
What the...?
What day is it?
You there, boy... hello!
Yes, you, you.
Who the Dickens you calling "boy"?
I'm sorry
I don't have my contacts in yet.
What day is it?
Hey, aren't you Ebony the singer?
Yes, yes, yes, but I need to...
You look much thinner on TV.
Please, what day is it?
Hey, it's Ebony.
I'll be damned.
Wait till I tell my wife.
It's Christmas all day.
Was A.M. America on yet?
Oh, let me look at the wide screen TV in the back.
Damn, girl, I don't know.
It's 6:15 in the morning.
Great.
I've got time.
Whatever.
Excellent.
( inhaling )
Okay, okay.
( ringing )
( gasps and sighs )
Hello?
Kelly, it's Ebony.
I'm so sorry to wake you up this early
in the morning, but it's important.
What's wrong?
Nothing, just, uh
I need you to do some things for me, okay?
You have a pen?
( sighs )
WOMAN ( over P.A. ): Now calling rows 27 through 36
for Eastern-Atlantic Flight 801 to Cleveland.
If you are sitting in rows...
57th and Tenth.
Come on, come on, come on.
Answer the phone.
( phone ringing )
Oh, Bob, please.
( ringing continues )
What?
Bob?
Please do not get on that plane.
We've been through this.
I know, I know... I know exactly why you want
to go but I'm asking you to trust me just one more time.
Please stay.
I can't.
I've got everything under control.
I swear, just wait there
and I'll explain everything, but don't leave.
Ebony, if you're trying....
Bob, believe me...
I know you have absolutely no reason to trust me
but I promise...
I won't let you down if you do.
Please?
( heavy sigh )
And Bob?
Yeah.
Merry Christmas.
Merry, Merry, Merry Christmas.
...four, three, two...
This is A.M. America.
20 minutes past the hour, and we are back with Ebony.
And I just want to wish everyone
a Merry, Merry Christmas.
Well, thank you.
Now listen, this CD
Dreaming of an Ebony Christmas.
It is one of the biggest holiday albums this year.
And I'm so grateful to all of my fans.
Well, it is also...
the first CD with the new $25 retail price.
Oh, yeah, I'm-I'm very sorry about that
uh, but starting tomorrow
I-I'm sending thousands of copies
to children's hospitals all over the country
a-and I will buy stereos for those
that don't have any, and when I'm on the road
I'm visiting sick children in every city we play.
That's great.
Well, what else can I do?
I beg your pardon?
Well, I'm just really open to ideas right now.
It sounds like you're already going to be pretty busy.
Oh, Heather, it's so important that I give back something now
while I have the chance.
Words we can all live by. Thank you.
When we come back, Ebony is going
to sing for us... You know
I'm really serious
about that ideas thing.
Merry Christmas.
WOMAN ( over P.A. ): This is the final call
for Eastern-Atlantic Flight 1600 to Cleveland.
All passengers should be boarding at this time.
Once again, Eastern-Atlantic Airlines
announces final call for Flight 1600 to Cleveland.
All ticketed passengers...
How many tickets you got for the Ebony concert tonight?
You know that show's sold out.
Well, how many you got? They ain't cheap.
You do have tickets for tonight, don't you?
Hey, anybody ever tell you, you look just like...
Maybe I should try the place across the street.
I got 12. $3,000 each.
I'm going need a lot more than 12.
Well, I could call my brother's place.
Go ahead.
You realize this is going to cost you like, uh...
Do you take American Express?
Yeah.
Call your brother.
EBONY: It's turkey dinner for 100.
Well, yes, tonight.
But Wolfgang, sweetheart
you're the best chef in the world.
Well, if I can't trust you to do it
who can I turn to?
I need you, darling.
( sighs )
WOMAN ( over P.A. ): Ladies and gentlemen
Flight 1017 to Cleveland has been canceled
due to equipment trouble.
Some passengers might be rebooked
onto the next available flight sometime later this afternoon.
To the rest of you, Merry Christmas.
EBONY: Okay, guys
invite whomever you want.
If you need a lift or a plane ticket
just tell Ernie; he'll take care of it.
Right, Ernie?
Do you have any idea what this is going cost?
Right, Ernie?
Yes, just ask me.
Right.
Aunt Ebony.
Is the invitation still open?
If not
I can...
No, of course. Come in.
Everybody, this...
is my favorite aunt.
Your only aunt.
Come to spend Christmas with us.
Well, I can't stay.
I have a concert tonight.
Hold on.
What's going on here?
Well, I wanted to see you and give you these presents.
What's wrong?
What do you need?
I don't need...
Well, that's not true. I do need something.
I need you to accept my apology
to accept me into your heart.
I've been so blind for so long
and... I'm just so sorry.
Baby, you going to tell her?
What?
I'm pregnant.
( gasps ) You're going to be
a great aunt.
I am! Oh!
Oh, I am going to be
a great aunt, you'll see.
So, you sure you won't stay?
Well, maybe for one game of charades.
( laughs ): Okay.
Here. Great.
Bob?
Oh, thank God I caught you.
What is going on here?
Bob Cratchett... I need to tell you something.
I...
I... I... just, uh...
I love you so much
and you're the best friend I've ever had.
And there is nobody...
and nothing more important in the world to me than you.
Now...
Oh, my God.
Oh...
I missed you so much.
My little godson.
Wait a minute, what's wrong?
From now on, I'm taking personal responsibility for you.
Ebony flew us in.
I-I don't understand.
I met with the top guys at Children's Hospital
and showed him the information Kelly faxed me.
They're going to take great care of him.
They're the best.
You're going to be just fine, aren't you
little buddy?
I sure am.
That's right.
And listen, you...
you're on vacation as of right now.
Take all the time you need.
The most important thing is that you and Kelly help Tim get better.
These are for you.
Hotel, theater tickets, everything.
You can't sit in the hospital for 24 hours a day.
You might as well enjoy New York.
I don't know what to say.
Please, it's the least I can do.
E, I mean, how do I...?
Bob.
Thanks for everything.
I mean everything.
Merry Christmas.
Merry, Merry Christmas.
This is really some kind of spread.
More stuffing?
Please, no. I'm stuffed.
And I still have to fit into that little gold dress.
I'll have more stuffing.
( laughter )
How about some champagne?
How about after the show?
Don't you just love Christmas?
( laughter )
MAN: 15 minutes, everybody, 15 minutes.
I got to get into my little dress.
Thanks.
Who was that woman?
( laughter )
ANNOUNCER: Ladies and gentlemen
please welcome the one and only Ebony!
Hello, New York!
( applause and cheers )
Merry Christmas.
( cheering and applause )
( applause continues )
Thanks to all of you and your tremendous generosity
this concert tonight has raised over $1 million for charity.
( applause )
And every single penny of that money
is going to charity!
( applause and cheers )
By the way, Ernie...
you are so fired.
W-What's going...?
E-Ebon...? Wh... Wh...?
Honey, help me.
Merry Christmas, Ernie.
Wha...?
ERNIE: No. I want my lawyer!
Anyway, with one thing and another, this and that
the whole spirit of Christmas thing
kind of got away from me for awhile
and then I had a really bad night's sleep last night
but you know what?
Sometimes all it takes is a bad night's sleep
to make your head straight.
Everything seems so clear in the morning.
So let's hear it for Christmas.
( cheers and applause )
All right.
Hit it!
To my band.
You guys are the best
in the whole wide world.
¶ As the season wraps around us ¶
¶ Like gifts around the tree ¶
¶ I can't help but remember ¶
¶ What Christmas used to be ¶
¶ As the child inside me wanders ¶
¶ To a time I can't forget ¶
¶ Time I can't forget ¶
¶ Where candy canes and magic ¶
¶ Filled the days that we shared ¶
¶ And the truth of those moments ¶
¶ Still shines like a star ¶
¶ For the joy that lives inside them ¶
¶ Is where the season starts ¶
¶ Where the season starts ¶
¶ Because the heart of Christmas ¶
¶ Lies beyond what we can see ¶
¶ It's the love that embraced us ¶
¶ Like arms around our need ¶
¶ Yes, that heart of Christmas ¶
¶ Is so easy to find ¶
¶ When goodwill takes over ¶
¶ Goodwill takes over ¶
¶ The heart of mankind ¶
¶ The heart of Christmas ¶
¶ Is so easy to find ¶
¶ When goodwill takes over ¶
¶ Goodwill takes over ¶
¶ The heart of mankind ¶
¶ Yeah, yeah ¶
¶ Heart of mankind ¶
¶ Ooh! ¶
¶ Yeah, yeah, yeah. ¶
( cheering )
Thank you.
( intro to "Sleigh Ride" plays )
Now, let's go back to 1988.
Let's see if y'all remember this song.
Put your hands together.
¶ Just hear those sleigh bells jingling ¶
¶ Ring-ting-tingling, too ¶
¶ Come on, it's lovely weather ¶
¶ For a sleigh ride together with you ¶
¶ Outside the snow is falling ¶
¶ And friends are calling "Yoo-hoo" ¶
¶ Come on, it's lovely weather ¶
¶ For a sleigh ride together with you ¶
¶ Giddyap, giddyap, giddyap, let's go ¶
¶ Let's go ¶
¶ Let's look at the snow ¶
¶ Look at the snow ¶
¶ We're riding in a wonderland of snow ¶
¶ Wonderland ¶
¶ Giddyap, giddyap, giddyap, it's grand ¶
¶ Just holding your hand ¶
¶ We're gliding along with the song ¶
¶ Of a wintry fairyland... ¶
Y'all want to see an old friend?
( cheering )
'Cause when you sing old songs
it's good to have old friends around.
Ladies and gentlemen, Miss Terry Freeman!
( cheering )
¶ Our cheeks are nice and rosy, and comfy cozy are we ¶
¶ We're snuggled up together ¶
¶ Like two birds of a feather would be ¶
¶ Let's take the road before us and sing a chorus or two ¶
¶ Come on, it's lovely weather ¶
¶ For a sleigh ride together with you ¶
¶ Giddyap, giddyap, giddyap, let's go ¶ ¶ Let's go ¶
¶ Let's look at the snow ¶ ¶ Look at the snow ¶
¶ We're riding in a wonderland of snow ¶ ¶ Wonderland ¶
¶ Giddyap, giddyap, giddyap, it's grand ¶ ¶ Oh ¶
¶ Just holding your hand ¶
¶ We're gliding along with the song ¶
¶ Of a wintry fairyland... ¶
Whoo!
¶ Just hear those sleigh bells jingling ¶
¶ Ring-ting-tingling, too ¶
¶ Come on, it's lovely weather ¶
¶ For a sleigh ride together with you ¶
¶ Outside the snow is falling ¶
¶ And friends are calling "Yoo-hoo" ¶
¶ Come on, it's lovely weather ¶
¶ For a sleigh ride together with you ¶
¶ It's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you ¶
¶ Lovely weather for a sleigh ride together ¶
¶ Ooh! ¶
¶ With you! ¶
( cheering and applause )
EBONY: Mmm... There you go.
Thank you.
You guys are going to love this one.
Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
And you, too.
She's ready for hers.
Thank you. All right.
And you look so good.
Hey!
Look who it is.
It's Tim. Big Tim!
Ooh, hey!
Big Tim!
( laughing )
Come here.
Oh, who's that, huh?
Yes!
Be careful.
I may be a sweetheart now
but nobody pees on the diva.
( laughter )
Captioning sponsored by PARAMOUNT PICTURES
Captioned by Media Access Group at WGBH access.wgbh.org
( "Heartquake" intro playing )
¶ Oh... ¶
Whoo!
ALL: Heartquake!
¶ You can't be serious ¶
¶ There must be some mistake ¶
¶ Am I delirious ¶
¶ Or do I feel a heartquake? ¶
¶ This is critical ¶
¶ How much can I take? ¶
¶ It's so electrical ¶
¶ I know that it's a heartquake ¶
¶ Love was a stranger ¶
¶ Never at my door ¶
¶ With love came a danger ¶
¶ I never felt before ¶
¶ I was stopped ¶
¶ In my tracks ¶
¶ Too late ¶
¶ There's no turning back ¶
¶ I got the picture ¶
¶ And I got the sound ¶
¶ Every time you're near me ¶
¶ My heart begins to pound ¶
¶ And then I start to shake ¶
¶ Please stop ¶
¶ How much can I take? ¶
¶ You can't be serious ¶
¶ There must be some mistake ¶
¶ Am I delirious ¶
¶ Or do I feel a heartquake? ¶
¶ This is critical ¶
¶ How much can I take? ¶
¶ It's so electrical ¶
¶ I know that it's a heartquake ¶
¶ You've got imagination ¶
¶ Let's put it to the test ¶
¶ Tell me what I'm thinking ¶
¶ See if you can guess ¶
¶ I want you now... ¶