A Very Murray Christmas

It's a gleeful display of song and dance that conjures a fleeting nostalgia and exhilaration that even the hardest of hearts can fall for in late December.

Murray decides to improvise a boozy party for stranded hotel guests and workers. It’s here, after a sputtery start, that the irony thaws and a warm, lovely spirit takes hold.

All in all, while not an absolutely great Christmas special since it struggles to find its footing at times plot-wise, it's worth watching for the celebrity cameos and the raucous and at times hilarious singing.

When the special drags a bit, it feels as if Netflix, the anti-Scrooge of this free-spending TV era, has paid Murray and Coppola to film a champagne-infused holiday shindig with their friends. Still, A Very Murray Christmas has a sweetness to it that keeps it from lapsing fully into self-indulgence. At its best, the proceedings keep alive the spirit of the Bob Hope-Bing Crosby road pictures

A special that spits and sputters when the star is required to play-act himself, but comes breezily to life when he dispenses with the semi-serious put-on, and goes full raconteur. The ghost of Nick Winters haunts the proceedings of A Very Murray Christmas more than a little.

The show certainly has plenty of diverse star power--Chris Rock, Amy Poehler and Michael Cera also appear along the way--but its shaggy approach wears thin until Cyrus shows up. Then again, save the best gift for last.

The result is a show that probably isn’t destined for repeat viewings but provides a few wry moments and even a listenable song or two.