BROADCAST DATE: Sunday, December 20, 1998, TNT. Reprise: Friday, December 25, 1998, TNT.
DESCRIPTION: Top contemporary artists and groups including Mary J. Blige, Tracy Chapman, Eric Clapton, Sheryl Crow, Jon Bon Jovi, Run-D.M.C. and Vanessa Williams, perform favorite holiday songs in "A VERY SPECIAL CHRISTMAS FROM WASHINGTON, DC", a concert to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Special Olympics movement. Lynda Carter and her husband Robert Altman are among the guests.

	Also Known As: "A Very Special Christmas From Washington, D.C. - A Celebration of Special Olympics". Broadcast Network: TNT. Time slots: 8:00 P.M. on Dec. 20, and 9:30 P.M. on Dec. 25. Hosts: WHOPPI GOLDBERG. Performing Artists: Mary J. Blige, Jon Bon Jovi, Tracy Chapman, Eric Clapton, Sheryl Crow, Run DMC, and Vanessa Williams. Director: Joel Gallen. Executive Producers: Bobby Shriver, Sandy Shapiro. Producer: Joel Gallen. Coordinating Producer: Jay Karas. Line Producer: Bill Urban. Production Design: Roy Bennett, Jeremy Railton. Lightning Designer: Allen Branton. Associate Director: Michale Dempsey. Production Accountant: Alan Reback.
EPISODE SYNOPSIS: A line-up of major contemporary music stars join The President and Mrs. Clinton in Washington, DC for a star-studded concert event to celebrate a milestone - the 30th anniversary of the Special Olympics. The concert special is the first-ever live event and ensuing telecast of performances by music artists who are from A Very Special Christmas series of benefit albums. Proceeds from the sales of these five Keith Haring-designed holiday music albums have raised more than $45 million for Special Olympics Programs around the world. "This Christmas concert offers Special Olympics the chance to not only recognize the achievements of the athletes but also honor the families who every day fight for the rights of their children that others take for granted," said Special Olympics President and CEO Timothy P. Shriver. Featuring the warm, vibrant sounds of B.B. King's guitar, Stevie Wonder's keyboards and Macy Gray's unmistakable voice among others, the "Very Special Christmas in Washington D.C." concert also celebrated the lifetime achievements of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who in 1968 founded the global program of sports training and competition for people with mental disabilities. For one colorful night the White House shed its stately image for its 340 guests and became the stage of an exceptional tribute to the spirit and achievements of over one million athletes in more than 160 countries.

© 1998 by Tenth Planet Production and Turner Network Television, Inc. A Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved

			RUNNING TIME:	00:74:00 [90 minutes including commercials].
			VHS:	Not available on commercial video.
			DVD:	Not available on commercial video.
			INFO:	LYNDA CARTER appears as one of the guest with her husband Robert Altman.
			VIDEO:	[1]  "A VERY SPECIAL CHRISTMAS FROM WASHINGTON, D.C.". Video clip.
			TRIVIA:	[•] The event was taped on December 17 as part of a Washington, D.C. dinner to honor the heroic achievements of a generation of Special Olympics athletes.
				[•] Since the Christmas Record Grant Program's inception in 1987, Special Olympics has used the funds for worthwhile and innovative training initiatives around the world.
				[•] The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for individuals with mental retardation by giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

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