Jennifer Hudson's 'I'll Be Home For Christmas' Concert Special Airs 12/13; Michael Buble Guest Stars

As previously announced, Jennifer Hudson, the multitalented actress-singer whose accolades include an Academy Award for the movie "Dreamgirls" and a Grammy for "Best R&B Album," heads back to her hometown of Chicago to share childhood memories of the music, people and places that set the stage for her  success in her first television special, "Jennifer Hudson: I'll Be Home for Christmas."  Today, ABC has announced that the air date will be Monday, December 14 from 8:00-9:00 p.m., EST on the ABC Television Network.

Joining Hudson in her first holiday music special is guest Grammy Award winner Michael Buble, whose new CD "Crazy Love" debuted last month at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 Chart. Buble is set to perform the Christmas classics "Baby It's Cold Outside" and "Let It Snow" as duets with Hudson. Hudson will also perform holiday hits such as "Silent Night," "The Christmas Song" and "O Holy Night."

The special will be produced by Tall Pony Productions. Tony Eaton serves as executive producer and David Mallet as director. Rickey Minor serves as the musical director.

Hudson relives her childhood Christmases with musical performances shot on location at the small neighborhood church where she brought the congregation to its feet week after week; the music academy where she studied; and other Chicago sites. Hudson also visits with family members, childhood friends and others whose influences have been instrumental in her rise from humble beginnings to Hollywood stardom.

"I am thrilled that Jennifer chose ABC to be the home for her very first holiday special," said Vicki Dummer, senior vice president, Alternative Series, Specials and Late-Night, ABC Entertainment Group. "I can't wait to hear her take on Christmas classics as we discover what she loves about her hometown of Chicago."

In addition to winning an Academy Award, Hudson's breakout performance in "Dreamgirls" also brought her a Golden Globe Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, a BAFTA and an NAACP Image Award. She has also been honored by the Broadcast Film Critics Association, the National Board of Review and as "Entertainer of the Year" at the Soul Train Awards. Hudson's self-titled first album won a Grammy Award for "Best R&B Album." The album also won three awards at the 2009 NAACP Image Awards including "Best Album." The RIAA Gold Certified album marked the biggest first week sales for an R&B entry since 2004.

More recently, Hudson has continued to build impressive film credits and demonstrate her range in the films "The Secret Life of Bees" and "Sex and the City: The Movie." She performed the national anthem at the 2009 Super Bowl, and she had her debut national tour, co-headlining with Robin Thicke, earlier this year.

The special will be produced by Tall Pony Productions. Tony Eaton serves as executive producer and David Mallet as director.

Tall Pony Productions is one of the leaders in innovative television programming, and the winner of three Grammy awards. The scores of the shows produced under the Tall Pony banner are distinguished by the freshness they bring to the various forms. For example, executive producer Anthony Eaton pioneered expanding music specials form from simply shooting a concert, to getting behind the scenes and into the personality of the artist. He ended the claustrophobia of award shows by adding segments out of the auditoriums and into the streets, the dressing rooms, and in one notable case the men's room. His most recent television collaboration was with Kanye West on the Glow In The Dark tour.