2012 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade: The Wanted, Carly Rae Jepsen, and more
Welcome to the 2012 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade! Just as we have in years past, we are going to have updates from the entire occasion airing on NBC. There are music numbers, celebrity guests, and of course the example of product placement for all other shows now. Maybe it’s just that Macy’s is so ingrained into our heads at this point, this is the one show where we don’t mind seeing ads for the department store all over the place.
Before we delve too deep into the show itself, we probably should comment on Matt Lauer and Savannah Guthrie as a hosting duo. While these two do a pretty solid job now on “The Today Show,” it just feels awkward for the parade, as Guthrie does not have the same sort of charm that previously worked for the show when Katie Couric or Meredith Vieira were on board. Even Ann Curry managed to feel a little less forced here.
Now, some live updates from the special! Be sure to keep coming back throughout the show for more, and we will do our best to keep things cheery for the holiday. (All the times below are Eastern Standard.)
9:18 – We had our first appearance from a TV star in “Chicago Fire’s” Taylor Kinney, who we have jokingly called “Mr. Gaga” in the past. We’ll be a little nicer to the guy here, since his show has at least managed to get picked up for a full season.
9: 23 – Matthew Broderick is here! Matthew Broderick has quite possibly the kindest face out of anyone in Hollywood, don’t you think?
9:40 – Giancarlo Esposito shows up to talk about “Revolution” with Al Roker, but there are two thoughts that enter our mind upon watching him: the man will always be Gus Fring to us, and he apparently left the box cutter at home.
9:54 – It’s the Rockettes! Their performance is at least somewhat similar every year, but it still manages to leave a mark (though that mark may be from some of these ladies accidentally kicking the ceiling).
10:08 – You have to love the heavy-handedness of the Thanksgiving Day Parade. First, we had Texans portrayed as stereotypical cowgirls; and then, Canadian Carly Rae Jepsen was on a float featuring hockey players.
10:15 – The show goes on for Elmo. Despite Kevin Clash resigning as the voice behind the popular character, “Sesame Street” still had the puppet front and center during their annual float.
10:28 – Karmin did the traditional lip-sync performance, and we are pleased to report that the female half of this duo no longer looks just like Jessie J.
10:38 – P.S. 22 recently performed Phillip Phillips’ “Home” with the former “American Idol” winner, so it should not be a surprise that the fantastic singing group did the same performance here sans the singer.
10:44 – The Wanted has succeeded once again in their quest to appear on every single show known to man within the last week, as they now have added this show to their roster (which already includes “Dancing with the Stars” and the American Music Awards).
11:04 – FTlo Rida is clearly given thanks for his ridiculously expensive sunglasses.
11:28 – Colbie Caillat wins the award for most convincing singer on the day, as she legitimately looked like she was trying to rock it out on her float.
11: 37 – It’s a Rachel Crow sighting! Why wasn’t she announced during the pre-show introduction as being a part of the show?
11:47 – Cody Simpson is growing up fast; not only that, but he is starting to look for like Draco Malfoy.
11:55 – Santa Claus is here; and with that, the holiday season is officially upon us! Of course, don’t start drinking the eggnog yet … we still have turkey to eat.
Thanks everyone to checking our parade highlights, and of course come back all day for more Thanksgiving Day TV highlights, including the National Dog show and a new episode of “Glee.”