Our discussion here will focus primarily on the '77 Christmas special, as it is by far the stronger of the two.  Yet both remind us of how far we've come in television.  The graphics, the cheesy soundstage, and the hokey scripts for each simply reek of being overproduced but, somehow, the charisma of Cash pulls things through.  On top of that, it doesn't hurt that Cash surrounds himself with some top-notch guests, among them The Statler Brothers, wife June Carter Cash, and Roy Clark.  But what sets the '77 special apart is Cash's timely honoring of Sun Records and the memory of recently departed friend Elvis Presley.

Cash brings together three of his friends from those Sun recording days and the result is simply great music.  Carl Perkins, the original artist to write and record "Blue Suede Shoes" steps up to the plate looking older but still sounding great while Roy Orbison brings his signature classic "Pretty Woman" to life once again.  Then "The Killer" himself, Jerry Lee Lewis, steps to the stage and hammers home a rousing version of "Whole Lot Of Shakin' Going On" as well as a rendering of holiday favorite "White Christmas."  Lastly, in honor of Elvis, the four join together for a gospel send-up with "This Train is Bound for Glory," with Cash and Lewis stealing the show.

But this is ultimately a Christmas special and yes, there are Christmas songs here.  Cash himself offers up "Christmas Time's A-Comin'" and is backed by the Statler's for "Blue Christmas."  He and Clark trade off on "Here Comes Santa Claus" and "Frosty the Snow Man" but it's ultimately near the show's end when collaborative versions of songs like "Silent Night," "O Little Town of Bethlehem," and "Children Go Where I Send Thee" that things really hit their seasonal stride.

Alternately, the '76 special stands on it's own right but is perhaps more suited to the hardcore Cash fan.  With guest spots by Tony Orlando (who simply comes across as silly), Roy Clark, and The Carter Family, this special simply seems dated.  Badly written dialogue, poor sets, and sub-par arrangements, such as a Stephen Foster medley, lean toward dating this with only a surprisingly blatant Christmas message from evangelist Billy Graham standing out as a positive highlight.  It's fun to watch for fans but those on the fence will be easily turned off.

The Johnny Cash Christmas Special, in either incarnation, is a great look back at the past, at the life, faith, and celebratory spirit of a music legend.  The mixed crew of performers and the mixture of material alternately make for fun and occasionally laughable watching.  Dire fans of Cash will find these specials to be a generous addition to their collections while nominal fans are better left to search elsewhere for holiday inspiration.

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