Roy Wood Jr.'s Holiday Special 'It's Christmas, Eve' Put on Hold by CNN

Well, folks, it looks like a little bit of holiday cheer is going to have to wait. In news that’s probably not entirely surprising given the current climate, CNN has officially put the brakes on the tapings for comedian Roy Wood Jr.’s upcoming holiday special, It's Christmas, Eve.

Originally, plans were set for the special to be recorded on November 14th and 15th, right there in Atlanta at the Georgia Tech Arts Skyline Studio. The goal, of course, was to get it ready to air sometime in December, just in time for us all to get into the festive spirit. But, as you might have guessed, the ongoing WGA strike has thrown a rather large wrench into those plans.

You see, Roy Wood Jr. isn't just a phenomenal comedian and a correspondent we've all come to love from The Daily Show; he's also a proud and active member of the Writers Guild of America. And when you're a WGA member, performing new material or really anything that would be covered under a WGA contract during a strike, well, that's just not how it works. It would essentially mean crossing the picket line, something a staunch supporter like Wood Jr. would never even consider.

He's been incredibly vocal, actually, even going so far as to host the WGA Awards this year, showing his unwavering solidarity. So, for him to go ahead with a new comedy special, which inherently requires new jokes, new sketches, new writing, simply wouldn't be right. It makes perfect sense, really, both from a solidarity standpoint and just respecting the integrity of the strike.

What does this mean for It's Christmas, Eve then? Good news for fans: it’s not canceled, just postponed. CNN and Wood Jr. have reportedly agreed to push back the production, with hopes of rescheduling the special for the next holiday season in 2024. It’s a bit of a bummer for those of us looking forward to some much-needed laughter this year, but it’s an understandable and, frankly, admirable move.

It just goes to show you how far-reaching the effects of this strike truly are, impacting not just major film and TV productions, but also beloved holiday specials. Here's hoping that by next year, the WGA will have secured a fair deal, and we can all enjoy Roy Wood Jr.’s festive humor, completely guilt-free.