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Patti LaBelle’s "Where my background singers?" Performance of "This Christmas" Is A Black Camp Classic
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Episode Description
It’s the holidays, and you know what that means on Queue Points: it’s time to talk holiday cheer … and foolishness. Jay Ray and DJ Sir Daniel revisit Patti LaBelle’s infamous 1996 performance of “This Christmas” for the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, where everything that could go wrong absolutely did – no background singers, cue cards [with the lyrics] out of order, and Patti onstage begging, “Where my background singers?” while still belting for her life. The hosts dig into what actually happened behind the scenes and how this one night turned into a yearly meme and a Black camp classic folks quote every December.
From Jay Leno and Watch What Happens Live to the legendary Patti Pie era, Jay Ray and Sir Daniel also walk through other moments where Miss Patti broke the internet and reminded everyone why she’s a national treasure with an unmatched sense of humor. This episode is part love letter, part cultural autopsy, and part holiday hangout, perfect to throw on while you’re trimming the tree, wrapping gifts, or rewatching Patti ask for “the next card, honey” one more time.
Key takeaways:
- How a mistimed entrance, wrong cue cards, and late background singers turned “This Christmas” into peak Black camp instead of a holiday standard.
- Why the performance vanished into archives for years and then found new life as a social media holiday classic that people now rewatch every season.
- Patti’s own reflections on the night, from joking about the disaster with Jay Leno in the 90s to later “not remembering” the moment on Watch What Happens Live.
- How Patti’s other viral moments – the Tyra Banks cupcake segment and the Walmart Patti Pie explosion – cemented her status as a meme-able diva for multiple generations.
- Why Jay Ray and DJ Sir Daniel see this performance as a joyful tradition and proof that even a hot mess can become a cherished cultural artifact.
Links to Content Referenced in This Episode
- James Wright Chanel on The Patti Labelle Pie
- Patti LaBelle and Lisa Lillien on The Tyra Banks Show
- Patti LaBelle’s ‘Where Are My Background Singers?’ Moment | WWHL - After Andy Cohen shows Patti LaBelle a clip of her “This Christmas” performance that went viral, Patti says she doesn’t remember the “where are my background singers?” moment.
- Patti Labelle on Jay Leno In 1996 Discussing 'This Christmas' Performance - Brandon Fonseca (@bless_bands) 31 likes, 3 comments - bless_bands on December 4, 2024: “Throwback Patti talking about the viral “Where My Background Singers” moment @mspattilabelle explaining what happened the night after singing “This Christmas” at the Christmas Tree Lighting on @nbcjayleno 🤣 MUA: @derrick4mkup #PattiLaBelle #Jayleno #LateNight #WhereMyBackgroundsingers #Chrsitmas #Comedy #Legendary”.
- Patti LaBelle video from 1996 national tree lighting has become a family tradition for saxophonist - Nearly 30 years later, the video of Labelle desperately calling, “Where my background singers!” while frantically asking for faster cue cards has become iconic.
- National Christmas Tree Lighting, December 5, 1996 - C-SPAN - In the annual Pageant of Peace, President Clinton pressed the button to light the national Christmas tree, dedicating it to peace, love and the young people of the world. He said, "Let us rejoice that our nation is at peace." Ms. LaBelle, the Children's Choir from Roanoke, Virginia, the Mannheim Steamroller band and young dancers from the Washington Ballet performed seasonal numbers. Willard Scott celebrated his 25th year as Santa Claus for the pageant.
Chapter Markers
00:00 Intro Theme
00:16 Introduction and Holiday Vibes
00:47 The Infamous Patti LaBelle Performance
01:39 Behind the Scenes: What Went Wrong?
09:54 Patti LaBelle's Internet Moments
15:53 Patti LaBelle's Iconic Sweet Potato Pie
19:22 Closing Remarks and Holiday Wishes
20:18 Outro Theme
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