Hudson and Foxx to Appear on 'Elmo's Christmas Countdown'

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Jennifer Hudson and Jamie Foxx - recently seen together onscreen in Dreamgirls - will be joined by an array of Muppets, musicians and movie stars for "Elmo's Christmas Countdown," which will air as a one-hour special on ABC this holiday season.

The concert will "feature the celebrities helping host Elmo count down the days leading up to Christmas."  Also taking part are: Ben Stiller (who will voice Stiller the Elf, a narrating muppet made in the comedian's image), Tony Sirico and Steve Schirippa (both of "The Sopranos"), Brad Pennington ("Extreme Makeover: Home Edition"), Alicia Keys, Sheryl Crow, Brad Paisley.  The latter three, as well as Foxx and Hudson, will perform musical numbers, while Sirico and Schirippa will appear as Bert and Ernie in a comic sketch.  Muppets Big Bird, Grover, Oscar, the Count and Snuffleupagus will also make appearances.

Former "American Idol" finalist Hudson received an Oscar for playing Effie in Bill Condon's screen version of Dreamgirls. Oscar-winner Foxx, who previously won an Oscar for Ray, played Curtis Taylor, Jr. in the movie musical.

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Photo of Jennifer Hudson by Retna Ltd.