Introduction
This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.Find sources: "Christmas in Kabul" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (May 2019) (Learn how and when to remove this message) 2003 Canadian TV series or program Christmas in KabulWritten byPaul MatherRick MercerDirected byGeoff D'EonCountry of originCanadaOriginal languageEnglishOriginal releaseNetworkCBCRelease2003 (2003) Christmas in Kabul is a CBC Christmas special about comedian Rick Mercer going to Afghanistan to bring Christmas cheer to the Canadian troops stationed outside Kabul. Music stars Damhnait Doyle, Kevin Fox and Tom Cochrane accompanied Mercer to Camp Julien, where many of the troops live in large tents. It originally aired December 21, 2003, on CBC.
Why It Still Works As a Holiday Pick‑Up
Even though the special aired in 2003, its blend of gentle humor and frontline humanity feels oddly timeless. Rick Mercer’s modest, self‑deprecating style lets viewers connect with soldiers far from home without turning the piece into a propaganda reel. The inclusion of live acoustic performances by Canadian musicians adds a warm, almost acoustic‑folk soundtrack that feels like a cosy living‑room gathering, making it a low‑key alternative to the usual high‑octane Christmas blockbusters.
How to Get It On Your Festive Trolley
The programme isn’t on the major streaming platforms, but CBC’s online archive still offers a downloadable version for a modest fee, and a handful of retro DVD compilations include it as a bonus feature. Check your local library’s digital catalogue – many UK libraries now hold international TV collections and will let you stream it for free with a library card. If you’re buying a DVD, look for the “CBC Christmas Classics” set; it bundles this special with other low‑key holiday fare, providing more bang for your pound.
What Viewers Often Miss
Most viewers focus on the novelty of a comedian in a war zone, but the real heart of the special is the quiet moments between the troops – the shared jokes, the makeshift decorations, and the improvisation of a Christmas dinner in canvas tents. These snippets give a rare glimpse of how ordinary soldiers create their own festive rituals, reminding us that holiday spirit isn’t bound to a fireplace; it can thrive wherever people choose to share a laugh and a song.