In an unusual move that demonstrates the universal popularity of Scottish singer Susan Boyle, her debut television special will premier in the U.K. and the U.S. on the same day.
“I Dreamed a Dream: The Susan Boyle Story” will hit the air Sunday at 8 p.m. EST on TV Guide Network. The hour-long program also airs Sunday on Britain’s ITV1.
The show features Boyle performing songs from her runaway smash debut album – which moved another 527,000 copies in the States the past week, earning it the top spot for highest second week sales of 2009.
Joining the singer are “American Idol” and “Britain’s Got Talent” judge Simon Cowell and celebrities like Donny Osmond and Elaine Paige who have been moved by her story.
Despite her rapid rise from obscurity to the world stage, the once Plain Jane Boyle, who admits to “mad hair” and “bushy eyebrows,” insists her life is pretty much the same.
“No, I am still the same person I always was – the wee lady from Blackburn,” the singer said. “I still live in the same house, I still like the same things.
“I have never wanted to change, I have only ever wanted to be a professional singer, and perhaps that’s the only way in which I think differently of myself now: I feel like a professional.”
Of course there’s also the matter of the considerable sum of money attached to having an album that’s a worldwide best seller. Boyle has a couple of typically pragmatic Scottish plans for that.
“I will probably be able to buy the house I live in, which was my family home, which is fantastic,” she explained. “I don’t have any other big ambitions really. I have bought some new furniture. You’ve got to keep your house looking nice, haven’t you?
“I would like to do something good with the money – be useful to other people, help them. I have a few ideas in mind.”
Whatever Boyle does now, she'll be doing alone – for the time being at least.
"Och, there's not time for that now. I'm far to busy," the singer said. "There was a TV company that wanted to set me up with a man. Apparently he was a nice man, but I've got my living to do now. I don't mind being friendly, but no marriage plans yet."
Thursday, December 10
Steve Harvey – “The Ellen DeGeneres Show”
Jackie, Jermain, Tito & Marlon Jackson – “The Bonnie Hunt Show”
John Caparulo, Ross Mathews – “Chelsea Lately”
Hilary Duff – “Lopez Tonight”
Tori Amos – “Late Show with David Letterman”
Barry Manilow – “The Jay Leno Show”
30 Seconds to Mars – “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien”
Blakroc – “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon”
Timbaland – “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”
Howie Mandel – “Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson”
The xx – “Last Call with Carson Daly”
Friday, December 11
Selena Gomez & the Scene – “The Ellen DeGeneres Show”
Howie Mandel – “The Bonnie Hunt Show”
Shirley Caesar – “The Tavis Smiley Show”
Billy Gardell, Heather McDonald, Chris Hardwick – “Chelsea Lately” – rerun
Joe Perry – “Late Show with David Letterman”
Tony Bennett – “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien”
Ray Romano, Mighty Mighty Bosstones – “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”
Snoop Dogg – “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon”
They Might Be Giants – “Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson”
Anya Marina – “Last Call with Carson Daly”
Saturday, December 12
The Decemberists, Explosions in the Sky – “Austin City Limits” – rerun
Bon Jovi – “Saturday Night Live”