The 'N Sync 'N Timate Holiday Special aired on Fox Thursday night, November 30th, and I'm sure millions of teenage girls and probably a few guys (we all know you're out there) tuned in to watch America's reigning "boy band" deliver their first network Christmas special. And I'm sure all of you expected some pretty awesome, complex and high energy choreography to Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree or something. High energy, we got - but I bet you were pretty surprised to find the five guys on a small stage in front of only about 200 fans in this intimate (hence the title) Orlando concert. There was no rehearsed choreography, lines, song intros, costume changes and so on in this special that was actually successful in delivering the Christmas spirit while they performed mostly non-Christmas material. I would venture to guess that even the parents of those who watched actually enjoyed what they were seeing and hearing.

I've been an admirer of 'N Sync's sound, performance and harmonies since they released I Drive Myself Crazy. But never have they, or any other "boy band," been brave and courageous enough to strip away the pyrotechnics, high powered choreography of the millions odd screaming fans to present straight, very well performed music. And it wasn't like they stood around and sang like their CD - that is the furthest thing from the truth. Their passion for the music really came through in this concert more than ever before. Besides that, fans were treated to new and creative arrangements of their biggest hits.

The concert opened with Bye Bye Bye. This wasn't the one you heard over and over and over on the radio into the beginning of last summer, instead the song was rearranged with a smooth reggae beat. I know that sounds odd - but it fit the song amazingly. They followed with You Don't Have to Be Alone from The Grinch soundtrack. JC gave a little insight on the creation of the song and what the song means to him personally.

Then, out comes Richard Marx, writer of 'N Sync's current top ten This I Promise You, who played piano and sang the song as a duet, again giving the song a slightly different feel. The guys were all gathered around his beautiful grand piano (one that I wouldn't mind having in my living room).

I think JC said it best about a half hour into the program when he said, "All right, this is a Christmas special so I think its time we do a Christmas song." Now this is where 'N Sync shines brightest! And this is where they prove themselves far superior from the over-produced, manufactured, emotionless "boy band" standard. They did an a capella arrangement of O Holy Night, I'll just say WOW!!! This was truly unbelievable - the harmonies were so tight, the emotion so strong. Plus this was one of those rare moments where Lance shines. Lance rarely, if ever, gets any solos, but his bass line on this song was so strong and grounding that the higher voices were able to float up above him perfectly. Lance made theirs into the best version of O Holy Night that I can think of ever hearing.

Through the entire, hour long, program there were short segments inserted that highlighted each of the five members. We got some insight into some of the songs from JC, we got to see Justin in the studio with Brian McKnight, learned a bit about the entertainment management group that Lance is head of and things like that. These, of course, are always interesting - but the music was so good I would rather have had a few more songs in the place of them.

The finale was a "funky style," as Lance put it, arrangement of their number one hit It's Gonna Be Me. Lance was right - "funky" sums it up. I'm not sure how to put it into words but it was a lot of fun. And best of all, it was easy to see that the guys were genuinely having fun with it as well. There were some vocally playful moments going on, and that really made the song stand out. Again, not what you would have expected.

The only complaint I had was GIVE US MORE!! This special really was unique and I believe that it will stand out among the onslaught of Christmas specials this year. So if you missed this Holiday gem - catch the rerun (I'm sure there will be one) or find somebody who taped it (I'm sure that won't be hard) because, as I said, this is something you don't see everyday, unlike everything else on tv these days (granted this tv season is pretty good, but I'm just trying to drive my point home). 'N Sync seems to have come into their own by doing the previously undone - remember their brilliant performance on the MTv Music Video Awards. I hope and expect to see them push the envelope even further as time progresses.

Robert Bach is a writer and musician and former entertainment editor for an East Coast publication.

Got a problem? Email Robert at filmmonthly@hotmail.com