"American Idol" runner-up Clay Aiken says he hopes his Christmas TV special buries the competing Billboard Music Awards Wednesday.
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"A Clay Aiken Christmas," which is airing on NBC, offers a different and more wholesome kind of program than the BMA ceremony in Las Vegas, where show producers are planning to make fun of him, he said.
"I did the Billboard awards last year and was completely embarrassed at how trashy they are," recalled Aiken, who released a holiday album, "Merry Christmas With Love," last month. "I brought my mom with me, and they were just smutty -- 'bleep' this and 'bleep' that. It was so embarrassing.
"So I'm thrilled and I think a lot of people will be thrilled there's a family alternative at the same time so people can have something else to watch that's family-related and won't offend them."
Aiken's special will feature guest appearances by Barry Manilow, Yolanda Adams and "Will & Grace" co-star Megan Mullally. It will be released on DVD next Tuesday.
