Canadian funnyman Russell Peters is defending his choice of Pamela Anderson to play the Virgin Mary in his upcoming Christmas special, saying "come on, give the chick a break already."
Peters said Anderson was a perfect choice for a role in "A Russell Peters Christmas Special," which he described as an irreverent 1970s-style variety show.
"We had written the sketch and we didn't know who we were putting in it and we thought hey Pam Anderson is Canadian, we can use more Canadian people in this show," Peters told Â鶹´«Ã½ Channel.
"I didn't even think of the other side of Pam Anderson which is so long ago, it's like come on, give the chick a break already."
Anderson first rose to fame with her role as the buxom lifeguard C.J. Parker on Baywatch. She later achieved infamy with her on-again, off-again marriage to Tommy Lee, two leaked sex tapes and a stint as a Playboy Playmate.
Anderson will play Mary opposite Peters as Joseph. The show will also include a performance by Michael Buble, who will sing while surrounded by dancing lingerie models, and sketches by Jon Lovitz and Love Boat star Ted Lange.
News of Anderson's casting inspired cheeky headlines around the world such as "Pammy's a born again virgin" in Australia's Herald Sun.
But not surprisingly some Christian publications bristled at the announcement.
Tom Nalesnik, a pastor and contributor to the Boston Liberal Christian Examiner, wondered about the tone Peters would take in the sketch.
"The question is, will Russell Peters be doing his comedic send-up of Christmas in a positive way, or is he simply going for cheap laughs, in order to deride and mock the Christmas story? If his intent is to put down the faith, then that is certainly unfair and uncalled for, and worthy of outrage," Nalesnik wrote.
Peter said the show will be somewhat "irreverent" but said "there's nothing unholy about it" and suggested viewers should tune in ready for a lighthearted but fun evening.
"It's like watching a show from the 1970s where it was a little more irreverent and it was more about having a good time and seeing a bunch of funny friends hanging out and being goofballs."
A Russell Peters Christmas Special will air on CTV on Dec. 1 and on the Comedy Network on Dec. 10.
