Who can resist the idea of Pam Anderson playing the Virgin Mary?

Not 2.1 million Canadians, apparently.

A Russell Peters Christmas became the network’s highest-rated Canadian holiday special ever Thursday night, and the most-watched Christmas special on Canadian TV in 16 years, according to BBM Canada overnight data.

The special peaked with 2.5 million viewers and took the night in total viewers in all key demos, a release from CTV stated.

The Canadian comic was joined in the one-hour special by the likes of Michael Buble, Anderson and Scott Thompson.

The special was produced by Round 2 It Entertainment and CPI Pictures, in association with Insight Productions and Bell Media.