Posted on 08/03/2020 10:40:53 AM PDT by EdnaMode
Your move, Hallmark!
Lifetime announced on Monday as part of its virtual Television Critics Association summer press tour that, following last year’s Twinkle All the Way (which featured a same-sex kiss between characters played by Brian Sills and Mark Ghanimé), the cabler has greenlit The Christmas Set-Up, its first movie with a LGBTQ romance as the lead story. The synopsis reads:
Hugo, a New York corporate lawyer and his best friend Madelyn head to Milwaukee to spend the holidays with his mom Kate, who is also in charge of the local Christmas celebrations. Ever the matchmaker, Kate arranges for Hugo to run into Patrick, Hugo’s high school friend and secret crush, who has recently returned after a successful stint in Silicon Valley. As they enjoy the local holiday festivities together, Hugo and Patrick’s attraction to each other is undeniable and it looks as though Kate’s well-intentioned Santa-style matchmaking is a success. But as Hugo receives word of a big promotion requiring a move to London, he must decide what is most important to him.
Additionally, Lifetime has ordered its first holiday movie centered on a Chinese-American family; A Sugar & Spice Holiday will be directed by Jennifer Liao and written by Eirene Donohue.
Suzie, a rising young architect, returns to her small hometown in Maine for Christmas where, her Chinese American family runs the local Lobster Bar. Following the loss of her beloved grandmother who was a legendary baker in their community, Suzie is guilted into following in her grandmother’s footsteps by entering the local gingerbread house competition. Teaming up with an old high school friend Billy, who grew up to be a catch, Suzie must find the right recipes and mix of sugar and spice to win the competition and perhaps find some love in the process.
Casting is currently underway on both movies, with production set to begin this month.
“We are thrilled to continue our legacy of creating a holiday destination that is welcoming to all at Lifetime,” Lifetime and LMN programming EVP Amy Winter said in a statement. “With more new movies than any one cable network for streamer, I couldn’t be prouder of the incredible talent joining us in front of, and behind the camera, on these new holiday movies.”
Christmas movie rival Hallmark Channel, of course, has been called out for never highlighting LGBTQ couples in its stories. What’s more, Hallmark famously pulled an advertisement for a wedding-planning website that showed a lesbian wedding. At the time, Hallmark claimed, “The debate surrounding these commercials on all sides was distracting from the purpose of our network, which is to provide entertainment value.” Days (and much backlash) later, though, the channel reversed that “wrong” decision, saying “we are truly sorry for the hurt and disappointment this has caused.” Weeks later, Crown Media Family Networks Chief Executive Officer Bill Abbott stepped down after 11 years.
Crown Media’s VP of Publicity, however, just last month told Newsweek, “Diversity and inclusion is a top priority for us and we look forward to making some exciting programming announcements in the coming months, including announcements about projects featuring LGBTQ storylines, characters, and actors. We are committed to creating a Hallmark experience where everyone feels welcome.”
Cable TV is making it easier & easier to not watch anything at all. There is one very elderly person in my household who can do little else besides watch TV; otherwise, we’d get rid of cable entirely and save a rather nice chunk of money every month.
I don’t think I’ve turned my TV on once in the last 2 months. If I want to see what is going on in the world, I get online where I can pick/choose my sources.
Perfect. The more these pukes bellow their beliefs and desires, the more people who turn off the tube and discover that there is so much more to life than sitting in front of the TV.
I personally cut the cord long ago, and I mainly only have on the TV for the background noise as I tinker around in my hobby room.
Same for pro sports. Don’t miss them one bit at all and I used to have 2 - 3 screens going at one time so I wouldn’t miss anything.
I actually thank these morons for reminding me that life doesn’t revolve around watching others live theirs.
I’m not going to watch , because I don’t care what decisions Hugo makes about his relationship with another man as he ponders getting transferred to London.
No, that's actually Lifetime, not Hallmark.
People still have cable?
Glad I no longer have cable and I don’t have this available to watch.
Because we have too little sodomy on tv, right ?
A ratings disaster that will earn every award the Hollyweird freaks can come up with.
As Ernest would say “EEwheeeeyyyeeeeyyyeeee” Ya know what I mean Vern?
I’m so glad I don’t watch Lifetime anymore.....even their LMN channel sucks....Glad I’m able to watch their classic decent non-teeny bopper movies on Youtube.....
More Yule logs.
When does Lifetime announce the Christmas movie involving children and man love?
These people are sick and crumble under the feather weight of Twitter mobs.
The ratings for this trash will be instructive.
Yuck
Not watching, not buying.
“December Dinnermashers”
Goes along with all the other evil sickness. Those people should have stayed in their closet. I do not appreciate what they have turned America into. It is sin plain and simple. If you disagree take it up with God, I’m only quoting Him.
yech
-PJ
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.