By Geno McGahee
Hallmark keeps on pumping them out and this is one of their new ones. Dean Cain from GOD’S NOT DEAD and Melissa Joan Hart from GOD’S NOT DEAD 2 team up for this Xmas romantic drama. I know that most people know Dean Cain from SUPERMAN and Melissa Joan Hart from SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH, but I am a fan of the GOD’S NOT DEAD series. Those two films were incredible fun and Cain’s role as the bad guy in the first and Joan Hart’s role as the teacher fighting for her faith in the second was pure gold. In BROADCASTING CHRISTMAS, we have a decent watch but there isn’t much of an edge to it. I know Hallmark holiday films are not known for their edge, but sometimes they get it right. I think the crowd they’re catering to could deal with some spice or action in there.
Veronika Daniels (Jackee Harry) needs a new co-host for her popular morning TV show. So, they throw it out to four potentials, including Charlie (Cain), a local reporter, Emily (Joan Hart), a news anchor from Connecticut, Kate (Joanna Howard), a cutthroat journalist, ready to stomp over whoever it takes, and a former star athlete, Jimmy Eubanks (Todd Litzinger). Emily got her shot in this race with an unexpected plea on live TV. Of course it goes viral on YouTube, which is a new trend that I’m seeing in these Hallmark films. At least they are keeping up with the times.
Charlie and Emily have a history. They used to be an item and were both going for a reporter gig in New York, but Charlie got it and they broke up. They are now pitted against each other again and Emily vows to win this time. Charlie seems to have been hardened by the city and also pursues this job relentlessly. Eubanks, the former athlete, is immediately removed from the running with his inability to string any words together. So, there are now only three.
Emily is let in on a little secret from Kate. The decision has been made and was made from the start. They chose Kate for the spot but thought the competition would bring the show big ratings and it did. Emily later learns that Charlie’s victory over her years before was rigged when his father called in a favor. Charlie was unaware of it, but it adds to Emily’s frustration and her urgency to return to Connecticut. Charlie wants to rekindle their relationship and wants to make things right and convinces her to cover the world’s oldest fruitcake. She does, but the tension continues to rise.
After shooting the piece, Emily leaves but discovers that it is going to air. Charlie edited it together and gave his former squeeze all the credit. The piece goes off incredibly well and launches the duo as a new team for the network. It also brings Charlie and Emily back together as a couple. Now that they are linked on the show, let’s hope that their relationship goes well this time. Working together while in a relationship is a difficult thing, but this is a Hallmark film. I’m guessing they’ll have a happy ending.
BROADCASTING CHRISTMAS isn’t too bad. The cast is very strong and both Cain and Joan Hart bring a lot to it. I was also happy to see Richard Kline in this. I love THREE’S COMPANY and Larry was a great character. I’m glad he’s still acting, but it would have been nice to see him in a larger role. Then again, I wish he reprised his role as Larry. Maybe Emily moves into the old apartment Jack and Janet used to live in and Larry is still next door. No? OK. I’ll just watch the old series and enjoy that. It was also nice to see Jackee.
I recommend BROADCASTING CHRISTMAS. It was too soft around the edges, but it had its charm and the cast put their all into it.
Rating: 5.5/10
