An Unexpected Christmas

An Unexpected Christmas

Bethany Joy Lenz (Emily) may be the best actress Hallmark has ever seen. Tyler Hynes (Jamie) is arguably the most popular leading man in Hallmark history. And Paul Campbell — already beloved as a Hallmark leading man — has also become one of the network’s most talented writers. Put them all together and you get the 2021 Hallmark Christmas favorite: An Unexpected Christmas. When Variety released its 2025 list, “The 25 Best Hallmark Christmas Movies, Ranked,” the Hallmark world exploded with debate… and their #1 pick was none other than An Unexpected Christmas!  In this episode, we cover: • Behind-the-scenes movie fun facts  • Our favorite moments  • Scenes we’d rewrite  • The best supporting characters  • “Are We Sure?” — our ultimate Hallmark logic check  • Whether Emily and Jamie would actually last as a couple  • The multiple kisses… and the letter grades they earned  • Who (or what) truly won the movie  • Our personal — and unbiased — final rating For the love of Hallmark! Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/foreverhallmarkchristmas [http://www.instagram.com/foreverhallmarkchristmas] Email: ForeverHallmarkChristmas@gmail.com *** Not affiliated with Hallmark Media.

Crashing Through the Snow

Hallmark Christmas in July gets a little hotter with Crashing Through the Snow! Starring Amy Acker as Maggie - a divorced mom invited to spend Christmas in Aspen with her ex and his soon-to-be fiancée Kate - the movie takes off when Kate’s charming brother Sam (Warren Christie) unexpectedly arrives home from Japan. The chemistry between Maggie and Sam? Off the charts… and not exactly your typical Hallmark romance. Rich and Rene rave about the sharp script from Tamar Laddy, heartfelt conversations, gorgeous Christmas décor, and Maggie’s endless ability to trip over absolutely everything. Rene wonders why everyone in this town is so unbelievably nice - and why nobody seems more excited that Sam is finally home. Rich, meanwhile, has questions about Maggie’s miraculous ice-skating improvement… and whether Gremlins really belongs on a “best Christmas movie” list. The guys also break down the unforgettable hot springs scene, debate the movie MVP, and react to a final kiss that may rank among Hallmark’s all-time best. Bottom line: this might be one of the steamiest, funniest, and most emotionally honest Christmas movies Hallmark has ever made. For the love of Hallmark! Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/foreverhallmarkchristmas [http://www.instagram.com/foreverhallmarkchristmas] Email: ForeverHallmarkChristmas@gmail.com *** Not affiliated with Hallmark Media.

Christmas in Evergreen: Letters to Santa

It’s Christmas in Evergreen… round two! In Letters to Santa, Jill Wagner and Mark Deklin lead the second installment in Hallmark’s beloved Evergreen franchise. Since the original Christmas in Evergreen earned a pretty strong grade in one of our very first podcast reviews, the big question is: does the sequel deliver the same holiday magic? Rich is thrilled to see Allie — and her iconic red truck — return, loves the movie’s three “almost kisses,” and still considers Evergreen one of Hallmark’s all-time coziest Christmas towns. Rene falls hard for the flashback scenes, the story behind the Christmas letter, and of course… a top-tier cookie decorating montage. But not everything sleighs. Rich wonders if the movie juggles one too many storylines and can’t stop doing the math on Kevin supposedly writing the letter 25 years earlier at age seven. Rene thinks the couple’s first big conflict feels forced and wishes Lisa and Oliver’s relationship had been defined more clearly. The guys also debate the best supporting character, question Evergreen’s apparent shortage of contractors, and wonder why the inn lobby looks ready to host a symphony orchestra. Rene raises an eyebrow at Lisa’s mechanic skills, while Rich nitpicks the final kiss enough to keep it from earning an A-grade. Add in an emotional reveal, a strong ice skating scene, an MVP disagreement, and one of the biggest score splits of the year… and you’ve got another festive Evergreen debate you won’t want to miss. We keep it fun, keep it real, and always… keep it Hallmark Christmas. Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/foreverhallmarkchristmas [http://www.instagram.com/foreverhallmarkchristmas] Email: ForeverHallmarkChristmas@gmail.com *** Not affiliated with Hallmark Media.

It's Christmas, Eve

The same duo that brought us A Kiss Before Christmas — the rare Hallmark movie to earn a PERFECT score from both Rene and Rich - returns as writers Mark Amato (story) and Tracy Andreen (script) deliver It's Christmas, Eve starring LeAnn Rimes and Tyler Hynes - both working with Hallmark for the first time. And the chemistry? Off the charts! Rich crowns LeAnn driving down Main Street during the opening credits - while her own song plays in the background - the ultimate “Boss Move,” while also deeply relating to John’s ongoing battle with bar chords during Liam’s guitar lessons. Rene comes away genuinely impressed by LeAnn’s acting chops and gives major props to one of the most creative Hallmark meet-cutes we’ve seen. The guys also make the case that Tracy Andreen belongs on the Mount Rushmore of Hallmark writers… before boldly attempting to rewrite one of her scenes anyway. (Yes, it involves the big duet: “You and Me and Christmas.”) Elsewhere, Rene wonders if the concert vocals sounded just a little too perfect, while Rich asks the real question: should Eve have taken the San Diego job… with Liam in tow? There’s no debate that Eve and Liam are built to last, but while Rene calls the final kiss absolutely perfect, Rich somehow still finds a flaw in the smooch. Plus: Who actually won the movie? LeAnn? Tyler? Someone else? We keep it fun, keep it real, and always… keep it Hallmark Christmas. Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/foreverhallmarkchristmas [http://www.instagram.com/foreverhallmarkchristmas] Email: ForeverHallmarkChristmas@gmail.com *** Not affiliated with Hallmark Media.

Christmas in the Air

Incredible lakeside visuals, a charming small-town Christmas, and Jewel’s “Winter Wonderland” setting the tone - Hallmark’s Christmas in the Air (2017) knows how to make an entrance. Eric Close stars as Robert, a widowed dad doing his best to hold it all together for the holidays, alongside Catherine Bell as Lydia, a professional organizer who brings a refreshing twist to the usual Hallmark career lineup. Rich is all in on Lydia’s poinsettia greenhouse and that bold outdoor holiday show, while Rene soaks up the festive lakeside holiday vibes and Robert’s heartfelt dad moments. But not everything lands. Rich questions the chemistry between Robert and Lydia, and Rene believes the misunderstanding needs a rewriting. There’s love for the ice rink, the toy shop, and even some behind-the-scenes insight as writer Janna King shares a few favorite moments. Of course, we ask the important questions: how is everyone affording those dreamy lake houses… and what exactly is going on with Robert’s all-in-one game box? The guys agree on the couple’s future (rare!), but can’t settle on an MVP. And that final kiss? Let’s just say… it didn’t stick the landing.  Hallmark, if you’re listening - your new “final kiss consultants” are ready to start and we work cheap. Email below. We keep it fun, keep it real, and always… keep it Hallmark Christmas.  Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/foreverhallmarkchristmas [http://www.instagram.com/foreverhallmarkchristmas] Email: ForeverHallmarkChristmas@gmail.com *** Not affiliated with Hallmark Media.