Networks Offer a Stocking of Holiday Delights

         Given the season, many networks are offering holiday treats for viewers, many of which I have already covered, but just in case you want some more...well tis the season! As there were many new releases this week that I could address, picking the most memorable was the chosen path.

        On November 28, 2024, BET+ released 'The Day Before Christmas', which has earned positive reviews from critics. Mandi Bierly of TVLine says, "This set-up is reminiscent of 1996’s One Fine Day: Two single parents, super-organized widow/caterer Nia (Candace Maxwell) and separated dad/photographer Rashaad (Tristan Mack Wilds), have to help each other through a chaotic Christmas Eve work day after their kids miss a field trip and they accidentally swap cell phones and backpacks. Because of traffic, Rashaad must cater the event meant to help Nia secure the loan that will save her from eviction, and Nia must impress the mayor when she takes his family Christmas photo. It all wraps up too easily, but hey, we love a Christmas miracle!"

        On December 1, 2024, Lifetime and a star-studded cast leads 'Make or Bake Christmas', which is my personal favorite holiday film this season. Bierly writes, "Vivica A. Fox plays ruthless lifestyle maven Leslie, who threatens to fire her operations manager, Emma (Jasmine Aivaliotis), unless she goes undercover as a seasonal floater at a family bakery that Leslie hopes to acquire and take national. Emma’s loyalty is tested once she sees how well boss Denise Sugarbaker (Jackée Harry) treats her staffs; how handsome Denise’s son, David (Landon Moss). is; and how easily she can get her hands on the bakery’s top-secret recipes (perhaps don’t hand them to a seasonal employee or keep a book titled RECIPES!)."

Photo by Hert Niks on Unsplash

        On December 1, 2024, UPtv released 'A Bluegrass Christmas', which is as of now...with many holiday films to see...my least favorite of the season. Bierly was more impressed, stating, "After the biggest bastard of the holiday movie season pulls his funding for her family’s horse sanctuary, horse vet Katie (Amanda Jordan) and the bastard’s apologetic son, Grant (David Pinard), try to convince her Bluegrass legend grandpa Ben (Heartland’s Shaun Johnston) to come out of retirement for a benefit concert. Will reclusive widower Ben’s heart grow three sizes (or at least two, so he’ll agree to let Katie front his old band)? Musical high notes include performances of “Wayfaring Stranger” and a poignant duet of “Go Tell It on the Mountain.”"

        Last, but certainly not least, out of the holiday films that caught my attention was 'A Cinderella Christmas Ball' on Great American Family, which in my opinion took all of the best aspects of holiday favorites past from all the networks to create a film so cheesy and mockable that it is impossible to not enjoy. Bierly once more was more impressed than I, stating, "Chicago-based dance instructor Chelsea (Danica McKellar) travels abroad to Havenshire, hoping to learn more about her birth mother and, more importantly, the identity of a man in a recently uncovered wedding photo who could be her lost father. Through a twist of fate, she gets hired to teach the Prince (Oliver Rice) the waltz he’s expected to perform with whomever he chooses to be his bride at a Christmas Eve ball, and he becomes invested in her search. Prepare for multiple romantic dances to Christmas carols (Dancing With the Stars vet McKellar is actually quite good)."