A Mini Novel. But . . .
I worry about first world problems and things that are related. I’m shallow and hey, someone has to do it. As my favorites tab indicates one of those issues has to do with whether Eva Longoria is truly happy. Hopefully yes, but do we really know? Does she really know?
The whole Lori Laughlin scandal? That’s a complete other concern. Back to today.
Right now my concern is Kellie Pickler and Hallmark Christmas movies. Here is the situation. I love the Hallmark movies (HM). Who doesn’t want to see perfect people fall in love in a perfect story in idyllic surroundings?
With everything else going on in the world those HMs are my escape . . . ok addiction. If my choices for viewing are hearing the details of yet another mass shooting or a HM – get the hot cider, a warm chocolate chip cookie and a blanket. Hello Hallmark, predictable but heartwarming two hour escape valve! And yes people I do have the HM Christmas sweatshirt.
In comes Kellie Pickler last holiday season. As an Elvis fan, I was excited to see Hallmark focus a movie with the couple being in the setting of Graceland itself. Very cool. People who live in Memphis fall in love too, so it was a plausible plot line, right?
Starring as the female lead? Kellie.
She seems like a very nice person, she is talented and wouldn’t mind seeing her in concert sometime. I always got a kick out of her on America Idol. I thought she was a cute girl and then came the plastic surgery, but that is a whole other topic.
I’m fine with Kellie Pickler the person – not that that matters. Also certainly worthy of note is her commitment to the USO Tours overseas. Very cool and shows a big heart.
The real rub for me was the Christmas movie at Graceland. The poor girl is not the best actress in the world. Before delivering each line I could almost see her look off camera and say, “line please.”
I like to get lost in these feel good stories. Kellie’s lack of strong acting was distracting. In fact midway through the two hour movie I simply decided I didn’t care whether that couple fell in love or didn’t. I was over it. That NEVER happens to me with a HM. Even the Graceland backdrop wasn’t enough to power through it. I went and did something else like pet the dog or play with my new bicycle flashlight. TV was off.
Hallmark usually makes some great casting decisions and many of the couples have great chemistry between them. One of my favorites for the female leads is Nikki DeLouch. She not only delivers the lines in a conversational way . . . she also does great acting with her facial expressions. She makes good faces. Don’t know what I mean? Tune into The Perfect Catch and watch her faces. Good stuff.
Sure it’s a continuum from Nikki DeLouch (and others) to Kellie Pickler at the other end. Again, she is a talented singer – but not a good match for HMs. The continuum needs to be shorter on the right hand side.
I was past all the Christmas at Graceland limited acting capability by about May. Then advertisements for this season are out. Sure enough Kellie Pickler in another HM?! In the lead role? Is this a situation where Nikki D or Candice Cameron Bure were not available?
How about one of my favorite Hallmark leads ever – Nikky Whelan in Reindeer Lodge. Great HM actress and she is believable in the role. She is beautiful as well. (She is from Australia – she has to be, it’s the law). What fantastic looking fictional guy wouldn’t fall in love with her?
Hey Hallmark we can wait until one of those actresses are free? Danica McKeller maybe? She would have been darling at Graceland. There is the part about Danica not often seen singing in movies, but you are Hallmark – you can dub that in. Heck dub in Kellie’s voice. It would be good.
These HMs are what Christmas is all about (well on the non-religious side of it). Lost in my hot chocolate watching pretty people fall in love during a snowman making contest is what brings the season home. So please Hallmark give us another lead actress. You’ve demonstrated you have several.
Work with Kellie on a televised concert again – she would be wonderful! She would earn well deserved accolades for her musical talent and friendly personality that we all loved during her American Idol days.
Hallmark keep up the great work making these formulaic masterpieces, but please, can we have Kellie cast in the role of the best friend from high school from Seattle? Pretty please with gingerbread men on top? Happy upcoming holidays one and all – I gotta go get tissues when the line comes, “I’m in love with you too.” Cue snowfall.