The Casting Agent vs Hallmark
Allegations of ageism
One thing you may have noticed about Hallmark is… these leading lady’s faces often look the same.
I’m not talking about cosmetic procedures (though I do have a lot to say on that), I’m referring to the solid stable of Hallmark actresses that have consistently been the shining stars on top of the the channel’s Christmas celebrations for a decade.
But time moves on (even if some people’s wrinkles don’t), and it appears Hallmark has been grappling with what, if anything, must come next.
The answer, it seems, came this week in the form of a lawsuit from a 79-year-old former Hallmark casting director.
The casting director’s suit alleges she was wrongfully terminated and discriminated against, and was allegedly told by a programming executive she was “too long in the tooth”. The suit alleges that the executive told the casting director to not cast “old people” and that Hallmark needs to find younger talent because the channel’s “leading ladies are aging out.”
Who, in particular, are these leading ladies?
One is none other than Lacey Chabert, the undisputed (absolutely disputed, but this is my newsletter) Hallmark Queen of Christmas. The executive allegedly said Chabert is getting older and the company needs to “replace her.”
Chabert — of Mean Girls fame — has starred in 14 Hallmark Christmas movies since 2014. She’s not missed a year, some years she’s had several holiday releases. And that’s *just* their Christmas movies, there are dozens of other Hallmark flicks. Chabert is so central to Hallmark and Christmas that in 2022 the company signed an exclusive multi-film deal with her.
But you may recall last week I was intrigued that Chabert has a Christmas film coming out on Netflix next month and, well, not to jump to conclusions but is this why?
Obviously, allegations that Chabert — or anyone — is too old for Hallmark is ridiculous.
Last year, Chabert’s Scottish Christmas film was the most watched ad-supported cable movie of the year among all viewers, including women 18+ and 55+. Last year’s Countdown to Christmas was the most watched program among women 18+.
Sure, there’s something to be said for ensuring a pipeline of talent — like recent Hallmark star Hunter King — to lay foundations for the future of any industry, particularly in entertainment (except Marvel who can’t seem to find their way here), but the claims in this suit of Hallmark’s alleged approach are quite something.
The executive also allegedly said that Holly Robinson Peete is “too expensive and getting too old.”
Again. These women are the exact age as Hallmark’s core audience. It’s infuriating.
Hallmark, for its part, has said these are outrageous allegations and that “Lacey and Holly have a home at Hallmark.”
Will I still be watching Hallmark’s Christmas films this year? Of course. I don’t enjoy destroying the planet, but I still regularly catch planes to visit friends and family. Nothing in this life is pure and simple, not even Christmas.
But while Hallmark very much has diversity issues (which I wrote about last year) it’s just sad to see wrinkles so overtly added to the long list.
If you want to read the complaint, you can see it here. And I must say, it begins with an impressive lede: “As one Hollywood writer put it: “Hallmark Channel and holidays are almost synonymous with each other, especially when it comes to the Christmas season. Fans and families turn to the network’s seemingly endless offering of thematic TV movies to get into the spirit of the season, and because they know they’re in for a comfy, feel-good ending.” In Ms. Perry’s case, there was no happy ending, and no feel-good episode to wrap up her career with Hallmark. Instead, her finale episode was marred by ageist and ableist harassment, and a callous termination which robbed her of her illustrious career, her pride, and her well-being. The antagonists in Ms. Perry’s story are the very people who were supposed to protect her and lift her up. Sadly, Hallmark’s happy endings are stories made for TV only. The reality show is much more sinister.”
Very Judgy Ratings
Each week I’ll try recap and rate each of the Hallmark Countdown to Christmas films I watch. You can get access to a free Google Calendar to never miss a premiere, and more, in last week’s edition.
Twas the Date Before Christmas
As expected, this was a perfectly pleasant way to kick off the holiday season with a bring-your-blind-date-home-to-meet-the-family-for-Christmas set up. We learn little about this man, except he is a developer that makes affordable housing? Yet he is also kicking out small business owners, one of whom happens to be the sister-in-law of his Christmas date — though it was great to see a Black women, who wasn’t the lead, have their own full storyline. But as the movie progressed you realize… The lead’s fiancé seems to have died within the last year (??) and her — quite sizeable family — were going to cancel their Christmas traditions to help her move on, until they mistakenly think she has a boyfriend. It’s weird.
You might want to Google: This was apparently “inspired by a true story”. I wasn’t invested enough to Google for myself.
Santa’s little helper says: Hmmm… I copied across this formatting from last year which included this review: “Watch this if you’re after an iconic Hallmark Christmas movie or just want to have something on in the background while you cook dinner.” And you know what, different movie, same takeaway.
Santa gives: 🎁🎁🎁
Holiday Crashers
I have no idea what’s so charming about this prince charming because we know even *less* about this leading man than the last. But, but I do *love* this leading lady. She was in a legitimately great Hallmark flick last year and she’s what kept me from turning this one off. There’s a very fun montage scene of the two BFFs crashing different holiday parties, but when when the whole conflict of the movie is predicated on the fact the leading lady just needs to say, “no, I’m not actually a lawyer” it all feels a tad forced.
Watch for: A truly wonderful scene where our leading lady stands up for her dad and his personal injury ads on TV and then later on… stars in one of them.
Santa’s little helper says: If you’re willing to wait 90 minutes for a very cute pay off at the end, give it a shot.
Santa gives: 🎁🎁🎁
What’s Next
Here’s what to watch out for this weekend, each one premieres at 8pm ET.
TODAY | Fri, Oct 25: Operation Nutcracker
“When an antique nutcracker set to be auctioned at the Warby family Christmas charity goes missing, a demanding event planner and the heir to the Warby dynasty try to track it down.”
How does this appear to have zero ballet?? Devastating.
Sat, Oct 26: The Christmas Charade
“A cautious librarian raised by home security experts, finds herself in a real-life adventure when a blind date mix-up leads her into an undercover FBI operation. Forced to pose as the girlfriend of Special Agent Josh, she helps him track down an art thief targeting the Saint Nicholas Ruby at a Christmas Eve charity ball.”
Okay *this* one appears to have dancing. I’ll take it.
🎄Sun, Oct 27: The 5-Year Christmas Party
This is a must watch!
It stars Jordan Fisher, of To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before, and a gorgeous looking woman with short hair, and a five-year-long crush. What’s not to love.
Have you liked any of Hallmark’s Christmas films so far, or are you strict about not starting Christmas celebrations before November? Let us know in the comments.