Forever Hallmark Christmas Podcast

Rich & Rene
  • 5.0 (11)
  • TV Reviews

Just two guys talking about Hallmark Christmas movies. That’s it—nothing else. No other channels, no series, no reality TV, and no detours into Loveuary, Spring Into Love, Summer Nights, or Fall Harvest. If it’s not a Hallmark Christmas movie, we’re not covering it. Each week on The Forever Hallmark Christmas Podcast, we review a favorite from past years and keep up with the current films from Hallmark’s Countdown to Christmas every October through December. Christmas... all year long!  *** The Forever Hallmark Christmas Podcast is not affiliated with Hallmark Media.

  1. 1d ago

    Snow Bride

    Snow Bride (2013) is one of those Hallmark Christmas classics that seems to land on nearly every fan’s favorites list. Katrina Law and Jordan Belfi make their Hallmark debuts, joined by Patricia Richardson (Home Improvement) in a fantastic supporting role. Shot in Southern California’s mountain community of Big Bear, this movie embraces the wonderfully bonkers side of the Hallmark rom-com. Deception runs rampant, the fake-boyfriend trope takes center stage, and somehow… it all works. And there’s a great story behind the script: Tracy Andreen—one of Hallmark’s best writers—wrote her first Hallmark screenplay after binge-watching Christmas in July movies the previous summer to learn the rhythms and structure of a Hallmark holiday film. Snow Bride is ridiculous, charming, and a whole lot of fun—and exactly the kind of movie Hallmark fans love to revisit. In this episode, we cover: • Behind-the-scenes movie fun facts  • Our favorite moments  • Anything we’d rewrite?  • The best supporting characters  • “Are We Sure?” — our ultimate Hallmark logic check  • After so much deception… will Greta and Ben survive as a couple?  • The multiple kisses… and the letter grades they earned – one was pushing towards an A+  • 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 Email: ForeverHallmarkChristmas@gmail.com *** Not affiliated with Hallmark Media.

    Snow Bride

  2. Aug 6

    Love at the Thanksgiving Day Parade

    Love at the Thanksgiving Day Parade (2012) marks the Hallmark debuts of Autumn Reeser, Antonio Cupo, and Ali Liebert. Featuring top-tier production from Ron Oliver (The Christmas Train) and a sharp script by Nancey Silvers (The Nine Lives of Christmas), it's widely considered one of Hallmark's most mature films of the era, with scenes you probably wouldn't see on the network today. But one question has fueled debate for years: Is it a Thanksgiving movie... or a Christmas movie? To settle the score, we polled fellow Hallmark podcasters, content creators, and even director Ron Oliver himself. The results? Much closer than we expected. This fan-favorite review is guaranteed to spark some holiday debate! As always, we cover: • Behind-the-scenes movie fun facts – courtesy of Director, Ron Oliver  • What we liked and our favorite scenes.  • Things we’d rewrite.  • The best supporting characters.  • “Are We Sure?” — our ultimate Hallmark logic check.  • Will Emily and Henry’s relationship last?  • The Mistletoe Meter – Let’s talk about that final kiss and give it a letter grade.  • Who (or what) truly won the movie.  • We rate the film and talk about what movie is coming up next! For the love of Hallmark! Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/foreverhallmarkchristmas Email: ForeverHallmarkChristmas@gmail.com *** Not affiliated with Hallmark Media.

    Love at the Thanksgiving Day Parade

  3. Jul 30

    Love Under the Mistletoe

    Christmas in July 2026 wraps up with Jen Lilley (Grace) and Nick Bateman (Ryan) starring in Love Under the Mistletoe. With only six speaking roles in the entire movie (yes... six!), this one leans heavily on the classic Hallmark formula—and it absolutely embraces it. We've got the overworked big-city executive returning to his small hometown for Christmas. Two former high school crushes reconnect. A charity gala is organized to save a struggling town. And, of course, a BBD (Big Bad Developer) wants to replace a beautiful historic home with a modern condo tower. Add in a cookie-baking montage, a tree-lighting ceremony, festive decorations everywhere, and you've got the kind of cozy, cookie-cutter Christmas romance Hallmark built its reputation on. But does that formula still work in 2026? We break the movie down and offer our verdict! As always, we cover: • Behind-the-scenes movie fun facts.  • What we liked and our favorite scenes.  • Scenes we’d rewrite.  • The best supporting characters.  • “Are We Sure?” — our ultimate Hallmark logic check.  • Will Grace and Ryan last as a couple?  • The Mistletoe Meter – Let’s talk about that final kiss and give it a letter grade.  • Who (or what) truly won the movie.  • We rate the film and talk about what movie is coming up next! For the love of Hallmark! Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/foreverhallmarkchristmas Email: ForeverHallmarkChristmas@gmail.com *** Not affiliated with Hallmark Media.

    Love Under the Mistletoe

  4. Jul 23

    Snowbound for the Holidays

    Trey runs a rustic ski lodge where both he—and the lodge itself—seem to be stuck in the 1990s. When tech and hospitality specialist Cassidy arrives, "opposites attract" is put to the ultimate test. Filmed in a small town in northern Ontario during the dead of winter, the movie fully embraces its Christmas atmosphere. From the whimsical snow tubing and wish lantern scenes to the tender dance and almost-kiss (Walkman included!), it delivers plenty of heartfelt moments. In this episode, we share behind-the-scenes stories, including why the town left its Christmas decorations up for an extra month, how the brutal cold forced the cast and crew indoors between takes, why the lodge featured real Christmas trees instead of artificial ones, and how Vanessa Lengies filmed the movie while pregnant. As always, we cover: • Behind-the-scenes movie fun facts… with information straight from Director Christopher Giroux.  • Some great moments in the film… we let you know what our favorite was!  • Scenes we’d rewrite.  • The best supporting characters.  • “Are We Sure?” — our ultimate Hallmark logic check.  • Will Cassidy and Trey last as a couple?  • The Mistletoe Meter – Let’s talk about that final kiss and give it a letter grade.  • Who (or what) truly won the movie.  • We rate the film and talk about what movie is coming up next! For the love of Hallmark! Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/foreverhallmarkchristmas Email: ForeverHallmarkChristmas@gmail.com *** Not affiliated with Hallmark Media.

    Snowbound for the Holidays

  5. Jul 16

    O Little Christmas Market

    The guys kick things off with a little history lesson on Hallmark's Christmas in July—from its beginnings with a single weekend in 2012 and how it evolved, to the very first original July Christmas movie in 2015 (yes, it's a Lacey Chabert classic), where the event stands today, and the highest-rated Christmas in July originals of all time. Then it's on to Christmas in July 2026 – Week 2 as Kat Barrell (The Christmas Baby) and Stephen Huszar (Melt My Heart This Christmas) star in O Little Christmas Market. The script feels like a classic Hallmark movie from a decade ago—formulaic? Sure. Creative? Absolutely. This movie has a little bit of everything: miniature Christmas displays, shipping containers, a lonely Christmas tree in a train station, a charming holiday market... and, naturally, developers threatening to tear it all down. And, of course, we ask the important questions. Rich can't figure out why Grayson doesn't hop the next train home—or where he found that tuxedo in town. Meanwhile, Rene investigates the cost of moving shipping containers and isn't afraid to question Zoey's wardrobe choices. As always, 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.  • Will Grayson and Olivia last as a couple?  • The Mistletoe Meter – How good of a final kiss did Olivia and Grayson give us? We’ll give it a letter grade.  • Who (or what) truly won the movie.  • We rate the film and talk about what movie is coming up next! For the love of Hallmark! Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/foreverhallmarkchristmas Email: ForeverHallmarkChristmas@gmail.com *** Not affiliated with Hallmark Media.

    O Little Christmas Market

  6. Jul 9

    Christmas Under Construction

    Hallmark’s Christmas in July 2026 kicks off with Christmas Under Construction, a movie that first debuted on Hulu two years earlier. Fan favorites Daniel Lissing and Jessica Lowndes reunite a decade after Hallmark’s beloved December Bride. But after ten years, is the chemistry still there? For a movie with only eight speaking roles, there’s a surprising amount going on. There’s a couples therapist who moonlights as a home renovation host, her boyfriend who’s obsessed with every grooming trend imaginable, a man determined to preserve his grandfather’s cozy cabin, and a girlfriend eager to knock down walls, modernize it, and flip it for a profit. Add an uptight media executive and an ambitious gossip columnist, and you’ve got... quite the mix. As always, we keep it real. Beyond the romance and renovations, we tackle the big question: Does Christmas Under Construction actually feel like a Hallmark movie? Let the friendly debate begin. As always, 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.  • Cooper and Chelsea… will their relationship last?  • The Mistletoe Meter – Chelsea and Cooper give us two kisses towards the end of the film. We’ll give them both a letter grade.  • Who (or what) truly won the movie.  • We rate the film and talk about what movie is coming up next! For the love of Hallmark! Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/foreverhallmarkchristmas Email: ForeverHallmarkChristmas@gmail.com *** Not affiliated with Hallmark Media.

    Christmas Under Construction

  7. Jul 2

    Christmas in Evergreen: Tidings of Joy

    Evergreen… Part Three! This time we’re heading back to Hallmark’s beloved Christmas town for Christmas in Evergreen: Tidings of Joy (2019), featuring a star-studded cast led by Maggie Lawson and Paul Greene in their second Hallmark movie together. Joining them are Ashley Williams, Jill Wagner, Holly Robinson Peete, and Barbara Niven. A 50-year-old time capsule takes center stage, Evergreen’s magical snow globe suffers an unexpected mishap, and three intertwined romances keep the Christmas spirit alive as the town once again works its holiday magic. Hallmark writer Zac Hug was finding his stride with the network, delivering an ambitious script packed with memorable characters, multiple storylines, and plenty of star power—yet somehow making it all come together very nicely. 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. And we’ve got a bunch.  • Ben and Katie… will their relationship last?  • The Mistletoe Meter – Katie and Ben with FIVE kisses… which might be a record! We’ll give them a letter grade.  • Who (or what) truly won the movie.  • We rate the film and talk about what movies are coming up next! For the love of Hallmark! Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/foreverhallmarkchristmas Email: ForeverHallmarkChristmas@gmail.com *** Not affiliated with Hallmark Media.

    Christmas in Evergreen: Tidings of Joy

  8. Jun 25

    A Holiday Spectacular with Julie Sherman Wolfe

    Rich and Rene join forces with Amy and Garry from Pour the Wine, It's Romcom Time (so grab a glass of vino) to celebrate Hallmark's landmark 2022 film, A Holiday Spectacular. Then we hit the Hallmark lottery. Writer Julie Sherman Wolfe joins us for an incredible behind-the-scenes look at one of Hallmark's most ambitious projects ever: a period piece set in 1958 and centered around the legendary Radio City Rockettes. Think you know this movie? Think again. In this episode: • How a conversation between Rich and director John Putch led to Julie joining the podcast. • Julie's journey from stand-up comedy to sitcom writing, Disney Channel projects, and a five-year road to her first Hallmark movie, Hello, It's Me. • How a family connection to the Rockettes sparked the original meeting that eventually became A Holiday Spectacular. • The writing process behind one of Hallmark's most ambitious productions—and how it differed from her other films. • What it was like attending the film's premiere inside Radio City Music Hall—including the celebrity who left her star-struck and the musical performance she'll never forget. • The late-night conversation at the premier with two Hallmark actresses that ultimately inspired a couple of 2025 Hallmark films (think… Spain). • The movie's original title (and no, it wasn't A Holiday Spectacular). • Why 1958 was the perfect setting for the story and how the Rockettes' sisterhood reminded Julie of her own friendships with two fellow Hallmark writers. • How Hallmark keeps pairing her scripts with incredible Broadway talent, including Ginna Claire Mason and Derek Klena leading the way in this film. • The Hallmark destinations she still hopes to write about someday. And of course, Julie joins us for rapid-fire questions: Eggnog: yay or nay?  Classic or modern Christmas music?  Real or artificial tree?  Ugly Christmas sweaters? (Spoiler: Julie has quite the collection.) Bottom line: fire up Hallmark+, watch (or rewatch) the extended cut with 18 additional minutes of Hallmark magic, then settle in for 75 minutes of stories, insights, and behind-the-scenes details that will make you appreciate this movie more than ever. For the love of Hallmark! Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/foreverhallmarkchristmas Email: ForeverHallmarkChristmas@gmail.com Follow Amy and Garry: www.instagram.com/pourthewineitsromcomtime Follow Julie: www.instagram.com/julie_sherman_wolfe *** Not affiliated with Hallmark Media.

    A Holiday Spectacular with Julie Sherman Wolfe
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Just two guys talking about Hallmark Christmas movies. That’s it—nothing else. No other channels, no series, no reality TV, and no detours into Loveuary, Spring Into Love, Summer Nights, or Fall Harvest. If it’s not a Hallmark Christmas movie, we’re not covering it. Each week on The Forever Hallmark Christmas Podcast, we review a favorite from past years and keep up with the current films from Hallmark’s Countdown to Christmas every October through December. Christmas... all year long!  *** The Forever Hallmark Christmas Podcast is not affiliated with Hallmark Media.

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