Hallmarked Up!

Mary & Sarah

We rewrite the Countdown to Christmas Hallmark movies for today's modern woman. Because, love them or hate them, we can all agree that the storylines defy probability the way the gingerbread houses defy physics. Enjoy weekly reviews of what they got right and what they got wrong, and see how Mary and Sarah change the plot entirely in the name of real life 2019 and beyond. Or, you know. Just fun. NOT affiliated with Hallmark Media.

  1. JAN 1

    Season 7, Episode 6 - 12 Dates Til Christmas

    We're back for one last extended episode to talk through 12 Dates Til Christmas, a lovely little series that went over several weekends.  Come along on this more dark rewrite where we had to introduce a new channel entirely #HallmarkAfterDark.  Sarah is joined by Chris and Jonny to create a very intriguing version of this now titled 'Pies Wide Shut' series.   Talented Saville Row textile pattern designer Kate (Whitman) lives in the quaint village of Blexford, England, next door to her father Mac (Parker), who is long-divorced from Kate’s mother Delilah (McDonnell), a globe-trotting American always on an adventure. When not at work, Kate looks after Mac, who’s recovering from a motorbike accident and is inclined to spend his days sitting in his recliner. Unbeknownst to Kate, her best friend Laura (Eaton) signs her up for The 12 Dates of Christmas – a holiday-themed matchmaking program in the days leading up to the holiday featuring carefully curated, yuletide dating experiences, in an attempt to get Kate out of her rut. Lovingly coerced by Laura and longtime best friend Callum (Morris), a reluctant Kate ultimately gets into the spirit of the program and is caught off guard when she meets someone (Sandeman) who reinvigorates her zest for life. But when Delilah unexpectedly shows up on her doorstep – literally – Kate and Mac’s life and holiday season get upended. Meanwhile, Mac may be embarking on his own romance with local Evelyn (Seymour), a widow who slowly helps him step outside the confines of his house and open his heart. As Kate wends her way through the 12 dates, she takes a circuitous route to romance while also making some important discoveries about herself. Starring Mae Whitman, Julian Morris, Toby Sandeman, Nathaniel Parker, Jane Seymour, Lucy Eaton and Mary McDonnell.

    1h 20m
  2. 12/02/2025

    Season 7, Episode 5 - A Grand Ole Opry Christmas

    We are back and a #MorePolaha movie we have been waiting for is on the docket! We are joined by Professor Seth from the show #99ToBeat. Listen along to this amazing #RedPenRewindRewrite of #AGrandOleOpryChristmas. We literally managed to add in #MorePolahas this time, plural, plus a few other very famous additions. #HallmarkedUp #CountdownToChristmas #MorePolaha #Hallmarkies Gentry Wade (Nikki DeLoach), daughter of late country music icon Jett Wade – half of the famed duo Winters & Wade – abandoned her dream of a songwriting career and distanced herself from her father’s legacy following his tragic accident 30 years prior. When the Grand Ole Opry invites her to represent Jett at their centennial celebration at Christmas, she’s hesitant to return to the place steeped in bittersweet memories. Encouraged by her good friends, Gentry visits the Opry and, while seated in one of the vaunted venue’s oak church pews, is suddenly transported to 1995. Gentry’s lifelong friend Mac (Kristoffer Polaha) a country music talent manager, finds himself in 1995 as well. Thanks to some Christmas magic, Gentry gets precious time with her father, creative inspiration to finish the song she began decades earlier as a teen and learns surprising answers to questions about her father that have followed her for the last three decades. Starring Nikki DeLoach and Kristoffer Polaha. Cameos by: Bill Anderson, Brad Paisley, Dailey & Vincent, Drew Baldridge, Jamey Johnson, Maggie Baugh, Megan Moroney, Mickey

    1h 14m
  3. 11/26/2025

    Season 7, Episode 4 - Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story

    Sarah is back watching the latest version of Holiday Touchdown with Florida-native footballer lover, Connor and self-proclaimed member of the Bills Mafia, Meghan to settle into sunny, wintery Buffalo to find out what happens in this one. How will they incorporate #MorePolaha?? What did they get right and what went wrong? Find out in this week's latest episode. The Quinns and DeLucas have lived next door to each other for decades in the shadow of Highmark Stadium – the home of their beloved Buffalo Bills. With their longtime friendship rooted in being proud members of Bills Mafia, the two clans have enjoyed cherished traditions that revolve around cheering for their favorite team – especially at the holidays when they celebrate the last home game before Christmas. Pediatric doctor Morgan Quinn and the Bills’ VP of Stadium Development Gabe DeLuca have been lifelong friends, but Gabe has always held a torch for her – a fact obvious to their families… and everyone else who crosses their path. When Morgan learns from her Uncle Tommy that someone anonymously helped her family get by after he was drafted more than 60 years ago – and that he continues to receive a Christmas gift each year to this day – she decides to find his benefactor and give her uncle a Christmas he’ll always remember. Aided by Bills Mafia friends of theirs, Morgan and Gabe work together to unwrap the gifter’s identity. Along the way, Gabe’s love for Morgan deepens and in turn, she begins to see him in a new light though neither is daring enough to admit their feelings. Meanwhile, Morgan’s hopes of pulling off her surprise for Uncle Tommy get sacked. That is, until Gabe takes matters into his own hands and uses his connections with the Bills to pull off the surprise of a lifetime for Morgan and both their families that will make this a Christmas they’ll never forget. Starring Holland Roden, Matthew Daddario and Joe Pantoliano. Cameos: Coach Sean McDermott, Ray Davis, Damar Hamlin, Dion Dawkins, Dawson Knox, Reid Ferguson, DeWayne Carter, Joshua Palmer; Jim Kelly, Steve Tasker, Thurman Thomas, Scott Norwood, Andre Reed; Chris Brown; Luke Russert.

    38 min
  4. 11/06/2025

    Season 7, Episode 1 - Merry Christmas, Ted Cooper!

    We are back for another season, albeit not quite in line with the new releases, due to a relatively dull start. But luckily this movie, MERRY CHRISTMAS, TED COOPER! caught our eyes. Mary is on a bit of a break, but luckily seasoned Countdown to Christmas Watchers, Megan and David join us to share in Bingo & #Relatable moments as we rewrite this early goodie! Weatherman Ted Cooper (Buckley) loves Christmas, but the past three have been terrible. This year, Ted has made up his mind that things will be different – this will be the Christmas things turn around for him. But Ted’s relentless optimism is about to be put to the test as he is faced with a litany of injuries and obstacles when he travels back to his hometown of Lackawanna, NY for the holidays. Within hours of arriving at his sister Kate’s house, he finds himself making a trip to Urgent Care after falling off a ladder while hanging decorations. While there, he runs into Ruth Mittens, his former high school science teacher who was always his cheerleader. He also reconnects with the charming Hope Miller (Sustad), except now she’s Dr. Hope Miller, with whom he went to high school and quietly crushed on from afar. Ted is optimistic that this budding romance is the beginning of his Christmas comeback, but his looming holiday bad luck still has a few curveballs in store for him. Luckily for Ted, he won’t have to face them alone – he’ll have the support of Kate, Ruth, and Hope to help him overcome the challenges thrown his way and finally enjoy a well-earned merry Christmas. Starring Robert Buckley and Kimberley Sustad.

    1h 17m
4.3
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

We rewrite the Countdown to Christmas Hallmark movies for today's modern woman. Because, love them or hate them, we can all agree that the storylines defy probability the way the gingerbread houses defy physics. Enjoy weekly reviews of what they got right and what they got wrong, and see how Mary and Sarah change the plot entirely in the name of real life 2019 and beyond. Or, you know. Just fun. NOT affiliated with Hallmark Media.