Digest

The podcast delves into the origins and evolution of the made-for-TV holiday romcom, highlighting Hallmark Channel's "Countdown to Christmas" initiative as a key driver of the genre's popularity. The episode discusses the cost-saving strategies employed by Hallmark, including low budgets, simple settings, and quick filming schedules, which allow them to produce a large volume of movies. The podcast also explores the recurring themes found in these films, such as rescuing troubled local businesses and avoiding controversial topics. The episode features an interview with Yuleen Kwong, a screenwriter who worked on a Hallmark rom-com, "Love on Iceland." Kwong shares her experience of being fired from the project due to her writing being deemed "too hip" for the network. She discusses the specific instances where her writing was deemed inappropriate, highlighting the genre's adherence to a specific formula and its avoidance of contemporary issues. The podcast concludes by discussing the challenges faced by writers working on Hallmark romcoms, emphasizing the limitations imposed by the network's strict formula. Writers often struggle to incorporate complex or contemporary themes into their scripts, as Hallmark prioritizes a romanticized view of the world with happy endings and a focus on heartwarming themes.

Outlines

00:00:42

The Rise and Formula of the Made-for-TV Holiday Romcom

This chapter explores the origins and evolution of the made-for-TV holiday romcom, focusing on Hallmark Channel's "Countdown to Christmas" initiative. It highlights the cost-saving strategies employed, including low budgets, simple settings, and quick filming schedules. The chapter also discusses the genre's recurring themes, such as rescuing troubled local businesses and avoiding controversial topics.

00:07:29

A Writer's Perspective on the Hallmark Formula

This chapter features an interview with Yuleen Kwong, a screenwriter who worked on a Hallmark rom-com. Kwong shares her experience of being fired from the project due to her writing being deemed "too hip" for the network. She discusses the specific instances where her writing was deemed inappropriate, highlighting the genre's adherence to a specific formula and its avoidance of contemporary issues.

Keywords

Q&A

• How did Hallmark Channel become so successful with its holiday romcoms?

  Hallmark Channel identified a large audience seeking festive entertainment with a focus on PG-rated romance. They launched "Countdown to Christmas" in 2009, featuring a collection of movies airing in the weeks leading up to December 25th. The network's success is attributed to its cost-saving strategies, such as low budgets and quick filming schedules, which allowed them to produce a large volume of movies.

• What are some of the recurring themes in made-for-TV holiday romcoms?

  These movies often feature themes of small-town life, rescuing troubled local businesses, and avoiding controversial topics. They typically present a romanticized view of the world, with happy endings and a focus on heartwarming themes. The genre's adherence to a specific formula and its avoidance of contemporary issues have been both praised and criticized.

• What are some of the challenges faced by writers working on Hallmark romcoms?

  Writers often face limitations in terms of the content they can include in their scripts. Hallmark Channel has a strict formula for its holiday romcoms, which often involves avoiding controversial topics, political themes, and anything that might be considered "too hip" for the network's audience. This can be frustrating for writers who want to explore more complex or contemporary themes.

Show Notes