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https://www.cbsnews.com/news/hallmark-channel-lgbtq-christmas-movie/
Hallmark must be doing something right; millions of people watch their Holiday movies and say that it is part of their holiday tradition. But why? It’s partly because the brain likes things that are familiar! The plot of the hero/heroine, who meet, experience some tension before getting together, have helpful friends and finally have a happy ending after the final conflict is a story as old as time. And it’s good storytelling!! Remember the Wizard of Oz, the Star Wars movies, and many romantic comedies, like When Harry Met Sally, Moonstruck, and Sleepless in Seattle? We love the story and we especially love the happy ending. And the brain feels safe and secure, and especially familiar when all ends well. It’s what is called in mythology, The Hero’s Journey.
If you are feeling well, it magnifies your feelings, but if you are feeling down, it uplifts you. And as you see familiar actors in different movies, you feel that they are like family, since they are so often in your living room! Some of the actors are even actors you saw as a child or teen, so they are especially comfortable to see again. Even the props and settings feel familiar as all the films are taped in the same studio.
The shows are easy on the nervous system. The highs and lows aren’t steep as they are with many crime and Sci-Fi shows. You have just enough tension to keep you interested, but not overly involved. In Get Reel: Produce Your Own Life, I talk about how important it is not to get overly involved and to step back and view consciously when watching high tension programs. GET REEL: PRODUCE YOUR OWN LIFE promotes real conscious viewing, becoming the observer and sitting back from what you are watching to see how it makes you feel and whether that it good for you. But there’s little danger of that with Hallmark and Lifetime Christmas movies! The Movies stimulate feeling of being PEACEFUL AND CALM. Network executives promise warmth, positivity, meaningful connections, family gatherings and traditions as a cure for a tough year. And that’s good for you!
And the networks are dedicated to shifting to more diverse themes. Michelle Vicary, Executive V.P of Programming for Crown Media, the parent company of Hallmark, says they will be even more welcoming in 2020 with stories of diversity. There is a story of a gay couple looking to adopt and another Jewish themed show. Hallmark cards have been diverse for a long time with gender, race and religion.
Lifetime has a line of diverse shows in their “It’s A Wonderful Lifetime “group or programs. This year they are planning a big LGBTQ+ splash with THE CHRISTMAS HOUSE, and an Asian themed show.
The Wall Street Journal even mentions Hallmark movies as a way to stay calm, along with calming apps and a new HBOMax program called the World of Calm – that that includes beautiful sounds, images and movement – which addresses all of the senses. So, there are many ways to be calm and peaceful this season. And the Hallmark channel has a winning formula.