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“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights...”
~ James 1:17

Tuesday, September 28, 2021

GAC Family Announces Original Series 'When Hope Calls' Season Two Set to Premiere December 18 with Lori Loughlin!




GAC Family Announces Original Series 
'When Hope Calls' Season Two 
Set to Premiere December 18

Lori Loughlin Reprises Beloved Character in Return to Television


NEWS PROVIDED BY GAC Media -
 
NEW YORK, Sept. 28, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- GAC Family today announced season two of the hit series "When Hope Calls" will premiere exclusively on the network this holiday season. Lori Loughlin ("When Calls the Heart," "Fuller House") is set to guest star in the original series reprising the role of her beloved TV character, Abigail Stanton. The two-part premiere titled "When Hope Calls: A Country Christmas" debuts Saturday, December 18. The announcement was made today by Bill Abbott, President & CEO of GAC Media.

GAC Family (formerly Great American Country) launched on September 27 under the tagline "Stories Well Told" and features family-friendly, holiday-themed movies and series that celebrate American culture, lifestyle and heritage.

When Hope Calls" is set in Brookfield, a town on the western prairie with a deep sense of acceptance, love, and family, and is a TV spinoff of award-winning author Janette Oke's novel series, "When Calls the Heart". In the World Premiere of "When Hope Calls: A Country Christmas, Part 1," a Christmas festival worthy of Harper's Bazaar happens in Brookfield as the community is one of three contenders in the magazine's search for America's #1 Country Christmas Town. The entire town is preoccupied with creating the essence of Christmas for the photojournalist's lens, though, behind the scenes, residents are not living the spirit of the season. In the midst of the fuss, a stagecoach appears, and out steps Abigail Stanton and her son, Cody who have brought a troubled boy to Lillian's orphanage. Episode 201 of "When Hope Calls" premieres Saturday, December 18 at 8 pm ET/PT.

In the World Premiere of "When Hope Calls: A Country Christmas, Part 2," photojournalist Paul Franklin is wrapping his research on the community of Brookfield as a contender for America's #1 Country Christmas Town. By now, Paul blends in as the town prepares for Christmas Eve. Lillian, the orphans, and Gabriel are running out of options to restore the troubled boy's hope for better times. Just when all seems lost, a secret Santa appears to fulfill all holiday wishes, and Abigail has a profound conversation with a dear friend from the past. Meanwhile, Paul's lens is recording every miraculous moment. Episode 202 of "When Hope Calls" premieres Saturday, December 18 at 9 pm ET/PT.

Executive Producers of "When Hope Calls" are Brad Krevoy, Brian Bird, Michael Landon, Jr., Alfonso H. Moreno, Kaitlyn Greenough, and David Anselmo. Producer is Kym Crepin. Supervising Producers are W. Michael Beard and Michael Shepard. Director is Bradley Walsh. The spinoff series is created by Alfonso H. Moreno.

The "When Hope Calls" Season One cable debut in February 2020 averaged a 2.0 household rating and 2 million Total Viewers. [Source: Nielsen, February 23, 2020]

Additional casting information will be announced at a later date.



ABOUT GAC Media

GAC Media, LLC is home to Great American Channels: "GAC Family" Stories Well Told and "GAC Living" Life Well Lived. As the flagship service, GAC Family celebrates American culture, lifestyle and heritage with original holiday-themed, family-friendly movies and series. GAC Living is the unscripted companion to GAC Family that celebrates Great American family-friendly traditions every day and every season. GAC Media, LLC was established in June 2021 and was organized by Dallas-based Hicks Equity Partners LLC and Bill Abbott. Its ownership primarily consists of US-based family offices.

SOURCE GAC Media

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My Quick Take:

I am personally over the moon to see the return of When Hope Calls and Lori Loughlin, especially at Christmas! What a perfect time! It is going to be such a joy to see the return of these beloved characters from Brookfield, plus Lori as Abigail Stanton, again, and Carter Ryan's return as Abigail's son, Cody! And who else might visit the town from Hope Valley - Mountie Nathan, perhaps? Or... Allie? Rosemary? Lee? Doctor Carson? So many possibilities!

I certainly love all the surprises coming from GAC Family and I hope you do, too! 

If you need to catch up on the first season of When Hope Calls, it is available on DVD or Prime Video. See *HERE*! I highly recommend this show for family viewing, as it is beautiful and heartwarming.

Blessings on your day! Net


NEW MAILING LIST for *It's a Wonderful Movie*!





First, I want to say thank you to everyone who is already signed up for updates to *It's a Wonderful Movie* through my e-mail list. I know many of you have been signed up for years - and I'm truly grateful for your loyalty here. And... for those who recently signed up, welcome! I'm so glad you've joined in, too!

My old email list was through a place called Feedburner. Frankly, it was very plain, but it served it's purpose well for me for many years, and it was free! Can't beat that, right? Well, Feedburner shut down over the summer. E-mails are still currently going out, but new people cannot sign up, so I have a brand new mailing list through a place called MailerLite. It is very nice, plus it has pictures!

I am in the process of transferring everyone's emails to my Mailer Lite mailing list from my old list, so if you are already subscribed, you shouldn't have to do anything to receive this. However, you may continue to receive two emails from me. At some point, I may be deactivating the Feedburner account or it may be phasing out, but until then, if you like, please feel free to unsubscribe from the mailing list that does not include pictures.

If you were previously signed up on my mailing list and you are not currently receiving the new e-mails, please be sure to sign up with your e-mail address below. Thank you all for your patience as I work this all out.

If you are new here or you've never signed up for my e-mail newsletter before, then please do so today! You'll simply receive an e-mail whenever new content is added to *It's a Wonderful Movie*.

Sign up for the *It's a Wonderful Movie* newsletter here:


.

I'm so appreciative of everyone's support here!

Blessings to you all, Net


Monday, September 27, 2021

GAC FAMILY and GAC LIVING LAUNCHES TODAY - September 27, 2021! *Details Here:



CUT THE RED RIBBON!

Happy Launch Day for GAC Media with it's two new networks: GAC Family and GAC Living!
Both networks will be dedicated to quality family-friendly content that celebrates American values!


I'm so thrilled to see this new venture for Bill Abbott, the former CEO of Crown Media Family Networks, parent of Hallmark Channel, who is the president and CEO over GAC Media. I pray these new channels will be a great success, as they add to their growing collection of wholesome television programming, which leaves viewers feeling inspired and uplifted.

As GAC Family launches today with the tagline “Stories Well Told,” the network will soon feature original  holiday-themed, family-friendly movies and series. We have already learned about some of these upcoming specials and movies, including...


An Autumn Romance - October 23, 2021
(Chad Michael Murray and Jessica Lowndes)

Preview Special
(hosts Debbie Matenopoulos and Cameron Mathison)

Much Ado About Christmas - October 30, 2021
(Susie Abromeit and Torrance Coombs)

The Great Christmas Switch - November 6, 2021
(Sarah Lind and Dillon Casey)

Christmas Time is Here - November 13, 2021
(Dewshane Williams, Rukiya Bernard & Tom Pickett)

A Kindhearted Christmas - November 20, 2021
(Cameron Mathison and Jennie Garth)

Royally Wrapped for Christmas - November 27, 2021
(Jen Lilley and Brendan Fehr)

Christmas is You - November 28, 2021
(Becca Tobin and Matthew MacCaull)


As you are tuning in to GAC Family and GAC Living today - you may see programming familiar to GAC and Ride TV. Rest assured, changes are coming!

GAC Family TV shared this comment recently on Twitter:


"The rebranding happens on Sept. 27… the programming changes will then roll out over the next month, including movie premieres and the #GreatAmericanChristmas preview special. #StoriesWellTold #GACers"

So... to me that means programming changes may not be immediate, but they are coming soon! So, we'll have to just keep a look out for new shows/movies airing on both networks - stay tuned!

UPDATE: ALL NEW PROGRAMMING COMING OCTOBER 15th! If you tune in now, you will see promos for their upcoming movies and Christmas content - across both networks!

GAC Family's “Great American Christmas” will kickoff with a special preview show “Welcome to Great American Christmas,” hosted by Debbie Matenopoulos and Cameron Mathison (from “Home & Family”) on Sunday, October 24th! I'm so delighted this preview show will give us all a sneak peek of GAC Family's upcoming Christmas movie season!


Thank you all for visiting here and supporting family-friendly programming and values! I am so grateful we will have this new alternative for wholesome movies and shows... this is just the beginning!

Have a blessed day my friends! Net


Images Credit -
*GAC Family and GAC Living logos via: GAC Media
*Movie Images via: GAC Media / Instagram: Jen Lilley, Cameron Mathison, and Becca Tobin
*Background image via: Background vector created by katemangostar - www.freepik.com


Friday, September 24, 2021

NEW TV Movies this Weekend + a Hallmark and GAC Family Christmas Movie Recap and UPtv Christmas News! SEE HERE:




Another weekend is here with new movie premieres! What a week it has been with lots of Christmas movie news from Hallmark and GAC Family. Look for my recap below, plus a little UPtv Christmas movie news, too!


SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2021:

Fall Harvest takes a trip to the country in...




Storyline: A writer goes back to the family ranch to write an article about her passion for horses and discovers what ended her marriage and why she stopped riding horses.

Saturday, September 25, 2021
at 9pm/8c. on the Hallmark Channel



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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2021:



Here at "It's a Wonderful Movie" we highlight every 25th day of the month - TOGETHER! - as we Countdown to Christmas! You can also join along! This is our last month to do so - because by this time next month in October, Christmas movies will be airing on the Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries around the clock!

For all of you Christmas movie fans who wish to participate, simply pick something Christmassy to watch TODAY - on the 25th! It can be a Christmas movie, cartoon, family sitcom or anything you like. (There's only one stipulation - it must be family friendly.) Then, please share in comments below your Christmas choice for the day!

My personal pick to *Mark the 25th* of September is "USS Christmas"... in honor of our wonderful military and how hard they fight for our freedoms! I think they need our support even more these days.




I also thought it would be fun to choose a movie with Jen Lilley - since she's working with GAC Family and their network is launching this upcoming Monday, September 27th!
 
"USS Christmas" Storyline: Maddie (Jen Lilley), a reporter for a Norfolk newspaper, embarks on a Tiger Cruise during Christmastime where she meets a handsome naval officer (Trevor Donovan) and stumbles upon a mystery in the ship’s archive room.

What is your Christmas movie pick to *Mark the 25th*? Please share in comments below...




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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2021:

Sparks fly in the UPtv premiere of...




Story-line via UPtv: Deep in the Rocky Mountains, lightning strikes a mining site, sparking a deadly wildfire and igniting an unexpected romance between a forest ranger and a geologist as they race to escape the flames.

Sunday, September 26, 2021
at 7pm/6c. on UPtv


Romance in the Wilds is the prequel to 
Christmas in the Wilds. 
Both are available on DVD.




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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2021:

An unexpected guest makes himself at home in...


Evan throws his back out at the O’Brien house and has to stay there to recuperate, much to Abby’s chagrin and Nell’s amusement. Kevin and Sarah receive some workplace news that could affect their plans to start a family. Jess and David settle into newlywed life and learn some new things about each other and themselves. Bree realizes it’s time to make a choice between Jerry and Luke.

Sunday, September 26, 2021
at 8pm/7c. on the Hallmark Channel



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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2021:

Love is reawakened in the Hallmark premiere of...




Story: Benedict Stone’s (Scott) life is turned upside-down when his teenage niece (Ballentine) arrives on his doorstep; except she might be the change that Benedict desperately needs.

Sunday, September 26, 2021
at 9pm/8c. on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries



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Hope you all have a warm and wonderful weekend! I'm looking forward to seeing all the new movies this weekend...

*Taking The Reins - with it's beautiful horse farm setting

*Romance in the Wilds - looks like an intense action adventure (plus, it's fun knowing this is part one to the Christmas movie - Christmas in the Wilds)

*Rise and Shine, Benedict Stone - appears to be another feel-good, emotional, heartwarming drama

Please share which movie or movies you are looking forward to watching in comments below...


In addition to the new movies, it was wonderful to see the Christmas movie news that came out this week.
 
Hallmark released Christmas movie details for their *Countdown to Christmas* on the Hallmark Channel and *Miracles of Christmas* on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. We'll see familiar faces, such as: Candace Cameron Bure, Lacey Chabert, Holly Robinson Peete, Danica McKellar, Benjamin Ayres, Steve Lund, Alison Sweeney, Brennan Elliott, Ryan Paevey, and Tamera Mowry-Housely, etc... And lots of new faces, too! Hallmark is to have, at least, 41 new Christmas premieres across both networks. See *Countdown to Christmas* on the Hallmark Channel - *HERE* and see *Miracles of Christmas* on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries - *HERE*!

GAC Family also released details on three more Christmas movies this week for their *Great American Christmas* franchise, with stars: Jen Lilley, Brendan Fehr, Becca Tobin, Matthew MacCaull, Sarah Lind, and Dillon Casey. This makes a total of six for their current total of Christmas movies. See GAC Family Christmas Movies - *HERE*! I'm anticipating more are to come!


UPtv has not posted a press release with their NEW 2021 Christmas movies, yet; however, they do have a new Christmas promo airing on their network - which states their Christmas programming will begin Friday, November 5th and it shows some of the new Christmas movies we can expect to see this year, including: Kayla Wallace and Jeremy Guilbaut in "Snowed in for Christmas," Kaitlyn Leeb and Nick Hounslow in the third movie in the royal series: "Christmas With A Prince: The Royal Baby", Elysia Rotaru and Damon Runyan in "A Snowy Christmas," and more! I'm expecting UPtv will be releasing their Christmas movie details soon! Stay tuned!

Blessings on your weekend! Net



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SHINING HIS LIGHT:

"To everything there is a season, and a time
to every purpose under the heaven."
Ecclesiastes 3:1 (KJV)


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Fall Favorite Hallmark Movies on DVD:





Wednesday, September 22, 2021

🎄 GAC FAMILY EXPANDS ORIGINAL PROGRAMMING SLATE WITH THREE NEW CHRISTMAS MOVIES! 🎄 SEE HERE:




GAC Media Press Release:


GAC FAMILY EXPANDS 
ORIGINAL PROGRAMMING SLATE
WITH THREE NEW CHRISTMAS MOVIES

THE GREAT CHRISTMAS SWITCH, 
Starring Sarah Lind and Dillon Casey
ROYALLY WRAPPED FOR CHRISTMAS, 
Starring Jen Lilley and Brendan Fehr
CHRISTMAS IS YOU, 
Starring Becca Tobin and Matthew MacCaull

NEW YORK, NY – September 22, 2021 – GAC Family today announced an expanded original programming lineup, adding three all-new movies to the “Great American Christmas” franchise. The Great Christmas Switch, starring Sarah Lind (“Edgemont,” “A Simple Curve”) and Dillon Casey (“Backpackers,” “A Perfect Christmas”) premieres November 6; Royally Wrapped for Christmas, starring Jen Lilley (“Days of Our Lives,” “A Little Daytime Drama”) and Brendan Fehr (“The Night Shift,” “Entertaining Christmas”) premieres on November 27; and Christmas Is You, starring Becca Tobin (“Turner & Hooch,” “GLEE”) and Matthew MacCaull (“Turner & Hooch,” “Hailey Dean Mysteries”) premieres November 28.

GAC Family is set to launch on September 27 under the tagline “Stories Well Told” and will feature programming that celebrates American culture, lifestyle and heritage with original holiday-themed, family-friendly movies and series.

Full movie descriptions can be found below. Additional holiday movies will be announced at a later date.

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THE GREAT CHRISTMAS SWITCH

Starring Sarah Lind and Dillon Casey

Premieres: Saturday, November 6, 2021 at 8pm ET/PT

In “The Great Christmas Switch,” Kaelynn and Sophia are identical twins who have grown up believing the other has the more glamorous life. Kaelynn sometimes feels unappreciated in her non-stop world of kids and to do’s. Sophia is laid back to the point of paralysis and cannot seem to assemble the basics of life, including a healthy work/life balance and evolved relationships. When Sophia tells her twin she’s had to cancel her Christmas vacation to stay in San Diego to work, Kaelynn jumps at the chance to flee the frost of Ohio to take her sister’s place. With her sister’s kids with their dad for Christmas, Sophia believes her only job will be to watch holiday movies by the fire. Kaelynn feels confident her demanding day-to-day has prepared her for Sophia’s grinchy boss and flaky friends. Then, reality sets in! With the familiar turned upside down, it will take a Christmas miracle to make it all right again.

“The Great Christmas Switch” is executive produced by Brad Krevoy, Eric Jarboe, Amy Krell, Lorenzo Nardini, Amanda Phillips, Jimmy Townsend, Micheline Blais, and Susie Belzberg. Producer is David Anselmo. Supervising Producers are Byron Martin, Michael Beard, and Michael Shepherd. Associate Producers are Bonnie Adams and Kaitlyn Greenough. The film is directed by Ernie Barbarash from an original teleplay by Cara Russell.



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ROYALLY WRAPPED FOR CHRISTMAS

Starring Jen Lilley and Brendan Fehr

Premieres: Saturday, November 27, 2021 at 8pm ET/PT

In “Royally Wrapped for Christmas,” Lindsay Peterson (Lilley) of Brooklyn, NY, heads up one of the most successful chapters of the Festive Heart Foundation, a philanthropic organization dedicated to underserved children and founded by the Royal Family of Veronia. The foundation will commemorate its centennial this holiday and Lindsay is summoned to the kingdom to plan the celebratory gala. Before she embarks to Veronia, Lindsay meets the charity’s President, Willard, and a pleasant man, Aiden (Fehr), who Lindsay mistakenly believes is the organization’s accountant. Willard persuades Lindsay to join him and two other organizers from the global charity in Veronia. It is there Lindsay discovers the “accountant” is really Crown Prince Aiden who is to ascend the throne after his mother, Queen Rayna. Committed to the mission of the charity, Lindsay proposes a new idea based on a tradition she learned from her grandmother: each Christmas, two gifts must be given. One to keep, one to give. Veronia’s Parliament enthusiastically accepts Lindsay’s proposal for the charity, vowing to change the world in the kindest way. Now Prince Aiden must decide if the commoner from New York who has helped so many may have just stolen his heart.

Executive producers of “Royally Wrapped for Christmas are Brad Krevoy, Amanda Phillips, Eric Jarboe, Dawn Wolfrom, Amy Krell, Lorenzo Nardini, Jimmy Townsend, Susie Belzberg Krevoy, Michael Shepherd, and Kathy Ceroni. Producer is David Anselmo. Supervising Producers are David Lowe, W. Michael Beard, Allan Fung. Associate Producers are Bonnie Adams and Katilyn Greenough. Director is T.W. Peacocke from an original screenplay by W. Stewart.


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CHRISTMAS IS YOU

Starring Becca Tobin and Matthew MacCaull

Premieres: Sunday, November 28, 2021 at 8pm ET/PT

In “Christmas Is You,” Emma Bloom is given an ultimatum by her boss Rachel at Old Town Records: go home for the holidays and convince former boyfriend and national recording star, Tyler Thorn, to sign with Rachel’s label or find another job. Emma is an organized assistant, but her job is a dead end in need of a turnaround and her real dream is to be a singer. Tyler is going home for Christmas for the first time in years after abruptly quitting his label. First, Emma and Tyler have a friendship to repair. Emma broke Tyler’s heart on Christmas Eve several years ago when she turned down his marriage proposal. When Emma and Tyler arrive in their hometown, they are immediately immersed in an all-hands-on-deck effort to save the annual Christmas Carol Celebration, where they first sang together as kids in the choir. Turns out, a trip down Memory Lane may hit all the right notes for Emma and Tyler.

Executive producers of “Christmas Is You” are Brad Krevoy, Amanda Phillips, Eric Jarboe, Lorenzo Nardini, Jimmy Townsend, Susie Belzberg Krevoy, Michael Shepard, and Doran Chandler. Co-Executive Producer is Mark Amato. Supervising Producers are Kay Metchie and Johnathan Shore. Producer is Donald Munro. Associate Producer is Jaden Babcock. Allan Harmon directs from an original screenplay by Jenna Thompson.


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GAC Family Upcoming Premieres – All times 8pm ET/PT

Oct. 23 - An Autumn Romance, starring Chad Michael Murray, Jessica Lowndes, Dennis Andres, Moni Ogunsuyi and Michael Brown

Oct. 24 - Welcome to Great American Christmas, with hosts Debbie Matenopoulos and Cameron Mathison

Oct. 30 - Much Ado About Christmas, starring Susie Abromeit and Torrance Coombs

Nov. 6 - The Great Christmas Switch, starring Sarah Lind and Dillon Casey

Nov. 13 - Christmas Time is Here, starring Dewshane Williams, Rukiya Bernard and Tom Pickett

Nov. 20 - A Kindhearted Christmas, starring Cameron Mathison and Jennie Garth

Nov. 27 – Royally Wrapped for Christmas, starring Jen Lilley and Brendan Fehr

Nov. 28 – Christmas Is You, starring Becca Tobin and Matthew MacCaull



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ABOUT GAC Media

GAC Media, LLC is home to Great American Channels: “GAC Family” Stories Well Told and “GAC Living” Life Well Lived. As the flagship service, GAC Family celebrates American culture, lifestyle and heritage with original holiday-themed, family-friendly movies and series. GAC Living is the unscripted companion to GAC Family that celebrates Great American family-friendly traditions every day and every season. GAC Media, LLC was established in June 2021 and was organized by Dallas-based Hicks Equity Partners LLC and Bill Abbott. Its ownership primarily consists of US-based family offices.