View: A Jewish Mom/Writer Confesses to Her Christmas Envy and Why She Watches All Those Hallmark Christmas Movies - More Gingerbread Men Please and Hold the Muddy Hooves

By Beth Abramson Brier

Hallmark Christmas Movies. Once considered the very definition of “guilty pleasure”, this year it is reclassified as a necessary euphoric escape from the news of raging wildfires, Matt Lauer, Russia-gate and mystery Oreos (Fruity Pebbles?  Eww!)  For the last three weeks I have been binge watching and reviewing so many movies my head feels as light as spun sugar.  Full disclosure - I am Jewish.  So why my obsession with Christmas movies?  It comes down to two words: Christmas Envy.  That’s right.   I said it.  Christmas Envy.  Or, to be more accurate Christmas Tree Envy.  Christmas Cookie Envy.  Christmas Movie Envy.

Event: Saturday Night Live Cast Members Cecily Strong, Kyle Mooney & Vanessa Bayer Team up for Comedy Fundraiser for ACLU in NYC December 18, Also appearing John Early, Robbie Fulks & More

Funny Lady Cecily Strong to Appear at NYC Benefit

LOL as cast members and writers of Saturday Night Live t come together for a night of laughs and music to benefit the ACLU at The Town Hall on Monday December 18 at 8pm.  100% of the ticket sales of the “Comedy Fundraiser for the ACLU” will be donated to the ACLU.

Hosted by John Early (The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and Search Party) the evening features SNL cast members Cecily Strong, Kyle Mooney and the 2017 Emmy nominee Vanessa Bayer; the SNL writers Julio Torres and Jeremy Beiler, and writer and actor Jon Glaser of Delocated, and Jon Glaser Loves Gear). The evening’s musical special guest is Chicago alternative country-rocker Robbie Fulks, a 2017 Grammy nominee.

Event: Shop for a Cause with Same Sky Jewelry and meet Special Guest Actress Sarah Megan Thomas

Hallmark Holiday Movie Review: Christmas List with Alicia Witt, Peter Benson - Should it be on your Christmas Bucket List?

By Beth Abramson Brier

Name: Christmas List

Logline:  Isobel, a fashion designer living in San Diego, plans the perfect Christmas holiday in the snowy Northwest with her boss/boyfriend Brett.  When Brett is delayed by a business meeting, Gabriel, the local builder cum volunteer fireman cum toy store owner, is more than happy to help make Isobel’s Christmas “bucket list” dreams come true.   

Starring:  Alicia Witt as Isobel; Peter Benson as the hunky boyfriend who rocks a plaid flannel shirt; and Jamie Houghton as the too wholesome townie. 

What's to Like about it: All of the holiday traditions are wrapped up in this one movie- caroling, ice skating, gingerbread houses, real trees with twinkly lights, mistletoe and the Christmas concert (of course).

Christmas Movie Review: Hallmark's A Perfect Christmas with Susan Abromeit and Dilon Casey: Why Should You Watch This Newlywed Couple Celebrate Their First Christmas?

By Beth Abramson Brier

Name:  A Perfect Christmas

Logline: A newlywed couple celebrating their first Christmas try to make everything perfect for their visiting families. 

Starring:  Susan Abromeit as Cynthia Faber; Dilon Casey as Steve Faber and Erin Gray as Patricia Faber.

What's to Like about It 

Cynthia and Steve have such good intentions that I couldn’t help but cheer them along.  As their families arrive one by one for Christmas they are bringing not just their own bags but their own baggage.  It is a heartfelt reminder that “the best laid plans..” 

Tainted Dreams, The Emmy-Nominated Soap Series on Amazon by Sonia Blangiardo Premieres Season 2 December 2017: Alicia Minshew, Austin Peck, Michael Lowry, Jessie Godderz, RHONJ Dina Manzo, Anthony Wilkinson Star Along With Iconic Soap Cast

(Press Release) New York City - December 2017 - Romance, intrigue, manipulation…and a little bit of humor.  Just a taste of what’s to come as the Second Season of the Emmy-nominated series Tainted Dreams kicks off and fans finally get resolution from Season One's gripping cliffhanger. Beginning December 21st, the next chapter of Sonia Blangiardo's Tainted Dreams, the soap behind a soap, will be available for streaming on Amazon and Amazon Prime. This series, which was nominated for five 2017 Daytime Emmys, follows the behind-the-scenes drama of a fictitious soap opera titled Painted Dreams and features a very unique cast composed of classic soap opera fan favorites, reality personalities and stage stars.