TCA Summer 2018 Press Tour: Lifetime and Hallmark Channel

Monday, July 30, 2018

TCA Summer 2018 Press Tour: Lifetime and Hallmark Channel

Lifetime, the #1 cable network with original movies with the top four titles* this year and the only basic cable network to earn a 2018 Emmy nomination in the limited series or movie category for Flint, announces an expanded programming slate spanning movies, scripted series and unscripted programming. Continuing the tradition of creating award-winning and culturally-relevant movies, Lifetime will increase the overall number of movies to 75 for 2019. As part of the expansion, Lifetime signs a major production deal with one of the most trusted names in news, Robin Roberts, for a series of movies and documentaries under the banner, Robin Roberts Presents to debut next year.

Additionally, the network is in development on several book franchises, including the previously announced Jane Green three picture deal. The first movie, Tempting Fate, stars Alyssa Milano and is directed by Kim Raver and Manu Boyer, who also executive produce the trio of films. Other books being made into Lifetime Original Movies include the Seven Deadly Sins anthology by Victoria Christopher Murray. Lifetime has re-teamed with T.D. Jakes and has commissioned the first three books - Lust, Envy and Greed - to debut next year. V.C. Andrews' beloved novels also join Lifetime's 2019 lineup, with five book series about the twisted relationships of the Casteel Family being turned into movies. The first of the movies, V.C. Andrews' Heaven, stars Annalise Basso, Julie Benz, Chris William Martin, and Chris McNally. Additionally, Lifetime has completed production on Somebody's Someone, starring Ginnifer Goodwin and Angela Fairley, based on the memoir of Regina Louise, detailing her life as a young black girl who was denied adoption by the one woman who loved her the most, simply because she was white. Penn Badgley stars as Joe Goldberg in Lifetime's new scripted series, YOU, from Greg Berlanti and Sera Gamble. Ahead of the first season debut of the psychological thriller YOU on September 9, from Greg Berlanti and Sera Gamble, Lifetime has renewed the series for a second season. Season two will follow Joe Goldberg (Penn Badgley) as his search for love takes him to Hollywood where dreams can be made or shattered. Based on Caroline Kepnes' follow up novel Hidden Bodies, season two of the series is expected to begin production in Los Angeles later this year.

Hallmark Channel

Hallmark Channel, the country's leading provider of family-friendly entertainment, stakes its claim as the weekend destination for all-new, original programming every Saturday and Sunday for the remainder of 2018. The new offering features six autumnal-themed premieres as part of the network's highly rated "Fall Harvest" event, as well as 22 new, original holiday movies premiering during the #1 "Countdown to Christmas" slate. "Fall Harvest" kicks off Saturday, September 22, and features celebrated favorites including the third installment of the All of My Heart movie series starring Lacey Chabert (Mean Girls, Party of Five) and Brennan Elliott (Unreal). The season culminates with the network's longest-running movie franchise Good Witch Halloween starring Catherine Bell (Army Wives, JAG), Bailee Madison (The Fosters) and James Denton (Devious Maids, Desperate Housewives). The network's highly rated "Countdown to Christmas" franchise features 22 movies, including network debuts by world-renowned country artists LeAnn Rimes and Kellie Pickler. As cable's #1 holiday destination, Hallmark Channel will continue to bring holiday cheer and the spirit of the season to families across the nation.

Hallmark Channel is in development on an all-new, one-hour special Christmas in America from Executive Producer Candace Cameron Bure, which will premiere during Countdown to Christmas in 2018. Cameron Mathison joins Debbie Matenopoulos as the new co-host for Home & Family leading up to season seven. Home & Family, currently in its sixth season, is a three-time Daytime Emmy(R)-nominated lifestyle series with new, original episodes Monday through Friday (10a.m. ET/PT, 9C - 12p.m. ET/PT, 11C) on Hallmark Channel. Home & Family returns for season seven this September on Hallmark Channel with all-new DIY events celebrating Fall Harvest and Hallmark's most wonderful time of the year, Countdown to Christmas. And finally, Rebecca Romijn will serve as the network's ambassador of Adoption Ever After. The network's corporate pet initiative, Adoption Ever After, is committed to educating the public about the many rewards of pet adoption in hopes of inspiring viewers to open their homes and hearts to shelter pets.

Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Thursday, March 12

Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - "A Big Birthday and Tequila Shots" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT)
Mandy struggles to celebrate Georgie’s 21st birthday after hitting a rough patch in her career.

Ghosts - "St. Hetty’s Day 2: The Help" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT)
A St. Patrick’s Day staffing emergency gives Hetty the chance to step into an unlikely role at the restaurant as she regains her once-a-year ability to be seen and heard by the living. Meanwhile, Kyle returns to watch over the ghosts and finds himself caught in an amusing supernatural dynamic.

Animal Control - "Squirrels and Fat Cats" (Fox, 9:00PM ET/PT)
Frank uncovers Emily and Shred's secret romance during a break-in at city supply; Victoria and Patel confront his daughter's school bully.

Going Dutch - "Tinker, Tailor, Colonel, Spy" (Fox, 9:30PM ET/PT)
Rick takes a sabbatical from the CIA and returns to the base, hoping to rekindle his strained relationship with Capt. Maggie; paranoia runs high when a mole is suspected to be operating inside the base.

Complete TV Listings

Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of March 9)

Thursday, March 12

Will Forte (The Four Seasons/HouseBroken/MacGruber/The Last Man on Earth/The Cleveland Show) - Catch Will on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
Minnie Driver (Emily in Paris/Speechless/About a Boy) - Minnie is a guest on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
Wanda Sykes (The Upshaws/The New Adventures of Old Christine/Wanda at Large) - Wanda appears on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
Robert Smigel (Let's Be Real) - Robert stops by The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
Kristin Chenoweth (Stumble/Trial & Error/Kristin) - Kristin is a guest on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
Jennifer Tilly (Out of Practice) - Andy Cohen interviews Jennifer on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 10pm on Bravo.
Nathan Lane (Mid-Century Modern/Only Murders in the Building/Modern Family/Charlie Lawrence/Encore! Encore!/One of the Boys) - Nathan talks about Broadway's Death of a Salesman with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
Ariana DeBose (Schmigadoon!) - Ariana joins Tamron to talk about her fashion evolution and her role in the all-star cast of the new series Scarpetta on Tamron Hall, so check your local listings.
Lauren Graham (The Z-Suite/M.Y.O.B./Conrad Bloom/Townies/Good Company) - Lauren talks about Reminders of Him on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
Valerie Bertinelli (Hot in Cleveland/Cafe Americain/Sydney/One Day at a Time) - NBC's Today catches up with Valerie in the 10am hour.
Phil Rosenthal (Creator of Everybody Loves Raymond) - Phil and Lily Rosenthal join Drew for a taste test of weird foods and talk about their children's book Just Try It! Someplace New! (A Phil & Lil Book) on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.