By Rick Gables
Tia Mowry-Hardrict and Duane Henry combine sugar, spice and a love story so nice in A Gingerbread Romance, a new, original movie premiering Sunday, Dec. 16, at 8 p.m.ET/PT on Hallmark Channel. This charming holiday love story is part of the network’s annual programming event, Countdown to Christmas. Successful architect Taylor Scott (Mowry-Hardrict) is poised for a promotion and a move to Paris, but her boss has an unusual request before making a decision about her career: Taylor must partner with a baker to create a life-sized gingerbread house. Though this task is festive, it is also high stakes as she will represent her firm against their rivals in a competition judged by the mayor. Taylor partners with pastry chef Adam Dale (Henry), and though their styles are very different, the two connect and build chemistry while working together. She even starts to feel a sense of home for the first time in her life with Adam and his daughter, while at the same time inspiring Adam to follow his own career dreams. After hearing news from her boss about the Paris promotion, Taylor is torn about the decision. As the competition and Christmas Eve near, Taylor must choose between making a move to Paris and building a life and home with Adam.
The ninth annual CMA Country Christmas will air Monday, Dec. 10, from 8 to 10 p.m. ET/PT on ABC. Iconic entertainer Reba McEntire, who returns as host for a second year, will also perform during the holiday music special. Joining Reba are legendary acts and country favorites including Tony Bennett, Dan + Shay, Brett Eldredge, Amy Grant, Diana Krall, Dustin Lynch, Martina McBride, Old Dominion, Brad Paisley, Michael W. Smith, Lindsey Stirling, The Isaacs and Brett Young, taking the stage for a night filled with Christmas classics and festive one-of-a-kind collaborations.
The 41st Annual Kennedy Center Honors will air Wednesday, Dec. 26, from 8 to 10 p.m. ET/PT on CBS. The honorees for 2018 will be actress Cher, composer and pianist Philip Glass, country music entertainer Reba McEntire and jazz saxophonist and composer Wayne Shorter. Additionally, the co-creators of the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical “Hamilton” – writer and actor Lin-Manuel Miranda, director Thomas Kail, choreographer Andy Blankenbuehler and music director Alex Lacamoire – will receive a unique Kennedy Center Honors as trailblazing creators of a transformative work that defies category.