Preparing for Fall TV (November)

Happy Halloween!

The 2012-2013 TV season got started just a little over a month ago with a lot of new dramas from which to choose airing throughout September and October. Now with the holidays closing in, a lot of holiday-themed movies will be airing over the next two months.

In an effort to help our readers keep track, I wanted to provide a rundown of the made-for-TV movies that will air on the cable networks throughout November. They air in date-order below:

November 3 – The Hallmark Channel movie Christmas Song will debut at 8 PM.

New York City high school music teachers Diana and Ken aim to compete in the largest, televised Christmas Carol competition (after their schools are forced to merge due to budget cuts) that will determine the fate of the school’s music program and the teachers’ jobs. This creates a battle of the sexes and music styles with the teachers and students doing anything to win, but (of course) an unexpected romance develops and the true spirit of Christmas could change the competition.

The film stars Natasha Henstridge (The Secret Circle) and Gabriel Hogan (Heartland).

November 4 – The movie Love at the Thanksgiving Day Parade will debut on the Hallmark Channel at 8 PM

As Chicago gears up for its annual Thanksgiving Day parade, Emily Jones, an eager parade coordinator, is shocked when Henry Williams, a wealthy new development consultant, is brought in to analyze the parade’s finances. Faced with the challenge of teaching him that the parade means so much more to her than dollar signs, she suddenly finds herself reluctantly falling for him.

The film stars Autumn Reeser (Last Resort) and Antonio Cupo (Bomb Girls).

November 10 – The Hallmark Channel movie The Wishing Tree will debut at 8 PM

A heartbroken teacher, who is alone on an empty campus over winter break, helps his most troubled students regain confidence when they all volunteer at a small town’s Wishing Tree, a Christmas tree covered with handwritten holiday hopes, which doubles as a fundraiser for local families in need.

The cast includes Jason Gedrick (Desperate Housewives), Richard Harmon (The Killing and Caprica), Erica Cerra (Eureka) and Teryl Rothery (Stargate SG1 and Kyle XY).

November 10 – The new Lifetime original movie The Christmas Consultant will debut at 8 PM

A sought after consultant hired by a workaholic mother to get her and her family through the holidays, takes over her role as head of the household (which she didn’t bargain for). When Christmas and family collide, she realizes hiring him was the best decision she has ever made.

The film stars David Hasselhoff (Baywatch) and Caroline Rhea (Sabrina, the Teenage Witch).

November 11 – The Hallmark Channel movie The Christmas Secret will debut at 8 PM

In this magical story, a scientist sets out to prove that reindeer can fly and along the way discovers the true meaning of faith, family and Christmas.

The film stars Beau Bridges and Richard Thomas.

November 11 – The new Lifetime movie The March Sisters at Christmas will debut at 9 PM

This movie is a contemporary take on the timeless novel “Little Women”, which follows the March sisters as they fight to save their family home, Orchard House, and search for love during Christmas time.

The cast includes Julie Marie Berman (General Hospital), Justin Bruening (Switched at Birth) and John Shea (Gossip Girl).

November 17 – The new Hallmark Channel movie Matchmaker Santa will debut at 8 PM

Melanie is a young baker with a long-standing childhood Christmas wish of finding her true love, who is excited about visiting her boyfriend’s lake house over the holidays. But when a mysterious mall Santa interferes and her travel plans get mixed up, she finds herself stranded in a charming town with her boyfriend’s handsome assistant. There, she rediscovers the magic of Christmas and finds her true prince charming has been there all along.

The film stars Lacey Chabert (Party of Five and Mean Girls), Thad Luckinbill (Nikita and The Young and the Restless) and Adam Mayfield (All My Children).

November 17 – Holiday High School Reunion is the new Lifetime movie that will debut at 8 PM

Rachel Boston (In Plain Sight) stars as Georgia, who returns home during Christmas just in time for her high school reunion, where she hopes to reunite with “the one that got away.” Through flashbacks her high school experience plays out as Georgia discovers that maybe the one who got away was instead the one who was there all along.

The cast includes Rachel Boston (In Plain Sight), Marilu Henner (Taxi and Evening Shade) and Harry Hamlin (Veronica Mars and L.A. Law).

November 18 – The Hallmark Channel new movie It’s Christmas, Carol will debut at 8 PM

In yet another adaptation of “The Christmas Carol”, the ruthless CEO of a publishing company is visited on Christmas Eve by the ghost of her former boss, Eve, who takes her on a journey through her past, present and future. Seeing all the unhappiness she has caused in her own life as well as those around her, she realizes she must make a change.

The film stars Emmanuelle Vaugier (Lost Girl), Chelah Horsdal (Level Up) and Carrie Fisher (from Star Wars fame).

November 18 – The original Lifetime movie Love at the Christmas Table will debut at 8 PM

Sam and Katherine are two best friends who have spent every Christmas at the children’s table since they were toddlers. They grew up together sharing the highs and lows of young adulthood. Now nearly 30 years later, Sam realizes Katherine is the one, but he is afraid that the past will get in his way.

The cast includes Danica McKellar (The Wonder Years), Dustin Mulligan (90210), Lea Thompson (Switched at Birth) and Scott Patterson (Gilmore Girls).

November 24 – The Hallmark Channel movie Naughty or Nice will debut at 8 PM

Holiday humbug Krissy Kringle receives a special delivery intended for Santa Claus – the “Naughty or Nice” book he left behind while visiting a child – and she uses the power of the book to expose the naughty deeds of those around her, but soon finds that her newfound power isn’t always so nice.

The film stars Hilarie Burton (White Collar and One Tree Hill) and Matt Dallas (Kyle XY).

November 24 – Holiday Spin is the new Lifetime movie that will debut at 8 PM

A former dance champion, who was sidelined years ago by an injury, and his estranged son – who comes to live with him – work together to compete in the “Holiday Spin” a ballroom dance contest that takes place every Christmas Eve; and through teamwork, love and holiday cheer they do what it takes to win the grand prize.

The cast includes Ralph Macchio (The Karate Kid), Erika Eleniak (Baywatch) and Karen Olivo (Harry’s Law).

November 25 – Hitched for the Holidays is the new Hallmark Channel movie that will debut at 8 PM

A commitment-phobia leads single New Yorker, Rob to hire a temporary girlfriend, Julie, to make his family happy over the holidays. As the lonely twosome uses each other as dates to holiday parties and family get-togethers, they realize their fake feelings might be real, and are led to overcome their fear of falling in love just in time for the New Year.

The film stars Joey Lawrence (Melissa & Joey) and Emily Hampshire (Cosmopolis).

November 25 – The ABC Family movie Home Alone: The Holiday Heist will debut at 8 PM

Finn, an 8-year-old who is left home alone with his sister while their parents are stranded across town is visited by a group of thieves who target his house.

The cast includes Christian Martyn (XIII The Series), Jodelle Ferland (The Twilight Saga: Eclipse), Malcolm McDowell (Franklin & Bash), Debi Mazar (Entourage) and Eddie Steeples (My Name is Earl).

At the end of November I will provide a list of holiday-themed made-for-TV movies that will debut in December on the cable networks

And, once again, Happy Halloween to all of our readers!