Have A Little Faith - Hallmark Hall of Fame

MOVIE REVIEW

Have A Little Faith

Hallmark Hall of Fame

Network: ABC and Hallmark Channel

Original Air Date: Christmas Season 2011

CAST:

Laurence Fishburne ... Rev. Henry Covington
Martin Landau ... Rabbi
Bradley Whitford ... Mitch Albom



PLOT:


This Movie is based on Detroit Free Press columnist Mitch Albom’s best-selling nonfiction book of the same name about his relationship with his childhood rabbi and the pastor of a decaying church. The movie is expected to air on ABC in December.


Book Summary (from Amazon):

What if our beliefs were not what divided us, but what pulled us together?

In Have a Little Faith, Mitch Albom offers a beautifully written story of a remarkable eight-year journey between two worlds--two men, two faiths, two communities--that will inspire readers everywhere.

Albom's first nonfiction book since Tuesdays with Morrie, Have a Little Faith begins with an unusual request: an eighty-two-year-old rabbi from Albom's old hometown asks him to deliver his eulogy.

Feeling unworthy, Albom insists on understanding the man better, which throws him back into a world of faith he'd left years ago. Meanwhile, closer to his current home, Albom becomes involved with a Detroit pastor--a reformed drug dealer and convict--who preaches to the poor and homeless in a decaying church with a hole in its roof.

Moving between their worlds, Christian and Jewish, African-American and white, impoverished and well-to-do, Albom observes how these very different men employ faith similarly in fighting for survival: the older, suburban rabbi embracing it as death approaches; the younger, inner-city pastor relying on it to keep himself and his church afloat.

As America struggles with hard times and people turn more to their beliefs, Albom and the two men of God explore issues that perplex modern man: how to endure when difficult things happen; what heaven is; intermarriage; forgiveness; doubting God; and the importance of faith in trying times. Although the texts, prayers, and histories are different, Albom begins to recognize a striking unity between the two worlds--and indeed, between beliefs everywhere.

In the end, as the rabbi nears death and a harsh winter threatens the pastor's wobbly church, Albom sadly fulfills the rabbi's last request and writes the eulogy. And he finally understands what both men had been teaching all along: the profound comfort of believing in something bigger than yourself.

Have a Little Faith is a book about a life's purpose; about losing belief and finding it again; about the divine spark inside us all. It is one man's journey, but it is everyone's story.



Movie Review:

Coming...




See or Skip:

Coming...



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Hallmark Hall of Fame Movies return to Network TV!

Hallmark Hall of Fame Movies will now begin to air on the ABC Network. The details are below in a complete press release from the Hallmark Channel.

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HALLMARK PRESS RELEASE:

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Hallmark Announces Unprecedented Agreements to Air Hallmark Hall of Fame on ABC Television Network and Hallmark Channel

Mitch Albom’s "Have a Little Faith" is first movie with new partners.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (July 7, 2011) — Hallmark announced today a multi-year deal, beginning with the 2011-2012 TV season, to premiere Hallmark Hall of Fame movies exclusively on the ABC Television Network with encore broadcasts a week later on Hallmark Channel.

“We’re delighted our movies will premiere exclusively on ABC starting with our 61st television season,” said Brad Moore, president – Hallmark Hall of Fame. “Since our very first talks with ABC last year we’ve looked forward to this announcement. Our agreement to follow ABC premieres with encores on Hallmark Channel is an exciting, unprecedented use of broadcast and cable.”

“A week after the Hallmark Hall of Fame network premiere on ABC, Hallmark Channel will air four encore broadcasts over a week-long period,” said Bill Abbott, president, Crown Media Networks. “This will bring even more exceptional, high-profile programming to our audience, and increase the viewership and impact of the Hallmark Hall of Fame series. We’re delighted to be a partner.”


The first movie to premiere on ABC will be Mitch Albom’s Have a Little Faith, based on Albom’s best-selling book. Albom also wrote the screenplay. The movie, now being filmed in Michigan by Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions, is executive produced by Brent Shields and directed by Jon Avnet. Laurence Fishburne, Bradley Whitford, and Martin Landau star. The movie will air before Christmas. ABC and Hallmark Channel will cross-promote this and subsequent telecasts.

During its 60-year history, the Hallmark Hall of Fame has been broadcast on ABC, NBC, and most recently CBS. Previous presentations on ABC include Emmy award winning movies My Name is Bill W, starring James Woods and James Garner, and The Shell Seekers, starring Angela Lansbury. Other previous Hallmark Hall of Fame presentations on ABC included A Place for Annie, staring Sissy Spacek, and Redwood Curtain, starring John Lithgow.

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Well, it's so good to know our Hallmark Hall of Fame Movies have a new home! Plus, I'm thrilled that they will have additional airings - that week, on the Hallmark Channel! This is great news!!!

What do you think about the HHOF's new Changes?

Catch the "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" Finale with the cast of "The Middle"

I saw a preview of this week's upcoming Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and just had to share this inspiring story....

Patrick Sharrock, of Rossville, Georgia may be only nine years old, but he has a rare genetic disorder known as brittle bone disease, and even the slightest of bumps can cause a broken bone. Extreme Makeover Home Edition has built a safe home for Patrick to grow up in.

Atticus Shaffer, who is 12 years old, portrays Brick Heck on the ABC sitcom The Middle and also has osteogenesis imperfecta, better known as brittle bone disease. Patrick and his family will make a surprise visit to the set of The Middle and meet the entire cast while their new home is being built.

see this Video Promo:

 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition FinaleSunday - May 15, 2011 on ABC

Catch the Cast of ABC's "The Middle" hosting ABC Family's Double Christmas Movie Feature

Wednesday ~  December 22, 2010

Tonight on ABC Family's 25 Days of Christmas...
THE SANTA CLAUSE Movie Double Feature, starring Tim Allen

Perhaps, the hosting by the Cast of The Middle, will be somewhat like what Hoops and YoYo do, during Hallmark Movies- fun little in between commercial segments!

The Middle is typically a fun family show - so I look forward to seeing what they do!

The Santa Clause - 8 PM
The Santa Clause 3 : The Escape Clause - 10 PM

Enjoy!

Ho! Ho! Ho! Santa Claus is Comin' to Town!!!!

Congratulations Charlie Brown - ABC extends Contract!!!

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* Breaking News * direct from ABC :

On the 60th Anniversary Year of the Peanuts Comic Strip - ABC is extending their contract of airing Charlie Brown Holiday Programming throughout the year for 5 More Years!

Here's the official press release from ABC:

ABC EXTENDS CLASSIC "PEANUTS" HOLIDAY SPECIALS FOR FIVE ADDITIONAL YEARS

ABC today announced that it has extended its relationship with popular "PEANUTS" animated specials by Charles M. Schulz in a deal signed with Peanuts Worldwide LLC and Lee Mendelson Film Productions. The beloved Emmy Award-winning specials, including the iconic "A Charlie Brown Christmas," "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving" and "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown," created by Charles M. Schulz and produced and animated by Lee Mendelson and Bill Melendez, began airing on ABC in December 2001.

This fall the famed "PEANUTS" comic strip will celebrate its 60th anniversary. The first and most well known of the beloved animated holiday specials, "A Charlie Brown Christmas," first aired on television in 1965, making this year the 45th anniversary.

 Since moving to ABC nine years ago, the specials have continually delivered stellar ratings for the Network. Against competition including the season finale of NBC's "Biggest Loser," ABC's rebroadcast of "A Charlie Brown Christmas" finished a strong No. 2 in its half-hour in Adults 18-49 (3.7/11), beating slot-regular CBS' "NCIS" replay by 37% (2.7/8) and Fox's original "So You Think You Can Dance" by 61% in Adults 18-49 (2.3/7). The special towered over its slot with Kids 2-11, topping the combined delivery of CBS, Fox, NBC and CW in the half-hour by 42% (5.9/18 vs. 4.2/13), and finished as the No. 2 TV show of the night behind only its lead-out, ABC's debut of "Prep & Landing." Versus the year-ago night with original programming ("AFV" special on 12/9/08), "A Charlie Brown Christmas" boosted the time period year to year for ABC by 4.2 million viewers (11.2 million vs. 7.0 million) and by 95% in Adults 18-49 (3.7/11 vs. 1.9/5). The "PEANUTS" special was up year to year in Total Viewers and held even with Adults 18-49 (11.0 million and 3.7/10 on 12/8/08).

On October 2, 1950 the "PEANUTS" comic strip launched in seven American newspapers. Nearly 60 years later, the comic strip appears in over 2,200 newspapers, in 75 countries and 21 languages. "PEANUTS" animated specials have become a seasonal tradition, and thousands of consumer products are available in virtually all retail channels. Charlie Brown kicking the football, Linus and his blanket and Lucy leaning over Schroeder's piano are images that everyone can relate to, while phrases like "Security Blanket" and "Good Grief" have become a part of the global vernacular.

Lee Mendelson and Bill Melendez's association with Charles Schulz stretches back to 1965 with "A Charlie Brown Christmas," which debuted on CBS in 1965, with Mendelson as executive producer and Bill Melendez as animator and director. The three men continued their long-term association until Schulz's death, working together on 50 "PEANUTS" network specials and four feature films. The network specials won five Emmys, two Peabodys, as well as 18 other Emmy nominations.

Iconix Brand Group, in a joint venture with Charles M. Schulz Creative Associates, has formed PEANUTS Worldwide, a new home to the global "PEANUTS" property. The "PEANUTS" characters and related intellectual property are owned by Peanuts Worldwide LLC, a joint venture owned 80% by Iconix Brand Group, Inc. and 20% by members of the Charles M. Schulz family. Iconix Brand Group, Inc. (NASDAQ) owns, licenses and markets a growing portfolio of consumer brands including CANDIE'S (R), BONGO (R), BADGLEY MISCHKA (R), JOE BOXER (R), RAMPAGE (R), MUDD (R), LONDON FOG (R), MOSSIMO (R), OCEAN PACIFIC(R), DANSKIN (R), ROCA WEAR(R), CANNON (R), ROYAL VELVET (R), FIELDCREST (R), CHARISMA (R), STARTER (R) and WAVERLY (R). In addition Iconix owns an interest in the ARTFUL DODGER (R), ED HARDY (R), ECKO (R), MARC ECKO (R), ZOO YORK (R), MATERIAL GIRL� and PEANUTS(R) brands. The Company licenses its brands to a network of leading retailers and manufacturers that touch every major segment of retail distribution from the luxury market to the mass market in both the U.S. and worldwide. Through its in-house business development, merchandising, advertising and public relations departments, Iconix manages its brands to drive greater consumer awareness and equity.

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Oh, this is such wonderful news... cuz,  I Love The Peanuts Gang... Charlie Brown, Sally, Snoopy, Peppermint Patty, Marci, Shroder, Pig Pen, Rerun, even Lucy, and especially... my Sweet Baboo!!!

I'm so thrilled, too - that for the next 5 years, at least, children and families will be learning each year at Christmastime - What Christmas is all about!

ABC's Scripp's Spelling Bee 2010 & The Middle's Brick

I know many families enjoy watching the annual Scripp's National Spelling Bee event on TV. It's amazing how intelligent these young children, pre-teens, and teenagers are, who compete to spell such grand and long words and medical terms. It's so wonderful to see their achievement in this computer ~ text-lingo era.

When it airs...

June 3, 2010 Thursday
2010 Scripps National Spelling Bee
PRE-LIMINARIES ... ESPN 3 ... 1:15 PM *LIVE


June 4, 2010 Friday

2010 Scripps National Spelling Bee
SEMI-FINALS ... ESPN ... 10 AM - 1 PM *LIVE

2010 Scripps National Spelling Bee
FINALS ... ABC ... 8 PM - 10 PM *LIVE

I am a fan of the ABC TV Sitcom - The Middle, starring Patricia Heaton, and recently enjoyed when Brick's character was involved in a Spelling Bee. He made it nearly all the way to the end, but with one little mistake (he whispered an extra letter), he was out. And, that's the way it goes... the competition is tough and typically the pressure is rough. Brick, however, was calm and cool... he was enjoying the car-trip and family time making it to the bee, more than the Spelling bee, itself! To say it mildly, other kids weren't near as calm as Brick.

I thought since ABC was airing the Scripps Spelling Bee again this year, that perhaps, they would re-show this particular episode of The Middle. Unfortunately, they are not. It's a truly funny show and hopefully, they will re-show the "Spelling Bee Episode" before the end of summer. For now, The Middle re-runs are being shown every Wednesday night from 8-9 PM, and it is returning with new episodes in the fall.


I so admire the children, pre-teens, & teens competing in this year's Scripp's National Spelling Bee. I admire your energy and devotion... your willingness and your longing for understanding and wisdom. Many, as I understand it, are home schooled, as well... so I commend the parents who have taken the time to love and educate their children. I just loved spelling when I was young (still do!) and being involved in bee's.... so I send Best Wishes to you all... as you press on toward the goal!

God's blessings to all of the Young Spellers competing this year!



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"We press on toward the goal to win the prize
for which God has called us heavenward in Christ Jesus."
~Philippians 3:14
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*Update- June 2nd:
The first replier to this post reminds us that you can watch lots of ABC shows online for free - full episodes. I searched through ABC for The Middle and unfortunately on their site, they do not play full episodes of The Middle, but short clips from various shows or shorts from behind the scenes. The Spelling bee episode did air first in March and repeated approx. 2 weeks ago.

The Middle Videos on ABC:
http://abc.go.com/watch/clip/the-middle/SH011581190000

You can see FULL episodes of The Middle On-line, here:
http://www.fastpasstv.com/tv/the-middle/
*Although, I think you have to register to do so.
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