Deck The Hallmark

It’s a brand-new episode for a brand new Hallmark movie (finally!!!). Brian is here to help us review the newest Hallmark movie, Adventures in Love & Birding.ABOUT ADVENTURES IN LOVE & BIRDINGA single mom agrees to be the partner of a bird enthusiast for a birding competition but misunderstands the assignment and tells everyone she's his new girlfriend instead of just his teammate.AIR DATE & PLATFORM FOR ADVENTURES IN LOVE & BIRDINGSeptember 27th, 2025 | Hallmark Channel / Hallmark+CAST & CREW OF ADVENTURES IN LOVE & BIRDINGRachel Boston as CelesteAndrew W. Walker as JohnBRAN’S ADVENTURES IN LOVE & BIRDING SYNOPSISCeleste loves birds. We know this because she literally stops someone from trimming a tree branch that has a bird in it. She also has a daughter named Morgan.Then we meet John—who also loves birds. We know this because he uses binoculars to look at them. John never finished his PhD, so he’s hoping that winning a big birding competition will give him the publicity he needs to finally go full-time with birding. He even thinks birding is cool because, apparently, James Bond likes birds.Celeste’s friend overcommits and asks her to fill in as John’s partner for the competition. When Celeste realizes John is dealing with his ex—who just so happens to also be competing—she pretends to be his girlfriend. Meanwhile, the competition is a huge deal for John since the prize money could help him start his own business. Celeste asks him to teach her everything about birding, and in exchange, he tags along for a bowling outing and pretends to be her date. That’s right—double fake relationship.At the bowling alley, John overhears Celeste’s friends saying they don’t think he really likes her because he never touches her. So what do they do? They kiss. Big ones.Celeste finds herself not only getting into birds, but also getting into John. She’s falling for him for real. And it’s clear he’s falling for her too—until the big dance. When he won’t confirm whether it’s a real date and declares it's all just present, Celeste gets frustrated, and leaves early.John realizes he’s messed up. So, in true Hallmark fashion, the movie ends with him showing up at Morgan’s art show to confess that he stopped pretending a long time ago. They kiss (again, big ones), and he lets her know he’s still planning to start that birding business. Watch the show on Youtube - www.deckthehallmark.com/youtubeInterested in advertising on the show? Email bran@deckthehallmark.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It’s Mighty Monday, and Ryan is here to dive into one of his favorite movies ever: Little Big League.ABOUT LITTLE BIG LEAGUEWhen his grandfather dies, 12-year-old Billy Heywood inherits the Minnesota Twins baseball team — and decides to manage them himself. Navigating locker room politics, skeptical players, and the pressures of big league life, Billy tries to prove that heart (and kid logic) might just beat experience.AIR DATE & PLATFORM FOR LITTLE BIG LEAGUEJune 29, 1994 | Theatrical ReleaseCAST & CREW OF LITTLE BIG LEAGUELuke Edwards as Billy HeywoodTimothy Busfield as Lou CollinsJohn Ashton as Mac MacnallyAshley Crow as Jenny HeywoodKevin Dunn as Arthur GoslinJason Robards as Thomas HeywoodDirected by Andrew ScheinmanBRAN’S LITTLE BIG LEAGUE SYNOPSISIt’s little league baseball time, folks, and little Billy Haywood is a bit of a baseball genius. He knows all the rules and even helps the ump with a call. Unfortunately, he’s not very good at actually playing baseball himself. Billy’s grandpa, Thomas, comes to watch him play, and he just seems like a normal grandpa—until we find out he’s filthy rich and owns the Minnesota Twins.Billy goes to a Twins game with Grandpa, and it’s clear all the players know and love him. Grandpa convinces Billy’s mom to let him come back on Tuesday night to see Roger Clemens pitch. But when Billy gets home to get ready, he finds out Grandpa has passed away—and left the team to him.Billy takes this responsibility seriously. When he decides he doesn’t like how the manager is running things, he fires him. After a brief search, Billy appoints himself as manager. The players are skeptical, but Billy promises that if he doesn’t get the last-place Twins moving up the standings in a few weeks, he’ll resign.Things start rocky, but after Billy implores the team to just have fun and fall in love with baseball again, they begin to win. Meanwhile, Billy’s life outside baseball starts to shift. His buddies notice he’s always busy, he has to bench one of his favorite players, and things get complicated when his mom starts dating one of his players—Lou. To make matters worse, Billy curses out an ump in front of his mom.When his mom decides to go out with Lou for her birthday, Billy spite-benches him, which leads to a losing skid. Eventually, Billy admits he’s not having fun anymore and tells his mom he’s tired of being a grown-up. He apologizes to the team and reinstates Lou.The Twins bounce back, and after winning their last games, they face Seattle in a one-game playoff. Down to their final out, Lou steps up to the plate. Before batting, he tells Billy he asked his mom to marry him, and she said, “Ask Billy.” Billy tells him he can marry her whether he hits a homer or not.Lou faces Randy Johnson and smacks a long fly ball to center—it looks like a home run, but Ken Griffey Jr. robs it. Season over.Billy tells the players he’s officially stepping down as manager. They push back, but he insists he’ll still be around as owner. The movie ends with Billy being told no one has left the stadium—they’re all cheering for him. He goes out for the curtain call. Watch the show on Youtube - www.deckthehallmark.com/youtubeInterested in advertising on the show? Email bran@deckthehallmark.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Occasionally, we like to spotlight other Bramble Jam Podcasts here on the Deck the Hallmark feed that we think you’ll enjoy. Today, we’re celebrating fall by spotlighting Girls Gone Hallmark!"We’re reviewing some fan favorite fall movies this season. We’re hoping this review series tides us all over until the hotly anticipated Countdown to Christmas Season! Watch along with us and then listen to our reviews on Girls Gone Hallmark."Be sure to subscribe to Girls Gone Hallmark to keep up all season long! 🎧www.girlsgonehallmark.com Watch the show on Youtube - www.deckthehallmark.com/youtubeInterested in advertising on the show? Email bran@deckthehallmark.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It’s Festive Friday, and for this episode we were joined by Alonso to dig into a holiday movie that is absolutely insane.ABOUT CIVIL CHRISTMASDuring the Civil War, a wounded Union soldier falls in love with a Southern woman while taking refuge in her cabin on Christmas Eve.AIR DATE & PLATFORM FOR CIVIL CHRISTMASJuly 2, 2024 | VODCAST & CREW OF CIVIL CHRISTMASSophie Bolen as Aura-LeeKyle Patrick Douglas as DouglasAndrew Dawe-Collins as Grandpa CharlieBRAN’S CIVIL CHRISTMAS SYNOPSISWe’re dropped into the Civil War as I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day plays.Cut to this woman in her cabin. She hears a sound outside and thinks it’s her grandpa. She runs out and, for some reason, bursts into Hark the Herald Angels Sing. Then she goes back in and sings a song that—honestly—makes it sound like she’s in love with her grandpa. I don’t know.There’s a knock at the door. She grabs her gun and finds a wounded Yankee outside. Even though helping him could get her in trouble, she brings him in and stitches him up. He falls asleep, wakes up, and hears her sing O Holy Night—after which he just casually mumbles that he loves her.They eat and sing Up on the Housetop together, which somehow inspires her to decorate for Christmas. There’s something off about this guy, but I can’t quite place it. Then he recites A Visit from St. Nicholas and asks her to sing again, so they do The First Noel.That’s when he breaks the news: her grandpa isn’t coming home. He says they spent hours together by a fire, had a heart-to-heart, grandpa wrote a poem to God…and then died. To cope, she sings Silent Night. Naturally.They have a quick “nuanced” conversation about slavery and then immediately slide into What Child Is This. She says goodnight, and that’s when he drops the bomb: he actually killed her grandpa after grandpa shot him in the back. Oh, and by the way, they knew each other as kids and were first loves. He gives her another letter from grandpa, and they cap it all off by singing a slow version of Jingle Bells.He proposes, she says yes, and they celebrate on the porch. Then—plot twist—it turns out they’re in one of Krampus’ snow globes, and suddenly everything makes sense. Watch the show on Youtube - www.deckthehallmark.com/youtubeInterested in advertising on the show? Email bran@deckthehallmark.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Occasionally, we like to spotlight other Bramble Jam Podcasts here on the Deck the Hallmark feed that we think you’ll enjoy. Today, we’re sharing the season premiere of Making the Merge!Making the Merge is a fun show co-hosted by our very own Bran, where they break down the latest episode of Survivor and chat about the teams they’ve drafted.Season 49 of Survivor just kicked off, so watch along and come prepared to party!Be sure to subscribe to Making the Merge to keep up all season long! 🎧https://pod.link/1770945758 Watch the show on Youtube - www.deckthehallmark.com/youtubeInterested in advertising on the show? Email bran@deckthehallmark.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jacks joins the boys to chat about The Chicken Sisters Season 2, Episode 7: Storm's Brewing, Y'allABOUT THE CHICKEN SISTERS - S02E07A storm comes to town, and lead by Nancy's brave example, all of Merinac bands together to help their friends, family and neighbors.AIR DATE & NETWORK FOR THE CHICKEN SISTERS - S02E07:September 21, 2025 | Hallmark ChannelCAST & CREW OF THE CHICKEN SISTERS - S02E07:Schuyler Fisk as AmandaGenevieve Angelson as MaeLea Thompson as NancyWendie Malick as GusMargo Martindale as NarratorRukiya Bernard as SabrinaCaitlin Howden as ShawnaBRAN'S THE CHICKEN SISTERS - S02E07 SYNOPSIS:The storm is raging, but Frank Jr. is so distracted by his lack of a love life that he nearly gets hit by a train.Nancy discovers that the mayor isn’t around because he had a heart attack. So, she steps up and takes charge, making sure everyone stays safe.Meanwhile, Gus scrambles for safety after a tree crashes through her window. Over with Mae, she’s with her fiancé, Jay, and tells him she doesn’t think they should get married. She insists she’s cursed, while Jay insists he doesn’t believe in any of that “Mimi’s curse” stuff.Frank Jr.’s car won’t start, so he runs to his momma’s house.Amanda is with Sergio, who’s clearly nervous, and she comforts him. (They’re definitely not about to kiss… yet.)Frank Jr. reluctantly helps Gus down the stairs, and she points out that his momma is busy helping others.Mae breaks down her entire family tree for Jay to prove the curse is real.Cardy Wong shows up again with a flat tire, and Nancy helps him and his baby. This makes her think of her own baby boy, so she rushes to his apartment—but he’s nowhere to be found.That’s because he’s with Gus, who gives him a piece of her mind about how incredible his momma is. This brings Frank Jr. to tears.Mae admits she’s worried she’s like the men in her family. Jay reminds her that she’s more like her momma, and that’s enough for him. He proposes again.Nancy is relieved when she finds out Frank Jr. is safe with Gus, and he finally gives her a proper apology.Amanda and Sergio make it through the night without kissing, and just when it looks like they might finally lock lips, they’re interrupted by Frankie.The episode ends with Mae stepping out of hiding, shocked at the devastation the storm has left behind. Watch the show on Youtube - www.deckthehallmark.com/youtubeInterested in advertising on the show? Email bran@deckthehallmark.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It’s time for another Hallmark review! This episode was originally released in 2024, and we were joined by Alonso Duralde to break down the final Groomsmen movie.ABOUT THE GROOMSMEN: LAST DANCEJackson moves to Italy to be near his daughter, but a chance meeting with cafe owner Gabriella, and some meddling friends, may lead to a second chance at love.AIR DATE & NETWORK FOR THE GROOMSMEN: LAST DANCEOctober 31, 2024 | Hallmark+ / September 20, 2025 | Hallmark ChannelCAST & CREW OF THE GROOMSMEN: LAST DANCETyler Hynes as JacksonJonathan Bennett as DannyB.J. Britt as PeteElena Rusconi as GabriellaBRAN'S THE GROOMSMEN: LAST DANCE SYNOPSISThe movie kicks off at the initial wedding, where Jackson is dancing with his daughter, Betty, when she drops a bomb—she’s moving to Italy with her mom. Jackson is devastated. He runs a firm representing social media influencers, including a guy who just eats soup. One day, he gets a call from his ex asking if Betty can stay with him for a while. Jackson comes up with a better idea: “I’ll come to you!”He heads to Italy in a red convertible—because why not? He nearly hits a woman named Gabriella, and though he thinks he’ll never see her again, fate has other plans. Gabriella runs a café that doesn’t serve cappuccinos in the afternoon, so they keep bumping into each other. Friction turns into sexual tension, and Jackson even builds her a new website. But he insists, “Nothing is going to happen between us,” hesitant to love again after his divorce.When his sons visit, they encourage him to go to a masked dance. Hesitant at first, he ends up dancing with a masked stranger—and it’s hot, hot, hot. He even dips her! But he leaves before discovering her identity.The next day at the café, Gabriella slips, and Jackson catches her—dip style—realizing it was the same woman from the dance. They talk it out, and she admits she didn’t realize it was him. Later, while walking with Betty, she points out that Jackson is afraid of dating and that it’s not fair to either of them.Gabriella brings over some lasagna, and Jackson offers to drive her home. When the car breaks down, they walk back together through the city. He opens up about his past, and she admits she knew it was him at the dance all along. Just as they’re about to kiss, a sprinkler goes off—because, apparently, wet kisses are forbidden.Jackson joins Gabriella for dinner at her father’s house and initially doubts their relationship can work. She reminds him, “We’ll always have that dance.” Realizing he’s been foolish, Jackson decides to stay—and they finally kiss.The story cuts back to Betty, the narrator. Milo shows up and confesses he’s loved her since they were kids. They get married, everyone gives endless speeches, and then they all dance. Finally, the groomsmen perform their special dance again. Watch the show on Youtube - www.deckthehallmark.com/youtubeInterested in advertising on the show? Email bran@deckthehallmark.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It’s Mighty Monday’s and Ryan is here to help review a throwback Disney sports comedy, Rookie of the Year.ABOUT ROOKIE OF THE YEAR:After a freak accident leaves 12-year-old Henry Rowengartner with an unusually powerful pitching arm, his life changes overnight. The struggling Chicago Cubs discover his talent and sign him to the big leagues, thrusting Henry into the wild world of Major League Baseball. Between learning how to balance fame, friendship, and family, Henry must figure out if he has what it takes to be more than just a rookie sensation.AIR DATE & NETWORK FOR ROOKIE OF THE YEAR:July 7, 1993 | Theatrical ReleaseCAST & CREW OF ROOKIE OF THE YEAR:Thomas Ian Nicholas as Henry RowengartnerGary Busey as Chet “The Rocket” SteadmanDaniel Stern as Brickma (and Director)Albert Hall as Manager Sal MartinellaAmy Morton as Mary RowengartnerEddie Bracken as Bob CarsonBRAN'S ROOKIE OF THE YEAR SYNOPSIS:The movie kicks off, and there’s no mistaking it—this is a baseball movie. John Candy is at Wrigley Field for the first game of the season, and, well… the Cubs aren’t doing so hot.Cut to young Henry Rowengartner, who, despite absolutely loving baseball, also isn’t very good—just like his beloved Cubs. But it’s okay, because he has a loving and supportive mom at home, who is dating this goober named Jack, whom Henry absolutely hates.The next day at school, a classmate hits a fly ball to see if Henry can catch it. He’s running, things are looking good… until he slips on the grass. His arm is badly injured and has to be in a cast for four months. When the cast finally comes off, the doctor tests Henry’s arm—but suddenly it snaps forward and hits the doctor in the face. Luckily, it’s nothing serious; the tendons just healed a little tight.To celebrate being out of the cast, his mom gives him and his two best friends tickets to a Cubs game. During the game, the opposing team hits a home run… and, naturally, Henry throws it back. But this isn’t just any throw—the ball rockets all the way to the catcher!The Cubs’ management is shocked to learn the incredible throw came from an 11-year-old boy. Desperate to save the struggling team, general manager Larry “The Fish” Fisher recruits Henry. They sign him to a contract and, in front of a sellout crowd, make him pitch in the first game. It doesn’t go perfectly… but the Cubs still win.Before long, Henry starts hitting his stride. With the wins come sponsorships, fame, and attention—but he begins to drift away from his friends. Realizing he’s lost sight of what matters, Henry decides to retire at the end of the season. Meanwhile, the team’s owner realizes the Fish isn’t exactly the best manager and decides it’s time for a change.It all comes down to the final game. Henry steps in to save the day, but during play, he slips and lands hard on his arm. His arm is suddenly “fixed”—but not quite the right way. Thanks to clever plays and some help from his mom, the Cubs pull off a victory. In the end, Henry returns to being just a normal kid, ready to enjoy life beyond baseball. Watch the show on Youtube - www.deckthehallmark.com/youtubeInterested in advertising on the show? Email bran@deckthehallmark.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It's Festive Friday and Alonso is here to help review another Christmas movie we missed from 2024, Ebenezer: The Traveler. ABOUT EBENEZER THE TRAVELER:Following the merriest Christmas day of Ebenezer Scrooge's long and miserable life, the day after finds him much less merry, and instead much more dead. Reunited with his old partner Jacob Marley, a no longer quite so Tiny Tim, and his beloved sister Fan, together they are tasked with earning their own redemptions, and regaining Scrooge's second chance, by crossing over time and the mortal plane to help guide others who are in danger of losing their way.AIR DATE & NETWORK FOR EBENEZER THE TRAVELER:December 6, 2024 | VODCAST & CREW OF EBENEZER THE TRAVELER:Jerry Parisi as Ebenezer ScroogeAmanda Rae Dodson as Fan ScroogeMichael Bertolini as Jacob MarleyAusten Shane as Tiny TimLeland Prater as Simon OnyxBRAN'S EBENEZER THE TRAVELER SYNOPSIS:The movie starts with a man, Simon Onyx, looking straight into the camera and asking us what we’re doing here. Well, obviously—we’re here to figure out why the heck Ebenezer Scrooge is in present-day Oklahoma.Flash back to London, 1809. We get the classic Christmas Carol story to catch us up: heartbreak, dead business partner, three ghosts, merry Christmas—you know the drill.Scrooge returns to his house, thrilled over a shiny quarter. But then, the ghosts kill him. He comes face-to-face with Simon Onyx, who refuses to give him any real answers. Instead, Simon explains that Scrooge still has a shot at redemption. Simon opens a flaming book, and suddenly, Scrooge disappears.He’s hurled forward seven years and finds himself standing alongside Jacob Marley, Tiny Tim, and Fan—all dead. They reveal that Scrooge himself was murdered, and now the four of them are bound together, dependent on one another for redemption. Oh, and Fan? She’s Scrooge’s sister, though he doesn’t remember her.They wander around purgatory for a while, collecting mirrors that let them glimpse the soul they’re meant to save: a woman named Angel.Cut to present-day Oklahoma. Their mission begins at a bar called The Boar’s Den. Scrooge is immediately tossed out, so they seek out Angel’s mom to learn more about her. Eventually, they track Angel to her workplace—a thrift store, oddly enough, run by a young version of Ebenezer Scrooge. Angel is fired for being too kind.Out of options, she goes to The Boar’s Den for a job. The shady owner assures her he can “find something that’ll work for a beautiful woman like you.” Bad vibes all around.Since Angel’s true dream is to become a singer, Scrooge and Fan work to make it happen. They rescue her from the big bad guy and connect her with a local music manager. On Christmas Eve, Angel gets her chance to shine at a showcase—and she nails it. Her life is saved.As for Scrooge, Marley, Tiny Tim, and Fan? Looks like they’re still stuck in purgatory. Watch the show on Youtube - www.deckthehallmark.com/youtubeInterested in advertising on the show? Email bran@deckthehallmark.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Brian pops in to help review the newest Mystery Island movie, House Rules.  ABOUT MYSTERY ISLAND HOUSE RULES:On the eve of becoming a NY executive chef, Sophie returns home to help her family's flailing restaurant and runs into Cam, an old crush who makes her question everything.AIR DATE & NETWORK FOR MYSTERY ISLAND HOUSE RULES:September 14, 2025 | Hallmark ChannelCAST & CREW OF MYSTERY ISLAND HOUSE RULES:Elizabeth Henstridge as Dr. Emilia PriestlyCharlie Weber as Jason TrentKezia Burrows as Baroness Jane AlcottBRAN'S MYSTERY ISLAND HOUSE RULES SYNOPSIS:The movie kicks off with some running as the gang prepares for their next big mystery party. The Baroness drops a bombshell — they’re considering opening a second location: Mystery Mountain. To test it out, Jason and Emilia are sent for a trial weekend as guests. Everything seems perfect, and they’re both very impressed.At dinner, things get awkward when the staff starts arguing. Reagan, the on-site cop, begins questioning the company’s hiring practices. But soon, it’s game time — and the tech is mind-blowing, featuring Bluetooth phone integration and even a hologram. Jason and Emilia dive into solving the puzzles, but then chaos strikes. A tiny dart shoots out of a bookshelf and hits Reagan in the neck. It’s tipped with honey — which she’s allergic to. Moments later, their Bluetooth game box explodes. When they return to the room where Reagan collapsed, her body has vanished.One by one, more people “die” — three victims in total — yet none of their bodies are found. Emilia realizes she was the actual target, since she too is allergic to honey. Determined to solve the case, Jason and Emilia hunker down with their trusty whiteboard to crack the mystery.In the end, the shocking twist is revealed: it was all part of the game. No one really died, and Mystery Mountain remains murder-free. Relieved, Jason and Emilia celebrate the victory with their long-awaited first kiss. Watch the show on Youtube - www.deckthehallmark.com/youtubeInterested in advertising on the show? Email bran@deckthehallmark.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.