‘HOLIDAZED’ FIRST IMPRESSION REVIEW OF A CUTE HALLMARK SERIAL
Presenting their first holiday serial, Hallmark+ puts out Holidazed. It’s a multifamily story that isn’t unfamiliar, but is hopefully a good time.
Holidazed (2024) First Impression Hallmark+ TV Review
Decoration wars and Christmas preparations are in full swing as a cul-de-sac full of neighbors prepare for Christmas. But like every season, things don’t always go according to plan. There’s Jenny and Mike (Robinne Fanfair, Jeff Joseph), the couple unsettled to welcome her post divorce parents. Then there is businessman Josh Hill (Ian Harding) who returns to see his parents before he and his girlfriend (Nazneen Contractor) move to Australia. Former classmate, and widowed mother Nora (Erin Cahill) is raising her son and working as a police officer. Lucy (Lindy Booth) too is raising her daughter while crushing on a local handyman.
Gaby (Noemi Gonzalez) excitedly returns home to visit her parents and brother Kevin (Bert Cardozo) only to learn he’s dating her middle school nemesis, something she doesn’t deal with well. Finally there is Ted (Osric Chau), a man who is scared to tell someone the best news of his life. Needless to say, this cul-de-sac Christmas may be complicated.
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This is a multi-character and family story that introduces us to a myriad of characters. Some have secrets they haven’t told to family, others are clinging to a sorrow from the past which they haven’t healed from. Some of their introductions will confuse us wondering the who and where of their place. Given the title of episode two, ‘The Hill Family,’ I’m assuming the script will focus in on one family after episode one introduces everyone. Because of the set up, we will inevitably be left guessing about the fate of everyone until that finale. Of course, throughout Holidazed are themes of family and the complicated ties as well as, yes, the usual sprinkle of romance.
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Last year I fell head over heels for the Roku serial The Holiday Shift. It was a collection of short 20-some minute episodes and it was pure delight about a group of characters working at a mall. This show feels like it’s trying to capture something like that and is an effort to test what content works for Hallmark+. Based solely on this first impression (episodes release on Thursdays), this one doesn’t capture much for me.
There is an impressive cast including everyone already mentioned which also includes Dennis Haysbert, John C. McGinley, Rachelle Lefevre, and Virginia Madsen. I’m not sure what other connections will unravel in this eight episode run (guessing the final episode will be similar to the first), but so far this feels very familiar to other productions I’ve seen. Is is cute? Absolutely! Will it be something I rewatch? Probably not. But overall, the series is worth watching if you enjoy seasonal stories.
You can stream Holidazed (first two episodes) exclusively on Hallmark+, and watch for feature episodes on Thursdays.
Photos: Hallmark Media
Content: this one has an established same sex couple relationship if that bothers you. There is likely to be some romance between others too (if a first impression is anything to go by) and it’s implied at least one couple lives together. The show (based solely on the first two episodes) is TV-PG.
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