Wonderful essay, Dori, on Christmas telefilms.

I am one of those guys that will vegetate for a June/July Hallmark binge of Christmas movies. Yeah, it's a weakness: especially when the films are directed by forgotten film directors from the '80s (most horror film guys) and actors. I mean, when you have an X-Mas film with Eric Roberts or David Hasselhoff starring, well, a guy like me is watching that holiday cheer!

I'd have to say the best I've seen -- regardless of its "While You Were Sleeping" plotting (and aren't most of them) -- is "A Very Merry Mix-Up" starring the always likable Alicia Witt (she's done quite a few of them). In fact: this one is filled with lots of familiar U.S television actors and that makes watching even more interesting (instead of a bunch of new, unknown actors from Canada -- where most of the films are made).