Last week, I was invited to the Hallmark Channel’s party, held to introduce the press to what the channel’s going to be doing in the new TV year. For one thing, it’s changing its name, to Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. This signals a change of direction, though I don’t think it’s a huge one; Hallmark viewers have always likes mysteries of the milder sort. There’s a huge viewership – huge – that doesn’t like provocative programming. And that’s where I come. Aurora Teagarden, the heroine of my first mystery series, is perfect for the Hallmark demographic. If all goes well, there’ll be a series of two-hour movies, each one based on one of the Aurora books.
And, as you perhaps already know, Candace Cameron Bure will be Aurora. I’ve already heard a number of protests about this casting, but I’m delighted. She’s a Hallmark viewer favorite, she’s charming and lovely, and she can act. It was a pleasure meeting her at the party (we talked about our children), and I’m pretty excited about the whole process.
This year, the event (usually held in an auditorium or similar arrangement) was held at a mansion rented for this purpose, in the hills above Hollywood. The view from the terrace was spectacular, and the theme was Christmas in July.
I did not wear the right clothes or jewelry to this shindig, I’m sorry to say, and yet I didn’t suffer unduly. Obviously the right thing to wear is a short form-fitting dress and some killer heels. I don’t have the shape to wear the garment or the will to wear the shoes, so I have to cobble something together. In this case, I wore a black leather jacket, a dark blue tank, and black pants. I got my toenails painted dark blue and I wore black sandals with an inch heel. (You can appreciate the process I have to go through when I get invited to something like this.) I have to say, I was comfortable (except for the shoes; I simply hate heels) and when the sun went down, I was glad of the jacket. At least now that I'm older, I don't worry about missing the mark.
Here’s who I spotted at the party: Morgan Fairchild, Bruce Boxleitner, Andie McDowell, Greg Harrison, and Jon Voight. (I’m still stumped by his presence, because I missed the explanation.) There were many more actors who are familiar to Hallmark watchers, but they were new to me. I was feeling really cool until my daughter and daughter-in-law didn't recognize any of these actors. Sigh.
Interesting tidbit: When my media escort (a lovely young woman assigned by the studio to match me up with interviewers) took me into the mansion’s dining room, underneath the vast table was a glass floor, through which you could see the swimming pool. Wow.
Charlaine Harris
Oooh! Always so fun to get an insider's view, Charlaine! Can't wait to see the movies!
Posted by: Dana Cameron | July 21, 2014 at 06:41 AM
Your post is right on! I read and watch a variety of genres, but I love the Hallmark Channel because I know just what to expect and enjoy seeing my favorite actors. Can't wait for the series, sounds great and great casting - haven't read this series so have to go back and catch up now.
And I can relate to your choice of clothes!
Posted by: Sally Schmidt | July 21, 2014 at 07:46 AM
I don't know how much of an insider I am, Dana, but I have gotten over being so scared at industry events. There's kind of a shock once you first see A REAL ACTOR YOU'VE SEEN ON THE SCREEN, and then you realize, "Hey. That's just another person, albeit a very attractive one." And it readjusts your thinking.
Posted by: Charlaine Harris | July 21, 2014 at 07:49 AM
Wow is right! Amazing. And so exciting.
Movie stars have a different look, though, don't they? Why is it that you can tell?
And your outfit sounds perfect.
And hey--they are just as excited to meet YOU.
Sitting on the swimming pool, though. Still considering that. What can the people in the pool see?
Posted by: Hank Phillippi Ryan | July 21, 2014 at 09:08 AM
Nah, Hank, they are NOT as excited to meet me, since not very many of them are great readers (of course, there are exceptions). Probably the same proportion as the general populace, I guess. Maybe the difference in them lies in that they know they are being observed all the time, and that has to change the way you act.
I suppose the people in the pool would see a lot of shoe soles! And I can't imagine what people look like from below. That's a perspective we seldom get!
Sally, I hope you enjoy the books. There are no cell phones, that's how old they are!
Posted by: Charlaine Harris | July 21, 2014 at 09:14 AM
Wow for me, too. Mega impressed you mingled with the stars. Congratulations on finding a good home for Aurora.
About the pool -- aren't you glad you weren't wearing a short skirt?
Posted by: Elaine Viets | July 21, 2014 at 03:46 PM
The glass floor is a fascinating idea - I can't work out whether its to watch people swimming while you eat or watch people eating while you swim.
Posted by: catriona | July 21, 2014 at 07:37 PM
I loved the Aurora series & and it seems like a perfect fit for the Hallmark channel. Keeping my fingers crossed for you.
As for the glass floor, that sounds pretty odd. A cool concept I suppose, but don't really make a lot of sense.
Posted by: Kristopher | July 22, 2014 at 04:45 AM
Glass floors don't make sense at all, to me, and standing on one made me decidedly nervous. I always wear pants, and there was no one swimming, so I was spared the worry about another sort of viewing! The star feature of the house to me was the terrace, a great expanse of grass with a stone balustrade low enough to have the great view of Los Angeles. And Hallmark had put a 20-foot Christmas tree up, decorated in red.
Posted by: Charlaine Harris | July 22, 2014 at 05:50 AM
I do love these insider blogs. Do you think there's a portrait of Morgan Fairchild in some attic? Because she's totally resisted any noticeble droopage.
Thrilled to hear that Aurora's going to Hallmark. What a perfect fit!
Posted by: Leigh Evans | July 22, 2014 at 08:57 AM
I enjoyed the Aurora Teagarden mysteries and was sorry when you stopped writing them. I look forward to watching them on TV.
Posted by: Ellen Rappaport | July 23, 2014 at 06:33 AM
I think it's a good fit too, Leigh. Morgan F. is even shorter than I am, which is some kind of short! But she's still lovely, for sure.
Thanks, Ellen, I'm very interested in seeing the finished product.
Posted by: Charlaine Harris | July 23, 2014 at 06:43 AM
Such exciting news! (We can live vicariously!) Are they going to update Aurora, or keep her firmly in the time the books were originally set?
Posted by: Marcia Talley | July 23, 2014 at 01:35 PM
Marcia, I think they'll update her. I've been looking at the books to prepare myself, and the glaring things are no cell phones, which is such a huge difference now, and one dress Roe wears has padded shoulders! Ha! Other than that, I think they've stood the test of time pretty well. For books that are over 20 years old . . . give or take
Posted by: Charlaine Harris | July 23, 2014 at 01:38 PM
I am so glad to hear this the Aurora books are my among my favorites, so disappointed when the series ended
Posted by: Angrygreycatreads | July 23, 2014 at 02:18 PM
I love hearing about Hallmark's change to Movies and Mysteries. I've heard they're doing quite well with the mysteries that they've done so far. Congrats on the Aurora deal!
Posted by: Diane Vallere | July 23, 2014 at 09:48 PM
I so wish I got the Hallmark Channel or whatever it will be called. I'd love to watch some of their shows. (And I'm jealous of you getting to meet Tron/Scarecrow/Captain Sheridan, aka Bruce).
Posted by: Mark | July 23, 2014 at 11:39 PM
Diane, I hope the mysteries continue to do well for Hallmark, so they'll search for series among our mystery community to film. Wouldn't that be great? There are so many excellent traditional mystery series around now.
Mark, I cannot tell a lie. I didn't introduce myself to Bruce Boxleitner, because I couldn't imagine what i'd talk to him about. I admired him from afar. He looks GREAT.
Posted by: Charlaine Harris | July 24, 2014 at 05:52 AM