‘Finding Mr. Christmas’ challenges men to ‘lead with kindness’ for a role as a Hallmark hunk

As a seasoned viewer of reality television, I must say that “Finding Mr. Christmas” has truly stood out among the crowd for me. The show not only offers heartwarming romance and holiday cheer but also provides a platform for these hunky contestants to share their personal stories, emotions, and experiences. It’s refreshing to see men opening up about their feelings and vulnerabilities, something that is often overlooked or stigmatized in our society.

NEW YORK —  What does it take to be a leading man in a Hallmark Christmas movie?

Some characteristics prove useful: Lush locks, defined facial structure, an uncanny knack for exuding charm and attractiveness even in casual flannel attire. A charisma so potent it could transform a hypothetical small-town baking competition into a smoldering cauldron of romantic tension.

Beyond all else, a hopeful Hallmark heartthrob should be open to expressing their feelings and not shy away from shedding the occasional tear. This is advice I received when I chatted with the potential romantic leads for “Finding Mr. Christmas,” a reality show where 10 contenders vie for the starring role in one of Hallmark’s heartwarming holiday films, airing on the network from October to December (around 4 dozen each year).

According to Ben Roy, creator of the series along with his friend and Hallmark star Jonathan Bennett, it’s not just about being an exceptional actor and having a striking on-screen presence – your off-camera actions carry equal weight. Essentially, you should lead with compassion, empathy, and a giving spirit in all that you do.

In the vein of “The Bachelor” and “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” this upcoming series on Hallmark+, airing Thursday, puts contestants through challenges that assess their charisma and holiday spirit. The contenders engage in activities like wrapping unusual presents, cutting down Christmas trees, and taking cute photos with puppies without shirts. They also enact heartwarming first encounters and, indeed, try to shed tears on command. Throughout the competition, they receive advice from a range of Hallmark celebrities, including Bennett who also hosts the show, as well as judge Melissa Peterman. Despite its family-friendly nature, “Finding Mr. Christmas” poses a thought-provoking question relevant in 2024: What defines masculinity?

Bennett expresses that the show they’re involved in served as an exploration for them. Notably, he has starred in ten Hallmark movies, one of which is “The Holiday Sitter,” marking the network’s initial holiday romance featuring a gay couple (humorously dubbed by him as the “gay king of Christmas”). The show isn’t solely about the competition, but rather the camaraderie that unfolds off-stage. This brotherhood is where mature, attractive men open up and express vulnerability towards each other, sending a message to viewers: “I may be a cool guy, but I have the bravery to share my fears and insecurities with other men.

Bennett, Roy along with five potential Mr. Christmas candidates assembled at Rolf’s German Restaurant in Manhattan, a charming, Christmas-themed eatery that resembles Santa’s cave adorned by Mrs. Claus, featuring twinkling fairy lights, shiny metallic ornaments, and artificial evergreen boughs cascading from the ceiling.

In the course of our 90-minute discussion about “Finding Mr. Christmas,” the terms “vulnerable” and “vulnerability” were used a total of 29 times. At least three potential love interests appeared close to tears while talking about how the show had affected their lives. At moments, it seemed as if I’d intruded on a men’s support group gathering. However, they were so genuinely endearing and charming that my usually skeptical nature softened quicker than polar ice caps in unusually warm conditions. By the end of our talk — where I may have been the only one to sample the circulating potato pancakes — I found myself contemplating acting like a Hallmark heroine, trading city life for the tranquility of managing a struggling Christmas tree farm in Vermont.

The concept for “Finding Mr. Christmas” was initially conceived by Roy, a producer with a passion for all things Christmas-related, Hallmark movies, and reality TV. He presented the idea to Bennett, who quickly expressed interest. According to Roy, Bennett immediately exclaimed, “Hold it right there! I know exactly what this is. I’m hooked! Here are a thousand ideas!

The show creatively reworks standard Hallmark holiday movie tropes into challenges designed to assess each contestant’s charisma. In the opening episode, they are tasked with personalizing an unattractive Christmas sweater that reflects their unique story, such as one participant adorning his sweater with a felt dog symbolizing the cherished pet he recently lost in divorce, not death. Another challenge serves as a trial for on-screen roles, where the contestants act as male suitors vying for the affection of an adorable instructor at a wreath-making workshop. Notably, the instructor is portrayed by Hallmark veteran Erin Cahill.

The aim was to pinpoint the scenes that viewers anticipate from Hallmark’s predictable programming – such as the apology and the kiss beneath the mistletoe – and devise a method to make these moments more interactive, Bennett explains. It wasn’t difficult to recognize the recurring themes. “After 10 [Hallmark movies], you can predict what will happen. I can skip ahead. I bet it’s an apology on page 65! Look, here comes the apology,” he adds, mimicking flipping through a script. “They all adhere to the formula because we discovered that our audience enjoys the familiar plot devices. It provides them with a comfortable viewing experience.

The cast is drawn from all walks of life: there are experienced actors, models-turned-actors, a fireman and an aerospace engineer. Their reasons for signing up also vary.

For Daxton Bloomquist, age 36, starring in “Finding Mr. Christmas” offered a thrilling chance to reshape the concept of a romantic leading man. Though he identifies as gay, he’s consciously avoided being typecast for LGBTQ+ roles. “I can win over both girls and boys,” he says, eliciting chuckles from his fellow cast members, “and on this show, nine boys even fell for me! It might sound cheesy, but that show was instrumental in boosting my self-confidence and allowing me to embrace who I truly am.

Here are some of the handsome stars from “Finding Mr. Christmas” by Hallmark: Parker Gregory, aged 39.

As a proud gay man, I’ve always found it challenging to openly express my identity in the spotlight, especially considering my upbringing in Kansas where I had to blend in as straight. However, in my roles like “The Book of Mormon” on Broadway, I felt a growing desire for authenticity. With “Finding Mr. Christmas,” I made the decision that it was time to stop hiding who I truly am. Parker Gregory, a sympathetic former model to my side, could sense the raw emotion in my voice as I shared this journey.

Gregory, who leads the group at 39 years old, comments that one valuable lesson this show might impart, particularly to men unfamiliar with Hallmark, is that even though you may be strong and rugged, there are times when you should rely on your fellow men.

At first, the announcements for the television series didn’t mention Hallmark, rather they were seeking individuals passionate about Christmas films who aspired to act in one. As events unfolded, the participants found out that the production company was indeed Hallmark, which was an attractive factor for numerous candidates.

Jonathan Wells, a 27-year-old ex-All-American track and field athlete known for his captivating dimples, has been offered roles in various reality shows, though he refrains from mentioning them specifically. However, they don’t seem to align with his personal principles: “Compassion, empathy, making a positive impact on others,” he explains.

Hallmark’s branding ensured a promise of limited manipulation compared to other reality TV shows. In other words, Hallmark assured that it wouldn’t mislead or alter content inappropriately, as stated by Bloomquist.

For Elijah Malcomb, aged 31, the primary motivation was pragmatic: Having recently concluded the touring version of “Hamilton” following five years, when the two strikes halted the industry last summer, securing a place at Hallmark, known for its consistent output of programming, could prove transformative for a working actor. Eager to return to film and television, and to enhance his acting skills alongside the Hallmark stars featured in each episode, Malcolm expressed excitement, stating, “When else do you get an opportunity to essentially undergo an acting boot camp on a real TV set?

In Wells’ perspective, an essential aspect of the competition involved crafting the narrative that defines your identity. He explains that it was a period for openness and establishing a bond with the audience, sharing pieces of oneself. For Wells personally, this meant discussing his role as a caregiver for his father who passed away from brain cancer. The most challenging aspect of the performance, he admits, was consistently reminding himself to speak about the difficult experiences he had been through.

As I nod my head in agreement, I share my thoughts: “The dialogue seems to be evolving, with an increasing number of men opening up about their feelings and tackling previously taboo conversations. It’s becoming clear that expressing emotions isn’t a sign of weakness, but rather a powerful asset. Emotional intelligence is gaining traction as something appealing and attractive.

According to Bennett, it was crucial for the trainees to showcase their unique personalities since Hallmark viewers don’t watch for the characters they portray, but for the genuine individuals behind the screen. Tyler Hynes and Paul Campbell each possess something distinct that sets them apart, which is what makes them who they are.

For Blake Kelley, a 36-year-old stone salesman, the reality show “Finding Mr. Christmas” presented an opposing message to what he learned growing up in Texas, where football was seen as the essence of life. As he puts it, “Football was my life from when I was 4 or 5 years old and my dad put me in shoulder pads. One thing they constantly emphasized was, in a locker room full of 100 men, ‘Don’t show vulnerability.’ However, on the show, I discovered how to do just that. Some topics I discussed with these guys, I wouldn’t have discussed with anyone else.

As a movie reviewer, I’d rephrase it like this: “In my opinion, true masculinity is demonstrated by these extraordinary individuals. They bravely ventured into a house with complete strangers, baring their lives for all to see on national television. Frankly, I question whether 99% of the viewers at home would muster the courage to do the same, but they did.

Over several weeks in April, the show was shot inside a beautifully adorned house in Utah. The winner of “Mr. Christmas,” as yet unannounced, has likely completed filming for their upcoming Hallmark movie, set to be broadcast shortly after the final episode airs.

According to Bennett, the aim is to create a transformation similar to Kelly Clarkson’s throughout the season. This means watching contestants develop, become more robust, and ideally win our hearts during their journey. The reward for viewers is getting to see this movie about them immediately afterward.

Bennett eagerly anticipates more installments of “Finding Mr. Christmas,” and imagines himself as Hallmark’s equivalent to RuPaul, fostering a fresh, inclusive group of talents via the show. The most challenging aspect of the series was the instance, in every episode, when a contestant was dismissed, and he had to deliver the heartfelt farewell: “It’s now time to remove your stocking. You’re returning home for the holidays.

Speaking from personal experience, every time I gaze into their eyes, I can’t help but see myself reflected back – the passion, the longing, the unyielding desire to breathe life into the silver screen. Because I am one of them, a dreamer who has walked the same path, tasted the same dreams, and now stands on the brink of realizing my own cinematic aspirations.

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2024-11-01 01:32