TV NEWS MARCH 14

http://blog.sitcomsonline.com/2014/03/hallmark-channel-2014-upfront-sitcom.html

Hallmark Channel had its annual upfront presentation yesterday and among the major news items was a new class of original movies featuring television stars. Lineup to include 15 original movie World Premieres continuing as the nation's #1 destination for exceptional family entertainment. Hallmark Channel's 15 Original Movie World Premieres in Q2-Q4 2014. Hallmark Channel, consistently ranked #1 for quality family-friendly programming, is positioned to continue expanding its original programming and maintain its status as a cable leader with its highly rated Original Movies that over 86 million subscribers have come to expect and love. Among the 2014 programming slate will be the seventh installment of the network's highest-rated movie series, The Good Witch's Wonder, starring Catherine Bell and Chris Potter, as well as the return of "Countdown to Christmas," Hallmark Channel's must-see original holiday movie lineup. The line-up of movies launches April 5 with Lucky In Love starring Jessica Szohr and Deidre Hall. Other stars for 2014 movies include Kristy Swanson, Scott Grimes, Bonnie Somerville, James Tupper, Meghan Markle, Erika Christensen, Lindsay Hartley, Morgan Fairchild, Drew Fuller, Lisa Whelchel, Kim Fields, Antonio Cupo, Catherine Bell, Chris Potter, Tiffany Amber Thiessen, Josh Hopkins and Bailee Madison. More stars will be announced soon. The Lisa Whelchel and Kim Fields movie For Better Or Worse will premiere Saturday, Oct. 4 at 9pm. 

Elsewhere, two-time Golden Globe(R) winning actress Valerie Bertinelli (One Day at a Time, Hot in Cleveland, Touched by an Angel) has been cast to guest star in two episodes of the upcoming Hallmark Channel Original Primetime Series, Signed, Sealed, Delivered, premiering April 20, 2014 at 8pm ET/PT, 7c. The role reunites the star with Signed, Sealed, Delivered Creator and Executive Producer Martha Williamson, best known as the Executive Producer and creative force behind the mega-hit series Touched by an Angel, of which Bertinelli joined the cast in its final two seasons. The new series, produced by Muse Entertainment in association with MoonWater Productions, follows a team of four postal detectives who specialize in investigating misdirected letters and delivering them when they are needed most. Bertinelli will portray the team's Mailroom Supervisor, a revolving role featuring TV icons. The series stars Eric Mabius, Kristin Booth, Daphne Zuniga, Crystal Lowe and Geoff Gustafson. Other special guest-stars announced to-date include five-time Emmy(R) winner and two-time Golden Globe(R) nominee Dick Van Dyke, which is in addition to Valerie Bertinelli. Both stars will portray Supervisors in a revolving role that will feature television icons through the run of season one, as we mentioned. Stay with us for continued updates.