How Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Transformed Christmas Movies
Lifetime's Christmas in the Spotlight
Anyone who followed along as Swift and Kelce began their relationship will find this film familiar. In July 2023, Kelce sang Swift's praises on a podcast. That month, he went to one of her Eras Tour shows and tried to give her a friendship bracelet. Similarly, in the movie, Drew, who plays for a Chiefs-like team, has a brief conversation with the pop star Bowyn backstage. But they are interrupted. Drew, unsure if he'll see Bowyn again, makes a viral video inviting her to a game. Her manager, Mira Vu, ensures the conversation continues. Bowyn calls Drew and admits to being more of a bleacher girl. Later, Drew is surprised to see Bowyn on the jumbotron at his game. They have private dates on Bowyn's private plane and share intimate moments like doing "sexy puzzling." However, Bowyn's jealous ex tries to ruin their relationship by ambushing her. Bowyn then composes a song for Drew. Eirene Donohue, the screenwriter and a Swiftie, says she wrote the film to celebrate the pop star and inspire empathy.
Christmas in the Spotlight is available to stream on mylifetime.com and the Lifetime app and will air on TV on 11/29 at 8p, 12/14 at 6p, and 12/25 at 8p.
Hallmark's Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story
Derrick, the new director of fan engagement for the Kansas City Chiefs, meets Alana at a local Chiefs memorabilia shop. Her family runs the store and has a Chiefs knit beanie hat that they believe brings good luck. As they do Christmas traditions together, Alana's family wants them to start dating. Donna Kelce even makes an appearance. As Alana and Derrick fall in love, he takes her to the Chiefs arena and they share a tender moment. When the family's lucky hat goes missing, they search for it together. Wolfe, the screenwriter, is a San Francisco 49ers fan but wrote this movie after the Chiefs defeated her team. She wanted to show that football brings people together. Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story airs Nov. 30 at 8p on Hallmark's TV channel and will re-air throughout December. An extended cut premieres on Hallmark+ on December 12.
Why football movies make the perfect Christmas movies
Wolfe says the Swift-Kelce relationship led to the Chiefs Hallmark movie. Christmas time is a season of hope, and the Chiefs' rise to dominance combined with a pop star and football star finding love is perfect for the Christmas movie genre. Christmas is also about making family memories, and watching football is a family affair. Having faith in your team is a lesson that everyone can appreciate. Donohue says Christmas is a time for "faith in magic," and she wanted to make a movie with joyful moments. Wolfe adds that Christmas is the best time to show "actual Christmas magic" with a little wink of the supernatural.