TV One is fully in the holiday spirit with a full slate of lifestyle specials, cooking specials and movies.
A Special Night with Rickey Smiley For Real kicks off TV One’s holiday line up. Airing Nov. 20 at 8 p.m. ET, Rickey Smiley celebrates the season with several back-to-back episodes as well as a trip inside Smiley’s kitchen with his “Cooking with Comedy” interstitials. During the interstitals, which are peppered in between each episode, Smiley will share his favorite seasonal recipes and, of course, make viewers laugh the entire time.
On Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. ET, siblings Jake and Jazz Smollett invite viewers to celebrate the season with them during their Living By Design Holiday Special. According to the official description, the exclusive special will feature the Smolletts “recreating down home recipes and making kicked up cocktails” with their special guest, Grammy-nominated singer Ledisi. Jazz will also show viewers how to add some DIY flair to their parties, including party-ready table settings, decorated serving trays and more.
Starting in December, TV One will begin showcasing their new holiday movies Merry Wishmas and Coins for Christmas.
Merry Wishmas stars David and Tamela Mann (who also are among the film’s executive producers), Kim Fields, Towanda Braxton, Chrystale Wilson and Elizabeth Omilami. The film will focus on Mann’s character Kenni, a successful businesswoman who hasn’t come back to her hometown of Columbia, SC., in years. According to the description:
“She’s hoping for a peaceful visit when she finally returns home, but unresolved family issues threaten to make the Christmas holiday not so bright. She’s reacquainted with Jessie (David Mann), an old high school friend with a fledgling wellness facility – the Beverly Living Center. She’s instantly thrown into the lives of the center’s residents and meets a host of colorful characters. When Jessie is faced with losing the Beverly Living Center, Kenni steps in to try and help save it. Family conflicts and relationship woes, however, threaten Kenni’s efforts. It looks like only a miracle can save the center and mend broken relationships in time for Christmas.”
Merry Wishmas will premiere December 2 at 7 p.m. The film is directed by actress Terri J. Vaughn from a script by Cas Sigers-Beedles and includes a cameo by Yung Joc.
“Having the opportunity to direct my friends David and Tamela Mann was a huge blessing,” said Vaughn in a statement. “The rewarding part was their willingness to challenge themselves to go deeper and I’m excited for viewers to see them in the more dramatic moments. The other blessing on this project was being able to direct my mentor and friend, Kim Fields. It was a very rewarding, full circle moment for us. I can’t wait for the world to see!”
Coins For Christmas, starring Stephen Bishop, Essence Atkins, TC Carson, Kelly Price and Karlie Redd, will premiere Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. ET. Written by Rhonda F. Baraka and directed by Jamal Hill, the film will follow Atkins’ character Madison, a single mom who has saved all year to make her teen children have the best Christmas ever. But things go south when she is let go from her job at the bookstore and the IRS has frozen her bank account because of delinquent taxes her husband never paid. According to the description:
“Desperate to pay bills and buy gifts for her children, Madison jumps into the ever-popular “gig economy.” That’s when she meets and eventually gets hired by arrogant, sidelined former professional football player Alec Darby (Bishop), who is also secretly on the verge of going broke. This odd couple butts heads time and time again but can the Christmas spirit help these two get past their bickering, learn from each and ultimately forge a lasting friendship?”
In case you miss the films during their debuts, they will also be re-aired during TV One’s Holiday Movie Marathon on December 24-25. Also, the network will showcase Christmas movies each Sunday in December until Dec. 23.
