Gone were the Christian references to Christmas, the near pathological obsession with avoiding negativity (even divorces in Hallmark land are amiable and never have negative consequences), and the quaint traditionalism.

It wasn’t like naked people were running around, but it was obvious the standards had shifted. Amelia hung up her Hallmark shingles when one Christmas movie had the lead couple living together before their marriage. That is unheard of in Hallmark land.

Again, it’s not crazy stuff in the modern world, but in Hallmark land these ideas are foreign for a reason. The wholesome cheesiness was the whole point. Abandoning that mission necessarily meant abandoning the entire formula.

It just wasn’t fun to watch Hallmark anymore.

[Go woke, get broke. I’m not a fan of the Hallmark universe, but I certainly understand why people love it. It’s not for cutting social commentary and didactics on diversity and equity. It’s for sheer escapism and joy. The new management apparently didn’t figure that out. — Ed]