Holiday Touchdown: A Bears Love Story Cast Talks Chicago Bears Community and A Very Merry Easter Egg
From Kansas City to Buffalo and now Chicago, Hallmark Channel’s connection with the NFL has never been stronger as it celebrates their brand new film Holiday Touchdown: A Bears Love Story. Speaking with Pop Culture Planet’s Kristen Maldonado, the cast and creative team talk about celebrating the Chicago Bears family and the surprisingly merry Easter egg that crosses all the Holiday Touchdown movies.
Robert Buckley and Lyndsy Fonseca might’ve been new to Chicago, but they become “fast fans” of the Windy City. “Both of us […] came in not knowing a lot about Chicago itself, not having spent much time here and I think we were both blown away,” said Buckley. “We became fast fans of Chicago. I mean, the city, the food, the people. Then we started working with the Bears organization and they were incredibly lovely.”
The food in Chicago had their heart, but Buckley got a one-in-a-lifetime opportunity at the Bears practice facility. “Listen, I love Chicago food so I ate my way through this city, but I would say being with the Bears was incredible. Jokingly, the first day I was working with them I said, ‘Hey, it'd be pretty cool if I could kick a field goal at your practice facility’ thinking they would say ‘Absolutely not,” he shared. “They were like, ‘Okay, we'll look into it.’ I thought that was a very polite professional brush off and then the day we got to their practice facility, they said, ‘Hey, we actually got it set up for you.’ I got to kick field goals on their practice field at Hollis Hall. So that was easily my highlight.”
“I think their charitable organization Bears Care was one of the biggest eye openers for me. They don't just talk the talk. They really care about their outreach programs, which was something we highlight in the film and which makes us love the Bears even more,” explained director Dustin Rikert. “Obviously they have an impact in the community because of the team, but you have we had no idea of the impact they have because of their charitable arm and what that does. It's all inspiring, to be honest.”
Rikert has been “lucky enough” to be involved with all three Holiday Touchdown movies. “Obviously Hallmark, what they do and the type of movies they make, I call it chicken soup for the soul. They make chicken soup for the soul,” he explained. “There's a reason that they have such a huge following and a huge fan base and that people love these movies. Then when you combine that with these NFL brands and teams, it's a match made in heaven.”
“We take very seriously each film being its own movie and its own love letter to the team in the city with which it's in and having all the stories be very distinct,” Rikert continued. “That's been probably the most fun because every time you do one of these, you parachute in, and you're lucky enough to work with these organizations and [get] an idea of what's important to them and what's important to the community and the fans and the players. Then you mix it all together with an amazing cast like this and amazing crew and it’s just truly something to behold. We're incredibly proud of this film. It's one of the best filming experiences I've ever had and the city's a character in and of itself.”
Barbara Alyn Woods called it “extra special” to celebrate the sports fandom she grew up with. “I had to keep pinching myself when I first heard about this project in general. My rep said, ‘Do you want to read the script?’ I said, ‘Nope. I don't care what it is. It's Chicago. It's the Bears. I'm there. I don't care. I'll do it for free. No, it was like a no-brainer for me,” she explained. “I grew up in that community, so nothing surprised me because I've known what a tight community this is my entire life. Honestly, I had no choice, but to be a Bears fan.”
Even though each Holiday Touchtown story has its own distinct fandom, there is one Easter egg that spans all three movies. “The biggest thing that's across all three is our Holiday Touchdown Santa Abraham Benrubi. He is in all three. He's kind of the linchpin that holds it all together. Honestly, they wouldn't be Holiday Touchdown movies without Abe. He's just an incredible human being, a great actor, and always steals the show. That's a great question, but it would be Abraham Benrubi. Holiday Touchdown Santa would be the one. Best Santa in the world and one of the best humans in the world.”
“He's the biggest Santa I've ever met in my life,” added producer Andrew Gernhard. “He's got a great voice and I think that the fans love seeing him pop up. I know it got a little cheer last night every time you saw him you know in the scenes.”
Holiday Touchdown: A Bears Love Story is airing October 17 on Hallmark Channel and streaming the next day on Hallmark+.
