matthewdgabriel

Starting with its clever and appealing title, "3 BED, 2 BATH, 1 GHOST" is my vote for The Hallmark Channel's best new Saturday night feature of the year...and, trust me, I've seen (or, perhaps more apropos, endured) them all.

This is not Hallmark's first go at a story involving a ghost or an old estate, by any means, but, compared to the channel's usual offerings, this one feels rather fresh. Anyone familiar with The Hallmark Channel should be pleased with the return of the highly affable Julie Gonzalo and Chris McNally, who are apparently one of Hallmark's real-life power couples. As always, their performances here do not disappoint, mostly because they're consistently just so darn likable.

What's different this time is that this story features a third lead, and she's a true scene-stealer. Madeleine Arthur (2014's "Big Eyes" and Netflix's 2022 limited series, "Devil in Ohio," just to name a couple) as Roaring '20s youngly deceased socialite, Ruby, is a gem. Like her character, Arthur shines like gold here, and anyone would be blessed to be haunted by the likes of her. Speaking of shining like a gem, Arthur (Ruby) has the most gorgeous blue eyes that, in exterior daylight shots and interior shots where the light hits them just right, shimmer like sun-soaked shallow Caribbean tides. If Arthur were a devil in the aforementioned Netflix series, she's an angel this time around. That's versatility for ya!

This feature, I'm quite happy to state, left me genuinely satisfied, rather than disappointed. "3 Bed..." = 3 lead artists that, under competent direction and a well-written romantic story, gift Hallmark with a long-awaited crowning achievement (pun intended).

The MONARCH premiere was exactly what I had expected it to be - mediocre and forgettable. Despite the star power of veteran Susan Sarandon, country star Trace Adkins, and the always likable and impressively talented Brits Anna Friel (Pushing Diasies) and Joshua Sasse (Galavant), the only glimmer of substance this pilot episode had was a well-done duet of the 1997 hit ballad, "How Do I Live." The introduction of its plots, subplots, and backstories, I could've easily lived without. This question remains: Do I want to continue watching a blasé series far too similar to other fleeting series like PROMISED LAND and FILTHY RICH simply because I like actors Sarandon, Friel, and Sasse -- despite the blatant fact that none of them could carry a Texas accent worth a darn? Moreover, do we really need another NASHVILLE? Hasn't this been done and done over dozens of times? "How do I live" without this series? My apologies to the fine cast, but the answer is...just fine!

What a disappointment this was for me. I had read the synopsis, and was excited for its premiere. The creator's concept had so much potential to be a highly enjoyable and memorable hit series...but I agree with so many of the other reviewers, including tm-sheehan and marylou_booth. However, whereas Marylou gave up halfway through episode 3, I gave up after finishing episode 1. Too tedious and boring, and not a single character was made interesting enough in the first episode to justify continued viewing. Several fine (and recognizable) actors give commendable performances, but the real star in this dud of a series is the picturesque Italian riviera. You'll save time and aggravation by simply skimming through production stills (photos of the scenery). I am not surprised that this is airing on PBS here in the U. S. without being classified as a PBS Masterpiece series.