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PEOPLE & ARTS Friday 15 March 2019
Lori Loughlin's arrest makes for unlikely drama for Hallmark

By LYNN ELBER when the allegations were
Associated Press announced, issued a state-
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The ment Wednesday, the day
Hallmark Channel brings to Loughlin surrendered to
mind holidays, happy end- authorities. "We are aware
ings and now, incongru- of the situation and are
ously, a college admissions monitoring developments
scam that involves one as they arise," the channel
of the channel's favored said. It's owned by Crown
actresses. Lori Loughlin's Media, whose parent is
surprising arrest this week Hallmark Cards Inc., the
poses a challenge for the Kansas City, Missouri, enter-
family-friendly brand with prise started in 1910. It has
heartland roots. fostered local and state ties
The allegation that Lough- and shown a resistance to
lin paid bribes to gain her any hint of controversy. It's
daughters' college admis- quickly moved to respond
sions is unconnected to to any flare-ups, such as
Hallmark, but her career removing a gift wrap from
and the channel have be- circulation after one per-
come intertwined. She's son complained of seeing
among its so-called "Christ- a swastika in its pattern.
mas queens" who topline In this Oct. 4, 2017 file photo, actress Lori Loughlin arrives at the 5th annual People Magazine "Ones Misbehavior may be un-
a slate of popular holiday To Watch" party in Los Angeles. usual in the Hallmark world
movies, and also stars in the Associated Press but is nothing new for Holly-
ongoing "Garage Sale Mys- wood, with the fallout from
teries" movies and the se- Christmas," was the most- spring's place in college called Loughlin's alleged sex and other scandals
ries "When Calls the Heart." watched non-sports cable with bribes and falsified actions "shocking and sad" affecting celebrities and
"It's a feel-good, family program the week it aired. exams. Prosecutors allege in an email but is standing companies. But the white-
values-type channel, and In February, the season six the couple paid $500,000 by the drama and what it collar crime Loughlin is ac-
obviously scandal is the op- premiere of "When Calls to have their daughters represents. cused of is akin to that of
posite of that," said Atlan- the Heart" was watched labeled as crew-team re- "My personal opinion is that another unlikely scofflaw:
ta-based market strategist by a series-best 2.5 million cruits at the University of we need shows modeling Martha Stewart, who was
Laura Ries. "Will people get viewers, putting it behind Southern California, al- good behavior, like "When convicted in 2004 of ob-
past that to love the char- only "The Walking Dead" though neither is a rower. Calls the Heart" does, now structing justice and lying
acter on screen and not in Sunday night cable dra- Felicity Huffman ("Desper- more than ever so I won't to the government about a
the real person?" mas. ate Housewives," ''Ameri- stop watching. While ex- stock sale.
While Hallmark has taken "They definitely have a for- can Crime") was among tremely saddened and dis- "She lost trust," said Rob-
a wait-and-see attitude on mula and you do have to other prominent parents, appointed, I separate the ert Passikoff, president of
Loughlin, there's more at follow the formula. And if including a lawyer, doctor personal lives of the actors Brand Keys, a New York-
issue than whether her ap- you don't, they rein you and hedge fund manager, from the writers and pro- based brand research firm.
peal survives. "When Calls back in and say, 'You have indicted in the scam. ducers who are bringing So did her empire, despite
the Heart" tapes in Cana- to follow. This is our format, SheriLynn DiGiovanna, community- minded and Stewart's efforts to sepa-
da, and a judge ordered this is what we do,'" Loughlin webmaster for "The Heart- family-friendly shows to TV," rate her personal actions
Loughlin's passport to be said of the Christmas mov- ies" site created by "When DiGiovanna said. from it: "Wrong — you're the
surrendered in December ies last year in an interview Calls the Heart" admirers, Hallmark, initially silent brand," he said.q
after grudgingly allowing with The Associated Press.
her to cross the border for She said the rigidity chafes
work until then. a bit but called the re- Million-selling 'Questioneers' team
Loughlin has not yet en- sult "heartwarming," add-
tered a plea in the case, ing, "You go to bed and readies new picture book
and her attorney declined you don't have any bad
comment Wednesday af- dreams."
ter her first appearance in The New York City native Associated Press
a Los Angeles federal court. with a sunny smile proved NEW YORK (AP) — The million-selling "Question-
The actress isn't exclusive to a good fit for the channel eers" team of author Andrea Beaty and illustra-
Hallmark. She's reprised her that specializes in roman- tor David Roberts has an Election Day special
role as Aunt Becky for Net- tic dramas and comedies planned.
flix's "Fuller House" reboot with a wholesome touch, Abrams Children's Books announced Monday
of the popular series that while her media-friendly that "Sofia Valdez, Future Prez" will come out
originated in 1987 on ABC. personality allowed her to November 5. The picture book tells the story of
But the sitcom represents expertly tout her shows on Sofia Valdez, a Mexican-American in second
a fraction of the streamer's her website and in TV ap- grade who sets out to convert a dangerous
flood of programs, while pearances. landfill into a park — if only City Hall will allow it.
Loughlin has occupied an Then came Tuesday's The publisher is calling the book a story of "stand-
increasing amount of Hall- bombshell government al- ing up for what you believe in," whatever the
mark real estate since she legation that Loughlin and chances. Beaty and Roberts are known for the
starred in "Meet My Mom" her husband, fashion de- popular "Questioneers" series, which includes This undated image provided by Abrams
in 2010. signer Mossimo Giannulli, the picture books "Rosie Revere, Engineer" and Children's Books shows the cover of "So-
She's proved a reliable were among more than 30 "Ada Twist, Scientist." The Questioneers chapter fia Valdez, Future Prez" by author Andrea
performer. Her 2018 holi- parents who paid a con- book "Ada Twist and the Perilous Pants" comes Beaty and illustrator David Roberts.
day movie, "Homegrown sultant to ensure their off- out in April.q Associated Press