Day 6

Being alone and female can drive one to do strange things, like watch most of ABC Family's 25 Days of Christmas movies, the majority of which involve Tom Arnold because he's loveable (just ask Roseanne), chubby enough to don a Santa suit if necessary (and it usually is in these movies) and crass enough to pull a Scrooge. But last night I had the chance to watch an ABC original that didn't involve Tom Arnold or Santa Claus. And it was brilliant (for lack of a better word, like mediocre).

So here are some reasons why ABC Family's "Christmas in Boston" should be nominated for an Emmy or a political position:
• It's about two smitten pen pals who finally decide to meet after 13 years, but have to make their best friends pretend to be themselves because they both exchanged pictures of their friends years ago because they were better looking. -- If this isn't a page out of everyone's journal, I don't know what is. There's nothing better during the holidays than some low self-esteem ... and maybe a little eggnog.
• None of the stars are recognizable and their acting style is very "community theatre." And there's nothing the Academy likes better than a dark horse contestant.
• For being an ABC Family production, it had some racy moments, including one scene involving chocolate syrup. Hunger and hormones: a winning combination.
• Tom Arnold wasn't cast as the lead, showing ABC's willingness to break out of its mold or Tom Arnold's unwillingness to be cast in a movie that doesn't require him to don a Santa suit.
• President Bush liked it, but kept getting confused about the switched identities, which should satisfy most voters.