Broadcasting Christmas (2016) - full transcript

♪ ♪

♪ ♪
["Joy to the World"]

MALE DEEJAY:
Good morning, Connecticut.

It's a quarter after 4:00
for all of you early birds...

[alarm beeping]

Early enough for you,
Mr. Fisher?

The news never sleeps, Jeffrey.

Neither do I.

- Have a good one, sir.
- Always.

- Morning, Charlie.
- Morning, Bo.

Wanna hit the gym after work
for some B-ball?



Can't do it.
Got dinner with the parents.

I'm afraid there's
a no-mercy rule for that one.

Considering how
our last game went,

I think you're getting off easy.

- Morning, Emily.
- Good morning, Daisy.

We gotta go.
There's traffic.

Here. I brought
what you asked for.

Thank you. Perfect.

"Last Christmas,
the Stamford Country Day School

helped feed over
200 needy families."

So? How was last night?

- What happened last night?
- Thought you had a date.

Oh, that was last night,
wasn't it?

That good, huh?



Ugh! Let me see.
His family drives him nuts,

his coworkers are awful,

and all of his exes were crazy.

I couldn't help but wonder
how long until I'm on that list.

Also, he hates Christmas.

I don't even know
where to begin with that.

- Seriously?
- Yeah.

The decorations
are a waste of time,

and he doesn't like the music.

I can't date a guy who doesn't
like "Frosty the Snowman."

Maybe you could try
Internet dating.

Yeah, please. I don't even
buy my shoes online.

Besides, I'm a reporter
for a small town news program.

I'm up at four, in bed at seven.

Who could understand that?

Oh! We're almost there.

So you'll be talking
to the school principal first,

and then a couple kids.

Good idea, bringing the
Christmas box from the station.

It's a holiday food drive.
We can't show up empty-handed.

Good morning, Connecticut.
I'm Robert Kohl.

First up, our own Emily Morgan

is reporting from
Stamford Country Day School.

Okay, so in a second
it's gonna look really silly

because I'm gonna be
talking to the studio,

but you won't hear them, okay?

Standing by.

Who's ready to be on TV?

This is proving to be
the most successful

Christmas
canned food drive ever.

Emily, how are things
looking over there?

Robert, things are busy.

I'm here at the Stamford
Country Day School,

making our donation to
the annual Christmas food drive.

And these little Santas
are doing their part

to ensure that local families
in need have a Merry Christmas.

CHARLIE: Reggie has
your holiday forecast

when the WHNY Morning News
continues.

Then stick around for a preview

of this year's
hottest Christmas gifts

from Veronika and Gina

on America's favorite morning
program, Rise & Shine.

And we're out!
Back from commercial in two!

Can I have the producer for
Rise & Shineon live feed?

We're here, rising and shining!

Yeah, that joke never gets old.
What's going on downstairs?

Looks like
it's gonna be a big day.

Why don't come down
when you're done?

What's going on?

Let a girl have her secrets.

Just get down here
after your show.

You got it.

Hmm.

VERONIKA: Oh, this is fun.

This is so great
because you can use anything

to make your ornament:

old sheet music,
old family photos.

And look at how easy this is.

Hey, Patrice. Hey.

Charlie, hey.

- Need some coffee or anything?
- No, I'm great.

So today is December 1st,

and Christmas is right around
the corner, right, Gina?

It sure is, Veronika.

And in my home, Christmas
is a time for celebration,

joy, eggnog, of course,
and family,

which leads me
to a little announcement

I would like to make.

My husband and I are so excited
to announce to you,

our beloved audience,

that we are expecting
our first child in June.

[screams]

Oh, my goodness!
I am so happy for you!

Thank you so much, Veronika.

And as I've been
splitting my time

between New York
and Los Angeles,

the time has come for me
to focus more on our new family.

- Seriously?
- Wait for it.

And so it is with great sadness

that I announce that this
will be my final episode

as cohost of Rise & Shine.

Hey, bring in the tissues.
Go, go, go.

And I can't think of anyone
in the world

I would have rather had
beside me every morning

for the last six years.

Thank you, Gina.

You are the best
in the business.

You're almost irreplaceable.

The key word there
is "almost."

But I'm going to have to have
someone in that seat

beside me every day,

and I'm pleased to report
the decision

has been left up to me
personally,

so for the next few weeks,

we will be having
some familiar faces join us

just so you can get
a better chance to know them,

and I will be announcing
my cohost live, right here,

on our Christmas Eve telethon.

Patrice,
who are they considering?

You're on the list.

Seriously?

Yeah. Now, Veronika
has the final say,

but her choices
are coming from us.

Wow.

You've been doing the local news
for, what, six years?

The network is familiar
with you. They really like you.

How many people on the list?

Just three.

Now, I'll be honest,
the other two are bigger names.

But, Charlie,
you really have a shot at this.

- When do we start?
- Next week.

- Oh, my God!
- They already know upstairs.

You're totally cleared
for the time off.

You realize this is what we
talked about back in Stamford.

National broadcast,
you producing, me hosting,

and now it's really happening.

Although that dream
did have three people.

Okay, yeah, but for the record,

Emily is the one who decided
to stay in Connecticut.

Okay, I retract the comment.

That's why you never mix
business with personal.

- Someone always gets hurt.
- Of course.

- You still talk to her?
- Emily?

Yeah, sure, she's doing great.

She's still in Stamford.

You know, you really should
stop avoiding her.

I'm not avoiding her.
It's just with our schedules,

it's just...

But it's great to hear
she's doing well. Here.

♪ We wish you a Merry Christmas ♪

♪ We wish you a Merry Christmas ♪

♪ We wish you a Merry Christmas ♪

♪ And a Happy New Year ♪

♪ Good tidings we bring ♪

- Oh, Emily!
- Sorry I'm late.

The story meeting went over.
What'd you find?

We found we have different
tastes in Christmas trees.

Your sister
likes the pitiful ones.

She feels sorry for them.

I just worry that no one's
gonna take them home.

Ruth, what about this one?

Stanley, not that one.

We'll never get it
through the doorway.

Careful. George, make sure
Dad doesn't hurt his back.

Let's look at some small ones.
Boys, give us a hand.

- Oprah!
- Where?

No, for the show, Abby.
It should be Oprah!

Mom, Oprah's not
coming back to daytime.

- You gotta let that dream go.
- What'd I miss?

Gina Serrato announced that
she's leaving Rise & Shine.

She's gonna have a baby.

Which means
that Veronika Daniels

is getting a new cohost.

Really?
Did they say who?

We were hoping you knew.

Don't you have a friend
who works there?

Yeah, Patrice.
She's a producer.

I wonder who
they're considering.

Well, if Mom has her way,
it'll be Oprah.

Or Kate McQueen.
She's done the show before.

They just love her.

- Who's Kate McQueen?
- Oh, you know.

She's the famous
wedding planner.

She's got her own TV show.

Oh, right.
Save the Date with Kate.

- You got it.
- Excuse me for a minute.

I just have to make
a quick call.

- It's too long.
- We can lose this part here.

[phone vibrates]

Emily Morgan!

Patrice, let me put myself
on tape for the cohost spot.

Well, hello to you, too.

I'm serious.
You gotta get me an audition.

I can't, Em.

- You know I'd be great.
- You would.

They're only looking
at names for this.

But how about this?

In the New Year,
let's talk about

you submitting
some field reports.

Some kind of
human interest piece.

Nobody does those
better than you.

Yeah, that'd be great.
Thanks.

Emily, you should know.

Charlie's on the list.

Really? Wow.
How about that?

Well, they know him here
in New York from the news.

Hey, that's the station calling.
I gotta take it.

Okay, sure thing.
Talk soon.

Bye.

It's Emily.

Hey, Emily.
So the governor's office

moved his interview a few hours,

and now our anchors won't
make it back from Hartford

in time for the eleven o'clock.

We really need you and Robert
to come in and cover.

Yeah, sure, no problem.
I'll be there in a second.

Hey, I'm sorry I can't
decorate with you tonight,

I gotta go back to work.

I understand.

But you will come
to the service on Sunday.

The Christmas choir's
performing.

I will be there ready to sing.

I have some news.

Veronika Daniels
is looking for a new cohost

on Rise & Shine,

and I'm one of the candidates.

Oh, darling, how lovely.

- It's exciting.
- I should say so.

Won't that interfere with
anchoring the morning news?

Yeah. Yes, I would have
to quit WHNY.

But that's just
a local affiliate.

Rise & Shine is the top-rated
morning program in the country.

It's a major step forward.

If you want to go national,
Charles, I have the connections.

Dad, I don't want to get a job
just because I'm your son.

You'd get the interview
because you're my son.

You'd get the job
because of what you can do.

Thank you, but no.

There were any number of people
who helped your father

when he was getting started
in television.

Mom, I'm not just
getting started.

I've been doing this
for a long time.

It's is a good thing.
You'll see.

[clock chiming]

"The network has narrowed down
the candidates

to baseball player
Jimmy Eubanks,

reality star Kate McQueen,

and WHNY newscaster
Charlie Fisher."

Bah humbug.

Bad time with the family?

No, they're great!

I got to spend literally
five minutes with them.

So what's the story here?

I'm not a name, Daisy.

Thirteen years in this business,
and apparently I'm not a name.

Charlie, he's a name.

Patrice, I don't know
if she's a name or not,

but apparently she gets
to decide who is a name.

Me? Nope.
Nope, not a name.

I'm sure what you're saying
makes sense to you.

Six years ago, I was up for
the morning anchor gig at WHNY.

And I was good, too, Daisy.

They loved me.

But Charlie
was in the running, too.

I was up against
my own boyfriend.

Do you ever talk to him?

No, not after he got the job.

Do you know
how embarrassing that was?

Yeah, but you could have stayed
together and gone with him.

And just go to New York
to be someone's girlfriend?

My job, my whole life was here.

He was a constant reminder that
I wasn't good enough for them.

Yeah, but you can't
think like that, Em.

You're a great reporter.

There's bound to be
other chances.

Right. Other chances.

Yeah, I'm sorry.

I'm usually asleep
for hours by now.

I'm just delirious.

Um, and I hate to say this,
but we need you on set.

Right.

Awesome.

Let's do the news!

Good evening, Stamford.

- I'm Robert Kohl.
- And I'm Emily Morgan.

Mark and Tess are on assignment.

Here are tonight's top stories.

And that's why neighbors are
calling the adorable Labrador

"The Dog Who Saved Hanukkah."

And finally,
in entertainment news,

Gina Serrato has announced
her surprise departure

from the popular morning show
Rise & Shine.

Potential replacements include
baseball legend Jimmy Eubanks

and our own former
WDSR reporter, Charlie Fisher.

Good for Charlie.

We are look forward
to seeing that, right, Emily?

So who do you think Veronika's
new cohost should be?

Me.

I'm not kidding, Robert.
I think if you want something,

you should be brave enough
to say it out loud, right?

I've spent my whole life
following the rules,

waiting my turn while other
people got their big breaks,

their opportunities.

For far too long,
I have played it safe,

sitting here at this desk,
day in, day out,

not taking chances because
I was afraid of getting hurt.

Well, you know what?

I got hurt anyway!

That's no way to get ahead.
You know why?

Because if you never
take any chances,

then you'll never
get your break.

Here I have been working hard
for a long time,

and I am ready to fight
for what I want.

So...

my name is Emily Morgan,

and I would make a phenomenal
cohost for Rise & Shine.

All I want for Christmas
is a chance to prove it.

[exhales]

And we'll be back
after these messages.

Stay tuned.

And we're out.

- Here you go.
- Thank you.

I'm ready to reach
for that next rung!

I have worked hard
for a long time,

and I'm ready to fight...

Oh, yeah!
Have you see this yet?

Some reporter in Connecticut
took over the news

to pitch herself
for Rise & Shine.

She's really something.

Yeah, she's something all right.

Hey, didn't you used
to work for this station?

Good morning, Furiosa!

Daisy, can we not
talk about it, okay?

Just pretend that last night
never happened.

That is inconceivably
impossible.

You're Internet-famous, Em.

There's our star!

- Max, I owe you an apology.
- Now, Emily...

Studies theorize that
high-fructose corn syrup

can cause psychosis.

We should do a report on it,
don't you think?

I ate a lot of candy canes
yesterday,

and I think it made me
temporarily insane.

Whatever you ate, keep eating it

because you're
trending on Twitter.

You are a pound sign!

- A hashtag.
- Even better!

Our viewers love it, Emily.

Everybody's seen it!

Of course I've seen it, Charlie.

Everybody's seen it,
including the network.

They're not thinking about
bringing her in, are they?

Everybody loves
an underdog story.

It's great for the ratings.

Patrice, you can't.
Please, please don't.

Is this because you're afraid
of the competition?

Or are you just afraid
to see her again?

That's silly.

My hands are tied.

Besides, what do you
have to worry about?

Last time you faced off
with Emily, you got the gig.

But she's had six years in exile
to hone her skills.

It's like when superheroes
go out to the wilderness

and come back with new powers.

I don't read comic books.
Is that a thing?

It's very much a thing.

The decision has been made.

She's getting a chance.

The question is...

what are you gonna do about it?

So if your family is looking
for a holiday outing,

A Christmas Carol is playing
here at the Community Theater

through December 23rd.

Back to you, Robert.

And we're out.

Well, thank you.
It was a pleasure to meet you.

Good luck.
Oh, sorry, break a leg!

I love the chains!

I cannot believe you are
still using this van.

Well, this is a nice surprise.

Hi!

Here. Dark chocolate,
extra nutmeg.

Just the way
you used to like it.

So did you come all the way
to Connecticut

just to bring me a hot cocoa?

I gotta give you credit.

The network certainly
knows your name now.

Patrice, I am so sorry.
I was really tired.

So you're in the mix.

Wait. No.
What? Seriously?

Uh-huh. What can I say?

You got their attention.

We're putting you
in the rotation

of potential new cohosts.

Wow! I...

Wow!

I've gotta find out
if I can get time off.

She can. Hi. I'm Daisy,
Emily's producer.

- Hi.
- We'll get her covered here.

Great. Uh...

Look these over. If you have
any questions, call me.

Otherwise, I'll see you Monday
morning for your orientation.

- We'll send a car.
- Okay, sure!

- See you Monday.
- Bye.

Emily Morgan,

cohost of the biggest morning
show in the country?

- Potential new cohost.
- Good enough for me!

[screaming]

Game on.

♪ ♪
[organ]

Thank you.

Ooh!

- Thank you.
- Nice to see you.

Thank you for coming.

I'm gonna make
the French silk pie.

That's my favorite.

Em.

Oh, look, it's the Ghost
of Boyfriends Past.

Charlie. How did you know
where to find me?

Abby tagged you on Instagram.

Could I steal you away
for a second?

So suddenly everybody remembers
how to get to Stamford.

You and Patrice should
really look into carpooling.

Good advice.

So what brings you
all the way back here?

Well, I hear some
congratulations are in order.

Thank you?

After that publicity stunt
you pulled,

how could they say no?

Yeah, I'm so irresistible.

That's why I've been at the
lowest-rated station in Stamford

for a decade.

Hey, I invited you
to come to New York.

You're the one who decided
to stay here, remember?

- I'm just looking out for you.
- You're looking out for me?

Oh, come on, Em. The network
pulling you in like that,

it's just a big ratings stunt.

You're that fun thing
from the Internet,

like a five-year-old banging out
"Jingle Bells" on a keyboard.

Did you just compare me
to a five-year-old?

I'm saying you're a novelty

that's gonna wear off
in a few days.

And this has nothing
to do with the fact

that we're up
for the same job again?

Em, I know you.
You're a reporter.

You like being out in the field.

On a show like Rise & Shine,

you're stuck behind a desk,
sharing personal stories.

I'm a little worried
people won't find you relatable.

Well, I think you're worried
that they will.

Em, come on.

And you should be worried
because I am super fun,

and I have stories.

Once my dad tried
to deep-fry a turkey,

and you could see
the explosion...

From three blocks away.
I know.

I've known you a long time,
remember?

Yeah, well, I know you, too,

and I know all your weak spots,
Charlie Fisher.

So watch out
'cause I'm playing to win.

What weak spots?

Oh, you'll know when I hit one.

So may the best person win.

Absolutely.

- Oh.
- Sorry.

Excuse me.

I know you.

You're the girl
from the Internet video.

- Emily Morgan.
- Ah, yes, that's it.

I'm Kate McQueen.

Oh, it's so great to meet you.

My mom's a big fan
of Save the Date with Kate.

Aren't you sweet?

I think it's just precious,

them letting you come in
and be on the show.

Yeah, um,
I'm actually a candidate.

I'm up for the cohosting job.

Of course you are, honey.

Ladies!

Care to join us?

I believe you two
already know each other.

- And this is Mr....
- Jimmy Eubanks!

World Series MVP
two years in a row.

Yeah, hi.

Hi.

Between now and Christmas,

Veronika Daniels will be
evaluating all of you

to determine who will be
her next cohost.

Rise & Shine is American
Broadcast Entertainment's

crown jewel.

Our offices
are on the 24th floor,

and the first floor studio
is where we will be making

our holiday magic.

If you come with me, I'll show
you where your cubicles are.

For as long as each of you
are in the running,

you'll be working from here.

Well, my office
is just upstairs,

so I can work from there.

Uh, if that were allowed,
I would've said so.

I need to see my people.

Cohost chemistry
is only part of this.

You'll all be pitching your
own Christmas-themed segments.

This is your chance to go out
and connect with the public.

I want you to exploit
your contacts,

dig into social media,

help us make the show great.

The audience expects your best.
That's what I want to see.

It's your chance to shine.

So tomorrow morning,
the journey begins.

Charlie Fisher's
first time as cohost.

Welcome to Rise & Shine.

Oh, hey, it's starting.

Live from New York City,

it's America's
number one morning show,

Rise & Shine!

Rise and shine, America!

I'm Veronika Daniels,
and as you all know,

our beloved Gina Serrato
has left us,

so today, the search
begins for my new cohost.

Please give a warm welcome

to the first
of our four contenders,

right here from New York City,

WHNY's Charlie Fisher.

- Boo!
- Abby.

Oh, come on.

Hi! All right!
Thank you, Veronika.

I am very, very happy
to be here.

I love Rise & Shine.

My whole family
love sRise & Shine.

Charlie looks good, doesn't he?

- Oh, boy.
- It's just an observation.

Speaking of family, most people
don't realize this about you,

but your father
is the legendary Fred Fisher,

- host of The Nightly Report.
- Yeah, that's dear old dad.

I'm sure
he's out there watching.

Hi, Dad.
No pressure here.

So does the Fisher family
have a holiday tradition?

Oh, yeah, of course.

We all get together,
we open presents

and, you know,
make a big dinner.

Really? Kinda hard to picture
Fred Fisher stuffing a goose.

Yeah, well, you'd be surprised.
He can stuff a goose, he can.

Which reminds me of a story.

A friend of mine whose dad
decided to deep-fry a turkey,

- but didn't defrost it first.
- He wouldn't.

If you don't defrost your turkey

- before you deep-fry it...
- This means war.

CHARLIE: I said, well, yeah,
it's prehistoric,

- but it ain't a dinosaur.
- [laughter]

Charlie Fisher?

You know what?

I'm gonna catch you later.

Hey, Em.
See the show this morning?

You stole
my exploding frozen turkey.

- But you have tons of stories.
- I do!

- And you're super fun.
- I am so fun!

Then missing
one exploding turkey story

shouldn't make a difference.

But it does to me.

Why are you so upset?

I specifically said
it happened to a friend.

It didn't happen to a friend.
It happened to me.

- So we're not friends anymore?
- I don't know, are we?

Because friendship's
supposed to be give and take,

and all I'm seeing here is take.

I was saving that story
for tomorrow.

I panicked.

You know I can't talk about
my family's holiday traditions.

Sure, Mom's supervising
the installation

of the Christmas decorations
at the Waldorf Astoria.

And Dad, he's busy
entertaining half the U.N.

What happened to you?

You were different at Stamford.

We're not in Stamford anymore.

The rules are different here.

You work with whatever you got.

Good luck on the show tomorrow.

Leave the rollers at home.
This is New York.

Back to our online continuous
Connecticut Christmas...

- Badge, please.
- It's my first day.

I'm cohosting Rise & Shine.

Oh, sorry.

Oh.

MAN: Get ready to go, people.

Live from New York City...

Hey, Mom, it's starting.

...America's number
one morning show

Rise & Shine!

Rise & Shine, America!

I'm Veronika Daniels,

and for the eight million of you

who have seen
her audition online,

you already know today's cohost

from WDSR Stamford, Connecticut,

Emily Morgan.

Thank you, Veronika,
Rise and shine, everyone.

I am so excited to be here.

Hey, check it out.
It's your ex.

When my coworker Daisy told me
that the video had gone viral,

I was like, "Is that a good
or bad thing?" You never know.

Because would people
take me seriously,

or would I be like
that five-year-old on YouTube

who plays "Jingle Bells"
on the keyboard?

[laughter]

Your girl's looking
pretty good there, Charlie.

- Shh.
- VERONIKA: I love that video!

That kid, he's just adorable.
I could eat him up.

Well, I'll tell you what.
How would you like to meet him?

- Uh, no, really?
- Yeah.

Veronika, I have a very special
Christmas surprise for you.

All the way
from Lake Mary, Florida,

here to perform "Jingle Bells"
on our show, live,

please welcome
five-year-old Davey.

- Hi, bud.
- He's so cute!

Come on in here.
Wave at Mommy.

Right there, yeah.

Hi, Mommy.

Hah! She actually got the kid.

♪ ♪
["Jingle Bells"]
VERONIKA: Oh, he's so good.

I saw this kid online.

Man, this is good TV.

Yeah, it actually is.

♪ ♪

- Oh!
- Right?

The kid is amazing.

Clancy?

Hey, honey, it's Kate McQueen.

Listen, I'm hoping
you can help out a sister Kappa.

I'm working on a segment
for Rise & Shine,

and I'm trying to get
my hands on a reindeer.

Yep. Uh-huh.

Great. Awesome.
Yep, bye.

That's fantastic,
that's fantastic.

My producer
will be in touch. Ha!

And what about Mrs. Claus?
Does she ever do interviews?

Because I think people want
to know her better, don't you?

- Em, Em, Emily.
- What?

- I outdid your kindergartner.
- Good for you.

And what about baking cookies?
Would she bake cookies with me?

Toby Bradford. He's gonna
perform a Christmas classic

on Saturday's show, live.

I'm sorry,
could you hold on a moment?

Toby Bradford, really.

He's launching
a holiday concert tour,

"Have Yourself
a Swinging Little Christmas."

You hate that kind of music.

Yeah, but his 14 million
Twitter followers don't,

so today, I love it.

Well, good for you.

If you don't mind, I have
Mrs. Claus' booking agent.

So what was the verdict
on those cookies?

Toby Bradford is so much cooler
than Mrs. Claus.

Go away!

♪ Have yourself
a swinging little Christmas ♪

Hey. All right.

WEATHERGIRL: Seeing sunny,
but chilly weather

across the Atlantic seaboard.

Boys, hey!

- Hi.
- No running!

- Can I use this one?
- Yes, I like this one.

Back to you, Veronika.

Thank you, Bianca.

And as they say
at Christmastime in Hawaii,

Mele Kalikimaka.

I don't speak Hawaiian.

Okay, so please
give a warm welcome

to my next guest cohost,
baseball legend Jimmy Eubanks.

[laughs]
Oh!

Hi, Jimmy!

Oh, it is so great
to have you here.

Yeah, thanks.

So this is your first time
hosting a talk show, isn't it?

- It is.
- Mm-hmm.

So, uh, you have a home
in Pennsylvania, is that right?

Yeah, Pennsylvania.

Oh, no.

You live on a farm?

Yeah, I do.
Uh, we have cows

and, uh, goats, horses.

Sweetheart, did anyone
ever check to see

if Jimmy Eubanks can,
you know...

Talk?

I'm beginning to suspect
they did not.

So you talk about
finding the perfect dress

- On Save the Date with Kate.
- Uh-huh.

What should a woman
be looking for

when she's shopping
for a holiday event?

The first thing is how it fits.

The second and third things
are also how it fits.

Now, if you look here,
the line of the dress..

Veronika really likes her.

What is so special about knowing

that your clothes should fit?

We agree
we don't like her, right?

We do not agree.

Don't be awful, okay?

Kate is fine.
She's just a little,

you know, poised.

You mean fake, right?
Fake.

- Maybe a little.
- [chuckling]

Hey, okay, be honest.

If you don't get the gig...

if...

who'd you rather see get it,
her or me?

It really doesn't matter,

because I am totally
gonna get this gig.

[cheering]

And we are live in
the Rise & Shine courtyard

with the one, and the only,
Mr. Toby Bradford.

[cheering]

Yes. Looks like you've got
a few fans out there, Toby.

Thanks.
Merry Christmas, everybody.

All right,
without further ado then,

I give you a new take
on an old favorite

and Mr. Toby Bradford.

[cheering]

♪ ♪

♪ Deck the halls with boughs of holly ♪

♪ Fa la la la la
La la la la ♪

♪ 'Tis the season to be jolly ♪

♪ Fa la la la la
La la la la ♪

♪ Don we now our gay apparel ♪

♪ Fa la la la la la
La la la ♪

♪ Troll the ancient yuletide carol ♪

♪ Fa la la la la
La la la la ♪

♪ Fa la la la la ♪

♪ La la la la ♪

♪ Fa la la la la ♪

♪ La la la la ♪
Let's dance.

He learned the dance.

He did.
He learned the dance.

♪ ♪

Charlie drives me nuts,
but you got to admit,

this is good.

Yes, this will be
a fun little memory for him

when he's back doing the news.

Well, I admire
your confidence, Kate.

Sweetie, you're really
buying into this, aren't you?

What do you mean?

This little competition,
it's all for show.

A small town reporter,

a local news guy,

and a man incapable of speech

versus me,
a one-woman media empire.

And I don't just mean
Save the Date with Kate.

I'm talking about
best-selling books, podcasts,

my own line
of bridesmaids dresses.

- That doesn't mean...
- Emily...

my agent already
has the contract.

So y'all enjoy
your little dances

and your YouTube
musical prodigies

because, come Christmas Day,

the only present under the tree
is gonna be for yours truly.

CHARLIE: Let's hear it!
Great job, Toby!

We're going to sing the whole
album, hear the whole thing.

Thank you so much
for coming here.

Hey, we've got a problem.

Oh, no,
I think you have a problem.

You see those dance moves
I just threw out there?

- ♪ Fa la la la la ♪
- We're being played, Charlie.

Go on.

The job is going
to Kate McQueen.

- Well, who told you that?
- Kate McQueen.

Of course she's gonna say that.

Her agents are already
reviewing the contract.

Think about it.
It makes sense, you know?

She's already cohosted
Rise & Shine before.

She's got her own
TV show, books.

And did you know that she has
a line of bridesmaids dresses?

Why would I know that?

What are we even doing here?

We were just a publicity stunt.

Patrice would never
do that to us.

Does Patrice even know?

There's one way to find out.

PATRICE: Why didn't I
know about this?

Because it's not your decision.

Veronika, they're my friends.

I told them they actually
have a shot at this.

They're both great people.

They're getting
terrific exposure,

But Kate? She has the experience
to actually do the job.

Do you kinda get a creepy,
evil vibe from her?

Of course I do,
but she's great on camera.

[sighs]

What am I gonna tell
Charlie and Emily?

Don't tell them anything.
We'll just proceed as planned.

CHARLIE: It's okay.
Nobody's blaming you.

EMILY: Veronika's right.
It is great exposure.

Well, there is one other upside
to this whole thing.

- Really?
- Yeah.

You guys aren't in competition
with each other anymore.

Look, it's my policy
never to interfere

with anyone's
personal business...

That has never been your policy.

Your policy is literally
the opposite of that.

Well, then this
shouldn't surprise you.

I've had to split my time
between you two all these years,

ever since you broke up
six years ago.

Can we just move on now
and all be friends?

Yeah, of course.
Charlie and I have no issues.

- No.
- Great.

There's a story meeting
this afternoon.

I'd love if you two could pitch
something you'd cover together.

I mean, you always brought
the best out in each other.

Yeah, we could do that.

Yeah?

Sure.

Great.

I'm not dancing though.

She actually is
a terrific dancer.

Well, these are the best
December ratings we've had

in years.

If it were up to me,
I'd keep all three of you.

Okay, so, Kate, tomorrow
you've got Allison Davenport

promoting her new film?

I read that she's
marrying an astronaut.

- That's a power couple.
- I know.

An Oscar-winner
marries an American hero?

It'll be the wedding
of the century.

I'm sure that'll give you
plenty to talk about.

Emily, Charlie,
you got anything?

Actually, the annual
Christmas light display

at Parker Bank and Trust
is being unveiled tonight.

They've been doing a holiday
display every year since 18...

1899.

I can use Wikipedia, too.

Apparently, it takes
18 days to set up,

over 100 technicians and
over 20,000 strands of light.

This is a big deal.

Emily and I, we're gonna
cover that together, right?

Isn't that precious?

- There.
- Eddie, let's go to the park

and talk to some spectators.

Let's get a shot first
of the bank before and after.

We don't need it.
We're gonna find some cute kids.

Eddie, let's get a shot
from the corner, real quick.

I'll tell you what.
How about we do it my way,

and we'll say it was your idea.

- No, no.
- That way, I get my story,

you get the credit,
everybody's happy.

I'm not doing this
just for the credit, Em.

Oh, yeah? Tell that
to my exploding turkey.

You're still mad about that?

I'm not having this fight
with you right now.

We're supposed to be working
together. Eddie, come on.

Right over there.

How old are you?

Oh, I'm so sorry, did that hurt?

- Hey, hey, hey!
- No!

I will not stoop to your level.

That's it.
You're a dead man.

Bring it.
Come on, come on.

- Yeah?
- Yeah.

- Admit it. You're scared.
- What?

That's why you stayed here
in Stamford six years ago,

why you didn't come with me.

What are you talking about?

- We had a good thing, Em.
- I know.

We told each other that
no matter what happened at WHNY,

you and I would be fine.

But what you really meant
was that we'd be fine

as long as you were
the one that got the job.

- Hey!
- No, come on!

Not my hair. I don't know
how to style it like this.

Wear a hat.

Are you okay? Hey.

- Are you all right?
- I'm okay!

I'm sorry, Em, I'm sorry.

Sorry for everything.

I am.

I should've fought harder.

For us.

When I had the chance.

I just kept picturing
our life together in New York.

Me looking for work,

and you going off
to my dream job every day.

- And here we are again.
- Yeah.

Except this time, neither of us
is getting the job.

Look, there's two weeks
left to go before Christmas.

Let's just make the best
of the time we have left.

Before we go back
to our real lives.

Are you offering a truce?

I am.

I've missed you.

I've missed you, too.

I get so excited going into
the office every single day

because I know
you're gonna be there.

Feels just like old times.

Kinda does.

CROWD: 5, 4, 3, 2...

[bang]

[cheers and applause]

Eddie, please tell me
you got that.

[cheering continues]

MAN: Cool!

Merry Christmas!

[cheering continues]

Allison, first of all,
I just have to say

that I am so excited
to have you here.

Third Country
is one of my favorite movies.

You are brilliant in it.

Oh, thank you, Veronika.

And congratulations
on your recent engagement.

Are you ready to be
an astronaut's wife?

Well, we're very much looking
forward to being married.

The wedding, though, it's a lot!

Mm-hmm.

Kate, I wish I had
your expertise.

Oh, hey, now, hey, now!
We saw her first.

Wait. Really?

Em! Emily, check this out.

It's a Christmas miracle.

Are you kidding?

It'd be a dream come true
to have you plan my wedding.

Really?

But couldn't you do both?

Patrice, honey, this wedding
is going to be legendary.

The starlet and the spaceman.

It's exactly what I've been
needing for a second season

of Save the Date with Kate.

But Rise & Shine is
a network television series.

Save the Date
is just a reality show.

My reality show.
I own it.

When it does well, I do well.

Look this has been real fun,

but I need to get back
to what I do best.

And these early mornings
are killing me.

Unless, of course,

the network
was willing to give me

ownership percentage
in Rise & Shine.

Well...

it has been a pleasure
working with you, Kate.

I wish you the best of luck
with the wedding.

Kate.

- You take care.
- Can't believe it.

At the end of the day, the only
thing Kate McQueen cares about?

Kate McQueen.

So then there were two.

I guess this means
our truce is over.

Fun while it lasted.

♪ ♪

♪ Jingle bells ♪

And there's a storm front
moving through the northeast.

Through the northeast,
in this area over here.

♪ In a one-horse open sleigh ♪

♪ Jingle bells Jingle bells ♪

♪ Jingle all the way ♪

♪ Oh, what fun it is to ride ♪

♪ In a one-horse open sleigh ♪

♪ Dashing through the snow ♪

♪ In a one-horse open sleigh ♪

♪ O'er the fields we go ♪

♪ Laughing all the way ♪

♪ ♪
["Carol of the Bells"]

♪ ♪

I forgot to mention.

I've got a story for you.

Mom, I'm trying to listen.

Do you remember Marilyn Lee?

No. Who's Marilyn Lee?

It doesn't matter.

But her mother, Ginger,
told me about this woman

that her cousin Sandra knows,
over in Westport,

whose family has been
keeping a fruitcake

for over a hundred years.

What? Why?

They started doing it
for this relative

who went off to war
or something,

but 100 years later,
they've still got the fruitcake.

Isn't that amazing?

Who's a fruitcake?

Anyway, I've got her number
if you're interested.

A hundred-year-old fruitcake.

Mm-hmm.

Huh.

Right. Yeah, look,

with only a few days
left until Christmas,

I thought it would be
a great idea

to see how a live nativity scene
comes together.

Heck, yeah, I'd like
to meet the camel.

Right, call me back.

You're gonna meet a camel?

She's been doing live
nativity scenes for 15 years.

No fair.
I wanna meet a camel.

Her name is Shamala.
What are you working on?

Promise you won't steal it?

Cross my heart.

I went to church this Sunday
with my family,

and my mom says
there's a woman in Westport

who has
a hundred-year-old fruitcake.

That is disgusting.

Well, it could be. Who knows?

The family's been
adding rum to it

and wrapping it in cheese cloth
for three generations.

No worries. I promise I will
not be stealing that story.

No chance. That is the most
Emily Morgan story I ever heard.

Oh? So what exactly is
an Emily Morgan story?

Well, you know,
uh, human interest,

relatable,

heartfelt,

emotional,

personal.

Well, I try.

You succeed.

Thank you.

Hey, you two, group meeting.
Let's go.

PATRICE: Veronika would like
the two of you

to cohost
her Christmas Eve telethon.

You mean without her?

That's a 13-hour broadcast.

I'm aware. I produce it.

I don't know.
That's a lot.

I love it. I love everything
about it. Let's do it.

- Wait, what?
- Yeah, come on!

It's 13 hours
in front of a national audience,

telling jokes
and introducing singers.

How hard can it be?
Plus it's Christmas.

Oh, that's right, I forgot.
You're Miss Christmas.

- I am not.
- You are.

- Am not.
- Okay!

Speaking of which, tonight is
my annual Christmas party,

and I'd love if the two of you
could make it.

Wow! I haven't been to a Patrice
Montgomery Christmas party

in, like, forever.

They've gotten even better.
Trust me.

Look, I miss my friends.

You know, we blame work,

and we claim
we can't find the time,

but you don't find the time,
you have to make the time.

So come to my party.

Dress pretty.

I know important people.

And you could, you know,
bring a date or something.

Bring a date?

Mm-hmm.

Uh, yeah, I could bring a date.

Yeah, I have a date also.

[scoffs]
You two.

What?

Justin, hey.

I haven't talked to you
in, what, months?

So I'm in New York, and I'm
going to a party tonight.

Roger, it's Emily.

I don't have
an accounting question.

I was just wondering
if you had any plans tonight.

Michael, it's Emily Morgan.

Remember me from,
from summer camp?

When you've got a chance,

could you please restock
the quiches back there?

Thank you.

Merry Christmas.

Wow. You look...

Did I overdo it?

Uh, no.
I was gonna say "nice."

Emily, this is Bianca.

Of course.

Yes, I didn't know that
you and Charlie were friends.

I'm full of surprises.

Oh, is that what you're full of?

Ha ha. Was your date
not available this evening?

No, actually, he...
Oh, here he is now.

Jimmy! Hey, all right.

I didn't realize
that you guys kept in touch.

I'm full of surprises, too.

[laughs]

Um, Jimmy Eubanks,
do you know Bianca?

- Hey.
- Hello.

I hate to tear myself away from
this scintillating conversation,

but I smell mulled wine, so...

Bianca was just telling me
about her trip to Madrid.

Wow.

Yes.

You know what?
That mulled wine

really sounds like
it would hit the spot.

Excuse me.

So, the weather girl, huh?

Well, how about you?

Were you so taken by the six
words Jimmy said on the show

that you just couldn't resist?

He's an amazing baseball player.

You hate sports.
All sports.

Fine.

It's the best I could do
on such short notice.

[laughs]

Actually, yeah, me, too.

Thanks for bringing
a little intrigue to my party.

- What do you mean?
- You two.

Trying to make
each other jealous.

- What?
- That's ridiculous.

Oh, yeah, just keep denying it,

It adds to
the entertainment value.

I've seen cardboard cutouts
with more personality.

Hey, you're the one who told us
we had to bring dates.

Yes! It was supposed
to be a hint.

Hey, you know what?
We've made an appearance.

You wanna get out of here?

We can't.
We came with...

you know, them.

Call me crazy, but we may have
made a match over there.

I'll get my coat.

Then there was Stacy.
She was an actress.

She broke it off after I kept
falling asleep at her plays.

One first date, I actually
fell asleep on the table

at the restaurant.

He didn't call me back.
It's sad, you know?

The only people that understand
our schedules are...

The people who work
the same hours.

Yeah, exactly.

Obviously,
when I was a kid growing up,

my dad was doing the morning
news for so many years,

my mom got up at 4:00 in the
morning with him all the time.

She said she'd never
see him otherwise.

I didn't ask. What does
the legendary Fred Fisher think

about his son cohosting
Rise & Shine?

He doesn't think much of it.

He thinks I should work my way
up through the regular news.

I don't know.
Maybe he's right.

No. No, he's not right.

What you do best
is a very special skill.

You report
the events of the day,

but you make people feel like
it's gonna be okay somehow.

You know, people see your face
in the morning,

and they know
it's gonna be a good day.

Wow.

You're a good guy, Charlie.

In a world that, frankly,
could use some more good guys.

♪ ♪
[saxophone]

He's really talented, isn't he?

- Yeah, he is.
- You got any cash?

Uh, yeah.

[playing "Hark!
The Herald Angels Sing"]

Thank you.

Here you go.

♪ ♪

[laughs]

Em, when all this is over,
you think maybe...

No, Charlie. We've been down
that road before, okay?

- We know how it ends.
- No, no, we don't.

Maybe it was just
bad timing last time.

Look, just dinner.

3:00 in the afternoon,
just the way we like it.

Last time I...

I got distracted... by us.

Threw me off my game.

I'm not saying no.
I'm just saying...

let's wait
till this is over, and...

let me focus on this,
and then we'll see.

- I am gonna ask again.
- I told you you should.

I was gonna ask,
even if you didn't tell me.

- You want to win this round?
- Yes, I do.

Okay, you win.

Now stop talking.
You're ruining the moment.

Are we having a moment?

Yes, Charlie,
we're having a moment.

- You said you wouldn't dance.
- [chuckling]

Hi. Can I get an extra dark
cocoa with nutmeg?

- Hi, Em.
- Patrice, hi.

Funny story.
So last night at the party,

I'm talking with Loretta.

You know,
the head of the network.

And I wanted to introduce her

to my two new Rise & Shine
cohost candidates.

But I couldn't find them.

We just got sleepy.

Yeah. Did you forget
to take something with you?

Gloves, scarf...

your dates?

Patrice, I'm really sorry.

Although according to TMZ,
they're officially a couple now.

Speaking of which,
can we talk about

what's going on
with you and Charlie?

There's nothing to talk about.

We're getting along again,
just like you asked.

Getting along again.
You're cute.

Can you give me a little credit?
I've known you guys too long.

Okay, fine. I guess the last
couple days have reminded me

how much fun I had
working with him.

Okay? Happy?

Almost.

Today is your last day to shine,

and I don't want you
going all soft on me

because Charlie's
doing his Charlie thing.

No, my head is
in the game, okay?

I'm gonna have the fruitcake
segment for tomorrow,

and I'm gonna rise,
and I'm gonna shine.

SANTA CLAUS:
I told you. The North Pole.

Of course the elves
make the toys.

Do you remember when I took you
to see Santa at Herald Square?

You didn't want
to talk about presents.

You just wanted some answers

about what he does at houses
that don't have chimneys.

I guess I was always
destined to be a reporter.

Has Dad been watching the show?

You know how busy he is.

It's online.
He can watch it on his phone.

You're trying to pick a fight,
but I will not take the bait.

Just seems to me,
as a journalist,

he'd do some research before
he starts criticizing my work.

He isn't criticizing.
He wants what's best for you.

If he really wants
what's best for me,

he could try being supportive.

You won't be satisfied until
you've caused a scene in public.

Very well, Charles,
we shall have a scene.

Your father is not
a terribly demonstrative person.

That is his way.

But he cares.

When you're interviewed
for the job at WHNY,

it was his phone call
that landed you the job.

No. He didn't have
to do anything.

I was their first choice.
He just checked in.

That's what he told me.

You were their second choice,

which is still very impressive.

Who was their first choice?

Do you know?

Emily Morgan.

No. Why didn't...

You were dating her, Charlie.

What were we supposed
to tell you?

So your father did
what was best for your future

because he loves you.

You wouldn't be where you are
without him.

Now, let's find him
a nice necktie.

Mrs. Henderson, I know
it's a little bit unorthodox,

but I am fascinated
with your story.

I really think other people
will want to hear it.

Hey, Emily.

What's happening
with fruitcake lady?

You gonna have something for me?

Mrs. Henderson,
could you hold on a minute?

Yeah, I'm trying,

but she says she has no interest
in being on television.

That's crazy. Everybody wants
to be on television.

Well, Shirley Henderson
of Westport, Connecticut,

would disagree.

She's got
a hundred-year-old fruitcake.

You can't hide that light
under a bushel.

The world needs to see it.

I have to drive up there,
make a personal appeal,

bring her a poinsettia
or something.

Well, that's smart.
My mother loves poinsettias.

Yeah, mine, too.
Hey, Charlie.

Is your mom
a fan of poinsettias?

What?

We were just saying
that she might have to drive...

Excuse me for one second.

What's got into him?

I'll be right back.

Get us that fruitcake.

Hi. I'm so sorry about that.

PATRICE: Four days
till Christmas, little elf.

We still have work to do.

Did you know
that I got the job at WHNY

because of my father?

Yes.

I didn't.

I didn't know that Emily
was their first choice.

I didn't know that my father
called in favors.

All this time,
I thought I deserved it.

I worked hard enough,
and I earned it.

Charlie, you work harder
than almost anyone I know.

Almost.

I should tell Emily.

I really don't see
how that's a good idea.

She needs to know.
Emily deserves this.

She is smart, she is driven,
she's beautiful.

She was better than me then,
she's better than me now.

Even if she is,
it's not our choice to make.

Maybe I'll just give it
a little nudge.

Charlie Fisher.

You're in love.

That's not what this is about.

Of course it is.

If she loses,
Emily goes back to Stamford,

and everything that's kept
you guys apart all these years

keeps you apart again,
but if she wins,

Emily moves to New York,
you go back to WHNY,

everyone's in the same place.

And if anything's
meant to happen

between the two of you,
it could.

Well, that wouldn't be
such a bad thing.

Good man, Charlie.

Hope it works out.

Well, it's Christmastime.

Miracles have been
known to happen.

Hi.

Okay, I've got
several questions.

Has anyone ever tried
to eat the fruitcake?

Does she have any other
hundred-year-old foods?

How much does
the fruitcake weigh?

Does she even like fruitcake?

Abby, I've already
prepared questions, okay?

My only concern is getting her
to even agree to the interview.

You've just got to.

You're gonna get this job.
I can feel it.

This is gonna put you over,

and Charlie is going
to eat his words.

Charlie's not so bad.

Oh, how quickly we forget him

comparing you to a kindergartner
on a keyboard.

Who hasn't compared someone

to a kindergartner on a keyboard
in the heat of the moment?

Charlie wants this job
as badly as I do.

Oh, my gosh. You are falling
for him all over again.

No, no, I'm not.

Em, how many times have you said

that you let your feelings
for Charlie distract you

when you were up for WHNY?

Well, that is not happening
this time, okay?

I am tough, I am focused,
and I am gonna get this job.

Look, I gotta go.

Wait, but, Em...

Hi, it's Emily.
How soon can I get a news van?

It should be up here
on the right somewhere.

Oh, there it is.

No, no, no, no, no, no, no!

Hey, what are you...

Hi, Emily.

You're trying to swipe my story!

No, I'm not.
You have the wrong idea.

Hey, it's my fruitcake, Charlie!
My fruitcake!

I am just here to assist you,
I promise.

You said Mrs. Henderson
was wavering about being on TV.

I thought maybe I could help
talk her into it, you know?

Turn on the charm.

- Seriously?
- Seriously.

So how'd it go?

Really badly.
She wouldn't even open the door.

And she yelled at me, so now
I'm shoveling her sidewalk.

Peace offering.

For heaven's sake,
she's a little old lady.

Um...

Mrs. Henderson, it's Emily
Morgan from Rise & Shine.

We spoke on the phone.

I already told
the boy with the face

that I don't want to be on TV.

- What about my face?
- Shh!

Mrs. Henderson,
if I could just...

This is exactly
what I was trying to avoid...

a gaggle of reporters
camped on my doorstep

like I'm some sort of sideshow.

No, that's not it at all.
I brought you a poinsettia.

"Everyone, come look
at the fruitcake lady!

Have a good laugh."

- We don't want that either.
- Hush, haircut.

Ladies are talking.

Mrs. Henderson, if we could
just have a conversation.

I can leave the camera out here
if you want.

What do we need to do
to make you comfortable?

The driveway.

Well, come on, haircut.

We gotta get started
on this driveway.

What's wrong with my haircut?

Okay, that was fun.

You should really go home.

I don't think
she's gonna open the door.

Then why are you
still staying here?

- What if she opens the door?
- Yeah.

[laughs]

I know you've been waiting
for this for a long time.

And if Veronika chooses you,
I'm sure you'll be great.

Thanks.

Get in here
before you freeze to death.

Oh! Eddie, Eddie!

EDDIE: Okay, let's do this.

EMILY: Oh, your poinsettia.

Here's the deal, kid.

I'll tell you the story,
which will sound foolish.

You decide if there's a way
to tell it

without me looking foolish.

- Oh, we can absolutely...
- Not you, cheekbones.

I was talking to her.

Why do you keep
calling me names?

You're a handsome man.

Every trouble I ever had
started with a handsome man.

Do we have a deal?

We have a deal.

All right.

Eddie, are we rolling? Okay.

So, Mrs. Henderson,
tell me about your fruitcake.

Well, my grandmother
always made my Uncle Francis

a fruitcake every Christmas
because it was his favorite.

You like fruitcake?

Uh...

No, not particularly.

It's an acquired taste.

The Christmas after
my Uncle Francis enlisted,

they couldn't afford the
train ticket to bring him home.

But Grandmother said,
"It's all right.

The fruitcake will keep
until he gets home."

She wrapped it up
in cheesecloth,

placed it in a cookie tin,

put some rum in an atomizer.

Oh, a spray bottle?

Mm-hmm.

Every month or so,
she'd spray it down,

and it kept.

Then America joined the Allies
in the war.

Grandmother kept right on
spraying it down every month,

and the cake kept.

Uncle Francis was declared
missing in action,

and the cake kept.

10 years gone, 20, 40.

And she never stopped.

Every family
has its little ritual.

This was ours.

Mother took it on
from Grandmother,

I took it on from Mother,

and that cake kept.

That is really lovely.

A hundred years.
I never even met the man,

and I certainly don't expect him
to walk in and ask for a slice,

but it's the ritual.

It's a reminder that
wherever the world takes you,

there's always a place
where your heart remains,

where you are loved
and remembered and treasured,

where someone
kept a cake for you.

Thank you, Mrs. Henderson.

Thank you for trusting us
with your story.

I suppose you'd like to see
the cake, don't you?

If you don't mind.

CHARLIE: Oh!

Oh, look at that.

Yeah, that is something.

It's the ugliest cake
you've ever seen, isn't it?

Uh, I'm glad you said that.

That's why
I tell the story first.

It's hard to come back
after seeing this.

Yeah, ooh! I think my eyes
are watering a little bit there.

- That's the rum.
- Sure does have an aroma.

Sentiment, kids,
sometimes it just isn't pretty.

Well, I'm gonna put this away

before it stinks up
the whole house.

That's gonna be a really
beautiful story, Em.

Thanks, cheekbones.

I couldn't have done it
without you.

Actually, I think
you probably could.

Well, I wouldn't have wanted to.

- I appreciate that.
- You know, Charlie...

I gotta say something.

I should've said this
a long time ago, but...

six years ago, when you
got the gig in New York...

Emily, wait, don't.

I should've been happy for you.

And I let myself
feel embarrassed.

You were just trying
to encourage me,

and I never really listened.

Is that why you
didn't come with me?

I made a mistake.

I should've just taken the leap
and made the move.

I'm so sorry.

And I promise, you know,
I'll always be up front.

My dad made a call.

I don't...
When? To whom?

Six years ago to WHNY.

It's the reason I got the job.

Oh.

Wow.

I sort of asked him to do it.

I just wanted to know
where I was in the process.

I did not know he was
gonna change things.

Was I...

You were their first choice.

Huh.

Okay.

Emily, you have to understand.

Oh, no, I understand
perfectly, Charlie.

I understand that if I get
too close to grabbing the gold,

Fred Fisher
will just make a call.

I swear, I had no idea.

I can't believe it!
All this time

I actually thought
I wasn't good enough.

All these years, I let that
actually hold me back.

But it turns out, all you need
to get by in this business

is tricks and games
and backstabbing.

Where you going?

I'm just gonna take a walk.

I finished my last show.
I'm gonna go home.

Just tell Mrs. Henderson
I apologize.

I see that a handsome man
has caused a problem.

Let's hear it.
What did you do?

Hey, Abby?

What are you doing right now?

Want me to come in?

No. I think I just need
some time on my own.

For what it's worth,

it sounds like he didn't mean
to hurt you.

Well, it still hurts.

Em, if you want to quit,
you can quit,

but it has to be
because you don't want it,

not because you think
you can't do it.

Thanks. Love you, sis.

Good night.

[phone ringing]

[ringing continues]

Hello?

So what's this I hear

about you abandoning
the fruitcake lady?

You talked to Charlie.

I did. And now I'm dealing with
this at 7:00 in the morning.

Thanks for that.

You need to come in
and supervise the edit

on the fruitcake segment, so
it's ready to air this morning.

I'm sorry, I can't.

Uh, is someone ill?

Or, I don't know, in jail?

Was there a fire?

Please, please give me a better
reason than hurt feelings

to justify you walking away
from the biggest opportunity

in your professional life.

The biggest opportunity?
Come on.

The game is rigged.
It always has been.

If it's not Kate McQueen,
it'll be Charlie Fisher.

If it's not Charlie Fisher,
it'll be someone else

with tons of connections.

- Don't say that.
- Tell me I'm wrong.

Tell me I won't be stuck
in Stamford my whole life,

covering community theater
and canned food drives.

That's what I thought.

Please.

Don't quit now.

The only thing I can control
is when I've had enough.

I'm out, Patrice.

What about the fruitcake story?
Junk it?

Do whatever you want with it.

Okay.
If you change your mind,

there's a place for you
on air tomorrow.

Thank you.

She says do whatever
you want with it.

Sounds like permission to me.

Sure you want to do this?

It's a good story.
It deserves to be heard.

EMILY: Mom, you didn't have
to do all this.

Hey, settle, boys,
settle, settle.

Even when you were
a little girl,

whenever you were upset,

waffles were my secret weapon.

Thanks, Mom.

You know, who cares
that Charlie's father

helped him get that job
years ago?

Parents just want to help
their children all they can.

We got you braces.

Exactly!
Thank you, Stanley.

We got you braces to fix
your overbite, didn't we?

This is a little bigger
than orthodontry, Mom.

Well, I don't think you know
how much braces cost.

Sweetheart, maybe your time
will come tomorrow, maybe later.

When it does, you'll be ready.

You hang in there long enough,
you'll win

because those other people
didn't do the work to get there.

But giving up
because you're discouraged?

Because it's hard?

Since when do you do that?

You're right, Dad.

Stanley Morgan.

You know, you don't talk much,

but when you do,
you say an awful lot.

Live from New York City,

it's America's number one
morning show, Rise & Shine.

Rise & Shine, America.
I'm Veronika Daniels.

And I'm guest host
Charlie Fisher.

Let me turn that off.
This is family time.

Charlie, let me ask you.

How long do you think you can
keep a Christmas fruitcake?

Wait.

I would imagine
a number of years

if you use it as a doorstop.

He wouldn't.

What if I told you a woman
kept a fruitcake for 100 years?

I would have to see that
to believe it.

Well, our own Emily Morgan
went to see it for herself.

I didn't do any narration.

It's just raw footage.

Emily has a bit
of laryngitis today,

so she asked me to step in,

and help her tell
this beautiful story of home

and remembering those we love.

Shirley Henderson
is quick to point out

she hasn't personally owned the
fruitcake for a hundred years.

Mother, took it on
from Grandmother,

I took it on from Mother,

and that cake kept.

CHARLIE: And keep it did.

Prepared as a gift
for her Uncle Francis

just before America
joined World War I.

It's a reminder that
wherever the world takes you,

there's always a place
where your heart remains,

where you are loved
and remembered and treasured.

He finished the story.
Why would he do that?

Because you deserved it.

And maybe he's
a decent person after all.

Mm.

Veronika nearly
cried her eyelashes off.

Hope you know
what you're doing, Charlie.

You might've just
gotten Emily this job.

Veronika should know
what Emily does best,

and nobody gets those stories
better than Emily.

She's in makeup now.
Mm-hmm.

Thank you.

[Emily laughs]

Em.

You made it.

Hey, I'm not sure why you did
what you did yesterday,

but thank you.

Well, you'd have done
the same thing for me, right?

Probably.

Okay.

[chuckles]

Look, Em,
whatever happens today...

No talking.

If you wanna talk,
we can talk later,

but only once Veronika
has announced her new cohost.

I can't discuss
the dumb, complicated,

messy feelings I have for you
because I'm trying to get a job.

And so are you, okay?

Okay.

Focus on that and only that.

Get outta here.
I'll see you on TV.

I'll see you on TV.

Shirley was right.

Handsome men
are nothing but trouble.

Girl, I can tell you
some stories.

We're just about to enter
our seventh hour

at the Rise & Shine
Christmas Eve Telethon,

so keep the donations coming in.

Your generosity can
help make the holidays

a little bit brighter
for families in need.

EMILY: So many of our viewers
in New York

are already familiar
with this next performer,

but they may not know it.

If you've ever taken a stroll
in Logan Park,

you've heard this
very talented musician,

saxophonist John Stephens.

Y-Yes.

♪ ♪
["Hark! The Herald Angels Sing"]

Have you made your decision?

Not quite yet.
They're both so intriguing.

Did you sense a little
tension between them?

They've been on air six hours.

They're exhausted.

No, I don't know.

I've got a sense
about these things.

Leave it, Veronika.
There's nothing here to see.

♪ ♪

[clears throat]

- So, you got our guy, huh?
- He's not our guy.

I think he's a really talented
saxophone player.

Okay, but...

you got our guy.

You're doing great out there.

Thank you, Veronika,
thank you very much.

You were on the air
in Connecticut

before you came
to New York, right?

Yeah, yes, I was.

Oh. What station?

Uh, WDSR.

Isn't that Emily Morgan's
station?

Mm, yeah, I think it is.

Uh-huh.
Well, did you work with her?

I mean, a little bit.

Were you friendly with her?

I try to be friendly
with everybody.

You're evading my question.

Emily's cameraman told me

that you were there
for the fruitcake interview.

Now, why'd you cut yourself out?

That's a complicated answer.

I'm a good listener.
I'm kind of known for it.

Here is my concern.

Veronika, hi.
Merry Christmas.

- A moment, please.
- Of course.

Our audience loves you

because they actually feel
like you're one of them,

going to church,
going to family dinners.

I'm afraid
I'd be taking you away

from the things
that make you special,

where your heart is.

What do you think?

It's funny.
I recently asked a friend

what he thought
an Emily Morgan story was.

And he used words like
"relatable,"

"heartfelt,"

"personal."

It got me thinking.
When I was a little girl,

I used to sit on my dad's lap
every night

and watch the news with him.

Even as a kid,
I realized we in the business

have the ability
to bring people together.

You know, to make them
feel good about themselves

and their lives.

And this show
is a chance to do that

on an even larger scale.

Does that make any sense?

Actually, it does.

Now, tell me about
you and Charlie.

Give it up for Stewart,
the Singing Salamander.

- Isn't Stewart the best?
- Great job.

You're up in a couple minutes.
Have you made a decision?

I've made several.

We're minutes away
from Christmas,

and it appears we have
reached the moment of truth.

It looks like Veronika Daniels
will be joining us in a moment,

and I think she has
some news, Charlie.

CHARLIE: I think I heard
something about that.

And, Charlie, I just want to say

what a great job
you've done here on the show

the past few weeks.

Thank you, Emily.
You, too.

Rise & Shine has been
very lucky to have you.

[mouthing words]

- I'm sorry.
- I'm sorry.

No, look,
I know that you always worry

if people are
taking you seriously,

but you've earned this one
on your own.

I'm always behind with grabbing
the audience's attention,

- getting people excited...
- Em.

I'll be fine
no matter what happens.

You know, I'm ready to fight
for what comes next.

You shouldn't have to fight
for what comes next.

You deserve this.

You do, Emily.
You are a fantastic reporter.

You have so much heart
and so much compassion,

and you throw so much
of yourself into your stories.

The world could gain a lot
from watching you.

If I stood in the way of you
realizing your full potential,

I couldn't live with that.

You really mean that?

I do.

Stay here in New York.
Take this job.

And let's have a second chance.

Please.

Did you really think
that if I didn't get the job,

I was gonna leave again?

I don't wanna take the chance.

Uh...

I love you, Emily.

I love you, too, Charlie.

You're where my heart is.

You're my hundred-year-old
fruitcake.

- [ding]
- [cheering]

MAN: Merry Christmas, everybody!

- [screams]
- Yay!

Well, it appears
a Merry Christmas is in order.

Merry Christmas, Em.

Merry Christmas, Charlie.

Now, that is good TV.

How can I possibly
choose between them?

I know.

If you could combine them,
they'd be the perfect cohost.

That's true, isn't it?

It's time.

VERONIKA:
Merry Christmas, America!

After much, much consideration,

I have reached a decision.

- [crowd cheering]
- Abby, it's starting.

It's America's
number one morning show,

- Rise & Shine.
- Happy New Year, America.

- I'm Emily Morgan.
- And I'm Charlie Fisher.

It's time to rise and shine.

Now, what better way
to start off the New Year

than by recognizing
our very own Veronika Daniels,

who, after 20 amazing years
of hosting this show,

is starting a new chapter
of her life

as the host
of an exciting weekend show.

When she decided to have
us both take over the show,

we knew her legendary shoes
would be impossible to fill.

Rise & Shine is more
than just a television show.

For viewers across the country
and around the world,

we're an important part
of their day.

So we're gonna do our very best
to make you proud.

Thank you for welcoming us
into your homes,

and thank you Veronika
for giving us this opportunity.

EMILY: The holiday season

isn't isn't just about
celebrating what we have.

It's about reflecting on what
you have the potential to be.

You know, what can I do to
make this day a little better,

to bring us closer together.

CHARLIE:
That's what Rise & Shine

has always cherished.

It's a pretty big job.

EMILY: We want to keep
that spirit of the holidays,

that sense
of possibility and hope,

all through the year.

Every new year
is a chance for a new start.

And I'm very thankful
that this year I get a chance

to have this new start
with you, Emily.

Aww. Me, too, Charlie.

CHARLIE: Now let's find out
what kind of New Year's Day

you'll be having

with a look
at your local forecast.

[beep]

WOMAN: Back in 60 seconds,
everyone.

- Nice open, Charlie.
- Thank you.

Love you.

Love you.

See? It's like I told you.

I see that face, and I know
it's gonna be a great day.

♪ Deck the halls with
boughs of holly ♪

♪ Fa la la la la
La la la la ♪

♪ 'Tis the season to be jolly ♪

♪ Fa la la la la
La la la la ♪

♪ Don we now our gay apparel ♪

♪ Fa la la la la la
La la la ♪

♪ Troll the ancient yuletide carol ♪

♪ Fa la la la la
La la la la ♪

♪ Fa la la la la ♪

♪ La la la la ♪

♪ Fa la la la la ♪

♪ La la la la ♪

♪ See the blazing yule before us ♪

♪ Fa la la la la
La la la la ♪

♪ Strike the harp and join the chorus ♪

♪ Fa la la la la
La la la la ♪

♪ Follow me in merry measure ♪

♪ Fa la la la la
La la la la ♪

♪ While I tell of Yuletide treasure ♪

♪ Fa la la la la
La la la la ♪

♪ Whoa ♪

Let's dance.

♪ ♪

♪ La la la la la la la la