Tyler Hynes Fans Up In Arms Over Hallmark’s ‘Never Been Chris’d’
Hallmark is famous for its romcoms and happily-ever-after movies, especially during Countdown To Christmas. The familiar trope of a career woman returning to her small hometown for the holidays is common. That heroine meeting her dreamy high school crush or sweetheart and falling in love is not only typical but expected.
However, on Saturday night, fans of Christmas movies were vocal about their unhappiness over the plot of Never Been Chris’d and how little the male lead, Tyler Hynes, was in this movie. Moreover, they went to all the social media channels like an angry mob, trashing the movie, and the small role that their favorite had. That was not all.
Perhaps the biggest objection was that Tyler’s character was a vegan. It turns out Chris was a lapsed vegan who loved to sneak salmon. In the past, Tyler played a guy who emotionally cheated with Erin Krakow’s character in It Was Always You. Eventually, in that movie, he stole his brother’s fiancée. Also, he played the guy who lies to his ex-girlfriend for 90 percent of the movie An Unexpected Christmas, it turns out Hynies drew the line when Tyler portrayed the vegan who ate fish. They just did not find it humorous. But, it did not end there.
Credit: ©2023 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Steven Ackerman
The core of the movie Never Been Chris’d is similar to Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion, with Janel Parrish and Pascal Lamothe-Kipnes in the lead roles. But, in this case, they are successful tech entrepreneurs, not the phony creators of the Post-it note.
Yet, when the two besties and co-entrepreneurs run into their mutual high school crush, Chris Silver, it starts a small chain reaction of change. Of course, the object of their intense crush is Tyler Hynes.
But the progressive and comedic script that played homage to old teen high school movies, as well as the friendship as the focus of the movie, turned off many traditional Hallmark viewers.
What did they have to say?
Credit: ©2023 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Steven Ackerman
Hynies Think Hallmark Miscast And Underused Tyler Hynes In Holiday Movie
On Saturday night, after Never Been Chris’d aired, the Hallmark Channel posted on Twitter. They thanked fans for watching. Then, in the comments, Hynies just attacked the movie. No one blamed him, but they really dug into Hallmark and the veteran scriptwriter Joie Botkin.
Here are a few things that these fans had to say.
- I have been a Hynie since its inception, and in my view, Tyler has never made a bad Hallmark movie. But my guy was done dirty with this one. The script was just poorly written, Tyler’s character was extremely unlikeable, and not in the redeemable way, I didn’t root for anyone…
- I hate to admit it, I usually enjoy these movies, but this one was not the best. The ending was lackluster at best and didn’t require a hero, a bit strange.
- Right? Did AI write this script during the WGA strike? It was truly terrible and I don’t fault any of the actors.
- Sorry Tyler, always love all your work but this one was a dud. Hallmark really missed on this won [sic.]
- I don’t like to be negative about a Hallmark movie, but I am making an exception. I will not be recommending this movie to anyone nor will I watch it again. I could not stand Tyler’s character. Why did they make him like this and why was Naomi so annoying? So disappointed.
Based on these comments, and thousands more littered their displeasure on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Reddit, this Hallmark movie sounds like a stinker. However, the critics had the opposite reaction.
Credit: ©2023 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Steve Wilkie
Critics Loved Hallmark’s Never Been Chris’d
Did everyone hate this new Hallmark Christmas movie? It should be noted that while many Hynies were down on their guy’s only Hallmark holiday offering, critics from television publications were high on this new-style Hallmark movie.
Decider wrote for their headline, “Never Been Chris’d on Hallmark acknowledges that Tyler Hynes only gets hotter with age.” They contend that “the romance with the always smoldering Tyler yes is more for laughs than anything else.”
Furthermore, they declare, “Never Been Chris’d is another boundary-pushing holiday romcom from an increasingly bold–yet still cozy!–Hallmark Channel.”
The publication also acknowledged the DNA of this Hallmark movie that rhymed with Drew Barrymore’s classic movie Never Been Kissed.
“This honestly feels like the kind of romcom you’d see in theaters in 1992, back when big studios were cool with releasing films with small concepts (high school besties both get a shot with their mutual high school crush!)”
Meanwhile, TV Fanatic wrote, “Hallmark’s Never Been Chris’d puts Tyler Hynes and pop culture nostalgia to good use.” In addition, they promise, “All the holiday traditions are present, but it’s that you feel while watching and what you take away when it’s over that will send this movie to the top of your annual watch list.”
Credit: ©2023 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Steven Ackerman
One Hallmark Viewer Tells Hynies To Rewatch Never Been Chris’d
Lastly, not all Hynies hated this new Hallmark Christmas movie. One Tyler Hynes fan rewatched it and realized that in the first viewing, they misunderstood the character.
To be honest I had to rewatch #NeverBeenChrisd a 2nd time. I believe Chris is a good person, he is just insecure. It was not as confusing as I first saw it @tyler_hynes did a fantastic job playing Chris. He is now dealing w being insecure instead of covering it up.
Another poster shared their own mini-review of this movie. They noticed how it was a lot like the classic Christmas movie It’s A Wonderful Life.
#NeverBeenChrisd is a twist on It’s A Wonderful Life. Both ladies got to experience what could’ve been if Chris opportunity happened in high school. It’s a great movie. @tyler_hynes.
Christmas movie fan, did you check out Hallmark’s Never Been Chris’d on Saturday night? Do you think Tyler Hynes was shortchanged in this role? Please share your comments below.
I will admit that it wasn’t the best of Tyler’s movies, but anything he is in is going to be worth watching. I advise those that didn’t care for it to watch it again. Tyler was just showing he is human by admitting he has insecurities. The girls were great. I waited weeks to see Never Been Chris’d and I enjoyed it
I thought it was pretty good. There was more focus on the relationship between the two girls, their relationships with their mothers and the future of their app than there was on Tyler. Nice to see a movie that has a different formula than the usual Hallmark fare.
I actually turned the movie off after about 30 minutes. It seemed silly the way the women were portrayed and certainly Tyler Haynes role just seemed weak. With Hallmark offering 3 new movies each weekend, I’ve turned off a few since they just seemed off to me.
Being a fan of Tyler, there is just something about this movie I couldn’t wrap my head around when it came to plot and portrayal of him. I felt this was too “teenybopper” for Tyler. I also felt it was such a weak movie for his stature. A throw the dog a bone of Tyler Hynes for a movie. I’m hoping its because of the SAG strike.
I felt bad for Tyler