On May 19, 1992, Mary Jo Buttafuoco opened her door, and her life was forever changed. Standing on the other side of it was Amy Fisher, then 17, who claimed she was having an affair with Mary Jo’s husband, Joey. Fisher went over there to talk to Mary Jo, but by the end of their conversation, the teenager shot the mother of two in the head.
Mary Jo survived the shooting, and now, a third of a century later, she told her story to Lifetime.
Executive Producer and Narrator Mary Jo Buttafuoco said: “It’s been 33 years since I was thrust into the true crime spotlight after surviving a near-fatal gunshot wound to the head at the hands of my husband’s teenage lover. In the years that followed, I endured extreme public scrutiny, relentless media coverage, and was often mocked and misunderstood in the public eye. What many didn’t see was the private toll it took—battling depression, suicidal thoughts, and addiction as I tried to make sense of a life that had been so violently and publicly shattered. Today, I stand not as a victim, but as a survivor who has turned unimaginable pain into purpose. Through my book and my work as a motivational speaker, I’ve been able to share my truth and help others find strength in their own struggles. I am deeply honored to see my life story told from my perspective in this new Lifetime movie. This is not just a true crime headline—it’s my journey of resilience, healing, and reclaiming my voice.”
I am Mary Jo Buttafuoco is the first time her story is being told in a movie. Fisher, on the other hand, had three movies about her released within a year, which aired on CBS, NBC, and ABC.
The telemovie, I Am Mary Jo Buttafuoco, premieres on January 17th.
Reality stars Todd and Julie Chrisley were doing 12 and 7 years, respectively, for fraud and tax crimes convictions. However, Donald Trump pardoned them in May, and they were set free.
Around that same time, Lifetime started working on a reality TV show with their daughter, Savannah. Therefore, that series just got a lot more interesting because they were then given exclusive access to the married couple as soon as they got the call that they were going home. And the network and the Chrisleys took advantage of the opportunity.
Savannah’s boring show was no longer just hers. Her parents were now part of it. And the filming continued. Something I am sure every Lifetime executive was doing backflips over.
Today, Lifetime revealed a trailer for The Chrisleys: Back to Reality. The series begins during the wake of the family’s controversy and upheaval with Todd and Julie in federal prison and follows the family as their parents are eventually pardoned, released from prison and return home. The series shows a side of the Chrisleys that has never been seen before with exclusive access to the family—Julie and Todd from prison and upon their release, Savannah, Chase, Grayson, Chloe, Nanny Faye, and for the first time, Julie’s parents Harvey and Pam.
In the trailer, we see the family portraying themselves as victims and claiming they are innocent.
Are they? Find out when The Chrisleys: Back to Reality premieres as a two-night event September 1st and 2nd at 8p. The remaining three episodes will air on September 9 and September 16th.
I don’t know about you, but after I watch a Lifetime movie, all I want is a margarita. I am sure I am not the only one.
Actually, I know others feel the same way as I do because Chili’s teamed up with Lifetime to create a mini-movie to promote Margarita Day on February 22nd.
“As the margarita experts, National Margarita Day is the most important holiday of the year at Chili’s, but we were all surprised that no feel-good stories have been made around this incredible holiday,” said George Felix, Chili’s Chief Marketing Officer. “Lifetime is known for its beloved, iconic holiday programs, so there is no better partner to finally give National Margarita Day the attention it deserves. What better way to celebrate than with the holiday’s biggest television event and Chili’s signature margaritas.”
So, on February 19th at 10p, you can tune into the movie network to watch the 15-minute event, I’ll be Home for National Margarita Day.
Margaritas aren’t the only thing being shaken up in Ferguson Falls, a small town where National Margarita Day is the biggest event of the year, with Chili’s at the heart of the festivities. The short tells the story of Liz (Maria Menounos) and Sam (Taye Diggs), former love interests who are reunited at the local Chili’s when Liz returns to her hometown, desperate to escape the big city’s overpriced margaritas. Everything seems perfect until a big-city developer’s plans to build condos threatens to ruin the town’s National Margarita Day traditions. Liz and Sam must work together to stop the developer and save National Margarita Day, rekindling their relationship in the process.
I am a sucker for films like this, so I will be tuning in. Then, I will celebrate the holiday three days later at the Mexican restaurant. Who is with me?
Fun fact: Chili’s is the largest seller of Margaritas of the brand restaurants. How many do they sell in a year? A total of 25 million! That is a lot of tequila!
On a serious note, I hope that more companies do collaborations with studios/networks to promote their businesses. I think it is a fun way to get the word out.
Back in the late ’90s, Miss Cleo and her commercials for her Psychic Readers Network were all over our televisions. Until, it was exposed that she was a fake. And then, she was no longer on our TVs.
But on August 10th, Lifetime will tell her story in Miss Cleo: Her Rise and Fall.
Known for her work during the late 1990’s and early 2000’s with the Psychic Readers Network, this professional telephone and television psychic Youree Dell Harris (Allen) was launched into the pop culture zeitgeist when the network’s infomercials took off, making her a cult icon as the TV persona Miss Cleo. Fondly remembered for donning a colorful turban in a candlelit room, Miss Cleo dutifully listened to callers detailing the most intimate details of their lives. Miss Cleo ultimately became the face of the Psychic Readers Network, earning the trust and loyalty for those that called her. Years later, Harris’ world was turned upside down with complaints that the Psychic Readers Network was fraudulent and spread false advertising. Facing angry fans, Harris was forced to defend her reputation to clear her name and escape financial devastation.
I don’t know about you, but I forgot about the late Miss Cleo until this biopic. And now I can’t wait to watch it.
Jennifer Love Hewitt met her husband, Brian Hallisay, when they started working together on Lifetime’s The Client in 2013.
Now, 12 years and three kids later, they will be starring in the Lifetime holiday movie, The Holiday Junkie. Their children Autumn, 10, Atticus, almost 9, and Aidan, 2, will appear in the film that their mother is directing.
The Holiday Junkie follows the decorating and planning service company run by Andie (Jennifer Love Hewitt) and her mother Mimi. After Mimi passes away, Andie is forced to face her first Christmas without her mother and carry The Holiday Junkie torch on her own. Despite the challenges, Andie may also find some love at Christmas along the way!
“Jennifer is beloved by Lifetime and our viewers,” said Elaine Frontain Bryant, EVP, Head of Programming Genres for A&E, Lifetime and LMN. “We’re excited to work with her again on this special project near and dear to her and to have it as one of our cornerstones for our It’s a Wonderful Lifetime slate.
