ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Hallmark goes all-out every year when it comes to holiday programming.

Theyve had three weekends of programming for Christmas so far this year and theyve already had 40 million viewers.

How did your second Hallmark experience differ?MakingThe Christmas Trainwas just through the roof.

The first person they cast was Joan Cusack and I just knew we were on the right track.

It was only subsequent to my casting that they cast Danny Glover I was floored.

I couldnt believe that it just took that leap in quality.

Hallmark is doing this deliberately.

They have this admiration for the product.

They know that people come to them and theyre dependable and its a go-to thing.

Its so complicated and raw out there, especially right now, its just an obvious antidote.

This year they expect they might surpass 100 million viewers which tells you something.

Theres another 15 percent growth out there.

So what goes down on this Christmas train?

Theres even some action; theres a mystery thriller on the train whos stealing the sunglasses and the notebook?

I mean its Christmas they HAVE to!Fine!

Spoiler alert: They kiss and Christmas is on!

They get to their destination on time.

I hate to ruin the ending for you, but everyone gets home in time for Christmas.

So thats the mystery within the mystery.

Like a lot of Hallmarks fare, its just a little more than you give it credit for.

Lets go through your favorite holiday movies, music, etc.

It was great when I read it.

It has a fantastic director.

Obviously, the cast is off the charts, and its got shelf life.

Obviously, theres such sadness and loss in that story and family conflict but its also incredibly funny.

Favorite Christmas music?My favorite Christmas song is called Christmas Train.

I wrote it and I sang it and its in the background soundtrack ofChristmas Trainthe movie.

Its a fantastic, super catchy, really palatable country classic Christmas tune.

So Im running a budget around a grand if you add in transportation and gas and a per diem.

Im just trying to break even by selling a song at 99 cents.

Well check back in in January and see if we made a thousand dollars.

You dont even have to wait for the movie its instant gratification time.

The Christmas Trainpremieres Saturday, Nov. 25 at 8 p.m.

ET on the Hallmark Channel.