Hallmark Channel is big on recognizable stars and mediocre scripts that move like molasses. "Dear Prudence" had the stars and the mediocre script, but it actually moved a little faster than, say, "Mystery Woman." Jane Seymour plays a household hints TV lady who goes on vacation at her boss' mountain place in Montana. Once there, she becomes involved in a murder.

Seymour is playing in essence a character role here, one you might see a younger version of Angela Lansbury doing. It's inspired against type casting - Seymour is beautiful and energetic, investing the role with a sense of enthusiasm that's refreshing on Hallmark.

The downside is the plot; the mystery was solved by this viewer in the first 10 minutes or so. However, the script had the household hints going for it, which are great, and the young man playing opposite Seymour was very good. Plus, Jamey Sheridan made a good romantic interest for Seymour.

Hallmark is pushing the heck out of this; Prudence has a special page on the Hallmark site, so I'm wondering if this is intended as a pilot. It would be a lovely series for the "Murder, She Wrote" crowd -I wasn't a member of that demographic when "Murder, She Wrote" started in 1984; I am now.