Chili’s Hopes Heartwarming Margarita Drama on Lifetime is a Rib-Tickler

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The star of Lifetime’s next big sudsy movie may be the drink at the center of the plot.

When Maria Menounos’ character grows weary of shelling out large sums for costly margaritas in the bustling metropolis, she decides to return to Ferguson Falls, her quaint hometown. Here, National Margarita Day is a significant celebration at the local Chili’s, and an unexpected run-in with a past love interest, portrayed by actor Taye Diggs, also becomes part of the festivities.

Menounos won’t splash any tequila drinks at anyone, but viewers may struggle not to catch the message about partying at the popular restaurant chain. This is exactly what Chili’s aims for, as they are financing the project, titled “I’ll Be Home for National Margarita Day,” which is a 15-minute production. It will air on Lifetime on February 19th.

I strive to ensure that my audience finds themselves genuinely entertained rather than subtly coerced into purchasing something. There’s nothing sneaky, like a knowing glance or a drink raised to the camera, in my approach. Instead, I take my work seriously.

The upcoming short film on Lifetime will be quite similar to the type of programming its viewers usually enjoy. Both Menounos and Diggs are frequent actors in Lifetime’s realistic movies, which are recognized for their blend of intense emotion and drama. According to Dave DeSocio, executive vice president of ad sales and marketing at A+E Networks, which manages Lifetime, “This is a relatable, humorous comedy about a genuine life situation, but it presents this story in an unexpected way.

There’s a rising trend on Madison Avenue to combat the growing annoyance towards traditional TV ads by creating content that is as engaging or enjoyable as the shows people enjoy watching and binge-watching. Some commercials shown during the Super Bowl weekend incorporated aspects of the Fox Sports broadcast. For instance, Duracell made it seem like Fox announcer Tom Brady was having fun because of his energy, while a Disney ad for “Lilo & Stitch” gave the impression that the alien character from the title ran onto the field.

George Felix, the chief marketing officer at Chili’s, acknowledges that we engage in conventional advertising methods,” he says. “However, it’s equally important for us to explore innovative strategies that appear in unique and unanticipated forms.”

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George Felix, as Chief Marketing Officer of Chili’s, affirms that we participate in standard advertising practices. Yet, he emphasizes the significance of trying new methods that pop up in diverse and surprising places.

Back in 2020, I got a chance to witness an intriguing collaboration between KFC and Lifetime, who teamed up for a captivating 15-minute show titled “A Recipe for Seduction.” In this production, the charming actor Mario Lopez portrayed a romanticized version of Colonel Harland Sanders, the founder of KFC.

At Chili’s, the margarita has been a tradition since day one, as Felix explains. In fact, they sold over 25 million of these delicious drinks in the year 2024! As you glance back at their original menu, you’ll notice burgers, cold beers, and, of course, margaritas. The signature blue shaker is still being used by servers to this day. Recently, Chili’s has started stocking premium tequilas behind the bar and offers a different ‘Margarita of the Month’ for just six dollars.

After its initial broadcast on Lifetime, the entire 15-minute movie will be shown again during the afternoon of February 22. Starting from February 20, it will also be available for a brief period on mylifetime.com, the Lifetime app, YouTube, social media platforms, and Video On Demand services.

As a devoted filmgoer and frequent visitor at Chili’s, I didn’t require the allure of excellent drinks to draw me in – I’ve been coming here for years, and my usual order is a hearty serving of mozzarella sticks. In this movie scenario, however, there’s an extra push to indulge in more than just my favorite appetizer, as my husband happens to play the role of the bartender.

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2025-02-12 17:17