John Corbett stars in "A Smile as Big as the Moon"

Crazy celebrity series and scandalous reality shows may be all the rage, but there's still room on television for a good old-fashioned tearjerker. The latest tells the tale of a dedicated special-education teacher who shows his students how to reach for the stars and never give up. Hallmark Hall of Fame's "A Smile as Big as the Moon" premieres Sunday, Jan. 29, on ABC.

Based on a true story, the original movie stars John Corbett as Mike Kersjes, a high-school football coach who also works with special-needs students at a Michigan school. When he learns about Space Camp, a NASA program designed for gifted science students, Kersjes becomes determined to help his own students reach for the stars.

One student in particular, a boy with Down syndrome (Peter ten Brink) who wants to be an astronaut, inspires the teacher.

School administrators quickly nix the idea of sending the students because of the cost involved, but that doesn't deter Kersjes. Even the "powers that be" at Space Camp, including head honcho Dr. Deborah Barnhart (Cynthia Watros), don't stop Kerjes from encouraging his students. The administrators have reservations about allowing special-education students into the competitive program. In the past, only elite students from elite schools have earned the Space Camp privilege.

Despite the seemingly insurmountable odds, Kersjes doesn't back down.

Finally, he convinces everyone to give his kids a chance with the help of fellow teacher Robynn McKinney (Jessy Schram). Then, the real work begins. Kersjes and his charges spend close to nine months tirelessly training and fundraising. He even convinces his football players to help his class with physical conditioning. At last, their perseverance pays off and they head to Space Camp at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Ala.

The real Mike Kresjes (left) with his on-screen portrayer John Corbett

While working on the film, Corbett came to appreciate exactly what Kersjes did for those kids and others like them.

"Once his class made that first groundbreaking visit to Space Camp, the doors were thrown wide open," said Corbett. "Thanks to a foundation he set up, more than 3,000 special-ed kids have been able to experience the wonder and magic of space exploration."

Corbett has a tendency for playing likeable characters. The actor is perhaps best known for his TV roles as Chris Stevens in "Northern Exposure" and Carrie's beau Aidan in "Sex and the City." On the big-screen, he played the male lead in "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" (2002).

This isn't Corbett's first gig for Hallmark either. He also starred as the father of an ailing child in the Hallmark Hall of Fame movie "November Christmas," which aired on CBS in November 2010.

Co-star Schram has a long list of high-profile TV credits, including guest spots on "CSI: Miami," "Without a Trace" and "Once Upon a Time." Fans of Steven Spielberg's television series "Falling Skies" may know her as Karen Nadler. Schram, like Corbett, also has an interest in music and has toured the country as a singer.

Viewers may also recognize Cynthia Watros, who broke into television on the soap operas "Guiding Light" and "Another World" in the 1990s, before showing off her comedy chops in "The Drew Carey Show" and "Titus." More recently, Watros was seen in ABC's celebrated drama "Lost" as Libby. She's also appeared in "Desperate Housewives," "The Closer" and "Gossip Girl."

The other stars of "A Smile as Big as the Moon" may not have been as experienced, but are no less remarkable. Some of the students in the film were played by actors with Down syndrome, Tourette's, ADD and autism.

Working with the young actors was an eye opener for Corbett, who admitted he was initially skeptical. However, their enthusiasm and "unfiltered honesty" soon won him over.

There were some remarkable people behind the camera as well. Kersjes himself, whose memoir with author and journalist Joe Layden served as inspiration for the Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, acted as technical adviser for the film.

Real-life drama is nothing new for scriptwriter Tom Rickman, who earned an Oscar nomination for his script for the critically acclaimed Loretta Lynn bio "Coal Miner's Daughter" (1980), starring Sissy Spacek. He also penned the script for Hallmark Hall of Fame's acclaimed "Front of the Class" and won the Humanitas Prize for his screenplay for "Tuesdays with Morrie."

According to Corbett, director James Sadwith brought a much-needed spontaneity to the set. Sadwith is no stranger to television, having worked as a director and producer on numerous series and the TV movies "Elvis," "Baby M" and "Sinatra."

The talented performers and skilled behind-the-scenes crew strive to bring Kersjes' story to light in Hallmark Hall of Fame's latest. With a focus on human-interest stories, the film series has a reputation for tugging at the heartstrings, so prepare for a real tearjerker in "A Smile as Big as the Moon."