Many diehard HGTV viewers are fierce loyalists, almost to a fault. So when the flipping baton was passed fromFixer UpperduoChip and Joanna GainestoHome TowncoupleBen and Erin Napier, some fans wondered if there could be bad blood. While it should have been a smooth shift from one Southern couple to another,the fans started a feud on their behalf.So, what’s the beef? Or is it like an impossible burger, it’s just not there?
How Erin Napier and Joanna Gaines Began Their ‘Feud’
In 2013, the pilot forFixer Upperdebuted, Chip and Joanna brought viewers into the wonderful world of Waco, Texas, helping to restore the city while establishing a signature style.Farmhouse chic became so beloved that the trend caught onall over the country for at-home designers. If your home didn’t have shiplap or a barnyard door, did you do it properly? Despite ongoing HGTV success,the show ended in 2018 as they ventured beyond HGTV.They created a haven in Waco for fans to visit and experienceFixer Upperas if it were their own Disneyland. DIY Network eventually turned into Magnolia Network, and the Gaines empire was growing.
With a necessity for a similar vibe on HGTV,Home Townwas introduced. Hosted by Ben and Erin Napier, the couple restored homes throughout Laurel, Miss. The hit series debuted in 2016, right before the final season ofFixer Upperand it was a successful test drive for HGTV. So when they lost the Gaines, they gained the Napiers. LikeFixer Upper,Home Townhad that sickly sweet Southern aura, earned a spin-off, and the couple became the “it couple.” But some devoted fans were in their feelings and, for some reason, it appeared rooting for both couples wasn’t possible.
So when OK Magazine ran a story about the “turf war” on HGTV, it seemed like the fodder fans needed to ignite a nonsensical feud, which flooded the post’s comment section. Sourced by an unnamed “insider,” the person claimed, “Both couples are fiercely competitive.The comparisons bug them to no end.“Adding that the Gaines felt the heat of seeing Erin and Ben’s rising star. “When Chip and Jo left the network, execs scrambled to find a carbon copy. In Chip and Jo’s estimation, Erin and Ben don’t even come close,” the source said. Erin Napier has not been shy, calling out rude fans for their comments and Joanna’s reps fiercely denied these claims and that a rivalry was brewing. But it gave enough ammunition to get the internet buzzing.
Erin Napier Reveals a Secret On ‘Home Town Takeover’ That’s Become a New Design Inspiration
Erin Napier dreams of having a plate room. Now, you can have one too!
Following the OK Magazine article,Erin took aim at the allegations. At the time,she posted an Instagram story that shot down the rumors, claiming there was “no bad blood” and praising Joanna in the process. Additionally, Gossip Cop debunked the rumors and Erin shared a screenshot from the post to her story. Doubling down on their insistence that there was no feud,Joanna Gaines sent Erin and Ben’s daughter, Helen, a get-well cardwhen she was injured on a playground.
Both couples have seen immense success in their own home renovation ventures.Magnolia Network has transformed into an exceptional platform that has allowedFixer Upperfans to find a new home to catch Chip and Joanna. They have also branched out into other types of television production that have captured attention over the years. The Napiers have quickly risen to the top of the heap on HGTV. BetweenHome TownandHome Town Takeover, Ben and Erin have brought heart-warming, feel-good television to life week after week. Both Joanna and Erin bring their own personal touches to their design styles. They have their own lane and for those fans who want to compare them, they are not paying close enough attention.
Home Townairs Sundays at 8:00 p.m. ET?PT on HGTV. All episodes are available to stream on Max.
