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Ever since I could work a television remote, I’ve been tuning in regularly to HGTV and all its home reno glory. When Fixer Upper came out, I knew right away it was on the fast track to being a hit show. They had all the right pieces: trendy farmhouse style, a big reveal at the end, and most importantly, a fun couple driving the whole ordeal. Still, right from the start, something about Chip and Joanna Gaines bothered me.
I don’t think Chip and Joanna are bad people. From everything I’ve seen or read about them, it seems like they are two genuine individuals. They’re kind to the filming crew, and have lots of friends and neighbors they regularly help. That doesn’t mean they can’t be annoying though. Just because you’re nice, you don’t get a pass for being judged on your lesser qualities. If anything, you should be under more scrutiny.
When you watch the show, Chip has this stupid little shtick going where he’s a combination of goofy and a big brute. Whenever I watch the show, I’m always possessed by this desire to bully him. I can’t really explain it, but he just seems like he deserves to be taken down a notch. Then, in comes Joanna, the no-nonsense boss lady who knows how to get things done. She’s a mom, owner of a company, a great cook, an entrepreneur, AND fashion forward. She has women from around the country eating out of her hand as they desperately try to be like her. Unlike Chip, I don’t want to be mean to Joanna, but given the opportunity, I would like to take away her dangly earring collection and tell her to cool it for a while.
Their family life feels incredibly staged, as I’m sure much of it is. To me, their kids seem to be subtly bratty. I know exactly what they’ll be like when they’re older since people like them were a dime a dozen at the private, Christian, Liberal Arts College I went to. I hate all the kids’ names, particularly the girls. Every time they mention Emmie-Kay my anger only grows stronger. Why do the girls need a hyphen? Why do all four of their names sound like a denim collection at Abercrombie & Fitch?
For those of you unfamiliar, the Gaines kids are not allowed to use cell phones or watch television. While I can see the benefits of this parenting style, I always felt like it was presented in a way that was meant to say, “We’re better than you.” They act like it’s so easy, but not every parent can afford acres of farmland filled with animals and dirt bikes for entertainment, or work a job when they can be around all the time to engage with their kids and take day trips.
But back to their actual profession.
I want to point out, that while Chip and Joanna are very talented individuals, what they do isn’t that exclusive. There are plenty of construction and design crews that flip houses to the same caliber. The only difference is they don’t have the notoriety. Whitewashing and Shiplap isn’t that groundbreaking, but HGTV has ensured that the Gaines name will be forever tied to it.
They’re riding out a dying trend. Just the other day, I read an article about how some of their Waco homes are now retailing at below original list price. I imagine this is only the beginning as more and more people catch on to the fact that what they’re getting is overpriced simply because of the Magnolia branding.
Every time I walk past the overpriced “Home & Hearth” Collection at Target, I make a conscious effort to not let myself get all worked up about it. I’m not going to convince the woman in Lululemon track pants buying 15 throw pillows that she’s supporting a needless cause. She will never join me in the hate club, and instead will go home and add to her Joanna Gaines inspired Pinterest board, like the little lemming she is.
I’m a little more bitter than I really should be, but I’ve been championing this cause on my own for far too long. I know there must be others like me out there. Chip and Joanna are phonies and so many of you have drunk the Fixer Upper Kool-Aid. If anyone out there can hear me and knows the truth, you are not alone..
Respond
Kell
future soccer mom of America (AKA I drive a Volvo.) Miracle is my favorite movie and it should be yours too.
@backpackfanclub
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Still a better show than House Hunters! “Hi, I’m Bob and I’m amateur slack liner and this is my wife Mary who is a professional pubic hair braider. Our budget is 2.8 million dollars.”
That’s what makes the show great though. I watch House hunters to judge the couples more than to judge the houses.
My aunt and uncle were on house hunters. Really loses its luster when you discover all the dialogue is written by the producers before filming starts.
My neighbors just went on it. They started filming 3 months after they closed on the house. Finding out rocked my world.
Yeah that show for me is 100 percent pick the house I like or this couple is wrong.
Here’s what gets me: Why are people putting barn doors on bathrooms? It’s not a door! It’s a divider. Every smell and sound is going right out into the room. Your marriage is going to fall apart because of your farmhouse chic bullshit, Diane.
this take is t t t trashhhh
Joanna isn’t even a licensed designer. Anybody looking to rehab a house should look elsewhere for more qualified designers that actually cater to their clients’ preferences, not their own “unique” style.
I’m not even going to open this trash. This title makes Duda look like a sane person. I’m sure it’s full of sad attempts of sarcasm and humor while trying to seem like you’re better than the best couple in America (besides Johnny Manziel and his wife). How dare you.
u mad bruh?
absolute garbage take
Buying a single family home in this market is suicide. Just wait for the next credit default swap. Just like in 2008, a lot of these loans are garbage. If you’re gonna buy, look at multi family houses. Yeah, you’ll pay more but you’re most likely closer to an urban area and most people in urban areas are willing to shell out ungodly amounts of money for rent so now’s your time to become a bougie slum lord lol
Can confirm shelling out ungodly amounts of money for rent close to the city is a thing. I would have no idea what kind of idiot does that though……………..
Amen! Anyone buying a house right now in this market is going to be crying in a few years. Rent, save cash, and then buy when there is blood in the streets.
Rent in many markets (in FL at least) is $300-$500/month more expensive than a mortgage. Also if youre ok being underwater in a few years (buy smart people) but know the value will rebound the low interest rates make it a great long term option.
Best advice I’ve seen on this website.
One of my kids sharing a name with one of their daughters…. why do you hate me Kell? And what kind of name is Kell anyways? Not cool enough for the Y to be Kelly?
PREACH. Where I live, the “farm chic” is style is everywhere. All I see is splinters and tetanus in the homes of these rich women who have never visited a farm except to take highly instagrammable pumpkin patch pictures of their 2.5 brats.
Why don’t you just @ Girl next time…
A wise person once said if you can’t say anything nice about someone, then don’t say anything…
Come on Kell, its TV, ENTERTAINMENT. You do you & let the Gains do the Gains.
I love the show and I love when people succeed in life they work very hard and to share everything they do….