Latest news with #ChipAndJoannaGaines
CBS News
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Years after his death, author Larry McMurtry's legacy lives on in tiny Texas town
About two hours north of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is a quiet place called Archer City. The town's population is about 1,600, but for the past few months, visitors from across the state have made the pilgrimage there thanks to the work one nonprofit has undertaken to preserve a writer's legacy. Archer City is best known as the place where Larry McMurtry grew up. He was a prolific writer, penning dozens of novels in his lifetime, including the Pulitzer Prize-winning Lonesome Dove, The Last Picture Show, Horseman Pass By and Terms of Endearment. He also wrote screenplays, most notably "Brokeback Mountain." In the 1980s, after he'd already made a name for himself as a writer, he opened Booked Up, an enormous rare bookshop in downtown Archer City that came to span four buildings. "It takes an audacious person to turn a tiny town that otherwise would be unknown into his version of the Welsh town Hay-on-Wye, where the streets are lined with books," said George Getschow, director of the Larry McMurtry Literary Center. "He (McMurtry) grew up in a bookless town, in a bookless part of the state, something that always troubled him. And he decided to turn Archer City into a book town." After Mcurtry died in 2021, Booked Up closed. In 2023, reality television duo Chip and Joanna Gaines bought it. But late last year, the couple sold it to the Archer City Writer's Workshop, a nonprofit run by Getschow. The nonprofit is now working to transform the space into a literary center honoring McMurtry's life and impact. The nonprofit's major task at hand is cataloging McMurtry's massive collection of books. Along with the books that fill the shelves lining nearly every wall of the former Booked Up, there are books that are still in boxes and on pallets. Getschow estimates there are 300,000. "We have books from every walk of life," he said. "Any interest can be satisfied here, whether you're a bird aficionado, a culinary person or astronaut." The collection also includes rare books you won't find elsewhere — a signed first edition of Mario Puzo's The Godfather, Lonesome Dove in Czechoslovakian, a Japanese edition of The Last Picture Show. "We're constantly coming across books where as rare and priceless as they are, they're in the bottom of a box," said Getschow. "We've got so many books that we haven't been able to actually pick up." Kathy Floyd, administrator at the Larry McMurtry Literary Center, said working with Getschow on this mission is not something she expected from her life. "It's unbelievable to be able to work and find things like this," Floyd said. "We're the stewards of one of the most iconic book collections in the country." Getschow and Floyd are helped by a team of volunteers from across the state who are helping to catalog and repair the old building. Thanks to their help, the space is now open on the weekends for the first time since 2021. "We do not want to sell these books, we want to turn this into a literary center," said Getschow. "We're going to run it as a bookshop for about three or four years because we have more books than we have shelf space for." Getschow said he thinks McMurtry would be pleased to see his treasured collection being taken care of. "I can't speak for Larry, but I believe the fact that we are laboring, making sure his book collection will live on and will be alive and livable, and people will come and pick them up and cherish them as much as he did, I think that would mean a lot to him," said Getschow. Since the Larry McMurtry Literary Center opened its doors on weekends back in March, foot traffic to the town has picked up notably. "It's been very busy," said Kellie Fielding, an Archer City native and waitress at Murn's Cafe. So busy that Murn's has recently had to hire extra help to keep up with the weekend crowds. "We've had people come from Ireland, and we've had people come from Wyoming just to come down here and check out his books," Fielding said. "It's pretty amazing." McMurtry's fans are now contributing to the economy of a town that first gained widespread notoriety through his novel, The Last Picture Show, which he based on his time growing up in Archer City. "The meaning of The Last Picture Show and The Royal Theater is embedded in Archer City because it portrayed the town in a way that was pretty stark, pretty harsh," Getschow said. "Small town life, the custom, the morays, the traditions, how people feel trapped." Despite how McMurtry portrayed Archer City, it's a town he kept returning to and giving back to. "Archer City, in every way, gave rise to the greatest writer of the American West that ever was or ever will be," Getschow said. You can visit the Larry McMurtry Literary Center every Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Most books are available for a $25 donation.
Daily Mail
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Chip and Joanna Gaines are defended by gay couple after conservative Christians rage at HGTV reality stars
Chip and Joanna Gaines are defended by the gay couple after critics slammed the reality stars for including them on their new show. This comes as the HGTV stars are facing backlash from conservative Christians for their 'unbiblical' casting on their new reality show. Jason Hanna and Joe Riggs, a same-sex couple, and their children are one of three families featured on the Gaines' new Magnolia Network reality series, Back to the Frontier. Following the show's premiere on July 10, the reality stars started receiving harsh criticism before the dads took to social media to defend the show. Hanna posted a screenshot of a news article with the headline, 'Conservative Christians rage at reality show for letting gay people on,' and explained why he believes families like his should be shown on TV. His partner also shared a post thanking Chip and Joanna for casting them and standing by their decision to do so — even though nearly a decade ago, it was revealed that the Fixer Upper stars attend an Evangelical church, which believes 'homosexuality is a sin.' 'Representation matters deeply — especially for those who are still finding the courage to live their truth. When families like ours are visible, it opens doors for others to feel safe, loved, and validated,' he wrote in his Instagram Story post on Monday, per People. 'Visibility isn't just about being seen; it's about making sure no one feels alone,' he added alongside emojis of a rainbow and a red heart. Riggs also shared a post in response to a headline about Chip 'clapping back at critics of the same-sex couple' on their new show and wrote: 'Thank you @chipgaines and @joannagaines for leading with love, listening and learning.' The couple are executive producers of a new Magnolia Network series called Back to the Frontier, which drops three families near the Canadian Rockies and forces them to live like it is the 1880s for eight weeks. The families have no access to modern technology, no electricity or running water, and must harvest all their own food and tend to livestock. While the show sounds like must-see TV for Chip and Joanna's target audience, some viewers have expressed outrage over the inclusion of a gay couple on the cast. Texas-based couple Jason and Joe Hanna-Riggs are married with two 10-year-old twin boys, who they welcomed via a surrogate in 2014. The couple's post comes one day after Chip expressed his support for including them in their show in a post he shared on X on Sunday. 'Talk, ask questions, listen.. maybe even learn. Too much to ask of modern American Christian culture. Judge 1st, understand later/never,' he wrote. 'It's a sad Sunday when "non-believers" have never been confronted with hate or vitriol until they are introduced to a modern American Christian.' Chip's message appeared to be a direct response to Franklin Graham, the son of Evangelical pastor Billy Graham, writing on X that it was 'disappointing' to see the Magnolia Network show featuring the same-sex couple and their kids. 'I hope this isn't true, but I read today that Chip and Joanna Gaines are featuring a gay couple in their new series,' Franklin wrote on Sunday. 'If It is true, it is very disappointing ... God loves us, and His design for marriage is between one man and one woman. Promoting something that God defines as sin is in itself sin.' Ed Vitagliano, who is VP of the American Family Association, insisted that the Magnolia Network should be 'expected to uphold' biblical values because the Gaines had been open about their faith in the past. 'This is sad and disappointing, because Chip and Joanna Gaines have been very influential in the evangelical community,' Vitagliano posted online. 'We aren't sure why the Gaines have reversed course, but we are sure of this: Back to the Frontier promotes an unbiblical view of human sexuality, marriage, and family – a view no Christian should embrace.' Other viewers also turned their ire directly towards Chip and Joanna, slamming the pair for including a gay couple on the show. Speaking to Queerty about their experience on the show, the Hanna-Riggs couple said that they learned throughout the process that LGBTQ homesteaders did in fact exist in the 1880s. 'Well, from the homestead perspective, it was fascinating to learn that queer homesteaders existed — like, that's how a lot of folks kind of escaped, I guess, really being ostracized in cities,' Joe said. 'They would go to the frontier as a couple. So it was a common thing back then, and it's kind of the resilience of LGBTQ+ folks then, as well as it continues to be into into modern times.'
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Two gay dads join HBO's 'Back to the Frontier,' and Bible Twitter melts down
HBO Max's new reality experiment, Back to the Frontier, just premiered, but the show has already become a culture-war flashpoint thanks to the presence of Texas husbands Jason Hanna and Joe Riggs with their 10-year-old twin sons. The series, produced by Magnolia Network's Chip and Joanna Gaines, drops three modern families into an 1880s homestead and strips away every 21st-century convenience. Over the weekend, evangelical heavyweight Franklin Graham called the casting 'very disappointing,' warning that 'promoting something God defines as sin is in itself sin.' — (@) The American Family Association, an anti-LGBTQ+ hate group, piled on, accusing the Gaineses of abandoning 'biblical values' by showcasing what it calls the 'sanctity of marriage.' — (@) Gaines, a longtime darling of Christian viewers from his HGTV Fixer Upper days, fired back in his own thread. 'Talk, ask questions, listen.. maybe even learn,' he wrote. 'Too much to ask of modern American Christian culture. Judge 1st, understand later/never.' — (@) He added that it was 'a sad Sunday when 'non believers' have never been confronted with hate or vitriol until they are introduced to a modern American Christian.' For Hanna and Riggs, visibility was the point. 'We're your neighbors and coworkers,' Hanna told Queerty, 'so it was an amazing opportunity to normalize same-sex couples and families.' The couple, who wed in Washington, D.C., in 2013 and spent years fighting Texas law for parental recognition, say reliving 19th-century hardships was nothing compared to the legal battles they faced back home. While detractors rage online, the inclusion has galvanized queer viewers and stoked fresh interest in the show. The dads' Instagram, @2_dallas_dads, gained thousands of followers after Thursday's premiere, and hashtags like #FrontierDads and #ChipStandsUp trended over the weekend. Beyond the backlash, Back to the Frontier offers a rare snapshot of LGBTQ+ representation in historical-style reality TV. Riggs noted that same-sex couples escaped city ostracism by homesteading together in the real 1880s—a stark reminder that queer families have always existed, even if today's critics refuse to see them. New episodes drop on Thursdays on HBO Max and Magnolia Network. Whether angry tweets help or hurt ratings, the Hanna-Riggs clan is already homesteading squarely in the national spotlight. For many viewers, that's the win that matters. This article originally appeared on Pride: Two gay dads join HBO's 'Back to the Frontier,' and Bible Twitter melts down
Fox News
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Chip Gaines responds to backlash after Magnolia Network reality show features same-sex family
Former HGTV stars Chip and Joanna Gaines are facing backlash for their new reality show which features a same-sex couple. "Back to the Frontier," a show about three American families who attempt to survive as 1880s homesteaders, debuted on HBO Max on July 10. The Gaines are executive producers of the Magnolia Network series, the cable network they co-founded with Warner Bros. Discovery, which was promoted as featuring "family-friendly unscripted programming." After clips of the show were shared on social media, the Gaines' were criticized by conservative Christian pastors, organizations and media commentators over the show casting two Texas dads and their 10-year-old twin sons, who were born via a surrogate. Critics claimed the Gaines were promoting an anti-biblical lifestyle while they'd built a media empire professing their Christian faith. Reverend Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan's Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, called the casting decision "very disappointing." "While we are to love people, we should love them enough to tell them the truth of God's Word," he wrote on social media. "His Word is absolute truth. God loves us, and His design for marriage is between one man and one woman. Promoting something that God defines as sin is in itself sin." Ed Vitagliano, vice president of the American Family Association, said the move was "sad and disappointing" from the couple who've been "very influential in the evangelical community." "Moreover, in the past, they have stood firm on the sanctity of marriage regardless of the personal cost that has entailed. We aren't sure why the Gaines have reversed course, but we are sure of this: 'Back to the Frontier' promotes an unbiblical view of human sexuality, marriage, and family –– a view no Christian should embrace," he added in a statement posted to X. Chip Gaines' July 10 social media post promoting the show was also flooded with thousands of negative comments. He responded to the backlash on Sunday. "Talk, ask qustns [sic], listen.. maybe even learn," he told critics. "Too much to ask of modern American Christian culture. Judge 1st [sic], understand later/never." "It's a sad sunday [sic] when 'non believers' have never been confronted with hate or vitriol until they are introduced to a modern American Christian," he added with a "heartbreak" emoji. Gaines also responded to Joel Berry, managing editor of Christian satirical news website The Babylon Bee, who asked Gaines to "filter out some of the online vitriol and consider taking to heart some of the substantive concerns and heartbreak from the Christians who make up your fanbase." "Don't be sad Joel.. plenty of other stuff out there," Gaines replied. "I'm sure everyone will be fine. BUT I sincerely appreciate the advice about taking some of the thoughtful, heartfelt, encouraging constructive criticism to heart.. and I certainly will." Magnolia Network representatives did not return Fox News Digital's request for comment.
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
EXCLUSIVE: Stars of Chip and Joanna Gaines' ‘Back to the Frontier' Reveal What It Was Really Like To Live as 1880s Homesteaders
The stars of Chip and Joanna Gaines' latest on-screen project, 'Back to the Frontier,' have lifted the lid on what it was really like to abandon all modern conveniences and live like families in the 1880s. Though Chip and Joanna, who rose to fame starring on the hit HGTV series 'Fixer Upper,' did not brave the social experiment themselves, they enlisted three families to travel back in time and take up the lifestyles of 1800s homesteaders in a bid to show that the simple life can really be the best one. The Magnolia Network series, which premiered on July 10, follows Stacey and Joaquin Looper from Alabama, Jason and Joe Hanna-Riggs from Texas, and Florida natives Jereme and Lina Hall, and their respective children, as they attempt to live in the wilderness without running water or electricity. The families 'must live on the frontier for eight weeks, reinforcing their own shelters, raising livestock, collecting food, and rationing their supplies,' the network says of the series. 'Through this immersive experience, the families will have to reflect on their relationships and navigate the challenges that come with an 1880s lifestyle.' 'This exciting new series invites viewers to step back in time and experience the challenges of the American frontier,' added Magnolia Network President Allison Page. 'By immersing three families in the realities of 1880s life, we provided them—and our viewers—an authentic glimpse into the resilience and grit required to survive. Making this series has been an unforgettable journey, and we trust audiences will find it both captivating and inspiring.' The series will roll out one episode each week over the course of eight weeks. In the final episode, fans will learn which families succeeded as homesteaders—and which failed to handle the pressure of their retro lifestyle. In each episode, the families will be seen tackling different challenges and tasks, from sourcing their own food to laundering their clothes by hand, and all without any way of connecting to the outside world. For some, the brutal reality of their new life greeted them as soon as they arrived on set in the Canadian Rockies—and were informed that they had to hand over their clothes, accessories, gadgets, and even beauty products. Absolutely nothing from the modern world was allowed into the homestead, a separation that caused more than a few tears. Ahead of the series release, sat down with the three families as they lifted the lid on the challenges they faced while on the frontier and how they managed to overcome their fears. Jason and Joe Hanna-Riggs explained that they were first inspired to embark on the journey with their children after spotting a flyer on social media. Initially, they weren't entirely aligned on whether to sign up. 'What really inspired me was when I saw the flyer on social media, and I saw a gay couple on the front of that flyer, and so, looking back, I initially thought it would be a great opportunity for representation for same-sex couples,' Jason explained. 'The other component is that we are so connected to our day-to-day devices that an opportunity to disconnect from modern-day living and really kind of reset in terms of focusing on what's really important, which is our relationship and our boys, Ethan and Lucas.' Despite his husband's enthusiasm, Joe admits that he was 'very hesitant' to take part in the experience. 'I was very hesitant, though, like, 'Why are we going to do this? Why are we going to have no running water, no electricity. Like, 'What are we signing up for?'' he said. And the family struggled to come to terms with living without their devices, admitting that they even experienced 'phantom rings.' 'There's kind of this withdrawal initially, but then you just were so busy, it is a nonstop lifestyle. Just to start your day, you have to go get water from the well, and you have to start a fire, and you have to heat that water in order to cook. Everything is a huge process and very, very physical. So you quickly forget about devices because you're very focused,' they revealed. The parents also said it was harder to discipline their children without using cellphones. They noted that although they began to adjust to life on the homestead about 'halfway' through the experience, things were always changing, so they were always on their toes. The Hanna-Riggs family revealed that they walked away from the experience with many lessons that they have adapted into their modern lives. 'We don't take things for granted as much as we did before. Just the basic things, running water, and electricity are huge. Source of food was also an important lesson for us, having our own garden as well as our livestock. 'It changes your perspective because we had choices: Do we sacrifice one of our chickens to eat it? Or do we let that chicken continue to lay eggs. So food source was a really important thing, waste as well. We basically had no waste because you're not buying anything from a grocery store with plastic or anything,' they revealed. They emphasized that the experience brought their family closer, admitting that their friends thought they were 'crazy' for embarking on the wild journey. 'It was a mixed bag. We had some family, for example, Joe's sister and her family were excited and intrigued, and wanted to be involved in the show, if possible, and then we had other sides of the family who were, like, 'Oh, there's no way I could ever live on the frontier.' So it was a mixed bag of, like, 'What are you doing?'' they explained. However, despite the contrasting opinions from their friends, the Hanna-Riggs family revealed that they were excited for their families to tune in to the series. Echoing the sentiment of the Hanna-Riggs family, Stacey and Joaquin Looper, who hail from Alabama, admitted that their children kept them strong in times of distress. Reflecting on how they made the decision to go to the frontier, the Loopers explained, 'The opportunity came across my wife's desk and she brought it to me, and the more we talked about it, the more we felt that it was good for the family, especially our kids, to see the progression of prosperity that we've come from.' Although Joaquin was prepared for life on the frontier, he confessed that no one believed he would be taking Stacey with him because of how much she adores her modern lifestyle. 'Oh, [our family and friends] did not believe it. They understand who I'm married to. So they didn't believe there was a way I was taking this woman away from her 21st[-century] lifestyle and doing that,' he teased. The couple noted that their 'living situation' was a huge challenge for them, adding that it took them about 'four weeks' to adjust. 'The gender roles were also a challenge for us. They were a challenge from both parts,' the couple said. The parents revealed that even in the moments that they struggled, their kids helped them through it. 'If it weren't for my kids' resilience, their determination, and their drive, I don't know if I would have made it,' Stacey admitted. 'Our children's determination and their drive showed me that they have it,' Joaquin added. 'That was one of my fears coming on to the project was actually, 'Have we done enough as parents to prepare them for certain things of struggle, and how they would handle those adversities?' 'They really stepped up to the plate. It was a challenge for me to step out of the way, to allow them to show them that they had it. I really realized on this frontier that I am a helicopter parent. If it were not for this experience, I never would have uttered those words not about me. 'I would encourage any families out there, don't handicap your kids. Despite their age, allow them to be what they need to be for the family.' The parents noted that they pushed ahead by thinking about all the people that came before them. Lastly, the Hall family revealed that they opted to join the experience to shake things up in their life. 'We were all looking for change, and to grow and learn in our life. This was an adventure of a lifetime for us. When the opportunity was there, we took it, and yeah, we loved it,' the family revealed. Their teen daughter, Mia, confessed that she thought it was a bit odd when her parents first presented her the idea. However, she quickly came around. 'Well, my mom found it and she presented it to me. I was like, 'Are you sure this isn't a scam?' It was a hard pitch, it was really weird. But the more we got into it, the more I thought it could be fun. It really was a once-in-a-lifetime experience,' the teen said. Similarly to the Looper and the Hanna-Riggs families, the Halls revealed that their friends and family didn't quite understand why they wanted to head back in time. 'Nobody really understood. No one understood why we would even want to do that. A lot of response I got from other moms were like, 'Oh, my kids would never do that. No way. I couldn't drag my kids to do that.' And I was like, 'No, I took my kids and they embraced it. You really sometimes have to try, and you have to give them the opportunity to see something different,'' Lina explained. The parents noted that they didn't realize the 'convenience' of having running water, food, and electricity at their fingertips in the modern world. It was a 'slap in the face' when they arrived to the frontier, they recalled. Although many people struggled to let go of their electronics, Jereme, confessed that he loved the chance to disconnect from his devices. 'For me, it was amazing. I wanted to disconnect. I couldn't wait to get rid of all that stuff and not have to think about anything, not have to check emails, or get back to anyone,' he revealed. Like her dad, Mia admitted that she appreciated the chance to get away from social media. 'It was nice taking a step back from social media in general, especially someone from my generation. It seems like sometimes our life is just revolving around the phone or just devices in general. It was just really refreshing and really nice to take a step back from all that noise,' the teen said. The family revealed that they had 'no choice' but to adjust to the experience right away, noting that even the living situation presented a challenge for them. 'Honestly, we had no choice but to adjust right in the beginning, because it was like, 'Here you are. This is what you have, make the best of it.' We didn't have enough beds for our family of five in the beginning, so we had to adjust and get used to it right away,' the parents confessed. They joked that they constantly questioned why they chose to partake in the experience. Jereme noted that the cameras added another layer to the mix, adding that it was challenging at times. 'The cameras were a challenge. Being a dad and raising your kids, your daughters with people around in a weird environment, in someone else's clothes, it was very challenging,' he admitted. Unlike the other families, the Halls revealed that they didn't want to leave the homestead. 'I was really suffering because we made this a home. We had created a bond with the land and our home and everything, and we embraced our roles, and we were having fun, and we were learning, so the satisfaction of learning every day, and you had to accomplish so much just to survive. So that sense of accomplishment became addictive,' Lina confessed. This Housing Market Is on Fire—Even as the Cost of a Single-Family Home Hits Nearly $1 Million Is the 'Taylor Swift Tax' Coming to Maine Next? New England's Second-Home Owners Are Facing a Reckoning Historic Cape Cod Estate That Sits Next to Famed Kennedy Compound Returns to the Market—With $6 Million Price Increase
