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What It's Really Like To Be On Ben And Erin Napier's 'Home Town'

One woman shares her experience having her house renovated on HGTV's 'Home Town.'

Perri Ormont Blumberg is a former senior staff writer for Southern Living's News Team.

If you're a fan of Ben and Erin Napier's HGTV series, "Home Town," you've probably daydreamed about relocating to Laurel, Mississippi , more than a few times. (Okay, only every other week.) From the welcoming small-town neighborhoods to the plethora of old homes, Laurel is definitely an idyllic Southern burgh we so adore.

But have you ever wondered what it's like to renovate your home for the show? Thanks to a piece from Realtor.com , we now have new firsthand intel on that experience.

Brooke Davis

How A Mississippi Native Ended Up On 'Hometown'

The article gives fans a backstage glimpse into the casting and renovation experience of Rhonda Phillips, a Mississippi native and dean of the Honors College at Purdue University in Indiana, featured in an episode of season four of the show.

"When I first saw the show, I absolutely loved it," Phillips told Realtor.com . "This [series] is about trying to make the town a better place, but to also recapture the beauty of some of the older homes that had been laid to waste."

Though Phillips has lived away from The Magnolia State for years, a bad storm in Indiana in 2019 inspired Phillips and her husband, Jay Stein, to set their sights on relocating down South. After Phillips applied and was selected to be on the show, she had to sign paperwork not to see the house until the renovations were complete, no easy feat for new homeowners who are eager to see how the remodeling unfolds.

What It's Like To Have Your House Renovated On 'Hometown'

"After you have all the contracts signed, and they know what your preferences are, they do the design. You take a leap of faith," Phillips explained.

Later in the interview, Phillips elaborates on placing her confidence in Ben and Erin Napier: "I had a high level of trust. The house that we picked was in such bad shape, if anybody could fix it, it would be them and their team. And they did."

Indeed, the couple's new home was in excellent hands with the Napiers. While the homeowner pays for the house and renovations on "Home Town," Phillips said the Napiers stayed within their budget and made the renovation affordable by doing much of the work themselves.

Filming for TV, they enjoyed the perk of completing renovations on an accelerated timeline. Little did Phillips know, however, how much work goes into shooting every scene for the episode, with multiple takes sometimes being required just to get a brief segment ready for the airwaves.

After filming concluded, they were thrilled with the renovation and hoped to keep the home looking almost exactly as it did when staged.

"I really wanted to be on the show. Because I felt it would be special and a lot of fun, and I was right about both of those," Phillips says of her experience. Read the full article here .

To see the couple's Craftsman-era home renovations, dubbed the Holloway house, watch Season 4, episode 11 of HGTV's "Home Town ."

Frequently Asked Questions

The renovation budget factors in the cost of some furnishings , according to a response on Instagram posed to  #HGTVHomeTown . There are also custom pieces gifted to the new homeowner. The newly renovated houses include some of the new owner's personal items.

According  to HGTV , consideration for 'Home Town' casting begins with an email to contact hometowncasting@rtrmedia.com. Additionally, individuals should be in the process of buying a house in Laurel, Mississippi, or planning to buy a home in the town to be considered.

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Hometown holiday.

• Common Sense Says
• Parents Say 0 Reviews
• Kids Say 1 Review

Common Sense Media Review

Family-friendly but bland and illogical Christmas romance.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Hometown Holiday is a Christmas romance based on a Harlequin novel called The Maverick's Holiday Masquerade . Two attractive young people from different backgrounds -- city versus country -- fall for each other, despite their differences. The movie is designed to be family…

Why Age 8+?

A man and woman kiss. Men and women are attracted to each other. Someone is said

Adults drink alcohol.

Any Positive Content?

"Build on the past and embrace the future." Men tell women exactly what they wan

Ryan boasts of wearing a $5,000 suit, which makes him seem like a bit of a jerk.

Meant to entertain rather than educate.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

A man and woman kiss. Men and women are attracted to each other. Someone is said to "kiss like a dead fish."

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Positive Messages

"Build on the past and embrace the future." Men tell women exactly what they want to hear. After a setback we have to "get ourselves back in the saddle." "Sometimes love takes its time." "The one for you is out there."

Positive Role Models

Ryan boasts of wearing a $5,000 suit, which makes him seem like a bit of a jerk. Krista and Ashley love their hometown and the work they do as florists. Wes has no interest in fame and prefers trustworthy handshake deals over contracts with shifty lawyers.

Educational Value

Parents need to know that Hometown Holiday is a Christmas romance based on a Harlequin novel called The Maverick's Holiday Masquerade . Two attractive young people from different backgrounds -- city versus country -- fall for each other, despite their differences. The movie is designed to be family-friendly, so there's no sexuality (a man and woman kiss chastely), language ("butt" is the harshest it gets), drug use, or violence to offend. Adults drink alcohol. Someone is said to "kiss like a dead fish." To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

Where to Watch

Videos and photos.

Parent and Kid Reviews

• Parents say
• Kids say (1)

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What's the Story?

In HOMETOWN HOLIDAY, small-town rancher Wes Gently (Kevin McGarry) writes a love song to his deceased wife and their 8-year-old son posts a video of Dad singing that lament. It goes viral, which sends Ryan (Bradley Hamilton), Los Angeles talent agency lawyer, back to his hometown to persuade Wes to sign with his agency. Wearing his $5,000 suit and bearing a multi-page contract in hand, Ryan's a bit too slick to entice the casual Wes to sign. Ryan's pregnant sister Maggie (Jennifer Mote) tells him not to give up. She's also encouraging him to pursue his interest in Krista (Sarah Troyer), an attractive local florist who some years before met with fame and success when she pursued an acting career in New York City. Longing for the simpler life, she returned to their hometown to open a flower shop with her sister Ashley (Samantha Gracie), who has had a crush on Wes since high school. Will Ryan win Krista? Will Ashley and Wes get together? Will the contract be signed? Stay tuned.

Is It Any Good?

Everything about Hometown Holiday feels forced, from inept acting, to an incompetent script, to the oblivious direction, to dramatic conflicts that feel manufactured and absurd. The movie presents us with one bad decision after another until we are inured to them. A woman who once had an acting career decides to perform a monologue for her new boyfriend. She brings him to a theater and gets into costume, which feels cringe-worthy and weird. His response is also a bit over the top. He ends the relationship, claiming she only likes him because he can help her career in his capacity as an attorney for a talent agency. Old New York headlines announce that "theater fans are upset at losing the most talented stage actor of her generation," as if any respectable publication would actually write such a story. A baby is born and a few hours later the mom looks like she just left the beauty salon. A handsome widower's young son posts his dad's melancholy song online and the head of legal from Los Angeles' biggest talent agency comes out to woo him. Based on one song?

Through most of the film, Krista talks about how much she loves her flower shop, and suddenly, at the end, she regrets leaving her fantastically successful acting career in New York and laments "giving up" on herself. The biggest cringe-inducer is saved for last. After rejecting Krista, Ryan slinks back and interrupts her community theater performance by walking on stage in an inexplicable Santa suit and pledging his love for her in front of an audience. The list of unmotivated and illogical plot points here is nearly endless.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about how happy Krista seems about running her flower shop with her sister. Does it seem surprising when she later laments that she's "given up on herself" because she stopped acting in New York when she was achieving success and fame?

What does the movie seem to say about a rancher-songwriter who isn't interested in pursuing a contract designed to turn him into a famous singer?

If Krista wants to pursue acting again, does that seem at odds with her commitment to living in her small town?

Why are holiday romances so popular? Why are so many love stories set at Christmas?

Movie Details

• In theaters : November 9, 2018
• On DVD or streaming : November 15, 2020
• Cast : Sarah Troyer , Bradley Hamilton , Kevin McGarry , Samantha Gracie , Jennifer Mote
• Director : Justin G. Dyck
• Studio : Netflix
• Genre : Family and Kids
• Run time : 84 minutes
• MPAA rating : NR
• Last updated : December 30, 2023

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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What to watch next.

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Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

K-Drama Review: “Hometown” Contrived A Neatly Written and Hypnotic Story

Hometown certainly serves up riveting scenes with a nerve-wracking narrative that propels viewers on the edge of their seats.

tvN’s Hometown provided a series of inexplicable killings with a peculiar serial killer who uses a mixtape to induce hallucination and hypnosis on his victims. This series undoubtedly handed over a sweet treat for viewers who enjoy fearless characters in suspense thrillers.

ms. sunshine watched Hometown on iQiyi .

Hometown Quick Plot Recap

During the investigation, detective Choi Hyung In ( Yoo Jae Myung ) meets Jo Jung Hyun ( Han Ye Ri ). She desperately seeks his help in locating her niece Jo Jae Young (Lee Re), who is also Jo Kyung Ho’s daughter who mysteriously disappeared.

Hometown Series Peak Points *Spoiler Alert

Unraveling of the mysterious secrets.

Unfolding the secrets about why the eerie mixtape keeps getting into the possessions of the people in Saju, begins with Jo Kyung Ho witnessing that Im In-gwan murdered Im Se Yoon, who is Hyung In’s wife.

Correspondingly, goosebumps lead the way as Choi Hyung In and his wife’s aborted child was never really aborted, and their child is Jae Young.

Above all, during the 1987 terrorist attack, Jo Jung Hyun and her friends were complicit because Jo Kyung Ho compelled them to do so and enabled them to forget about the horrifying incident.

Fierce and Dauntless Protagonists

Meanwhile, Choi Hyung In, who is courageous enough to pursue the investigations despite losing someone close to him, continues to be engaged in unfortunate mishaps.

He also confronted Jo Kyung Ho with bravery in order to uncover the truth about his wife’s death and to know that Jae Young is his daughter.

Hometown Series Musings

This series not only features an intensive staging directed by Park Hyun Seok, but also seamlessly integrates it with the powerful cast performances and the gripping storyline of Hometown .

By establishing the plot through creative writing, the series took an unexpected turn, enthralling viewers with each twist in the drama’s narrative.

Especially the portrayal of Uhm Tae Goo, who bears a powerful character that induces fear in even the audience from the beginning to the end of the story.

kdramadiary

You may also like, k-drama review: “voice” darts time eluding cops on a gripping hunt to a vicious psychopath, k-drama review: “my name” immerses with an enthralling noir story plus jaw-dropping plot twist, k-drama review: “lovers of the red sky” lavishes in accepting one’s fate with open arms, follow us on sns.

Hometown: Is the Korean Series Based on a True Story?

Netflix’s Korean show , ‘Hometown,’ an intriguing blend of horror, crime , and cult , follows a thrilling mystery that unfolds in a town during 1999 , on the edge of a new millennium. Years after her brother, Jo Kyung-ho, was arrested for a terrorist attack, Jo Jung-hyun returned to her old town with her mother and niece, Jae-young. While Jung-hyun tries to stay away from her old life, it pulls her back in when Jae-young mysteriously disappears around the same time that numerous inexplicable deaths start overtaking the small town.

With Detective Choi Hyung-In, who lost his wife in Kyung-ho’s terrorist attack, on the case, Jung-hyung throws herself into solving the town’s mysteries— past and present— that all seem to have one eerie videotape at their center. Despite the patent horror elements within this show, much of the plot revolves around crime-based storylines with a master criminal , hardened cop , and complex victims helming the narrative. For the same reason, many viewers may be compelled to wonder if the characters and events depicted in ‘Hometown’ are based on real life.

Hometown Provides an Entertaining Intersection of Genres

‘Hometown’ is not based on a true story. The show, directed by Park Hyun Suk with Joo Jin behind the screenplay writing, is a work of fiction credited solely to its creators’ imagination. While some parts of the show’s narrative undoubtedly draw from social stigmas and issues, they have no basis in reality outside of the storyline’s exploration of the human condition at large.

For instance, protagonist Jung-hyung and her family’s constant battle with a society that only sees them as the family of terrorists and the complicated dynamic it leads to between Choi and the Jo family provides an engaging study of intricate human emotions. Thus, their characters explore an authentically humane experience while remaining cemented within its fictional confines. Similarly, the depiction of cults, which forms a significant narrative tool for the show, attempts to parallel a darker but equally invigorating facet of reality.

Nevertheless, the Youngjingyo cult, headed in the name of antagonist Kyung-ho, doesn’t have any roots in a real-life cult either. It presents a compelling portrayal of how grief and pain can push people toward adverse situations and reflects the reality behind vulnerable individuals’ historical vulnerability to cults. Yet, the organization itself, underexplored as it remains, seems to have little to no connections to reality. For the most part, Youngjingyo presents as a blend of different religious practices, ideologies, and imageries, effectively departing from real life in that instance as well.

Alternatively, when examined through a cinematic lens, the show’s familiar themes and quirks become more obvious. On multiple occasions, the show harks back to tropes that audiences can easily connect to. In the storyline revolving around Jae-young’s disappearance and the subsequent search for her, her friend group’s amateur but helpful investigation calls back to films and shows like ‘The Goonies’ and ‘ Stranger Things .’

Likewise, one can draw a comparison between Kyung-ho’s emotionally detached evil genius persona and the likes of pop-culture staples like the various iterations of Moriarty from ‘Sherlock Holmes’ and Hannibal Lecter . Furthermore, the looming presence of the show’s resident ghostly woman instantly connects it to numerous other horror media that have gained prevalence over the years. Thus, the show becomes familiar territory for viewers as an amalgamation of different recognizable elements craftily shaped together into one narrative.

Likewise, the show’s emphasis on the gravity of one’s roots, expressed through the significance of Saju, a fictional town in Gyeongsangnam-do, will evoke a simple sense of accessibility to viewers and help them connect to the central characters. Therefore, while ‘Hometown’ remains a work of fiction,’ viewers will find several strands of its storylines to be reflective of real life.

Ultimately, as a combination of the horror and crime genres, ‘Hometown’ walks the delicate line between reality and the supernatural . Moreover, the two genres seamlessly delve into juxtaposing aspects of reality. Through its horror storylines, the show needles human sentiments and connections, allowing emotional relatability. In contrast, the criminality within the story shapes a plausible landscape regardless of the show’s overarching impossibility.

Read More: Best Horror TV Shows of All Time

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Hometown (2021)

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A mystery evil thriller which finds the truth of a recording tape containing mysterious serial killings and unidentified sounds in a small city.

Series Cast

Yoo Jae-myung

Choi Hyung-in

12 Episodes

Jo Jung-hyun

Jo Kyung-ho

Kim Sae-byuk

Choi Gwang-il

Jo Jae-young

Park Mi-hyun

Jung Kyung-sook

Kim Yae-eun

Choi Kyung-joo

Heo Jung-eun

Kim Moon-sook

Full Cast & Crew

Last Season

2021 • 12 Episodes

Season 1 of Hometown premiered on September 22, 2021.

Choi Hyung In

View All Seasons

• Discussions 0

A review by MovieGuys

Written by movieguys on february 3, 2023.

Hometown would have worked better, had it been a series of maybe 8-10 episodes, rather than 12.

I felt this series dragged its heels, getting to the point where things really started to happen. With a similar vibe to Japanese film, The Ring, this series, is eerie but lacks the genuine terror, I'd associate, with its superior, Japanese counterpart.

As I said, its not helped by being overly long, with drop in side characters, who often add little of merit to the story.

Acting by contrast, is excellent and key characters are, very believable.

In short, Hometown is a mixed bag. Eeri... read the rest.

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Original Name 홈타운

Status Ended

Type Scripted

Original Language Korean

• investigation
• tragic past
• missing person
• social outcast

Content Score 

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Hometown – Cast & Summary

An ongoing Korean drama, Hometown , announced its airing period starting from September 22, 2021, until October 28, 2021.

This drama is starred by Yoo Jae Myung, Han Ye Ri, and also Um Tae Goo as the different sides of the main characters.

Previously, Yoo Jae Myung had become the main actor for Confession (2019) and Itaewon Class (2020).

Meanwhile, Han Ye Ri had starred in several K-dramas before starring in this drama, such as Age of Youth (2016), The Nokdu Flower (2019), and also My Unfamiliar Family (2020).

Um Tae Goo also had starred in Save Me 2 in the previous 2019.

Hometown is aired on tvN at 22:30 KST every Wednesday and Thursday to replace the previous tvN drama, The Road: The Tragedy of One.

Read more: A Gentleman and A Young Lady – Cast & Summary

• 2 Synopsis of Hometown
• 3 Main Cast
• 4 Supporting Cast
• 5 Trailer of Hometown
• Title: Hometown  / 홈타운
• Also Known As: –
• Genre: Mystery, Thriller
• Country: South Korea
• Director: Park Hyun Suk
• Producer: Kwon Byung Wook, Baek Chang Joo
• Screenwriter: Joo Jin
• Production Companies: Studio Dragon, C-JeS Entertainment
• Network: tvN
• Episodes: 12
• Air Dates: September 22, 2021 – October 28, 2021
• Air Time: Wednesday and Thursday, 22:30 KST

Synopsis of Hometown

This drama has a background of the year 1999, where there is a detective called Choi Hyung In (Yoo Jae Myung) who lives his life.

He still feels the pain because of her wife’s death 10 years before 1999. At that time, the death of his wife was caused by an attack from a terrorist.

Choi Hyung In finally got a chance to do an investigation of a small town’s murder case. After exploring the case, he assumes that case has something related to his wife’s death.

On the other side, Jo Jung Hyun (Han Ye Ri) has a label as a terrorist’s family. This label was given by society because her brother participated in that attack 10 years ago.

There is also a prisoner namely Jo Kyung Ho (Um Tae Goo), who went back to Korea in 1989. At that time, he was known to make a release of sarin gas when he was in a train station.

Read more: Because This Is My First Life – Cast & Summary

Yoo Jae Myung as Choi Hyung In

He is a brilliant detective who found his own wife died after a terrorist attack.

After investigating a murder case that makes him have to visit a small town, he directly makes an assumption about the correlation of that murder case with the previous terrorist attack.

Han Ye Ri as Jo Jung Hyun

Because Ye Ri’s brother took part in the 1989 terrorist attack, she lives in misery because everybody labels her as a terrorist’s family.

After her own daughter helps her, Ye Ri finally can continue her own life.

Um Tae Goo as Jo Kyung Ho

He is a terrorist who released a gas attack in 1989 at the train station.

Supporting Cast

People around Choi Hyung In

• Kim Sae Byuk as Im Se Yoon
• Choi Kwang Il as Im In Gwan
• Jo Bok Rae as Lee Si Jeong
• Tae In Ho as Son Ji Seung

People around Jung Hyun

• Lee Re as Jo Jae Young
• Park Mi Hyeon as Kim Kyung Sook
• Lee Hae Woon as Jung Young Seop
• Kim Jung as Jung Min Jae
• Cha Rae Hyung as Kang Yong Tak
• Kim Ye Eun as Kyung Ju

Gyeongcheon Girls’ Middle School students

• Heo Jung eun as Moon Sook
• Park Si Yeon as Production Director Jung
• Park Seo Jin as DJ Han
• Kim Ji An as Lee Kyung Jin
• Kim Shin Bi as Kim Hwan Gyu
• Yoo Seong Ju as Pastor Woo
• Kim Soo Jin as Jung Min Sil

Trailer of Hometown

hometown korean drama

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• Entertainment

The Untold Truth Of Home Town

If you're not watching reno show Home Town , you're missing out. Home Town  follows married couple Ben and Erin Napier as they help create the perfect homes for their fellow residents of Laurel, Mississippi. With the ultimate small-town vibe, the show makes us feel like we, too, live in Laurel. The couple is as passionate about their little town as they are about restoring the historic character homes lining their streets. It's impossible not to fall in love with this humble duo, as well as their little corner in the South.

Ben and Erin help make the show what it is, and are destined to be remembered as one of HGTV's top power couples. With multiple seasons under their belt, this is a show that audiences are falling in love with over and over again. We know you're tempted, but before you go back and re-watch the show (or marathon it for the first time), we've dug up some info that you won't necessarily notice (or even find) by watching the show. Let's get to know this couple better — there's a lot you don't know about Erin and Ben Napier — and uncover some of the untold truths of HGTV's sweetest reno show,  Home Town .

Home Town's Ben and Erin Napier met in college

Ben and Erin Napier's love story started in college. As reported by E! , Erin was aware of Ben before he noticed her. She shared, "He was the guy on campus that everyone knew, and I just wanted to be his friend."

And as for Ben, it was love at first sight. He said, "The first time I met Erin was in the cafeteria at Jones County Community College," adding, "I was talking to a group of girls and they said, 'Wow, I love that girl's style.' I turned around and Erin had this really short pixie cut and she was wearing these loose-fitting jeans and it was like, oh man, she was so cool. From that moment on I was hooked."

They were both on the yearbook team together, and the rest is history. Ben continued on to say, "It took six days," noting, "I hugged her for the first time on a Tuesday, at the yearbook meeting, and we spent every minute that we could together for the next six days. Then I told her that I loved her and that I was going to marry her one day." Swoon .

They have their show thanks to social media

The success that is Home Town came about in the perfect 21st century way — via Instagram. According to E! , the couple and their home were featured in a magazine, and the photo of their house found its way onto social media. Erin said, "An executive of development at HGTV saw the photo, and we ended up connecting." She continued, "She reached out and asked if we'd ever thought about doing TV; she'd been stalking our Instagram for a while and was like, 'I'm in love with your town, with your relationship and I just wonder if you'd ever thought about a show.' But we never intended for this to happen."

And the couple had no idea a TV show could even be a future possibility. As Ben described, "We owned a stationery company at the time, and our minds went to, what if she bought stationery, and how awesome that would be. She'll send it to all these important people that she knows . ... She decided to put us on TV — and thankfully HGTV loved it and here we are."

The casting process for Home Town is relatively straightforward

If you're considering moving to lovely Laurel and wondering how to get your property featured on Home Town, fear not because local publication Downtown Laurel has got it covered. After reaching out to HGTV and RTR Media, they were advised that, first and foremost, applicants need to be prepared to really sell themselves. "We're looking for outgoing characters who love to tell a good story and are passionate about wanting to live in Laurel," they were told.

Simply send an email to Home Town 's casting team with details about you who are and why you want to move to Laurel, if you've recently purchased a property or are looking for one and not sure where to begin, and, naturally, your renovation budget. The producers also advised, "We are looking for homes of all types, shapes, and sizes in Laurel and require that you have a renovation budget that fits the needs of your new home." The next step is filling out an application form, after which there's a casting process that lasts anywhere between six weeks and six months. 

Home Town's Erin Napier had her eye on her dream home since she was a little girl

Home Town star Erin Napier knew exactly which home she wanted to settle in some day. Since her childhood years, she kept an eye on a house in Laurel that she dreamed of buying when she was older.

As she later posted on Instagram , describing her history with the house, she said, "I loved it when I was child, passing by on trips to town, deeply curious about what it would be like to live in that little yellow cottage, right in the middle of town. I loved it as a teenager when I took photos of it that I deemed creative. I loved it on long walks with Ben in college when we would daydream about our someday life together."

And that dream one day became a reality. As reported by Country Living , the Napiers moved into Erin's dream house some time after marrying in 2008, restoring the 1925 house and creating a new home and story for themselves.

They care a lot about small towns

Laurel is not just the backdrop for Home Town , but rather takes center stage in an important way for the show's hosts.

Ben and Erin Napier have made it clear that they want their show to give a focus to small towns and the charming elements of that lifestyle. As Ben shared with Fox News , "For us, we kind of felt like it was only worth it if it would shine a positive light on our town and on our state." Erin then joined in, commenting, "And on small town America in general." She noted, "We were tired of the stereotypes about small towns and the kind of future and career you can have in a small town. So we wanted to shine any kind of positive life over that kind of lifestyle."

The Napiers are making sure they do whatever they can to show support. Aside from starring in a show that puts Laurel in the spotlight, the working couple also makes sure to use American factories to produce their own products. As Ben told E! during an interview, "We're focused on revitalizing a small town in America," noting, "And if we're going to be serious about that, we have to be serious about supporting American factories because that's what those small towns depend on. We're having a lot of fun designing these products."

Home Town has had a massive impact on Laurel

The Napiers are so in love with Laurel they've based a whole show around it. Happily, the impact of Home Town is keenly felt by the denizens of the Mississippi haven, too. A piece by Realtor explained how Ben and Erin were part of a wave of entrepreneurs who moved back and reinvigorated Laurel's local commerce. "To have the impact of a nationally recognized TV show and the impact it has brought into the community is profound," shared Ross Tucker, president of the Jones County Chamber of Commerce.

Before Home Town became a hit ,  Tucker said, "We haven't had a traditional attraction for tourism. Now people are coming through. ...They want to see where the show was filmed." Downtown is booming, as is the property market. The Napiers are also instrumental in giving back to the town, running their own businesses there and donating to local charities, as Erin did with her old clothes from the show. Driving the point home further, Judi Holifield, executive director of the organization Laurel Main Street, told  Atlanta  magazine, "We probably have 100 percent more tourism than we had five years ago." 

Home Town renovations go on the market for huge money

In keeping with the idea that everything the Napiers touch turns to gold, properties they've renovated tend to hit the market with massive price tags attached. Take the charmingly rustic Kollar house from Season 3, which, according to  People ,  was listed at $229,000. The 1960s-era home, a 2,160-square-foot cottage boasting three beds and two baths, was redone by Ben and Erin utilizing a $200,000 budget set by the owners. As listing agent Kandace Monsivais told Realtor , "It's bittersweet. Even after the show, they [the sellers] renovated every single room. Everything's been done."

Likewise, the Trest home, renovated during Season 1, went on the market at $210,000, per People . The 2,436-square-foot, split-level property was actually owned by the Napiers' friends, who put it back on the market following their extensive renovations for a whopping $95,000 more than they originally paid for it. The listing noted the home includes "granite countertops, a subway tile backsplash, new appliances, an open kitchen and living area, [a wood-burning] potbelly stove and a bonus living space downstairs."

Home Town stars Ben and Erin Napier don't feel like celebrities

With a successful business and show, it's possible that this new fame could go to one's head, but that is simply not the case for Home Town 's Ben and Erin Napier.

The couple still goes about their day-to-day lives. As Erin discussed with  Country Living , "You don't feel like a star. You feel very regular. When you see your face on TV or you hear your voice, you think, 'This can't be a big deal because I'm a part of it.'"

The entire town of Laurel appears to have the same sentiments. Erin continued on to describe her town since the show began airing. She said, "People in Laurel are not impressed."

Erin Napier shares what she's grateful for every day

During each episode of Home Town , the audience gets to know Ben and Erin Napier better and better. Aside from watching the show, the audience can also do that by following Erin Napier's online journal , which can be found on the Laurel Mercantile website. This is where Erin takes the time to write about what she is grateful for in life. This is already impressive, but even more so applause-worthy is the number of posts Erin shares.

As she describes on the website, "In an effort to count my blessings, this journal has documented only the good things that happen on each and every day of my life since January 1, 2010." From her and Ben's work on houses, to the cherished dinners with friends who are like family (she calls them her " framily "), Erin makes sure to show her gratitude for all of the good things in her life. 

They have some famous HGTV mentors

Joining the HGTV family has some major perks. Aside from the major excitement of having a TV show, the stars of the other HGTV shows are there for advice and support.

Home Town 's Ben and Erin Napier have taken some advice from fellow famous home-renovating couple, Chip and Joanna Gaines. Erin told Country Living , "The biggest piece of advice I've taken away from them is to keep our marriage and our family first — the stuff that's been important to us all along — and as long as you do that, you're going to be fine."

Home Town inspired its own spinoff

Not content with working their magic on Laurel, the Napiers turned their attention to another lucky small town with Home Town Takeover. The spinoff show was announced in January 2020, with People confirming just a few months later that the 8,278-strong town of Wetumpka, Alabama had been chosen to undergo a facelift on the six-part series. There were more than half a million submissions for the spot, emphasizing just how popular Ben and Erin are. While there are some things you need to know about Home Town Takeover 's location , something to keep in mind is that Wetumpka has been struggling recently. But the Napiers aimed to give its citizens hope for the future by renovating various homes, small businesses, and public spaces.

"The people of Wetumpka know they have a small town worth saving, and now the world will see why this tight-knit community deserves a fresh start," enthused Erin in a press release. According to local publication WBRC , the Napiers' impact can already be felt with fans reportedly traveling over to try to catch a glimpse of the couple. Local business owner Katie Davis even reported business has improved by 30 percent, while Ben and Erin are definitely putting their money where their mouths are by supporting local stores.

Their town is compared to Stars Hollow

As Home Town gives attention to Laurel, the town is now getting compared to a well-known, fictitious location: Stars Hollow.

Ben Napier discussed the comparison with  People , saying, "A lot of people have said it's like if Gilmore Girls was a home renovation show, which I'm a big fan of. That sounds really good to me." He added, "When they first said that, I was like that doesn't make any sense . Stars Hollow is in New England and we're in the South. But it's very much the characters in the town. And everybody has those characters in their home town."

Home Town Season 5 was shot during the coronavirus pandemic

In May 2020, Deadline confirmed that HGTV had renewed Home Town for a fifth season, with new episodes slated for release in 2021. On her Instagram page, Erin gushed, "We can't wait to meet 16 more families and bring 16 homes back to life," describing working on the show as "the honor" of the Napiers' lives. As  House Beautiful  reported, the busy working mother further clarified in response to a fan comment online that the season was due for release in January.

The Napiers explained during an appearance on the podcast  Quarantine Creatives with Heath Racela  that the fifth season was shot entirely during the COVID-19 pandemic .  Erin confirmed masks were mandatory with the exceptions being herself and Ben (at least while they were on camera). Home Town would not be making direct reference to the global health crisis, however. Ben admitted to being disappointed by the lack of crew lunches, since everybody had to eat separately for safety reasons. The couple also had to chat to their casting producer over Zoom since she was stuck in Canada (via House Beautiful ).

The Home Town stars don't believe you have to splurge to have a nice home

The various renovations that Ben and Erin Napier take on always look professional... and expensive. Yet, that's not the case. This Home Town couple is very careful with budgets when it comes to renovation. 

During an interview with  Southern Weddings in 2014 — long before any HGTV success — Erin spoke about her thoughts on money dedicated towards decorating. She said, "We like shopping flea markets and architectural salvage, or Ben builds things himself. I'm not impressed by money or expensive things." We imagine they still feel this way, despite the fact that  Ben and Erin Napier are worth a lot these days.

The couple finds steals and deals when possible, but they also know when it's time to invest more in a project. She continued on, "If we do splurge, it's because we just couldn't live without it or couldn't find a less pricey comparable option."

Recommended

HOMETOWN LEGEND

"crimson pride".

What You Need To Know:

(CC, BB, L, VV, M). Christian worldview with prayers & appeals to God, & solid moral values taught; 3 obscenities & some vulgarities; plenty of football violence & some fighting, plus football coach gets angry & throws things at times; no sex but some kissing; no nudity; some apparent alcohol use by adults; no smoking; and, selfishness & disunity strongly rebuked.

More Detail:

HOMETOWN LEGEND is an entertaining sports movie about an underdog high school football team in Alabama. Full of old-fashioned values, including Godly prayer, it is designed to appeal to regular folks, including football fans, families and people of faith.

The movie opens with a high school championship game in Athens, Georgia. The star quarterback ignores instructions from his father, Coach Buster Schuler, and becomes fatally injured during the last play of the game. The coach immediately retires, and the football program, and the local high school, falls into disrepute.

Flash forward to 12 years later. Rachel Sawyer, a young Southern girl, is praying to God to help save the high school, which county officials have decided to close. Meanwhile, an orphaned teenager named Elvis Jackson comes to town to try to win the scholarship named after Coach Schuler’s son. Coach Schuler comes out of retirement to coach the football team one last time, but clashes with many of the players, including Elvis and Schuler’s nephew, Brian, the star quarterback who also wants to get the scholarship. Unhappily, Coach Schuler’s running offense doesn’t seem to suit Elvis, Brian and the other quick, light players on the team.

As the players dwindle one by one, Elvis, Brian and Coach Schuler stick it out, helped along by more prayers from Rachel. Unhappily, however, Rachel angers Elvis when he finds out that she’s on a campaign to use the scholarship money to save the school. Desperate, Coach Schuler turns to a passing offense, and the team starts to take off in the standings. Elvis also starts to take off as the team’s star passing receiver. Will romance blossom between he and Rachel, despite their differences? Also, will Elvis find out that some things are bigger than finding personal success?

HOMETOWN LEGEND is a very good family movie. It is also a very clean one, though it does contain some light obscenities and vulgarities. The editing is superb, with freeze frames and snap cuts heightening the drama. The music also deserves to be commended for underlining and enlivening the story.

Terry O’Quinn (THE ROCKETEER) gives an excellent performance as Coach Schuler. He may remind many viewers of some of Robert Duvall’s great performances as Southern characters. He deserves an Oscar nomination for this role. Lacey Chabert and Nick Cornish as Rachel and Elvis are also very good. They are earnest, appealing performers that will provide excellent role models for teenagers. Of course, Elvis is a darker character than Rachel, but he eventually does the right thing.

As is the case with many low budget movies, HOMETOWN LEGEND drags slightly for a lack of clear jeopardy at one point and telegraphs its emotions too strongly at another. A stronger eye toward building the climactic moments in the movie to a higher crescendo probably would help, along with, perhaps, some additional humorous moments toward the end. However, these flaws are minor compared with the plot holes in big Hollywood movies such as the remake of PLANET OF THE APES.

Therefore, MOVIEGUIDE® highly recommends HOMETOWN LEGEND and hopes and prays that HOMETOWN LEGEND will become a legend at the box office. This movie must be seen, and, if it is, it will win the hearts, minds and souls of everyone in the audience. HOMETOWN LEGEND is a champion.

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Ukraine war latest: Zelenskyy reveals aim of Kursk invasion; Ukraine blows hole in another Russian bridge

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says the military incursion into Russia's Kursk region aims to create a buffer zone - the first time he has clearly stated the aim of the operation.

Sunday 18 August 2024 23:11, UK

• Ukraine blows hole in second Russian bridge
• Kursk offensive puts new pressures on entire Russian frontline, analysts say
• Safety 'deteriorating' at Ukrainian nuclear power plant
• Ukrainian drone sparks fire at Russian oil depot
• Russia launches third ballistic missile attack on Ukrainian capital this month
• 'We could lose': Russian state TV commentators gloomy over Kursk
• Sean Bell: Humiliated Putin will respond ruthlessly to Ukrainian masterstroke
• Michael Clarke : Pokrovsk in real trouble as Russian troops advance
• Listen to the Daily above and tap here to follow wherever you get your podcasts

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said the operation in Kursk aims to create a buffer zone.

It's the first time the Ukrainian president has clearly stated the aim of the incursion into Russian territory, which was launched on 6 August. 

He has previously said the operation is to protect communities in the bordering Sumy region from constant shelling. 

"It is now our primary task in defensive operations overall - to destroy as much Russian war potential as possible and conduct maximum counteroffensive actions," he has just said in his nightly address. 

"This includes creating a buffer zone on the aggressor's territory - our operation in the Kursk region."

During the address he also repeated calls to Kyiv's allies to speed up deliveries of military aid - singling out the UK, as well as the US and France.

Ukraine is "still inflicting losses" on Russia, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said in his nightly address.

He claimed Ukraine's operation in Russia's Kursk region is damaging "the Russian army, state, their defence industy and their economy".

Mr Zelenskyy posted a video showing a growing cloud from a bridge explosion, with one of its sections destroyed.

He also thanked his soldiers stationed over the Russian border and asked his Ukraine's allies to speed up the delivery of promised military aid.

"Regarding deliveries from our partners - need acceleration, we ask very much. War has no holidays," he warned.

Yesterday, the German government was forced to deny rumours it is planning to halve its military aid to Ukraine in 2025.

A crater was left in the Kyiv region in the aftermath of a Russian missile attack.

Images show locals looking on at the destruction left by the strike, in a seemingly rural area.

Parts of the missile remained scattered across the ground.

This comes after Russia launched its third ballistic missile attack on Kyiv this morning (see 07:35 post).

Preliminary data showed all missiles were destroyed on their approach to the city, the military administration of the Ukrainian capital said. 

Two people have been killed in a Ukrainian shelling of Donetsk, according to the Russian-installed mayor.

A man and a woman were said to have been killed on Sunday, local mayor Alexei Kulemzin said.

Sky News has not been able to independently verify his claim.

It would continue Kyiv's push into Russian territory and their newfound aggression in the face of Russia's invasion.

This comes after, earlier in the day, Russian forces were said to have taken control of the village of Svyrydonivka, in the same region, according to TASS state news agency.

Chechnya President Ramzan Kadyrov has invited Elon Musk to Russia after being filmed behind the wheel of one of Tesla's Cybertrucks mounted with a machine gun.

Kadyrov, sanctioned by the US after being linked to numerous human rights violations, said he "literally fell in love" with the car and would donate it to Russian forces fighting in the invasion of Ukraine.

The president, who rules over Chechnya, a republic within the Russian Federation, claimed he received the truck from Musk, although this was not independently confirmed.

Messages left with Tesla by AP seeking comment were not immediately returned.

"It's not for nothing that they call this a cyberbeast. I'm sure that this beast will bring plenty of benefits to our troops."

Inviting Musk to Chechnya, Kadyrov said: "I don't think the Russian foreign ministry would mind such a trip.

"And, of course, we're waiting for your new developments that will help us finish our special military operation." 

Russian officials often refer to its invasion as a "special military operation".

More than 3,000 people were evacuated in 24 hours between Friday and Saturday from areas in Russia's Kursk region, according to local authorities.

Russia says the Ukrainian incursion has led to the evacuation of more than 120,000 civilians in total.

More than 10,000 Kursk residents were staying at temporary accommodation centres across the country, the Russian Emergency Ministry said.

Kyiv's offensive came as a shock to Yan Furtsev, an activist and member of the local opposition party Yabloko.

"No one expected that this kind of conflict was even possible in the Kursk region. 

"That is why there is such confusion and panic, because citizens are arriving [from frontline areas] and they're scared, very scared."

Russia has denied any talks were taking place with Kyiv about halting strikes on energy targets before Ukraine's Kursk offensive.

The Washington Post reported yesterday the incursion derailed indirect talks on civilian infrastructure facilities, with delegations set to be sent to Qatar.

The agreement would have amounted to a partial ceasefire, the Post said.

But Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova refuted the report: "No one broke anything off because there was nothing to break off.

"There have been no direct or indirect negotiations between Russia and the Kyiv regime on the safety of civilian critical infrastructure facilities." 

Ukraine's government did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. 

Ukraine has dismissed Belarusian border tension claims as false.

President Aleksandr Lukashenko was just trying to "appease" Russia when he said he was sending a third of the Belarusian army to the Ukrainian border, said Andrii Demchenko, spokesperson for the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine.

"We have not seen an increase in the equipment or manpower of Belarusian units near our border," he said.

"The situation on the border with the Republic of Belarus remains unchanged. 

"As you can see, Lukashenko's rhetoric is consistent, exacerbating the situation at regular intervals to appease the terrorist country."

We can now bring you video of the Ukrainian strike on the second bridge in Kursk this week.

A plume of smoke can be seen erupting from the construction in footage  published by the Ukrainian air force.

The attacks on bridges crossing the river Seym, one in Zvannoe and the other in Glushkovo, are thought to be attempts to hamper Russian attempts to resupply its troops in the region.

We've had more details from Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on his movement of troops to the Ukrainian border.

Minsk has deployed nearly a third of its armed forces along the entire border, the Belta state news agency reported.

The exact number of soldiers was not specified, but Belarus' professional army consists of 48,000 and around 12,000 state border troops, according to the 2022 International Institute for Strategic Studies' Military Balance.

The president claimed Ukraine had stationed more than 120,000 troops at its border with Belarus.

"Seeing their aggressive policy, we have introduced there and placed in certain points - in case of war, they would be defence - our military along the entire border," Belta cited Mr Lukashenko as saying in an interview with Russian state television.

Yesterday, Kyiv said it had seen no signs of a Belarusian troop build-up at the border.

Belarusian defence minister Viktor Khrenin said on Friday there was a high probability of an armed provocation from Ukraine and that the situation at their shared border "remains tense". 

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Close to You

When he returns home for his father's birthday, a man finds that his family is struggling to accept his transition. When he returns home for his father's birthday, a man finds that his family is struggling to accept his transition. When he returns home for his father's birthday, a man finds that his family is struggling to accept his transition.

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