As a long-time HGTV enthusiast with a decade of binge-watching under my belt, I must say, the latest twist in the Tarek and Christina saga has me both intrigued and slightly exasperated. The idea of these two former power couple hosts squaring off against each other in a competition series is almost too good to be true – if only it weren’t for the whole divorce drama that’s unfolded so publicly.
Originally beloved co-stars Tarek El Moussa and Christina Hall, known for their work on HGTV’s Flip or Flop, transformed from affectionate co-hosts into former spouses in full view of viewers, and are now planning to reunite for a surprising competition series pitting exes against each other. The tentatively titled show, The Flip/Off, won’t be airing until 2024, providing the production team with ample time to find a replacement for Josh Hall following his unexpected divorce announcement. However, viewers might already have the most exciting concept in mind.
As a gamer, if Tarek and Heather Rae El Moussa had delayed the initial promotions for The Flip/Off with Christina and Josh Hall, perhaps our current predicament could have been more privately navigated. However, the “Christina & Heather lookalike” hints were dropped in May 2024, just a tad over a month before the divorce rumors surfaced. This means the backstage maneuvers become even more crucial to execute effectively – ensuring we deliver entertaining content while maintaining audience trust and not falling short of their expectations.
It appears that there’s broad consensus among frequent HGTV viewers regarding the main proposal that surfaced following the divorce announcement, as it was frequently discussed online in relation to The Flip/Off. The general sentiment seems to be clear about who should take over from Josh Hall now that he’s left the project. Here are some opinions that were expressed on Reddit in a post discussing the split of the former couple:
- It would be a better show without him. Let Christina and James compete against Tarek and Heather. James is a hoot. – @Amaryllis_Flower
- Yes, James understands TV, being positive and an encouraging team player. He’s a breath of fresh air, fun and the brains & stability in the series. His kind personality and expertise makes the show. He’s the design professional. He knows how to gingerly show Christina in her best light and not compete with her on air for attention. – @Concierge999
- James really does bring out the best of her. I wouldn’t have guessed it when he began appearing on the show years ago, but they make a great team and have perfect chemistry. I’d watch him over Josh any day of the week. – @BetMyLastKrispyKreme
And then over on Instagram, where HGTV and Josh Hall himself shared one of the promos for The Flip/Off, fans were similarly vocal about how the new project should handle replacing its now-absent co-star. And their answers were highly similar as well, as seen below.
- Well since Josh is out of the picture.. I say Tarek & Heather vs. Christina & James. Who’s with me????! – @daisyzill
- Christina! You have to use James as your partner on the new show!!! – @ca_girl.jas
- Hoping James or Cassie does this with you instead of Josh! 🫶🏼 – @jenna.christine.n
- You got this. Just let James be your partner. – @nana.ayers
For those who might not know yet, “James” mentioned here is actually James Bender, a designer who has collaborated with Christina Hall for quite some time, featuring in her HGTV series such as “Christina on the Coast” and “Christina in the Country”. He also partnered with her in the competition show “Barbie Dreamhouse Challenge”, which was related to Greta Gerwig’s successful movie.
1. Bender is always a pleasure to see, no matter what role he takes on, offering an abundance of wisdom and maintaining a balanced, upbeat demeanor. Conversely, Josh Hall isn’t the same delight; many viewers had already grown tired of him even before his divorce became public knowledge.
In September 2022, Christina and Josh Hall exchanged vows at a small wedding ceremony, making their marriage less than two years old when they both decided to file for divorce. She later described him as a man with an inflated ego and insecurities. Interestingly, her previous marriage to Ant Anstead also ended within two years, but that separation didn’t seem to impact her work on TV.
It remains uncertain how HGTV plans to continue with “The Flip/Off” following Josh Hall’s departure. However, if the network aims to satisfy a wide audience quickly, it might be wise for them to contact James Bender.
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2024-08-26 19:07