Eight years following the debut of Erin and Ben Napier’s “Home Town” on HGTV, the couple is poised to celebrate a significant television milestone on February 4, 2024—the airing of the 100th episode of their acclaimed series.
This accomplishment places “Home Town” among the elite ranks of television history, joining the likes of iconic long-running shows such as “The West Wing,” “Gilmore Girls,” “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” “Friends,” and “Full House,” according to Us Weekly.
The magnitude of this achievement is amplified by the unique challenge posed by each episode of “Home Town,” which entails substantial renovations requiring months of dedicated effort. In a recent interview with USA Today, Erin disclosed that the 100th episode showcases their most extensive renovation to date—a remarkable transformation of a 5,000-square-foot downtown loft.
Reflecting on the journey, Erin and Ben celebrated the completion of the milestone episode in April 2023 with a gathering that brought together everyone who had contributed to the show, including homeowners and crew members. In an Instagram post, Erin highlighted the rarity of reaching 100 episodes, noting that “only 2.5% of shows make 100 episodes.” The event, attended by a multitude of familiar faces, felt like a second wedding, with Erin expressing the overwhelming experience of recognizing every single individual in the crowded room.
With a few months of reflection before the milestone episode aired, Erin shared with HGTV that the accomplishment feels “unbelievable,” recounting favorite moments from their remarkable journey over the past seven seasons.
Ben Napier Says He’s Grateful People ‘Keep Watching’ as Ratings Continue to Rise
View this post on Instagram
Nestled in Laurel, Mississippi, the genuine hometown of Erin and Ben Napier, “Home Town” has proven to be a powerhouse for HGTV since its inaugural broadcast on January 24, 2016. The dynamic couple, along with their circle of friends, has not only breathed new life into the community but has also undertaken the restoration of numerous vintage homes and the establishment of several enterprises, including Erin’s artisanal candle emporium, “The Scent Library.”
The show’s popularity continues to soar, garnering praise for its recent achievements. HGTV, in a recent press release, highlighted the ongoing success of “Home Town” during the second half of its seventh season, citing “stellar ratings.” The January 14 episode, for instance, boasted an impressive surge, registering a remarkable 115 percent increase among Adults 25-54 over the preceding six weeks, with an audience exceeding three million viewers.
In a recent interview with HGTV, Erin marveled at the rarity of “Home Town’s” enduring appeal, describing it as one of those rare long-running shows that spans different seasons of life. She reflected on the possibility that viewers who tuned in during the pilot episode, perhaps as sixth-graders, are now college sophomores who still watch the show during their trips home—an experience she finds “unbelievable.”
Conversely, Ben downplayed the significance of reaching the 100-episode milestone, characterizing it as “just another day at work.” Despite their effort to maintain a sense of normalcy in their work, he acknowledged the substantial achievement and expressed immense gratitude for the continued viewership.
Erin, in a blog post for the Hooked on Houses site just before the show’s 2016 debut, shared her gratitude toward “Fixer Upper” stars Chip and Joanna Gaines, who had been exceptionally welcoming and supportive, especially after a trip to Texas following the filming of the “Home Town” pilot the previous year. In her reflection, Erin emphasized their shared aspiration of making a positive impact on their town, expressing a deep sense of gratitude amid the humble beginnings of their television journey.