On July 16, 2024, the media was abuzz with news about HGTV stars Christina Haack and Joshua Hall. The couple, who had been in the spotlight for their reality TV roles and high-profile marriage, announced their separation, leading to widespread coverage and public speculation.
TMZ was the first to report that Haack and Hall were divorcing after nearly three years of marriage, citing “irreconcilable differences” as the reason for their split. This announcement came as a shock to many fans and followers who had been closely watching their relationship unfold on various HGTV shows.
Haack, known for her roles in Christina on The Coast and Flip or Flop, has had a busy career on HGTV. She starred alongside Hall in Christina on The Coast, where Hall made guest appearances throughout the series.
Additionally, she hosted Flip or Flop with her ex-husband Tarek El Moussa. This was Haack’s third marriage; she had previously divorced El Moussa and Ant Anstead before her marriage to Hall.
Impact on HGTV’s Upcoming Series ‘Flip Or Flop’
The divorce has created significant uncertainty regarding HGTV’s upcoming series Flip Or Flop, which was set to feature Haack, Hall, and the El Moussas.
The show was designed as a house-flipping competition involving two couples: Haack and Hall, and the El Moussas. The series aimed to showcase their skills in real estate and renovation, competing for both profit and bragging rights.
However, with the news of the divorce, the future of the show has been put in question. Reports indicate that the show is now in limbo.
There have been few updates from HGTV about the status of the series, which was expected to be released in 2025. The absence of Hall from the promotional materials and ongoing public disputes between Haack and Hall have added to the uncertainty surrounding the show.
Details from the Divorce Filing
On July 15, 2024, Haack and Hall formally filed for divorce. The filings cited “irreconcilable differences” as the reason for their separation. While the filing date was July 15, the official date of separation was recorded as July 7. In Hall’s filing, he requested spousal support from Haack.
Still from Flip or Flop (Credit: Max)
Additionally, Hall sought to terminate Haack’s right to collect from him, a common request in divorce cases where one party seeks to protect their financial interests.
Hall also asked the court for full rights to his personal property and an equal division of community property acquired before the marriage. This included their Newport Beach, California home and any rights to the Discovery and HGTV shows they developed, produced, or contracted during their marriage.
Haack’s filing requested that her last name be restored to Haack. She also indicated that she would provide a detailed list of her separate property assets and debts at a later date.
The division of assets and property in high-profile divorces can be complex, often involving extensive negotiations and legal procedures. In this case, the couple’s shared properties and financial interests in television shows are likely to be significant points of contention.
Changes to ‘The Flip Off’
The news of Haack and Hall’s divorce quickly affected their joint projects, particularly The Flip Off. Following the announcement, US Weekly reported that Hall was removed from the show. This decision appeared to be a direct result of their separation, reflecting the challenges of working together after a personal split.
As Haack continued to promote The Flip Off with the El Moussas, Hall was noticeably absent from the promotional materials. Other reports suggested that Haack had resumed filming the series without Hall. This development further fueled speculation about the future of their collaboration on the show.
Court documents obtained by In Touch Weekly revealed that Hall had claimed Haack tried to have him removed from the show.
He alleged that Haack was also seeking to have him removed from a contractual agreement related to the production of The Flip Off. Despite these claims, HGTV has not confirmed Hall’s removal from the show or provided any official updates about his role.
The $35k Transfer Dispute
One of the more contentious issues in the divorce has been the transfer of $35,000 from Hall to his personal account. Following the divorce filings, Haack publicly accused Hall of transferring this money, suggesting it might have been used for personal reasons. Hall, however, explained the transfer.
Still from Flip or Flop (Credit: Max)
He stated that he had been managing Haack’s rental properties during their marriage. They had purchased three properties to flip, and Hall requested that the $35,000 be deposited into his account for better access to the funds needed for property management.
Hall argued that the money was not intended for personal use but was required to continue managing the properties effectively.
In response to Haack’s accusations, Hall agreed to repay the $35,000. He also mentioned in court documents that Haack had removed his access to the business account and their joint American Express card.
Hall’s declaration explained that he needed to transfer the rental income to an account he could access to avoid delays in paying vendors and managing expenses related to the properties.
Living Arrangements After Divorce
The living arrangements following the divorce have also been a point of contention. Hall had agreed to move out of the home he shared with Haack so she could live there with her children from previous relationships.
They had agreed through their attorneys that Hall would have access to the property, known as King’s Place, on August 2, 2024, to move out his belongings.
However, Hall reported difficulties during his visit to retrieve his items. He claimed that court documents were missing and that Haack had alerted the paparazzi to his arrival.
Hall stated that Haack recorded him with her friends and made financial threats, demanding to know how much money he intended to claim in the settlement. To avoid further conflict, Hall only took a few items and left the property.
The situation highlighted the personal tensions between the estranged couple and the challenges of managing property and personal belongings during a high-profile divorce.
Settlement and Property Issues
Regarding the financial settlement, Hall had requested spousal support, but Haack agreed to an alternative solution. According to Page Six, Haack agreed to provide Hall with a $100,000 advance to cover expenses such as bills and attorney fees. This advance was part of the ongoing negotiations to settle their financial disputes.
Haack had previously offered Hall a seven-figure deal in August, which Hall rejected. The deal was deemed “too low” by his attorneys. Despite differing reports on the amount offered, it is clear that negotiations were challenging and complex.
Still from Flip or Flop (Credit: Max)
Regarding property division, Haack will retain their properties in Newport Beach, California, and Nashville. Hall will have access to their house in Franklin, Tennessee, if he does not rent it out. Hall filed a declaration in the California Superior Court on August 10, agreeing to these temporary property terms.
Final Status of the Settlements
The divorce settlements are currently temporary, with the final terms still pending. There has been no further information on Hall’s removal from The Flip Off, and viewers will need to stay tuned for updates on the situation.
The ongoing legal and personal disputes between Haack and Hall will likely continue to affect their public and professional lives as they work towards finalizing their divorce.
The Flip Off is scheduled to air in 2025, but the impact of the divorce on the show’s production and the couple’s future collaborations remains uncertain. Fans and followers will have to wait for more updates as Haack and Hall show the complexities of their separation and the effects on their careers.
When it comes to historical accuracy in movies and television, Taylor Sheridan’s 1883 might not be the first example that comes to mind, especially since the characters are fictional.
Still, this acclaimed prequel to Yellowstone includes several groups who moved to the frontier, such as large families like the Duttons, new German immigrants, and Civil War veterans. Although the Oregon Trail was no longer in use by the time the show is set, the journey shown is quite realistic.
The hazards faced by immigrants are depicted as more everyday problems rather than violent encounters. The series features a higher casualty rate than what was typical, which makes a sequel unlikely, but it balances the romanticized view of the West with historical reality. For those who undertook such a journey, it was often a challenging experience, but the freedom to start over made it worthwhile.
In 1883, Settlers Come From a Variety of Places
When we think about the Old West, we often picture rugged men travelling long distances on horseback through dangerous terrain.
While this image holds some truth, it doesn’t capture the full reality. Instead of individuals fleeing government control, many who moved west after the Civil War did so because of land grants given by Congress. However, 1883 does accurately show who travelled west in search of a better life.
Some settlers were indeed Civil War veterans like Shea (Sam Elliot), but many immigrants came from Europe. The series doesn’t address the many former slaves who also moved west during this time.
Another important aspect of Western travel that 1883 gets right is the mode of transportation. Contrary to our image of the West as wild and untamed, immigrants relied on railroads to reach the Great Plains. The show partially reflects this, showing people travelling in wagon groups.
However, there is a timing issue. After the Dutton family travels by train to Fort Worth, they use the Oregon Trail to reach their final destination. In reality, the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad in 1869 made wagon travel outdated, and the trip to Oregon took only days, not months.
By the time the series is set, the Oregon Trail used by the Dutton family was mostly obsolete, and the Wild West era was nearly over.
How 1883 Shows the Hardships Settlers Faced
Although 1883 is not based on real people, it effectively portrays the actual experiences of those who travelled west.
Still from 1883 (Credit: Paramount+)
Despite our view of the West as violent, the dangers settlers faced were often more mundane. Without a local government, traveling groups enforced their own rules or hired private militias for protection, like the Pinkerton Company that Shea joins.
The series shows this form of frontier justice when Shea punishes thieves by banishing them. Native attacks were rare and usually occurred during military expeditions by the US Army. However, the Comanche attack depicted in the series was a retaliatory strike against settlers whom they mistakenly believed were responsible for a massacre.
Most casualties on the Oregon Trail were due to disease, rough terrain, and wagon accidents, not violence. Although these new territories were unfamiliar, the journey could be relatively peaceful for those who were prepared and left before June.
The series shows many of these hazards through the immigrant party, who struggle with the elements, wild animals, and dangerous river crossings. For those injured, medical care was both primitive and scarce, making injuries potentially fatal.
1883 dramatizes these challenges well, such as when Elsa Dutton (Isabel May) dies after being wounded by a Comanche arrow. Josef (Marc Rissmann) undergoes a similar ordeal, losing a leg and enduring an amputation without anesthesia after the death of his wife in a riding accident.
How 1883 Reflects the Spirit of the West
Few film genres have been as romanticized as Westerns, known for their tales of rugged independence and freedom from government control. At its height in the 1940s, the Western genre shaped our modern view of the era in ways we might not fully realize.
Although 1883 is set forty years earlier, it feels more accurate than many other Westerns, capturing both the best and worst experiences of those who lived through it. While historical realism is rare in Westerns, 1883 achieves this by raising the stakes for those on the journey.
It is more than just a prequel to Yellowstone and stands out as a compelling piece of historical fiction. The few inaccuracies it has are minor, and it offers an attractive look at an era that remains a significant part of American mythology.
Still from 1883 (Credit: Paramount+)
Thematically, 1883 captures what makes Westerns so intriguing by acknowledging the myth of the Wild West and its impact while still showing its dangers. The world of 1883 is filled with real hazards that led to actual deaths, but it is also a place where romance can thrive on the Great Plains, echoing themes from the original series.
Despite the hardships, characters like Thomas (LaMonica Garrett) and Noemi (Gratiela Brancusi) manage to start new lives. The series finale is bittersweet but accurately reflects the spirit of the West that settlers experienced and the new world they encountered in an era where people rarely ventured beyond their home state.
One of the most accurate aspects of 1883 is its understanding that the West could be both inspiring and frightening. 1883 is available for streaming on Paramount+ in the US.
1883 provides a nuanced depiction of Westward expansion, blending historical accuracy with fiction. While the show features fictional characters, it reflects real challenges faced by settlers, including reliance on railroads and everyday hazards rather than violence. It captures both the romanticized and harsh realities of frontier life during that era.
