A recently green-lit reality series has been canceled by HGTV before its fall 2014 premiere after controversy erupted surrounding its hosts’ Christian viewpoints on issues like gay marriage and abortion.
Twin brothers Jason and David Benham were scheduled to appear on “Flip It Forward,” a renovation show that was set to feature them helping families make improvements to their homes.
But when some left-leaning media outlets began digging into their backgrounds and personal perspectives, everything changed.
HGTV quickly responded to media coverage earlier this week surrounding the Benham brothers’ views against gay marriage and abortion, among other issues, by first announcing a review of their arrangement with the brothers and then, within just a few days, axing the show altogether.
This information apparently led HGTV to cut ties with the brothers.
“HGTV is currently in process of reviewing all information about the Benhams and we will provide an update as soon as possible,” the network wrote on its Facebook page Tuesday evening after apparently learning about the controversy.
By Thursday the network had decided to completely cancel their arrangement with the Benhams, writing, “HGTV has decided not to move forward with the Benham Brothers’ series.”
According to an official description of “Flip It Forward,” the brothers, both fathers and real estate entrepreneurs, were set to put their sibling rivalry on display while they helped families transform fixer-upper homes.
Noting that his family didn’t try to hide their views from HGTV, Flip said that all parties knew controversy could end up erupting.
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