Fixer to Fabulous' Dave And Jenny Marrs Almost Didn't Have A Reality Show

Summary

• HGTV couples like Dave and Jenny Marrs took a risk to star in their own show, facing hardships but finding success in Fixer to Fabulous.
• The couple turned down HGTV initially, focusing on family and charity work, before deciding to share their home renovation expertise on TV.
• Viewers admire Dave's craftsmanship, Jenny's design skills, and the couple's grounded approach, making Fixer to Fabulous a hit on HGTV.

The HGTV network has captivated viewers by showcasing couples with expertise in home renovating and design. Some of the network's most beloved couples include Chip and Joanna Gaines of Fixer Upper, Erin and Ben Napier of Home Town, and Mike Jackson and Egypt Sherrod of Married to Real Estate.

Another fan-favorite couple is Dave and Jenny Marrs of Fixer to Fabulous, but their long-running series would never have happened if not for the couple taking a risk. It's hard to believe that anyone would turn down the chance to star in their own TV show, but that's exactly what this married pair did, until they gave it a second thought.

Fixer To Fabulous' Dave And Jenny Marrs Faced Hardships Before Getting Their Own HGTV Show

Dave and Jenny Marrs have been on HGTV ever since their show, Fixer to Fabulous, began airing in 2019. However, before their lives changed for the better with their own show, this couple faced extreme hardships that viewers probably would never have believed because of their success on the network.

In an interview with People, Dave and Jenny endured a long-distance relationship for over a year, but that all changed when the pair decided to quit their corporate jobs and move to Arkansas, where Dave could focus on a career in building houses with the help of Jenny, who had a knack for design, in 2004.

Getting married the following year, Dave and Jenny had next to nothing when they decided to move to Arkansas. They lived in a rental home and had a truck that they bought off eBay.

"We couldn't afford anything else," Dave said. "We quit our jobs. We had nothing."

According to House Beautiful, Dave's construction company, Marrs Developing, was just at its beginning stages, and that meant the couple needed another source of income. Jenny made the decision to get a "real job" and became a "sugar momma," as Dave joked. But, after 8 years, Jenny left her job and began working alongside her husband and his construction company.

Looking back at the couple's struggles, Jenny told People, "We were so broke, but we had the most fun."

Dave And Jenny Marrs Turned Down HGTV At First

Before viewers watched Dave and Jenny Marrs restoring homes from the ground up, this couple turned down the idea of a reality show.

In 2016, after having welcomed four children (the couple's daughter Sylvie was adopted from the Democratic Republic of Congo), Dave and Jenny were approached by HGTV for a reality TV show. As House Beautiful reported, the network sent the couple an email about potentially sharing their lives as home restoration experts in Arkansas. Jenny didn't think it was real and deleted the email.

In their People interview, the couple recalled turning down the initial offer because they were busy raising their children and running their business.

"We said thank you, we appreciate it. But we're good. No, thanks," Dave said.

HGTV were very interested in both Dave and Jenny and reached out yet again a few months later. Sitting down with the producers, the couple told them that they wanted to focus on their real lives, which meant acknowledging how important family is to them and their charity work.

What are the most popular HGTV shows, according to Ranker?

• Home Town
• Fixer to Fabulous
• Bargain Block
• Help! I Wrecked My House
• Farmhouse Fixer
• Rock the Block
• Marred to Real Estate
• Home Town Takeover
• Love It Or List It
• Good Bones

The couple went ahead with a reality TV show in 2019, titled Fixer to Fabulous. The premise would follow the couple as they take old homes and bring them back to life in their home state. That same year, they welcomed their fifth child.

The show turned out to be a hit among viewers, who admired Dave's craftsmanship, Jenny's eye for detail, and seeing the couple working together. As the show has progressed, the couple have stayed grounded, which is another reason why it has been a huge success.

"It was all just a whirlwind. Every time we have a big decision, we pray about it. And if we feel peace about it, then we move forward. The show is a perfect example. We would never have done it had we not felt like God could use it, and he was leading us here," Jenny told People.

In fact, fans have taken notice of how real Fixer to Fabulous is compared to other HGTV shows. Shows like House Hunters have been accused of being staged and even Good Bones is being accused of not being authentic.

In their People interview, the couple also shared that they don't know how long HGTV plans to keep them on the air, but are happy that they have inspired people and left a lasting impression on those that they have helped.

"I hope we're bringing light into people's living rooms. That we're making a good impact out there. And I think we are right now. I think we're on the right path," Dave said.

For more HGTV coverage, visit our Reality TV Hub.

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