Homestead Rescue (2016– ) User Reviews

Drama....oh my!

[denise-88152 · 7/10 · 30 July 2021]

I truly like The Raneys...and having lived in Alaska, I get them...plus their off-grid philosophy. However...the drama as a part of every episode is silly. From the "I'm not sure if this homestead can be saved..." to "oh Dad...that tree almost fell on you, I was so scared!" Please...contrived...so contrived.

Some of their "off-grid" folks are frustrating to me. They call on the Raneys to help...then either resist the help or whine about the changes taking place. Such babies!!

Overall, I enjoy the show...Matt is my fav...such a kind-hearted man. Misty is lovely and such a garden knowledgeable gal. Dad is dad...big ego, but sense of humor and a love for what he does.

I really love the premise of this show

[nancylmarine · 8/10 · 3 September 2021]

But... Dad is a legend in his own mind.

I have no doubt he knows what he's talking about. He can come up with some pretty ingenious solutions to difficult problems. Misty and Mat both learned a great deal from him and expanded on that, very much to the good.

I've seen some of the shows here and there, and recently decided to start watching them in order on Discovery +. I'm on the third one (because the second show of season 1 isn't available for streaming) and the homeowners in this one are utter morons.

First of all, they call the Raneys to their home to help them not just survive, but thrive. They refuse every single bit of advice the Raneys give them, 100%. The husband is also a complete narcissist who wouldn't take advice from a woman (Misty) if his life depended on it. He actually said to her, "I'm the one who lives here so I know what it's really like." Really? Is that why the Raneys are there? Because YOU know better than them?

I hope the homesteaders become less moronic as time goes on. The couple in the third show of the first season rely more on YouTube videos than they do three people who have homesteaded their entire lives and the complete lack of intelligence when it comes to animals and living in the country have me ready to scream.

Great reality show!

[lukepb4 · 9/10 · 18 October 2019]

If you like reality shows, you'll love this. It's natural, the Raney family are very likeable. The show is well made and full of real life drama. My wife and I love these sorts of shows, and binge watched it over a few days. Great job!

Just binged watched 5 hours of this unexpectedly

[jlynnmack · 10/10 · 22 December 2020]

It wasn't my plan to watch this. Now I've just binged watched 5 hours of this unexpectedly. I love what they do for these families even if some of it is exaggerated. Although I would not homestead, I try to live a more self-sufficient lifestyle. That's what drew me into the show. It provides watchers with a lot of ideas, reusing materials and providing knowledge.

Favorite Off Grid show!!!!

[mattraneyalaska · 10/10 · 7 February 2019]

This show has it all, love the cast it's super informative and I learn a ton from watching it. SPOILER ALERT it's great show!!!

35 year construction guy here !!!

[soriasv · 10/10 · 30 June 2019]

I love this show !!! I've been in construction for over 35 years. Ingenious ideas and Master problem solvers. It's not easy to work in the conditions and with limited tools and supplies. Well done Marty, Misty And Matt.

Fantastic show

[marcineruth · 10/10 · 15 September 2020]

I just recently found this show. Absolutely love it such a refreshing way to look at TV. No blood guts or violence wonderful refreshing great show

UNGRATEFUL Homesteaders

[svn-15446 · 10/10 · 5 April 2022]

I am appalled at how freaking rude, mean, prideful and ungrateful the Millenial homesteaders are to the Rainey's. Season 1 episodes 1 & 3 the homesteaders all needed to be slapped. Young, stupid, ignorant and ungrateful. I give the Rainey's much credit for hanging in there.

LOVE this show!

[mccrystalkat · 10/10 · 28 December 2022]

This show is a really great watch! I have been binging every episode (including the rescue series for the Raneys 40 acres in Alaska) and I just adore everyone on this show. Are the homesteaders particularly unprepared and, um, not smart? Yes, but with the number of people who fail at homesteading every year, I can't imagine there are not real people out there like this. And to need a rescue, you have to be in a lot of trouble, right?

As for people who are bashing Marty for his unbuttoned white shirts... whatever. Get over yourselves. It's his style and he likes it. Period. I think he looks ruggedly handsome.

Every reality show has its exaggerated drama. It's why people watch a reality show. If you think its unrealistic, then quite obviously you are missing the entire point and the "reality" genre is not for you.

There is a lot of knowledge and experience on this show. My son and I are planning to set up a farmstead in the near future and there is a lot we have learned from this show.

Thank you Raneys! Keep up the excellent work!

wardrobe

[fjvs-1 · 6/10 · 14 February 2019]

Please tell Marty to ditch the white tuxedo shirt for a more appropriate work shirt and PLEASE button it up. He looks ridiculous...

love the show but they got something VERY wrong

[ichicognito · 8/10 · 11 December 2023]

On the recent episode.from S11 E3 they got one thing terribly wrong for that young family which was the door to a storm shelter should NEVER open outwards because if debris fall against the door they would be trapped inside.

The door should always open inward so you can at least have a chance to clear any blockage.

I was not all that surprised that Mr. Raney got that small detail wrong but happily with a skilled handyman that fix can be made and heck even improve on the entrance all together so the family can gain entry faster if the time arrives to need the shelter.

Great job otherwise and will always be a loyal fan.

Why Are half of them even there?

[charlieandme · 1/10 · 13 November 2022]

Most of the homesteaders have no idea what to do. Basics like clean water and a food source have defeated them. They have no livestock and no idea to keep livestock safe if they got any. No idea how to grow food but have an arsenal of guns and nothing to hunt. Don't they research before they moved out there? They are out their depth and should never have been there. Some have really serious health conditions which makes me wonder what gave them the idea to live hundreds of miles from a doctor was a good one? I found most of them irritating and very stupid. They whine and complain. What did they expect? Just go and live in a city. You will not survive cos you have no idea what you are doing.

unprofessional

[apix-76783 · 14 December 2021]

They just go to homesteads and destroy their trees , at least try to learn some scientific ways to improve their lives .. not just destroying their landscape .

Arrogant

[beverleydiaz · 10/10 · 12 February 2024]

Season 1 Episode 2 How arrogant. Do not deserve the help from such wonderful people from Homestead Rescue Marty, Misty, Matt. God help if they ever have kids with so little care for their animals are they going to free range the kids too!!! So many more deserving families needing help out there and the Homestead Rescue are met with rudeness and a lack of grace. I would have packed up and left but I understand they stayed to rescue those poor animals that were left otherwise another 6 months all would be dead and eaten by predictors. Who builds a house next to a huge tree just asking for trouble.

Nope!

[disdainisme · 3/10 · 3 July 2020]

I like Marty and his family but the show is quite silly. Each show is as follows.

Homeowner - I will not in a million years do xxxxx. Marty will then tell them what has to be done. Homeowner - never, ever. I refuse to do it. 4 minutes later they agree and then the real show begins. Marty, Misty and Matt are quite talented people and it can be entertaining but the ignorance of the people they are helping seems a little over the top. Basically every plan in the episode (3 to 4 ideas) the Raneys come up with is met with absolute negativity and defiance only to quickly acquiesce.

As a city slicker I know more than every one of these so called "homesteaders" and I would not be out there so why are they? Are they acting like they are super ignorant for the show? I cant stop thinking about that. I wish it was more genuine I guess. Give it a go and see if you like it, its not for me..

Not at all pleased with this one.

[plunkettrobert · 1/10 · 12 December 2021]

I've watched the show a few times with some serious questions. Once, the daughter tried to make a shelter out of a gas tank that still had gas in it. Still, I thought they were trying to help people who knew little and had no one to help them get their feet on the ground. Then came "All The Pretty Horses."

Before I get into it, my family has owned a farm about 3/4 of a mile from the land this family now owns since 1963. The current resident of the land, my brother, has been there since the late 70s. It is NOT unfamiliar territory. The land my family owns has had cattle, horses, goats, guineas, chickens, geese, and a garden plot that has grown just about everything. Same soil just to be clear.

Let me take it one thing at a time. Their land is above a semi wet creek bed. What I mean is that it will be wet until a dry spell. BUT even if that were not the case, that creek has been a dump for the surrounding area since as long as I can remember. There are two spots I can think of on that creek that people have dumped their trash at least until the 80s. That water is running over some nasty stuff. I know the man had it tested but I still don't think it is safe.

They put a root cellar in the ground with nothing to stop insects, snakes and water from getting into it. On that hill top, you have Copperheads, Moccasins, and a few other dangerous snakes. Not sure which would be worse: tornado or a den of poisonous snakes.

They built a duck pond on a plot of land full of sand. AND only 3000 (ish) gallons? That is a dry pond the minute things go South up there. A well would have really helped there.

No Well! What? They built a seep well in the creek bed. I almost threw up. And 100 gallons? Are you kidding me?! That will last half a day or so. And I know it's Texas and they went in June and July or so but in January and February it gets cold on that hill top. Not -5 or -10 like 2021 but definitely below freezing. What then?

There is more, but that is enough for now. Does the show talk to anyone around the area to see what works there? Or do they just go in all het up and figure they know everything? Not a big fan of what they did in Alto or the show in General.

All in all, it is a bad show.

Anti Science

[igorgroks · 1/10 · 26 April 2022]

The premise of this show, like many on that other channel HGTV, appeals to a large demographic for whom science is hard. People with absolutely no real engineering background show how easy this stuff is for ordinary guys with 'common sense.'

I suspect that there are professionals behind the scenes on a lot of shows like this so they don't get anyone killed, and the producers sued. That cannot be shown because it would spoil the illusion that 'smart guys' like Raney are improvising, and figuring it out as they go. I have a background in engineering and construction. I wouldn't watch any of this drivel were it not for my wife liking it.

Dumb A** at best

[bellairelake · 1/10 · 6 October 2017]

Somewhat entertaining for a show but utterly a fail as a realistic program.

Marty is an absolute moron. I'm sure he is just doing what the writers of the program are telling him to say but what a joke as a mature, experienced "off grid" expert.

The people that they are supposedly "saving" have got to be the most unintelligent people of the world. Please, please google the subject of living off grid and you will find more helpful info than this program offers in two complete seasons.

I appreciate that the Discovery Channel needs to fill their schedule but this program is a fail from start to finish. If I need help on living "off grid" I would never, ever consult these inexperience people.

Obnoxious and irritating at best.

Entertaining but....Marty looks ridiculous

[gordonb-59587 · 5/10 · 9 October 2022]

It's entertaining but, Marty needs to ditch the white shirt, silly little scarf and button up your shirt. It's a ridiculous look. I realize that some of the homesteaders have to be some of the dumbest people to ever walk the planet, but Marty and son have a real knack of talking down to them. It's also ridiculous always showing Misty magically finding dozens of recycled windows that all match and are the perfect size to build a complete greenhouse.

Most shows it seems he just brings in an excavator and tears up the property and knocks down trees. Credit should be given to the behind-the-scenes staff who research solutions to the homesteader's problems. Making it appear the Rainys come up with all the answers on the fly is way too unrealistic. There seems to be an emphasis on recycling items on the property, but the Discovery Channel still has to spend a lot of money on materials to get these jobs done. Hard to see this as a "reality" show.

And again, Marty's clothing selection and inflated ego are ridiculous.

Blatantly staged "reality TV" like this is more insulting than entertaining

[christopherjameswang · 1/10 · 6 February 2024]

This show had a good and interesting premise, but it's pretty clear that most, if not all, of these "homesteaders" in need of "rescue" have exaggerated, puffed-up backgrounds and situations for the sake of adding unnecessary scripted drama. The interactions between the Raneys and homesteaders are so badly acted and disingenuous, it's hard to take any situation seriously. The producers force stupid and inconsequential conflicts to artificially inflate the stakes, but the Raneys, who I'm sure are intelligent and very capable, are pretty terrible actors, so it'd almost be comical if it wasn't so insulting to the viewers' intelligence. Not good tv.

Not so great

[bayareamike · 2/10 · 29 October 2021]

Here we have a "Fabio" wannabe who wears his shirts unbuttoned like a 70's drag queen. I enjoy watching most anything on Nat Geo but this show is pretty low-grade.