Written by Gage Matthieu as a Press Release for “Only in Iola,” a TV show streaming on Roku and Amazon Fire TV
originally published in The Madisonville Meteor on 11/6/2024. Graphic also created by Gage Matthieu for this PR.
Iola — In 2021, the Sharboneau family documented their journey from the Austin suburbs to a barren plot of land in Iola. Wanting to share the comedic value in their expedition, they filmed the journey and created an unscripted reality show out of the transplant.
The family now faces the realities of finding themselves in a small town, population 300, and building a life within it. They are finding DIY ways to put their journey—and Iola—somewhere on the cultural map.
Season 1 of the hit television show, “Only in Iola” was released in May. Viewers were introduced to Shanalee, the matron of the family, Perry, the father who orchestrated their move from the suburbs, Braydon, the Sharboneau outdoors aficionado and Sadee Dei, the family’s precious labrador.
Through a unique blend of fish–out– of–water, a heartfelt dive into the family’s core values, and a season that encapsulates the small-town vibes of God, Family, and Texas—the Sharboneau family seemed to have crafted a successful formula. Initial impressions of the show were excellent, giving the family the confidence they sought when wondering if all this had been worth it.
Only in Iola seemed to have struck another chord with the addition of Chris Chitsey, a rising Texas musician, into the cast. As a counterbalance to the scenes of animal husbandry and ranch life, Season 1 introduces Chitsey to the fold with a decision for Braydon at the end of the season that could change the course of his life forever.
When Shanalee, Perry, and Braydon wrapped filming, there were no breaks and no victory laps. The family went right back to work, building out their dreams on the land they feel God wanted them to have. The family had no plans of shying away from their Christian values when they got into the postproduction of Season 1. God, Family and Texas are the three pillars of the story the family wants to tell, and they made sure of it when it came time to start teasing Season 1.
To keep up with the family as they film Season 2, viewers may visit the “Only in Iola” Facebook page, for behind–the– scenes content posted daily.
Season 2 begins streaming on the “Only in Iola Network” on all Roku and Amazon Fire TV devices in January 2025. To catch up on Season 1, Roku and Amazon Fire TV users will need to go to their HOME screen, navigate down to the SEARCH option and search, “Only in Iola Network.” Once found, simply add the network to Roku and watch Season 1. Alternatively, the Sharboneau family have made all episodes of Season 1 available at: https://www.onlyiniola.com/videos.