Debian once went 5 years between major releases. They got their act together, but at one time there were legitimate worries about the project's future.
Ubuntu and Canonical are downstream. So yes, Debian is more or less drama free.
I run Debian on all my servers and, knock on wood, I have not had an issue in over 15 years of usage. It quite literally is the most rock solid and trouble-free OS I have ever used.
I have a ton of experience with Ubuntu, too, but these days there is no compelling reason to use their stuff. The contrary actually - considering all the telemetry, motd integrations, etc and don't forget snap.
I wouldn't diss the use Debian. I use it always if the software package provides it. Debian does tend to keep to its principles.
As I'm not wanting to dogfight the drama, I feel that Canonical, and with documented "heated" discussion on the mail list has, to me tainted the same waterhole that Debian uses.
It has done well to snuff the same flames that flare with RedHat.