House Makeover

 House Makeover is a reality television home renovation show currently seen on ABC. It started as a unique edition of the program Extreme Makeover, which features actual people as they completely alter their appearance through plastic surgery, weight loss, clothing, hair and make-up. Both programs are produced by Endemol USA, which is responsible for a number of primetime reality shows including Big Brother, Fear Factor and Deal or No Deal. Sears sponsors the series, with Craftsman and Kenmore products spotlighted prominently throughout each episode. Ty Pennington, a former model who worked as a carpenter on another reality home renovation series, Trading Spaces, hosts the program.

 The initial extreme home makeover was aired in November of 2003. The popularity and first success led to the development of the spin - off shows that started broadcasting in Feb. ‘04. Just as the original Extreme Makeover featured folks having their appearances overhauled, House Makeover features family homes ( like exteriors and landscaping ) being totally redone. Additionally, the 2 programs share in common an interest in aiding those deemed “deserving” based on requirements arising from special conditions, disability or illness. Families, just as the individuals in the very first, are chosen through nomination videos, which can either be submitted by a friend or by the family themselves.

 Most episodes consist of a single hour, however, in some more complex cases, a two - part show is needed. The goal in each show is to provide a family that faces difficult stumbling blocks with new hope in the form of a home that suits their needs. Each show uses the same basic formula. The chosen family is profiled and their entry video is shown. The design team starts out with a visit to the family’s home. In what has become a signature of the show, Ty wakes up the family and surprises them with the news that they have been chosen. The group walks around the house and learns about the family’s interests and needs to use as design inspiration.

 The family is sent on a one - week vacation while their house is redone or torn down and rebuilt. A local building company or 2 along with community workers start out the basic work. As the house is being re - built, the design group makes plans for the more esoteric aspects of the new house. A part of each home is designated by Ty as his “secret room. ” No one is permitted to look at this room before the last reveal.

 As the week progresses the various phases in the improvement are shown along with the sometimes - desperate efforts of the crew to keep on schedule. Problems that arise during the building and conflicts within the decor team are also screened along with more mundane tasks such as a trip to Sears for supplies.

 At the end of the week the family returns home to the exuberant construction workers and design team. 1 or two buses block the view of the family’s new home for maximum suspense. The new home is revealed and the family gets to see the end result. The “secret area, ” often directly relating to the family’s reason for being nominated, is normally the ending segment of each show. In some episodes, the family is also given a gift from an outside vendor.

 In the ‘04 - 2005 television season the program produced a spin - off shows of its own with House Makeover: How’d They Do That? This show spotlighted extra footage illustrating more detail behind the home makeover in that week’s episode.

 Guest appearances have included the Los Angeles Dodgers, LeAnn Rimes, the Harlem Globetrotters, Regis Philbin, Randy Travis, Mr. T, Elton John, Jeff Foxworthy, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Trisha Yearwood, Lance Bass, Patti LaBelle and many other notable celebrities.

 In 2006, a four - week long unique series concentrated on rebuilding efforts in the Gulf Coast areas that had been impacted by Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita in ‘05. In these episodes the team’s efforts were focused on reconstructing important community structures. These included a free medical clinic, a soup kitchen, a Little League field, a church and a fire house.

 House Makeover has proved itself to be even more popular than the premier Extreme Makeover and is 1 of ABC’s most viewed shows. It has won 2 Emmy Awards back - to - back in the category of non - competitive reality show.