Extreme Makeover: Home Edition

[ScottA]

EMHE is filming this week in my town. It's a pretty big deal here. The family they chose lost both their daughter and son and are now raising their 3 grandchildren.

When the show did a house in all 50 states they built one in Mobile, AL, although the opening shot was here in Montgomery.

I know it's not everyone's cup of tea but I like to watch it, mainly because I like to see the houses they build since I used to draw houses for a living.

[kryptosmaster]

It's a good show and they help a lot of people out but (I know I'm going to get flamed for saying this) I liked it better when they just helped out needy people instead of combing the country for the biggest sob-stories. Seems like they go out of their way to find people who tug at your heart-strings and make you cry instead of people who are down on their luck or just poor. There's always someone with a debilitating disease or some other intense problem .
No I'm not heartless, just pointing out what I've observed. Yes, it makes me cry too, so i guess it's working.

Rich

[Meule]

It's on here as well, I've watched it, but usually there's another show on at the same time.

[GAFan]

I like the show too, but I can't help thinking ahead to the heating/cooling and utility bills for those huge houses. Are the families they help really going to be able to stay in those houses?

[thunderbolt]

Can't stand the Shaggy wannabe host.

[theantiquetiger]

I like the show too, but I can't help thinking ahead to the heating/cooling and utility bills for those huge houses. Are the families they help really going to be able to stay in those houses?

You forget about the giant increase in property tax these people will later have to pay on these giant houses.

I don't know if it is true, but I have heard some had to sell because of the taxes. It was as much as their original house note.

[Dave Mc]

They did one here in Toledo a few months back. It was a circus event. In the end, the neighborhood is unhappy because the built up the area and now the water runs down off that property into everyone elses. Plus, the house doesn't fit in the neighborhood.

[HardyGirl]

I really love that show (AND it's SHAGGY HOST!!! ). I watch the reruns on TVLand and CMT, and the new ones on Sunday nights. Ty is awesome, as is the rest of his team (except Preston, he was a jerk!). There is so much crap on TV, that I really like it when I can find something worthwhile.

[kryptosmaster]

Plus, the house doesn't fit in the neighborhood.

That's another thing. They used to gut the house, maybe add an addition if it was too small and then they'd totally remodel the inside & out but use the existing house as a base. Then when they did the before and after video tours you could actually see the difference. Now they've just gotten plain lazy and bulldoze the entire thing and build a mini-mansion for the people.

Rich

[SUP-Ronin]

They usually get the utilities paid for with a donation from the sponsors or something. Plus Ty acts like he's on massive amt's of cocaine.

[HardyGirl]

I'd hardly call building an entire house in a week lazy. And have you seen some of these houses? Most of them aren't even worth saving. It's really sad to see how some of them have been living. I don't understand how anyone can possibly criticize a show that has done so much good for so many people.

[toys2cool]

it's a sad show,you can't help but tear up every time

[kryptosmaster]

I'd hardly call building an entire house in a week lazy. And have you seen some of these houses? Most of them aren't even worth saving. It's really sad to see how some of them have been living. I don't understand how anyone can possibly criticize a show that has done so much good for so many people.

Ok wrong word. Maybe uninspired would fit better to what I meant? It takes less planning to knock a house down and put up a pre-fab home than to re-do the skeleton of an existing house. To be honest it's probably way more practical in what they are trying to achieve but I'm just saying that's not what they used to do when the show started.
As for the condition of the houses; that's my entire point. They used to pick people with run-down homes, poor folks, down on their luck, etc. Now they look for the most pitiful homes they can find with the most gut-wrenching personal lives. It's all for impact.
Yes, as I said before, they do a lot of good but I personally believe they go out of their way to pump up the ratings with the choices they make. If I were the producer I'd probably do the same thing.
I'm not against them, just pointing out my opinion based on watching the show over the years.
Sorry if that seems callous to some people, it's just an observation. It still gets to me, which means they have achieved their goal.
Rich

[thunderbolt]

I'd hardly call building an entire house in a week lazy. And have you seen some of these houses? Most of them aren't even worth saving. It's really sad to see how some of them have been living. I don't understand how anyone can possibly criticize a show that has done so much good for so many people.

I guarantee if the ratings died for this show, the "good" they do would stop in a heartbeat. They only do it for the almighty advertising dollar.