Originally Published March 21, 2007
I may be a TV critic, but more so, I'm a TV fan. And as a TV fan, I, along with many other females my age, spent their college afternoons with TLC's Trading Spaces, While You Were Out, The Wedding Story and The Makeover Story. Trading Spaces and While You Were Out in particular made celebrities out of its talent, including Paige Davis, Vern Yip, Ty Pennington, Carter Oosterhouse, Chayse Dacoda, Evan Farmer, Leslie Segrete... the list goes on. Two of these famous home renovating faces have moved on from their TLC home to start making over new homes on HGTV: Vern Yip and Carter Oosterhouse.
Vern Yip first made the leap to HGTV when he took his design skills to a new level as a judge on HGTV's Design Star, in which contestants competed to host their own design show. Yet other than a pilot episode of Home Intervention on NBC, Vern never had a show of his own. That will all change when Deserving Design premieres Wednesday, September 12, 2007 at 9 p.m. ET, with a sneak peak the previous Sunday. Mark your calendars!
Vern has consistently proved through Trading Spaces, Design Star and his own website that he knows what he's doing when it comes to design. Not only is he experienced, but he has great taste to boot. In each episode, Vern makes over two rooms. The first he plans with the input of the homeowners, while the second room's makeover will be a complete surprise to them. As Vern described Deserving Design he said, "Your home should be a metaphysical reflection of you," which is what Vern will be helping viewers to understand. He added that his show has "great take away information for viewers."
In 2003, Carter Oosterhouse, another Trading Spaces alum, was featured in People's "Sexiest Man Alive" issue. This mega hottie (who looks even better in person!) doesn't just look good, but he is one heck of a carpenter as well. The working title of Carter's show is Carter Can, and it premiere in October 2007. It makes sense - once you watch Carter in action you'll immediately realize, Carter really can do anything. His extensive building and carpentry background completely prepares him for any task he may be handed.
In each episode of the tentatively titled Carter Can, Carter conquers overwhelming assignments, all the while showing viewers how they can easily translate his work to their own homes. I guess that means Carter Can teaches us we all can. While speaking with Carter he told me that when homeowners are overwhelmed by a task he wants to "free them of their mental block" so they can realize their project really is doable. Carter, who is also eco-friendly, finds ways to "incorporate" "green" "solutions" into each episode.
Both Carter and Vern are extremely excited for their move to HGTV and the premieres of their new shows. Carter said, "This is something that is really dear to his [Vern's] heart, and it's the same with me." Vern added, "It's an extension of who we are." Carter responded, "I don't think I can do this move with somebody better. It's a nice support system. I can always call Vern up and he can do the same."
Along with Deserving Design and Carter Can, HGTV is adding a slew of new shows to their lineup. As someone who didn't get into the network until the premiere of Design Star, I was curious if any of the new shows could engage to the young adult demographic, as Design Star did. I was pleasantly surprised to hear that while all of the new lineup is great, two shows in particular will definitely be of interest to those who are just getting into design.
The first of these two shows, Guess What You're Moving Out! premieres October 1, 2007. We've all heard about the kids who like to live at home as long as possible because life is easier that way. This is the show that tells these young adults it's time for them to go out on their own. But don't worry, they're not just kicking them to the curb and saying good luck. Instead, designers will teach them a thing or two about design and set them up in their new personally designed abodes.
The next night, on October 2, Property Virgins premieres. This show is perfect for those who are moving out on their own for the first time. I wish this show came out last year when I was renting my first apartment. Property Virgins takes viewers through the adventures of first time buying. Host Sandra Rinomato plays the many roles of realtor, therapist, friend and financial advisor to the new buyers as they realize their dream home may be an impossibility and learn what it takes to find the right home.
Something else HGTV viewers of all ages should look out for is in its beginning stages online in Rate My Room. Currently HGTV.com users can post pictures of their rooms and receive comments from other users. According to Michael Dingley, SVP of Programming and Content Strategy, soon users will be able to nominate which of these rooms is most in need of a makeover. HGTV's designers will then redo the winning room. The finished product will be featured on HGTV.com so viewers can once again vote whether or not they like the makeover.
As most fans know, someone who's currently doing great makeovers on HGTV is the America voted winner of Design Star, David Bromstad. His new show Color Splash is already off to a great start. Whenever a first season of a reality show produces a star, viewers have every reason to wonder how the next season will compare. I have been reassured that the entire second season cast of Design Star, premiering this summer, which takes place in Las Vegas, will provide viewers with a whole host of competitors to fall in love with, no pun intended.
Make sure to also stay tuned to MediaVillage for constant coverage of Design Star, as well as details regarding finalist Alice Falkier's new show on HGTV.com, which will most likely premiere in May.
Lastly, I've noticed on the HGTV message boards that many people were comparing Design Star to Bravo's Top Design. While I'm a true Design Star junkie at heart, I do love on Top Design that the judges actually see the rooms rather than just view them on a TV monitor as on Design Star. I asked Vern Yip about this, and he gave me the best response possible. "It's how the viewers see the space through the lens of the television." His answer immediately changed my mind. Design Star is all about picking a new host, and seeing how their designs translate through the television screen to the viewers' homes. That Vern knows what he's talking about. It's no wonder he's going to have his own show!