*
Wait until they start subbing work to “HOMETIME” [make sure you put on safety glasses before reading a framing square] or “HANDYMAMM” {how to avoid installing switch plate covers upside down]
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum
Up Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story
From plumbing failures to environmental near disasters, OHJ staffers dish on our worst and best moments.
Featured Video
Highlights
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Replies
*
With Gaby behind the camera and AJ on the excavator....Mongo doing kitchen design and Andrew on decks....
*Hey, what about me?I could serving drinks, and imprisoning those workers who fail to show up on time! And saying Nyet Nyet to those who want raises.
*
So who do we pitch this to? How about a "Fine Homebuilding - TV"
*Don't forget all the girls from CT in bikinis working the catering truck out by the curb. :-)Eric
*Sounds like a good show, count me in. I could lean on a shovel out by the catering truck and say witty things like " 'Shore is a hot 'un. Maybe ya'll bikini gals should come over in the shade by me."
*I'm thinkin this new show would have to be on HBO and rated R for adult language and violence content.
*You forgot Stephen on the roof...all that work you did and the first rain came and ruined it. I want to walk around with a microphone and ask stupid questions....easy for me.Rich Beckman
*I'll be the gopher, specializing in beer runs.
*It's beginning to sound a lot like, hmmm, Firesign Theatre?
*"Master Builders" Theatre?
*I heard that Eric.
*You can't have a job without a superviser , I could handle that. Someone has to tell RJT when to go get beer and warn every one if Blue is sneeking up on the excavator.
*Does Blue have a silver hammer?
*
My wife and I were trying to buy a run down Victorian in Belgrade, Montana about ten years ago. I was way into the TOH scene at the time, going to school studying architecture and thought our house would be a great project. This was before the Gallatin Valley started to get spoiled (developed) and Montana was very much undiscovered. I called WGBH and talked to one of the producers. He told me I can't really have a budget, if they decide they want to do something, I'd better be ready to pay for it (gee, I have to work within budgets every day). Second, they wouldn't go as far as Montana (funny, the next season they were in New Mexico)?
It kind of put me off. Now I'm very disenchanted with the show. It has become a very elite little clique. I understand that the goal is to present dream answers from which we are supposed to adapt to our situation, but where I work the clients are more conservative, less affluent and not likely to spring for the big ticket answers that Steve endorses.
NOTE: We didn't buy the house (the owner was a bit wacky); the City took the property for back taxes, tore down the house and put up a parking lot! Really, they did. Bastards!
*
I'd like a job on this also. I could set some tile, install the hardware and locks, or hang some doors. I'm not greedy so just one task is plenty. In fact hand me a couple of sticks or sheets and I should be able to keep busy for a week or so. This is T&M right?
joe d
*I used to love that show. Like you said, it's no longer about renovating old houses, but making old houses new houses. It used to be interesting. And Steve Thomas really, really annoys the hell out of me. I wonder what his renovation/construction/carpentry background is?
*I don't know his background other than he used to be a cabana boy for an island resort or something like that (no kidding).I always figured he was an interior decorator because of all the comments he makes. Sure doesn't look like he ever had to work.
*
Steve has always struck me as a stuck up rich kid with a sail boat of his very own to sail around the world, but as bad as he can be, he is still leaps better than Bob (the Butt) Vila. If I could have my choice, Richard Trethuie(?) the HVAC guy would run the whole show.
*Yup. Norm and Steve are in my clients vocabulary a bit too much. I think we should take a cue from MTV's " THe Real World" and have a camera crew follow a project through every change order, rainy week and architect saying my favorite phrase, "well, in the building documents, it was my INTENTION..."
*
Doesn't anybody else like Tom Silva? He has the life: customers with unlimited budget, and subs that always show up on time for the camera. Not to mention the great trailer.
*I figure Silva Brothers must not spend a penny on advertising anymore. Well maybe in winter when the show heads to sunnier locales to avoid having to tolerate the cold. Steve's hand-model hands might get too dry and crack in the cold.-Rob
*Hey,you just gotta love good old Tommy----He is the only real guy left on that show.He never fails to let you know when he thinks the customer is being a moron(watch him roll his eyes,or say "tight lipped" THIS is what the customer wanted.I gotta admidt I kind of envy Rich T. He walks around all day in clean clothes while his crew does the dirty work and he has never seen a furnace good enough to stay "as is".Every furnace or hot water heater within a 300 yard radius is labeled as "outdated",or"inefficient" or "on its last legs". My favorite is"while we are here it just makes sense to.....". Plus Rich sometimes gets to go along on the fun in the sun trips.
*
I don't want to sound like a critic, but this show is really starting to stink!! They build a new house out of plastic under the banner of being "This Old House"? What am I missing?
*Powderpost beetles, and carpenter ants?
*After keeping up with this board, who's got time to watch TV?Rich Beckman
*I've noticed the flavour has changed recently. Used to be all about Restoring and Renovating old houses. Now it seems to be all about contracting out to the latest installer of this years wonder product, or interior designer. Not that the products haven't been good (getting lots of new ideas to check into), but I was more keen on the get dirty and do it aspects than the sit back and hire Joe and his crew to do it.Seems many of my other favourite hands on shows are also leaning more towards highlighting designer furnishings. I suspect the marketing teams are just heading to the same pot of gold. Just wasn't my pot.
*I use to watch TOH like it was religion. Even got a tee and a coffee cup. Started to lose interest the third or fourth time I saw something being done. Not surprising since they have been doing two houses a year for how long? Agree that the focus is too much on personalities, products, and the high end life style. I tune in every now and then but if I miss an episode so what. Love it when Tommy is pitching the merits of a donated product and you can tell his heart is not in it. Seve and Norm sold out a long time ago. It ain't reality no more.
*Wait until they start subbing work to "HOMETIME" [make sure you put on safety glasses before reading a framing square] or "HANDYMAMM" {how to avoid installing switch plate covers upside down]
*I think this is the second markenting change I've seen on TOH. The show is carried mostly on PBS. I guess several years ago they realize that the Martha Steward crowd was more likely to donate to PBS stations than was the DIY they had been catering to. So up went the budgets, more stuck up snobby clients, and an emphisis on "lighting mood", and "character."Now maybe they've realized there's money in endorsements too. I remeber the episode where they went to the unnamed but highly complimented furnature store and spoke to the worlds greatesd furniture designer. In the segment, the camers slowly panned down and spend a few seconds on tthe Ethan-Allen logo on the carpet.
*Haven't seen it or cared in years. Steve Thomas killed it for me.Here's what I'd like to see: Blue Eyed Devil running a framing crew, Jeff McGough installing the radiant, Joe Fusco trimming, George on the floor, and Fred, well, stapling on the vapor barrier and the roof vents.All under direction of Patrick M and Kathy Blodgett. Me and Jim would Pay just to sit and watch.Now how's that for a Dream Team?MD