ABC Makeover Home

 ABC Makeover Home is a reality tv home remodeling show currently seen on ABC. It began as a unique edition of the show Extreme Makeover, which features real men and women as they completely change 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 program, with Craftsman and Kenmore products featured 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 broadcast 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 first Extreme Makeover spotlighted people having their appearances overhauled, ABC Makeover Home includes family homes ( that include exteriors and landscaping ) being totally redone. Additionally, the 2 programs share in common an interest in assisting 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 episode is necessary. The goal in each episode is to provide a family that is facing difficult obstacles with new hope in the form of a home that suits their needs. Each show follows the same basic formula. The chosen family is researched and their submission 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 team inspects the house and learns about the family’s interests and needs to use as decor inspiration.

 The family is dispatched on a one - week vacation while their house is re-modeled or de-molished and rebuilt. A community building company or 2 along with community workers start the basic work. As the house is being re - built, the decor team makes plans for the more esoteric aspects of the new house. A part of each home is designated by Ty as his “secret area. ” No one is allowed to look at this room before the last reveal.

 As the week progresses the different 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 boring things to do such as a trip to Sears for supplies.

 At the end of the week the family returns home to the enthusiastic construction workers and design team. 1 or 2 buses obscure the view of the family’s new home for maximum suspense. The new home is revealed and the family gets to look at the end result. The “secret room, ” often directly pertaining 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 2004 - 2005 television season the program produced a spin - off programs of its own with ABC Makeover Home: How’d They Do That? This series spotlighted additional 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 ‘06, a four - week long unique programs focused 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 firehouse.

 ABC Makeover Home has proved itself to be even more most viewed than the original Extreme Makeover and is one of ABC’s most most watched series. It has won 2 Emmy Awards back - to - back in the category of non - competitive reality show.