Reality Sets in on TV Home-Makeover Shows

Building homes for low income and special needs populations makes for good television, but not for long-term housing solutions.

1 minute read

August 24, 2005, 7:00 AM PDT

By Connie Chung

Some recipients of TV home-makeover shows, especially those that feature building projects with a time constraint, such as "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" and "Renovate My Family," say that the end results "produce unwanted or shoddy work." Some dissatisfied families, as a result, are suing for alleged incompetent and negligent work on their homes. However, in the cases where the work is favorable, the families are unable to pay the increase in property taxes that come with upgrading their homes. Still, others are not pleased with the end products, which do not tailor to their needs. They say that the "producers seem more concerned about seeing a reaction or showing the outrageous than about creating a home that fits its owners." The producers of these shows "acknowledge that construction timetables can be an issue. But it's the time constraint that adds to the drama."

Thanks to Connie Chung

FULL STORY: TV's reality hits home

Sunday, August 21, 2005 in The Chicago Tribune

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