Extreme Home Makeover

[ClayMan]

Did any of you guys see Extreme Home Makeover two weeks ago (2/12) ? It was filmed in my neck of the woods... I saw the progress and the finished product and it was amazing. I was able to see Paige w/ her pigtails and pink. I think she's really cool. Carol's story was very uplifting and very emotional. I think it was the BEST episode thus far (and not b/c it was filmed here in VA)...but it was an excellent story and helped bring awareness to MS. :up:

[IJustLikeTivo]

I was impressed with the 6 degrees connection betweem paul and Carol.

[Guindalf]

We watch the show every week and yes, it was a good story. I personally think the one in Watts was the best of all.

I think of the design team, I like Paul as he's genuine and enthusiastic, and Ed because he's a Brit (and so am I!), but is it just me or does Preston come across as being a little tooooooo emotional?

[ClayMan]

Yeah i thought that was such a interesting connection. It was definetly a full circle moment. The saddest part of all, after the crew left town her dance studio roof started leaking :( . That is now being worked out with the people who own the building that she is leasing from. It leaked beforehand, but they thought they fixed it. The family couldn't let ANYONE inside their home until it aired (which the house was built in December). The windows had white plastic on them so no one could peek in. In Blacksburg at Virginia Tech there was a special dinner and viewing of the show w/ proceeds going to MS society. Carol and her kids were there to watch. They aired a documentary w/ behind the scenes footage which was broadcast here locally 1 hr before the actually show.

[jlb]

We watch the "Crying Show" every week. Without fail.

[JimSpence]

Clay Man,
Do you have any idea how long ABC was in town before the actual contruction started?
Or when building permits, etc, were obtained?
Obviously, an awful lot has to be done before the 7 days start.
The design team draws the house on a napkin and the next day there's a full set of blue prints for the contractor.

[ClayMan]

Jim,

They were in town about a month beforehand - they were working closely w/ the town in the planning. It was important that it not be leaked or else Extreme Makeover WILL NOT do the project. They were out scoping her property while she was away from her home. They had Virginia Tech students involved early on with the planning (the special project room where she can meditate and relax in). In the show, it would appear that they walk up to the architect students and it just happens. The magic of television.. editing. Even with the filming I saw them do 4 takes for one little scene of the VT football guys ambushing Paige. The VT marching band playing their instruments and marching ...that was take after take to get the right shot. The house is estimated being worth $450,000.

Here's some links locally that may give you some insight on the behind the scenes:

http://www.roanoke.com/news/roanoke/wb/xp-43454

http://www.roanoke.com/news/nrv/wb/43413

http://www.roanoke.com/news/roanoke/wb/xp-43779

http://www.roanoke.com/news/nrv/wb/43877

http://www.roanoke.com/news/roanoke/wb/44001

[JimSpence]

Thanks a lot for those newspaper articles. They give whole new dimension on what goes on behind the scene. That show is one of my favorites. In fact, it is the only reality based show that I watch.

[ClayMan]

something i left out was.. the day they "revealed" the home the family had to go stay in a hotel for a few days - so the film crew could tape inside the house. It's like here's your house, but umm u gotta go for now. ha

[MitchO]

Yeah, thanks a lot for the info and articles. It's always itched the back of my brain how they clearly go to the town for permits, etc before the 7 day issue started, and that the sketching out scenes were a load of crap. While I immensely enjoy the show, I don't know why they have to feel the need to try to fool folks that way. The work is astounding and the stories are sincere ... they can hold up on their own.

[ClayMan]

No problem. It's more for entertainment value and good television that it look so flawless and effortless. I remember standing in front of the house the night before the reveal and they were literally putting the bushes, flowers, etc in the yard. It was cold as heck.. and you could see the steam from the mulch in the air. The crew stayed there for about a week afterwards cleaning the streets (mud and debris). The neighbors received $100 per day to basically put up w/ it which most didn't mind b/c of the cause. The crew worked out of the next door neighbors house literally i saw producers on laptops in the living room as their office. I have no clue how much THAT neighbor got but they made a mess of her house ..i was thinking i'm sure she is going to be compensated well. It was a good experience i remember tearing up just standing there - and ofcourse i cried when it aired. I couldn't help it! hehe

[JimSpence]

Another question in general. What does the town do as far as a reapraisal for the property?

It has always been in my mind that maybe some of the recipients won't be able to pay property taxes. Yeah, I know they sometimes get money for this, or the mortgage paid off.

[MitchO]

I've already read somewhere that CBS sets up a fund specifically designed to pay taxes that are a result of the makeover.

[JimSpence]

I doubt that CBS sets up a fund for that since the show is on ABC. :)

[MitchO]

No, they're just that nice! :)

[ClayMan]

I really don't know the answer to that part of it. I had just read in the paper about the accessment value. I'd hope that someone is helping her out.

[Bulldog7]

We watch the "Crying Show" every week. Without fail.

Great name for the show....I am a single male, age 42, who sits and crys on a regula--basis while watching this show. I think it does my heart and soul good. It's almost better than church. Almost! This is the one show I can sit and watch with my family--neice and nephew and really enjoy.