Extreme Makeover was in my city last summer, and it was a real eye opener to me. ABC basically got the entire community to donate their time and money, (the city needed to waive all construction fees, extra police were required for security, small businesses were asked for donated materials and labor, restaurants were expected to provide free food, etc.) while they raked in the advertising dollars.

They were in my city two years ago (I think). It was such a big deal around town! The house is beautiful, and still "fits" with the rest of the neighborhood. It's a bit larger, but it doesn't look like a mansion compared to the others.

How fun! There was a house built in our area about 30 minutes from us too though I've never seen it.

Tina, let me know when it's on. I usually don't watch because it's too depressing, but I could handle watching this particular family.

Terriks, I had no idea ABC would do such a thing to small business owners, of all people! With big box stores, why hit up those who struggle? That kind of bothers me.

Terriks, I had no idea ABC would do such a thing to small business owners, of all people! With big box stores, why hit up those who struggle? That kind of bothers me.

It bothered me a lot. People that I know that worked on our local Extreme Home said that Ty Pennington and the other "cast" members don't actually do any work. Most everything is done by local volunteers at their own expense. An order was called in to the local Subway (owned by a small business owner) for about $500 in sandwiches. They had to call in extra employees to make the sandwiches, then when someone came from Extreme Home to pick them up they were told that they needed to donate the sandwiches. So that small business owner had the choice of either dumping all that food or giving it away. The cash that ABC gives the families also comes from the community. They charged around $1000 for a group of 4 to take a tour of the home when it was completed.

The show will air sometime around Thanksgiving - hence the macy type balloons.

I'll probably know/hear more of what the community/businesses around here think in another week.

tina

I thought the series was cancelled and the finale was airing this month.

natal, me too. I thought the 7 homes in 1 week was the series finale.

And, apparently not all homes make it "on the air". When my DH worked on the Extreme Makeover house a couple of years ago, the builder was on pins and needles wondering if it would make it on air or not. It did.

Even though they have TONS of volunteers, it does give a sense of community and everyone gets excited and it was FUN for my husband and the other workers. And, the family was so deserving. Extreme Makeover wanted their house a lot bigger, but, the family wanted a house they could afford to keep up, so they made it smaller.

Linking from an article linked to the one I posted:

"ABC announced it had canceled the series in late 2011 due to low ratings. Two more episodes of the weekly series are airing this month before the show leaves the primetime lineup for an indefinite period.

Despite the fate of the show, Pennington said he has been part of something incredible just by working on it

. "When you are part of something like this (series), you see how it changes lives and even changes the people who work on the (homes), you can definitely sleep well at night," he said.

Thousands of volunteers have signed up to work on the home, with the work schedule being around the clock for the next week or so.

When it eventually returns, "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" will pop up as occasional specials, with the Knoxville episode being one of those. The air date could come as early as next fall."

I've never once watched the show, but am aware that EHM came to my city during the winter a couple of years ago.

There were lots of articles in the paper about the huge volunteer effort that assembled to make it happen. It was heart-warming to read about local tradespeople's efforts.
Good thing I suppose, is that the experience offered the local business people wonderful advertising & placed a real attention-getter on their resumes!

tina, how exciting! I have never watched it. Funny about the balloon!

terriks, ugh about the donations. I know a lot of people are VERY giving, but like you said, does not make sense that ABC then takes the credit for it-- and the $.

Well the reveal was supposed to be today - but bad weather has delayed the crew almost all week. Reveal is delayed until tomorrow. I read that Ty arrived sometime over the weekend. I have two friends that are volunteering that I've talked with - they both have been very positive about the experience. There was an article in the paper one day with information about how restaurants or groups, etc. could donate food/meals. Mainly just who to contact. It seems as though the community is thrilled this family is receiving the reno, they run a foundation that assists unwed mothers. Along with the main house, there is a duplex on the property. The main house was completely torn down and rebuilt. A local university the couple attended has promised college scholarships for their children and also set up a scholarship program for others.

How exciting! Isn't it neat how it lifts the whole town up?