Put together one very run-down house, a deserving family, several opinionated designers, seven days and what do you get? The answer is “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.” The show has won two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Reality Program, plus two People’s Choice Awards, the Family Television Award for Best Alternative/Reality Program, and a Service to American Leadership Award presented by The National Association of Broadcasters Education Foundation.
In a first for the show beginning with Season 7, a new campaign will create unforgettable experiences that money and fame can’t buy. “Get on the Bus!” – which will capture the momentum of the Obama administration’s focus on volunteerism – will be a call to action for the nation and celebrities to become actively involved in public service. In the episodes, the iconic “EM:HE” bus will pick up a new volunteer to help out during the build. Celebrity volunteers will pull up their sleeves, create a design project and put their personal stamp on the home. So far, Patricia Heaton, Mary J. Blige, Xzibit, Trace Adkins, Ashley Tisdale and Kellie Pickler have all volunteered. In addition to stars, other surprise guests will also get on board, such as memorable families from past seasons who have a special connection to the week’s cause, and others found through a nationwide campaign to find real fans.
There’s nowhere “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” won’t go to help a family in need. This season expect to see more extreme homes, the latest in extreme technology, and families with more immediate need for a home than ever before. In addition, there will be “green” elements built into every episode, with eco-friendly, low energy and recyclable sources being incorporated into designs.
Episodes of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” are self-contained and feature a race against time on a project that would ordinarily take at least four months to achieve, involving a team of designers, contractors and several hundred workers who all have just seven days to totally rebuild an entire house – every single room, plus the exterior and landscaping. The result should be a decorator’s delight… if it can be done in time.
The design team includes team leader Ty Pennington, with designers Paul DiMeo, Paige Hemmis, Michael Moloney, Ed Sanders, Tracy Hutson, Eduardo Xol, John Littlefield and Didiayer Snyder.
For the previous season, the show ranked a virtual No. 1 in its Sunday 8:00 o’clock time period in the key Adult 18-49 sales demographic, just one-tenth of a ratings point behind CBS (3.3/8 vs. 3.4/9). The broad appealing unscripted series leads its time slot among Women 18-34, Women 18-49 and Kids 2-11.
“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” is produced by Endemol USA, a division of Endemol Holding. David Goldberg is Chairman, Endemol North America. The executive producer is Anthony Dominici (“America’s Next Top Model,” “The Amazing Race”).
