Flip that Makeover Fast! And For Nothing!: On the Many TV Remodeling Shows

July 29th, 2008 | Category: Do it Yourself

These days there are oodles of remodeling shows on television. nowadays we’re gonna “flip this” and give that a dramatic “makeover.” For the cable-equipped home there need be no end to the do-it-yourself, vicarious adventure. Suddenly the hammer and chisel in the carport start gleaming just a bit brighter, like the pearly smile on the latest, and strapping, DIY-Network host.

But are these shows any good? What do they really show you with 5

minutes of introduction to a project, next a warp-speed, duration lapse foray into the actual work, and finally a happy resolution full of homeowner smiles as big as nail guns–a wonderful, custom makeover finished and done for less than the cost of the tools used to invent it. But how does that help? What good is a DIY show that deals in fantasy? (more…)