Please Explain ABC's Extreme Make Over.

[DawnCt1]

A house was recently selected and redone in Bridgeport, Ct. It was in great need as was the family. When I read the paper today however, it sounds like all of the material, the workmen, the contractor, etc were volunteers or donated. Just what does ABC do except make money or do they do something that wasn't evident in the Hartford Courant?

 

[jenn-]

Well they put their name behind it, therefore getting people to donate their time and items. I can assure you those companies wouldn't be so helpful if you or I called them up.

 

[cardaway]

Well they put their name behind it, therefore getting people to donate their time and items. I can assure you those companies wouldn't be so helpful if you or I called them up.

Exactly. How is that not obvious?

A company only gives the material or resources because they make sure their logo will still be on the material when the cameras go on.

 

[kcminnie]

I also live in CT and thought the same thing this week. I know companies donate time or bldg supplies but I didn't realize how many small local business donate to these homes.

 

[debster812]

ABC facilitates the donations, the corporations get product placement on a nationally television, highly rated, feel good show, as well as I'm sure the charitable write off for tax purposes. Win-win for everyone involved.

 

[freckles and boo]

The entire trend toward "reality" television, even feel-good shows like Extreme Makeover, is driven by the fact that talented writers and actors cost money. It is cheaper to build a million dollar home every week than it is to produce a sitcom or hour-long drama - specially when you have donors and sponsors who are just looking for product placement and an ad on a website.

By the way, I put the word "reality" in quotes because even if the shows are not technically scripted, they are completely manipulated by producers. There is no such thing as a reality show. I am getting more and more frustrated by this trend. Give me a good piece of well-written fiction any day!

 

[bbmommy]

It is the most incredible thing to go watch these volunteers build a house! I went a couple of years ago and stood and watched them work, it was great, lots of churches, and groups prepare food for them....I love it!

 

[DawnCt1]

The entire trend toward "reality" television, even feel-good shows like Extreme Makeover, is driven by the fact that talented writers and actors cost money. It is cheaper to build a million dollar home every week than it is to produce a sitcom or hour-long drama - specially when you have donors and sponsors who are just looking for product placement and an ad on a website.

By the way, I put the word "reality" in quotes because even if the shows are not technically scripted, they are completely manipulated by producers. There is no such thing as a reality show. I am getting more and more frustrated by this trend. Give me a good piece of well-written fiction any day!

I agree but I was just surprised that they put very little money into the home! unless you count the cost of tv production. It almost sees like total profit for ABC.

 

[NewJersey]

Also, with a national broadcasting TV company like ABC, these builders are much more willing to donate their time and supplies to get their name broadcasted to millions of homes.

 

[chyam]

The one thing that really bothers me about these types of shows.........The families are defineately in need and deserving, but quite honestly these homes are EXTREME. And yes I know the shows name is Extreme Makeover. I just think the money and time that is spent could build 3 or more homes for others just as deserving. I would also like them to go back a year or 2 later and let us see what those houses look like now,and if the people were able to maintain and support them, otherwise what good is it to build homes like that, if you can't pay the upkeep and taxes? I always thought about that with the houses that Oprah build in La. too.

 

[Fitswimmer]

The entire trend toward "reality" television, even feel-good shows like Extreme Makeover, is driven by the fact that talented writers and actors cost money. It is cheaper to build a million dollar home every week than it is to produce a sitcom or hour-long drama - specially when you have donors and sponsors who are just looking for product placement and an ad on a website.

By the way, I put the word "reality" in quotes because even if the shows are not technically scripted, they are completely manipulated by producers. There is no such thing as a reality show. I am getting more and more frustrated by this trend. Give me a good piece of well-written fiction any day!

I was just thinking that this weekend. I was missing good TV so I pulled out my West Wing DVDs. Yikes, where is TV like that now?? The dialogue was so sharp that the air crackled. Now we're inundated with "reality" shows, and the really sick ones like "Age of Love". I guess I'm in the minority though because that's what gets ratings.

I do like what the Extreme Makeover show does to help people, I can't deny that. It's the rest of them that I can really do without.

 

[CEDmom]

I'm sure I'm in the minority because I hate this show. I love the concept but so many more families could be helped if they didn't build an over the top house for just one family. I know there wouldn't be a show then but it still really bugs me.

Apparently they did a house for a Camden, NJ family and rather than relocate the family to a better neighborhood they built a $$$$$$$ house in Camden . Like that will last with all the crime, drugs etc infested in that neighborhood.

 

[minnieandme]

The one thing that really bothers me about these types of shows.........The families are defineately in need and deserving, but quite honestly these homes are EXTREME. And yes I know the shows name is Extreme Makeover. I just think the money and time that is spent could build 3 or more homes for others just as deserving. I would also like them to go back a year or 2 later and let us see what those houses look like now,and if the people were able to maintain and support them, otherwise what good is it to build homes like that, if you can't pay the upkeep and taxes? I always thought about that with the houses that Oprah build in La. too.

I wondered that too. If they couldn't repair the house, how are they managing the taxes on the newer and bigger house. I'm sure their tax bill either doubled or tripled because of the value and size of the home. It would be interesting to see them do a follow up show after the family has been in their home 2 years.

 

[Fitswimmer]

I wondered that too. If they couldn't repair the house, how are they managing the taxes on the newer and bigger house. I'm sure their tax bill either doubled or tripled because of the value and size of the home. It would be interesting to see them do a follow up show after the family has been in their home 2 years.

I would love to see follow ups on all of the families. The houses look so beautiful when they move in, but how about after that 2 years? One of the principles behind the Habitat for Humanity requirement that the family participate in the construction is that people will care for something that they've worked on themselves. In these cases, the homes are just given to them-do they care for them and maintain them? Can they even afford to?

 

[CapeCodTenor]

I watched a 2 hour episode a while back where they went to several homes that they had build over the few(?) years they've been around and with the exception of one (hit by hurricane Katrina) all were still in good condition.

 

[freckles and boo]

I was just thinking that this weekend. I was missing good TV so I pulled out my West Wing DVDs. Yikes, where is TV like that now?? The dialogue was so sharp that the air crackled. Now we're inundated with "reality" shows, and the really sick ones like "Age of Love". I guess I'm in the minority though because that's what gets ratings.

I do like what the Extreme Makeover show does to help people, I can't deny that. It's the rest of them that I can really do without.

I LOVED The West Wing!!! What a smart show. I saw a few minutes of Age of Love and felt the bile rising in my gut. The thing is, there are so many of these shows out there it is almost impossible not to indulge in one or two. I have seen some of Gene Simmon's show and his kids are a riot (and not in an Osbourne way - they are smart and funny) and my true, horrid guilty pleasure is America's Next Top Model. I won't let my daughters watch it, but I can't help it. I find it amusing.

 

[MamaLema]

The one thing that really bothers me about these types of shows.........The families are defineately in need and deserving, but quite honestly these homes are EXTREME. And yes I know the shows name is Extreme Makeover. I just think the money and time that is spent could build 3 or more homes for others just as deserving. I would also like them to go back a year or 2 later and let us see what those houses look like now,and if the people were able to maintain and support them, otherwise what good is it to build homes like that, if you can't pay the upkeep and taxes? I always thought about that with the houses that Oprah build in La. too.

I agree 100%

 

[swilphil]

ABC does have to pay the regulars on the show. That Ty Pennington guy has become something of a celebrity and I'm sure gets paid A LOT. With building an entire house in a week, I would think there would be lots of costs. It is true that reality TV is much cheaper to produce than shows like West Wing. That's one reason it has become some prevalent.

The small businesses do get lots of publicity by being on the show. I have a friend who has a log cabin business. They were on one show and the phone was ringing off the hook.

You're right though, the bottom dollar is ABC's profit. Just like it is with WDW. Isn't capitalism the American way?

 

[DawnCt1]

ABC does have to pay the regulars on the show. That Ty Pennington guy has become something of a celebrity and I'm sure gets paid A LOT. With building an entire house in a week, I would think there would be lots of costs. It is true that reality TV is much cheaper to produce than shows like West Wing. That's one reason it has become some prevalent.

The small businesses do get lots of publicity by being on the show. I have a friend who has a log cabin business. They were on one show and the phone was ringing off the hook.

You're right though, the bottom dollar is ABC's profit. Just like it is with WDW. Isn't capitalism the American way?

I have no problem with profit. I have never watch entire episode of Extreme Makeover so the publicity that the businesses receive didn't stand out to me. If this provides a real hour long comercial for them, then I it obviously is worth it.

 

[monorailsilver]

When I was watching the news last week (I want to say it was WTNH) they had the spanish guy (not one of the originals) asking for local workers to come & help since they were behind scheduale.

The house wasn't done but I swear it looked like a Victorian & if it was I hope it fit well into the neighborhood & not in the middle of the not so nice Bpt. areas.