May I Help You Improve Your Home?

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-vivx4-122f738

If you’re like most Americans, you’ve not only completed a home improvement project since the start of the pandemic, but you’ve also received some inspiration from shows like Fixer Upper or Flip or Flop. 

While HGTV is now a huge television network, with the stars of its most popular home improvement shows launched to celebrity status, HGTV didn’t even exist until December of 1994. 

So how did HGTV start? What show predated HGTV and is widely considered to be the very first home improvement show? More importantly, what’s the real story behind those home makeover shows? Candy and Ashley discuss these questions and more as they explore the topic “May I Help You Improve Your Home?”

Show Notes for Episode 37!

Sources:

“The Rare Home-Improvement Show That Spotlights Skilled Workers,” The Atlantic, by Margaret Tucker, May 20, 2019

“An Inside Look at How HGTV Became an Industry Juggernaut,” Architectural Digest, by Dante Ciampaglia, July 29, 2019

“The Real Reason ‘Extreme Home Makeover Home Edition’ Ended,” House Digest, by Lucy Clark, January 7, 2022

“Chip and Joanna Gaines’ Magnolia Network pulls show after homeowners complain of ‘nightmare’ renovations, NBC News, by Saba Hamedy, January 12, 2022

“This new HGTV show will give LaGrange, Kentucky, a small town makeover, Louisville Courier Journal, by Kirby Adams, November 18, 2021

“Home Improvement Interrupted: Labor and Material Shortages Stall Home Renovations in Pandemic Era,” Forbes Advisor, by Lexie Pelchen and Samantha Allen, March 24, 2022

“Why Home Improvement Has Surged And How It’s Changing America,” NPR, by Frank Morris, September 11, 2020

“Ben and Erin Napier Share Sneak Peek of New Series Home Town Kickstart: ‘Y’all This Is So Big,’” People, by Giovana Gelhoren, April 22, 2022 

“’Be Kind’: Tween Kentucky Sisters Hope Campaign Will Spark A Wave Of Kindness,” NPR, by Cheri Lawson, December 2, 2020

“Sisters ‘Be Kind’ Campaign Inspires Kindness Capital of Kentucky,” My105.3WJLT, November 5, 2020

Bonus:

Was “Home Improvement” based on “This Old House?” – Yes!