I used to be one of the biggest “Trading Spaces” fans around. Seriously, I would rearrange my Saturday nights just so I could be home in time to watch the popular TLC home makeover series. I adored Vern Yip; wished Frank Bielec was my uncle; coveted Paige Davis’ job; wanted Hildi Santo-Thomas to be my neighbor; and dreamed of the day Ty Pennington would craft me my own wooden china cabinet.
I was a dedicated fan for years until producers decided to give the show a makeover of its own. They dropped perky Paige and brought in a slew of new designers and carpenters. That happened in 2005. For some ludicrous reason, show producers transitioned the series to a host-less format and slowly I lost interest and stopped watching.
But, now, two years later the show has a new production team and the series is reverting back to its original format a la Davis. The Broadway actress and TV host will return to her role on “Trading Spaces” beginning in January, network executives announced yesterday.
Davis held the job for four years before getting the boot. Since then she has been appearing on Broadway and taking on smaller TV hosting gigs. Fans of Davis know that she met her Broadway star husband during their stint in the musical “Beauty and the Beast.” And even those who find Davis’ personality to be a bit overwhelming (my mother would use the word “irritating”) have to admit she did help keep “Trading Spaces” moving along.
According to network execs, the show will now be produced by A. Smith & Co. Productions, the TV production company responsible for Fox’s “Hell’s Kitchen” and “Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares.” The series was formerly produced by Philadelphia-based Banyan Productions, which created other popular TLC series such as “A Wedding Story” and “A Baby Story.”
Word has it the new season will begin shooting at the end of this month and will be filmed entirely in high-definition. Designers Doug Wilson, Laurie Hickson-Smith, along with my would-be uncle Frank Bielec and Hildi Santo-Thomas will also return to the show, alongside carpenters and other designers to be announced later.
Noticeably missing will be Davis’ pal Ty Pennington who used his fame on “Trading Spaces” to get the main gig on ABC’s smash hit “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.” A show many say was a knock off of “Trading Spaces.”
Are you happy to hear about Davis’ return?