Trading Spaces: The Return of Paige
Posted
January 27, 2008 at
11:14 am by
Prescott
Hi, my name is Prescott, and I’m a home makeover show junkie. (Hi, Prescott!)
Seriously — if the show involves tearing down walls and slapping up paint, I’m so there. I have a season pass set for Property Ladder on the Tivo. So it’s no surprise that when Trading Spaces debuted in 2000, I was immediately hooked. The chaos, the low budget, neighbors screwing up each other’s living room, Doug making women cry, what’s not to love?
Then TLC had to mess with their winning formula and take the show in a “new creative direction”. Paige Davis was dumped, designers left, they ditched a carpenter, and the participants went from soccer moms to young, trendy couples. And we didn’t like it. I gave up watching after a few episodes, along with millions of others. Trading Spaces’ ratings sank lower than a lead weight in the Mariana Trench.
But instead of canceling the show, they decided to give it one more try and go old school. Paige’s career as a stripper wasn’t working out, so they were able to woo her back — although sporting a kicky new haircut, which the wife could not get past (”Where’s the flip? WHY DID SHE CHANGE HER FLIP?” Yeah, she has issues). The budget has returned to $1,000 without all the “bonus room” and extra cash that was floating around the past couple seasons. Many of the original designers have returned as well — Frank, Laurie, Hildi, Doug, and Edward are on this season, but sorry, gentlemen, no Genevieve. We do have a little eye candy for the ladies (and closeted homosexuals like myself): meet Thad and Brandon, filling the role of hunky carpenter #1 and #2, respectively, a prerequisite on these shows.
The one big difference from the original is that they are no longer having neighbors trade spaces. Instead, the teams are put together to create maximum tension: a woman trading with her mother-in-law, an executive assistant trading with her boss, and on the premiere episode, ex-spouses trading bedrooms. It sounds gimmicky, but it did add a nice flavor to the show, especially since the ex-wife has since remarried but the ex-husband has not. So he constantly had the pained expression of, “sure, I would love to help design a lovely bedroom where ANOTHER MAN WILL BE BANGING MY WIFE.”
Doug came up with something completely non-offensive as always (although he did add a meat cart to the “steak house” look he was going for). Hildi is thankfully still working her “unique” (i.e., bat shit crazy) designs which usually feature 2,000 pounds of feathers or 6,000 doll heads, this time nailing up 1,500 rubber rings all over the walls. Have you noticed that she sadistically makes it so that if the homeowner doesn’t like what she’s done, it will require hours and hours of time to remove?
Bottom line: The original fun of Trading Spaces is back, and I’m glad to once again have my regular Saturday night date.
Tags: brandon-russell, doug, Entertainment, hildi, paige-davis, paige-davis-haircut, paige-returns, thad-mills, TLC, trading-spaces, trading-spaces-review |
23 Responses to “Trading Spaces: The Return of Paige”
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1. Jessica said:
January 27, 2008 @ 11:52 am
Yep. I stopped watching Trading Spaces after Paige Davis left, which is hypocritical because I used to complain about how useless she was.
Does everyone remember the “Trading Spaces” rage of yester-year? Then it all fizzled away. I wonder if they’ll truly recapture the magic.
BTW, Doug looked really old and thin, didn’t he? Hildi looked good though. It looks like she hasn’t aged a bit.
Anyway, the whole thing is nostalgic for me.
2. Stacey said:
January 27, 2008 @ 9:56 pm
Woohoo! I’m so glad to hear that the *real* Trading Spaces is back! Sorry I missed the one with the ex’s though!
3. Allison said:
January 28, 2008 @ 11:28 am
Yeah, we were complaining about Paige’s hair too. It looks like a helmet.
And the whole divorced couple situation was weird.
Doug did look old and skinny, whick sent Dh on a rant of very un-PC reasons for his unhealthy appearance.
And Hildi. Oh, Hildi. I swear to you, if I was on the show and Hildi ended up being assigned to my room, I’d feign a heart attack-seizure-paralysis combo, just to end the show before she could ruin my room.
When the show started back in 2000 or whatever, her designs weren’t so bad, but after a while it all went to crap. The room with the divorced couple wouldn’t have been so bad if the rings were painted, but now these people are stuck with thousands of holes in the wall should they decide to take it all down.
Long live the king home-design shows!!!!!!!!!
4. Stacey said:
January 28, 2008 @ 3:54 pm
LOL @ what Allison said about Hildi! And I agree with you! There is seriously something *wrong* with that chick! (Hildi–NOT Allison!)
5. julymom said:
January 28, 2008 @ 7:34 pm
Scott, I *heart* you! I did NOT know TS was back with many of the originals! Hurrah! Season Pass is back on. If only Vern were on it. I have some serious love for all things Vern. I like his new show, but it’s just too touchy feely sometimes. I want my home makeover shows filled with drama, anger and a side of bat shit crazy, not people who *deserve* it. Dammit.
Also, ditto what Allison said about Hildi. Kuckoo! No way would I let her in my house. Also, no to Edward and his hot gluing decorative rope trim to the ceilign where moulding should go.
Does anyone remember the show with the black female designer (I can’t remember her name) where she did a “garden” room and put somehting like astroturf on the bed with flowers around it? It looked like a fresh grave. Creepy!
Oh and if you ever want to see some truly crazy stuff, watch the British TS. Those people are seriously nuts. NUTS. The crazy gay designer with the Farah Fauwcet hair and Lord Byron shirts is my absolute favorite because he’s kooky and his designs are “unique.” Like the life sized cut out naked female art he put in his “sexy budoir” makeover. The look on the homeowners face was priceless.
Man I loves me some TS.
6. Prescott said:
January 28, 2008 @ 8:42 pm
Dude, I *love* the original British version (i.e., “Changing Rooms”) — although admittedly I have not seen it in a while. Yes, the young Tim Curry look alike with the poofy shirts with the large cuffs is awesome. And I have a mad crush on Anna.
I have not seen the Vern show, just like I don’t watched Extreme Makeover, because like you, I want my drama to come from conflict and deep-rooted hatred, not some kid with cancer that needs a new house. Does that make me a bad person? Probably, but I don’t care when it comes to my entertainment.
7. julymom said:
January 29, 2008 @ 5:07 pm
Changing Rooms! Yes, that’s what it’s called. In my temp housing I do not have BBC America (stupid effing cable company) so I can’t watch it. When I had DirectTV (I love you DirectTV!) I watched it religiously. And LL-B is just a big old slice of crazy awesome. I have a bit of a girl crush on Anna Ryder Richardson. (What is it with the Brits and the double last name?). When it first came on I think Handy Andy was the carpenter (though he moved on to his own show) and I lurved him.
No, it does NOT make you a bad person to want some drama with your home makeover shows. Who wants to be *moved* all the time? Enough with the touchy feely! Give me some knock down drag out. That’s entertainment!
8. dana said:
February 8, 2008 @ 3:25 pm
A man after my own heart! I’ve missed Paige for so long. Trading Spaces was my addiction in my post-college years. Recently, I fell in love with “The Ugliest House on the Block”.
I’m hooked.
Ohh…Thad…he’s a hottie alright. Brandon, not so much.
9. Rick said:
February 9, 2008 @ 10:36 pm
I was hooked on TS from its inception… we used to even have friends over on Sat. for Trading Spaces Night. THen when they let Paige go, it went to the sh*ts. So I am THRILLED she’s back. Sure enough, we’ve been in front of the TV the last 3 Saturday nights now. It’s like a reunion! I just love Paige and TS. Oh and Julymom… the designer who did the monstrous “Indoor Graveyard room” was Kia. Wonder where she is now…..
10. karen said:
February 10, 2008 @ 1:56 am
Am I the only one that does’t like that Paige Davis is back. I already miss when they return in 2 weeks to see if thay added or changed the rooms.I really did like the new format of Trading Spaces without the hostess. I also miss Trading Spaces Family.
11. Liz said:
February 11, 2008 @ 4:11 pm
My first reaction was, “Yay, Paige is back, she’s just too cute!” and then I was like, “Ugh, she’s just TOO cute!” and I find myself too distracted by her hair, clothes and, well…pretty much everything else…and am like, what’s the show about, again?
12. mel said:
February 17, 2008 @ 12:24 am
Was anyone annoyed with the costume business owner and her assistant episode? The owner/boss is ruining the show for me. She seems like she is trying to hard to be like Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada. She’s a tad overboard. Other than that, it’s weird to see Paige back. I think it could be a good thing considering the show needed a “face lift” to save it.
13. Rick said:
February 17, 2008 @ 9:05 am
well, I wasn’t ‘annoyed’ by her but I did think the exact same thing…Meryl Streep in “The Devil Wears Prada.” What always has annoyed me is Hildi and her stupid ideas that no decent person would ever do to their own rooms. She makes my stomach turn. Bring back Edward!!!! Ooo and my Barry!!!
14. Linda said:
February 23, 2008 @ 10:49 pm
I think the perfect combination would be to have the format they have now with Paige back, but ALSO to go back in 2 weeks and see if the room has changed. That was always one of my favorite parts of the show.
Does anyone know if Doug is sick? Sure hope not- I always enjoyed him.
15. Lin said:
February 24, 2008 @ 8:21 am
I just found this forum, by mistake of course; it came in my inbox I guess because I belong to another one of Prescott’s forums; HI Prescott and thank you for your wit and charm!
Can someone tell me what happened at the end of last nights show, did the band room work with all that under pad on the walls and the ceiling, did it become sound proof? Did the two sides appreciate each others input? I cannot imagine having to work in someone’s house that I absolutely despise, interesting twist this time around, I wonder if they will keep it up.
16. Prescott said:
February 24, 2008 @ 11:08 am
Aw shucks, Lin.
Last night’s episode really highlighted the wisdom of the new season’s gimmick, as both designs were *really* boring and the conflict was what made it interesting. That, and Frank’s little kid-esque hope for “peace and love” in the world.
But alas, they maddeningly didn’t show whether or not that carpet padding actually worked!! Boo! A cheap decibel meter from Radio Shack for a nice before and after would have been great — the producers dropped the ball.
Unless, of course, it actually didn’t work at all and they wanted to conveniently leave that part out…
17. Jessica said:
February 24, 2008 @ 12:22 pm
Both parties did seem to reconcile over it though.
The young mom was in tears and touched by the personal affects in their house. The young mom was in tears thinking about the human aspect of it all.
I thought the mom of the teenagers was really selfish though and taught her kids how to be disrespectful to their neighbors.
It’s so rude that her teenage son is blaring music right outside of their babie’s nursery IMO.
18. Lin said:
February 24, 2008 @ 4:28 pm
Jessica I agree, the mom of the teenagers was certainly condoning her children’s inconsiderate actions, I can’t imagine having to live beside them!!!!
Prescott … YES a decibel meter would have been an awesome idea, BUT I can bet my bottom dollar that if the padding worked, even a tad, those kids would be turning up the amplifiers, as they would consider that a challenge… GRRRRR
As for Frank, I adore his peace and love attitude, he’d make a great neighbour!
19. Cindy Willis said:
March 16, 2008 @ 11:54 am
I cannot stand Paige Davis. She’s like a 4 year old with too much caffeine in her system. She really needs to act her age & GROW UP!
20. kathy said:
March 17, 2008 @ 9:39 am
I do not mind Paige, however, I am not enjoying this segment of shows, I would like to see them go back to the old way they used to do shows. I really have not been watching lately and miss the old time shows, they so much more fun.
21. Allison said:
March 17, 2008 @ 10:33 am
What bugs me about Paige is that she always points out the really interesting or sentimental shit to the homeowners at the reaveal, like she came up with it herself.
“Look. Laurie brought that fabric all the way from a farmers market in FRANCE when she was pregnant.”
“Look. Your Ex made this sculpture to let you know how he feels about you”…….
Can’t she let the neighbors tell them everything over cawfee themselves?????
22. Paige said:
April 24, 2008 @ 11:55 am
Hey yall. My name’s Paige, but I’m not THE Paige. I was actually on TS in 2002. I was so much fun! My mom and I traded with our neighbor and her daughter. My mom and I worked with Frank in their kitchen and painted EVERYTHING, and put a sunburst around the flourescent light. The neighbors worked with Genevieve on my mom’s room. They made pillow out of men’s suits and brought the cement pool bench in from outsite. Not too functional.
Anyway, yes, I too stopped watching, not because of Paige, as I find her annoying. But because it was all too trendy. I’m hooked again! Love the old school!
23. Allison G said:
April 24, 2008 @ 3:10 pm
[quote comment="157879"]Hey yall. My name’s Paige, but I’m not THE Paige. I was actually on TS in 2002. I was so much fun! My mom and I traded with our neighbor and her daughter. My mom and I worked with Frank in their kitchen and painted EVERYTHING, and put a sunburst around the flourescent light. The neighbors worked with Genevieve on my mom’s room. They made pillow out of men’s suits and brought the cement pool bench in from outsite. Not too functional.
Anyway, yes, I too stopped watching, not because of Paige, as I find her annoying. But because it was all too trendy. I’m hooked again! Love the old school![/quote]
Ooh. Is that the one where Gen also made the grey curtains pulled back with men’s neck ties? I loved that one, but I would have put the stone bench back outside and bought a cuter one when they were gone.
I would looove to be on Trading Spaces, but I’m serious about the feigned heart attack if Hildi showed up. See my post at #3.