I’ve talked about “Trading Spaces” before on this page. It’s a strange yet compelling show on TLC where neighbors redecorate each other’s houses, mostly with horrifying results.
I usually only watch the last ten minutes of the show, since I don’t care to watch them stitch throw pillows from burlap. I just want to see the befores and afters, and watch the reactions of the people as their “new” rooms are unveiled.
Well, today they aired the best “Trading Spaces” ever, bar none. As is custom, the couple were led into their new living room, which in this case had nasty brown paint scored with white lines. All their furniture was covered in dark brown slipcovers. The husband was heard to say about the new room, “Looks like just a lot of firewood to me.” The wife covered her face and strangled out, “I have to leave the room now.”
Then the stunned host and the shocked husband stood mute in front of the camera, as the mike picked up the sounds of the wife sobbing in the other room.
Now that’s compelling television.
That is pretty damned funny.
On the other hand, given them chops for actually showing the segment. Or else the other filmed episodes were even worse (cue shot of outraged wife strangling host while husband beats former friends with new objet d’art …).
I haven’t seen the “straw wall” episode yet (where Hildie applies straw to a dining room wall in what we lesser mortals would fail to recognize as “design” and “style”), but I can’t imagine the homeowner’s reaction could have been any worse than this one. Given how the two couples interacted at the end of the show – I’m thinking things are pretty chilly in that neighbourhood now.
I missed that episode. I watched two back-to-back last night. The second was interesting with one couple who wanted something extreme. They ended up with deep red walls, some oversized abstract art and a blown-up confiscated picture of the lady of the house in lingerie sprawled out on a sofa. The other room benefited from some wickedly cool shelves and Josef Albers inspired dual-canvas artwork over the sofa. I need a place of my own.
Some of the rooms actually come out looking nice. What interests me most though is the whole sexual undertone to the entire thing that only pervs like me notice. I liked it better when Alex was the host. I always enjoyed watching her flirt with all the males on the show, particularly the husbands. Then there were the episodes with neighboring couples that were a little too friendly with eachother. Can you say “the lifestyle” anyone? I’m sick, I know. I’ll get prayer for that.
With the straw-wall episode, the family seemed sort of like “This is complete crap and Hildy is a moron” but I didn’t think they were *that* upset with their neighbors. The neighbors *did* try to persuade Hildy otherwise…
Who designed the poop-brown room?
Doug did I think
Are you kidding? You know the designers on the show are told to make things as extreme as possible. It’s “reality tv.” It’s supposed to be “edgy.” There’s nothing edgy about people having pretty things done to their homes and being *happy* about it, now, is there?
I think “reality tv” is stupid. So I may be baised. But please, it’s all about ratings, just like every other show. Happy does not = good ratings. Drama = good ratings.
Can I vote for a ban on the word “edgy?” It’s just used too much in media/pop-culture. It was cool and useful the first time it was used. But now everything is “edgy.”
i think all reality shows suck…..basically because all reality tv shows are staged…….obviously……since theyre on tv……so whats the point?……why call something realistic if its fake…….hmmm…..lemme guess……ratings…..o yea……cant forget about those…..WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE????!?!??? dont they realize its fake and stupid? wtf?!?
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