"Trading Spaces" (2000) TV series 2000-2008

User Rating:

5.4/10   

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | unknown

Genre:

Reality-TV

Plot:

Two teams, two days, $1000. Each with the help of a professional designer and carpenter, this show pits...

Plot Keywords:

Home Improvement | Redecorating | Interior Decorator | Interior Design | Remake

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys. Another 1 win & 4 nominations

Cast

Paige Davis	...	Herself - Host / ... (79 episodes, 2001-2008)
Frank Bielec	...	Himself - Designer / ... (40 episodes, 2000-2008)
Hildi Santo Tomas	...	Designer / ... (40 episodes, 2000-2008)
Alex McLeod	...	Herself - Host (40 episodes, 2000-2001)
Faber Dewar	...	Himself - Carpenter / ... (32 episodes, 2003-2008)

Runtime:

60 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Filming Locations:

Alexandria, Virginia, USA

Company:

RIVR Media

Trivia:

The second host, Paige Davis, was let go at the end of 2004 so the show could go to an essentially "hostless" format, where the designers would present the redecorating. This was done as a cost cutting effort when ratings began to decline. This format continued for three years (2005, 2006, and 2007), but ratings suffered as a result. In 2008, Davis was brought back as host, and the use of neighbors was changed to family members, to try to recapture audiences who had abandoned the show.

Quotes:

Homeowner: How do you like the paint job?
Designer: Horrible! Wrong colors! Good times!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Little Mosque on the Prairie: A Hard Day's Fight (#3.9)" (2008)

Definitely NOT "Changing Rooms"!

I started watching "Trading Spaces" before I stumbled onto "Changing Rooms" on BBCAmerica about a month later. Talk about a difference!

While the American version tries very hard to capture the charm of it's older British sister, it, more often than not, fails miserably. First off, the homeowners of the British version, from what I've seen, are much more willing to be part of the team with open minds and work very hard in making the room a masterpiece. More than once have I seen the Americans whine about working, staying up long hours to finish their "homework", and the designs involved. Generally, the Americans just seem like a huge pain in the behind to work with, but the designers sometimes don't make it any easier, bringing us to point number two.

While many of the designs in "Changing Rooms" may be a bit unusual but still livable in an approach to decorating, some of the design ideas of "Trading Spaces" are completely off the wall and off the mark. Hilda must GO, just for the simple fact that she cannot work well with the homeowners and argues with them until she gets her way, much like a small child. One episode comes to mind when she painted the walls of a fellow's bedroom black, which the neighbours already knew he would hate, and ripped up the carpet he loved. Needless to say, the homeowner was appalled at Hilda's vision, which she was warned about and apparently didn't seem to care. I'm not crazy about Doug's design ideas, either, and it's a trial to watch when him and Hilda are at the helm. Genevieve seems to be the only designer who is down to earth in her designs generally and we don't see her nearly enough.

The few bright spots of the programme have got to be Frank, an extremely flamboyant designer whose one-liners are usually better than his designs, and Amy, the female carpenter who doesn't take crap or guff from anyone on the show when it comes to her building for them.