Adding on: 'This Old House' expands
It may be hard to believe, but "This Old House" has been a fixture on PBS for 24 years. Over the years, the crew has become like old friends who are always there with some good advice and a helping hand. The half-hour home remodeling show continually captivates viewers, even through a change of hosts.
Steve Thomas smoothly replaced Bob Vila years ago and instantly connected with master carpenter Norm Abram. Over the years, the crew has expanded to include general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating specialist Richard Trethewey and landscape contractor Roger Cook.
The response to the show is often overwhelming with hundreds of people requesting their house be featured on the show. Unfortunately the series only works on one or two houses each season. Hoping to address viewers' interest, the producers have created a new show to include more people.
"Ask This Old House" joins the original show for the "The New This Old House Hour." "Ask This Old House" encourages readers to contact the show with questions on how to fix up their homes.
"Want to rehang an old door, reglaze a window?" asks Thomas. "Don't be shy. Send us a letter. Send us an e-mail."
The premiere episode includes questions from Julia in Ohio who wants to know how to fix damaged screens and Colin from San Diego who wants to know how to sharpen his lawn mower blade.
If the crew is close, they will hop in the truck and take a ride to the viewer's house to help with the repair. When Paul, of Arlington, Mass., wrote to say he hit his head walking down his basement stairs, Tom paid him a visit. In one afternoon, Tom helped Paul shorten his stairs, which provides additional head clearance.
"Ask This Old House" moves quickly from one tip to another. This show is guaranteed to become an essential program for homeowners and anyone who likes to tackle do-it-yourself projects.
The new season of "This Old House" features a 1922 Colonial Revival house in Winchester, Mass. The house seems to be in good shape regarding electrical, plumbing and structural areas. Most of the work will probably be cosmetic.
"We fell in love with the house and the neighborhood, and imagine this is how it was in the 1920s," homeowner Kim Whittemore tells Steve.
Whittemore and her husband, Bruce Leasure, moved to the Boston suburb from Huntsville, Ala. One of the first things they did upon moving to Massachusetts was contact "This Old House." Whittemore and Leasure have been fans of the show for years and were determined to have the crew help them with their new home. They sent the show's producers numerous letters, e-mails and even a large binder detailing their plans for the house.
The season premiere takes the obligatory tour around the house while Steve discusses the future plans with Whittemore. There is also an opening sequence that is filmed in black and white. Steve pretends to be a businessman making the commute from Boston to Winchester in 1924.
Abrams picks him up at the train station in a 1929 Model Ford A "Woody."
While the guys are trying to have a little fun, the segment does not enhance the show much. It only becomes interesting as the two drive through the community and discuss the town's history and building codes.
"This Old House" has found a formula that works. It's not hard to believe that the show may last another 24 years.
'This Old House' premieres at at 8 p.m. Oct. 10 on PBS
'Ask This Old House' premieres at 8:30 p.m. Oct. 10 on PBS
