Ever Wonder How Home Improvement Hosts Get Their Gig?
Are They Really Handy Or Are They Actors Who Just Make It Look Easy?
DIY Network Takes Viewers Behind-the-Scenes on STUD FINDER - Premiering February 25 at 9 p.m. ET/PT
Admit it. You’re a closet home improvement show watcher. Television viewers are riveted to the small screen as the hosts of these fast-paced and often moving programs oversee the demolition and reconstruction of a new room, or in some cases, an entire home, all while making the "nice-nice" to the camera! So who are these home improvement geniuses? And what goes into a search for the ultimate how-to contractor? On Sunday, Feb. 25 at 9 p.m. ET/PT, DIY Network, the go-to television and online resource for any type of do-it-yourself project, will answer those questions and many more with the premiere of STUD FINDER, an hour-long special hosted by DIY Network host and contractor extraordinaire Amy Matthews.
When DIY Network made a decision to search nationwide for their newest on-air talent and next home improvement host, they took their cameras on the road to capture all the excitement. From on-site auditions across the country to hundreds of video entries, viewers will see what it takes to make a dent in this very popular genre in STUD FINDER.
"Not everyone can host a do-it-yourself program," said Freddy James, DIY Network’s vice president of programming. "It requires an intense knowledge of how-to and a level of enthusiasm which is difficult to master." He added: "Luckily, we were successful in finding our ultimate STUD FINDER and we think America will agree that we made the perfect choice."
In the end, three passionate DIY viewers are selected to go "hammer-to-hammer" for the chance to host their own DIY Network show later this year: Full-time firefighter Darla Pitts, a 31-year-old from Chicago who enjoys rehabbing old homes and flipping them for profit; Matt Blashaw, a 30-year-old self-employed handyman who resides in Brea, Calif.; and Gionni Thompson, a 35-year-old father of three and a science teacher at Aurora, Colorado′s Hinkley High School. DIY′s STUD FINDER special documents the challenges these finalists face and shows how the winner received the surprise announcement and appeared on NBC′s Today Show. In addition, the program goes behind-the-scenes of DIY′s popular programs to reveal what really happens in a home makeover show.
For more information on STUD FINDER, DIY Network, experts, tips, and additional home improvement programs, visit www.DIYnetwork.com. Viewers can also logon to DIY′s companion Web site and keyword search "Stud Finder" to test their home improvement skills, and watch the try-out videos of the STUD FINDER finalists and contestants.
