While You Were Out

There is a handful of reality TV home (room) improvement shows on the air lately, but this has to be my favorite of the bunch. It features Teresa Strasser as the dry-humored girl-next-door host, Andrew Dan-Jumbo as the hunky yet timid carpenter, and Leslie Segrete as the efficient and cutesy seamstress/carpenter. The designers vary according to the different episodes (as well as the homeowners' tastes); Stephen Saint-Onge is the traditionalist, Chayse Dacoda is experimental, John Bruce is innovative, and Mayita Dinos and Peter BonSey are the theme-oriented backyard/patio designers.

The premise is usually one person surprising another person (a spouse, roommate, etc.) with a complete room makeover while the person being surprised is kept out of the house for the two-day duration (that's the sole similarity to Trading Spaces; the two days of work). The budget for each room/backyard/patio is $1500-$1800 (the outdoor makeovers usually require $1800). The WYWO staff has a camera person following the person being surprised in the guise of a market researcher or something similar on their trip. The footage is used for three quizzes during each show for the homeowners to try and win prizes that add to the decor of the spaces (some of the booby prizes for the wrong answers are a hoot).

The team seems to get along really well for the most part; however, they've managed to run into occasional snags in some episodes and had some personality conflicts (particularly Andrew and Chayse). I think that there's much less shock value when it comes to the designs and complying with the homeowners' wishes; however, because of some of the obstacles that arise with the carpentry or whatever, it's still reality TV.

Anyway, this show is very entertaining because of its witty host, there aren't any annoying designers (well, Chayse can be a bit annoying at times), and it's enjoyable to watch the surprise makeover recipients have no idea about what's going on during their candid video footage. It also makes redecorating look so darned easy! Oh, if only I could find the motivation to repaint my mauve-pink bedroom walls and rip out my '80s magenta wall-to-wall carpeting (sigh...).

I like While You Were Out. I like it more than I ever liked Trading Spaces, What Not to Wear, and any other reality show or show in general on TLC.

It's better for a number of reasons. Some of them being that it focuses on one room for the entire show, the host whether it's Evan or Theresa, the carpenters, mainly Andrew and Leslie, and the fact that its a surprise for a loved person.

I think that the dry humor, the banter, the interaction with the home-owner, the end result, the prizes, and goofing around is just plain fun television. The innovative designs are a far cry from the cheap looking designs on Trading Spaces. Everything about the show is what makes reality home improvement shows some of the best television that is out right now.

I love the show now that Evan Farmer is hosting. I remember him from 2gether and when I saw him on While You Were Out I kept watching and tuned in every week just to watch him. I also watch for the designs and if the people find out if their house is getting redone with new designs. The show is funny and surprising at times and I never get bored watching it. I love the room designs and I wish I could have my room made over by the While You Were Out cast. While You Were Out is a great show and I would recommend it for everyone to watch. Everyone should give the show a chance. The cast has a lot of chemistry among each other and the teamwork is amazing. Hope you watch While You Were Out and become a fan of the great show.

I love this show but if I hear Ananda say that I am a carpenter, as a carpenter, as a designer and carpenter . . . I'll stop watching. You are now a hostess. Get over yourself!

Sorry but I am sick and tired of rich people who have fancy houses and can afford makeovers being on this show. Why can't they do this for regular people who don't have husband's who are pilots and don't live in expensive homes. You want better ratings? Start doing $10.000. make overs for middle class who can't afford to pay someone to fix up their homes. Then, you would get genuine praise from homeowners who really would appreciate a makeover.