Which of the following television home-building personalities would you want to work on your house?
- Ty Pennington
- Bob Vila
- Norm Abram
- JoAnne Liebeler
- Dean Johnson
- Other
You will not be able to change your vote.
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Replies
What no Tom Silva? Shame on you.
Wow -- the ink wasn't even dry on the poll when you found it.
In my defense, I just post the polls, I don't think 'em up. For years I didn't even own a TV. I'm clueless about most of these "personalities."
I thought I smelled ink and even heard some typing. I just got up this morning.
I picked Norm instead of other, not as much for his craftsmanship but admiration for what I consider his success as one of us good-old-boys done good.
If Norm can get this famous with a hammer then there's a chance for me.
As to Tom, like most of us 2nd, 3rd and 4th generational carpenters, what else we gonna do for a career. Most of us do it all. Only because were older and smarter now do we try to limit our work to the comfy gravy of Norms world.
Frankly the show has proven itself to be interested in portraying the crafts in their best light and highest quality. You find little stagecraft sloppyness like most of the HGTV shows.
TOH shows the rest of the world if nothing else that respect of craft and client still exist among good men and women of the trades.
Good Morning Ruth...
absolutely no why fors or how comes this time..Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
Well, of the personalities listed I would choose Norm, but as someone else stated I would prefer Tom Silva. And if you do not think Tommy is a personality then you obviously don't watch much TOH. Maybe jealousy is why he wasn't on the list.
I like that little redhead on trading places. No I wouldnt let her do anything but it be good to watch all day..It doesn't matter who he is, just so long as he says something "we" like. RJW 1/07
That would be 'other' , right?_______________________________________________________________
Compassion is the radicalism of our time. - Dalai Lama
That's why I voted for other--I was thinking of Tom Silva. Like wife said, "Norm Abrams if you have tons of money." I would definitely think of Norm for the built-ins and fancy woodwork, but Tom Silva for just about everything else. I think I'd get along with either of them too. Ty would be a bit much very soon. Liebler is easy on the eyes, but I don't know that I'd really believe she knew what she was doing or could actually do the work (without a huge crew behind the scenes). Dean Johnson would be easy to get along with, but again, I wouldn't be sure he isn't much more than an actor.
I don't know if you have seen hometime recently.But they are doing bathroom remodel on JoAnne's house. So she is working along with Dean and the new girl.Also this is their 20th aniversery. So they are showing some clips and outtakes from the orginal shows.Lots of screw ups..
.
A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
>>>>>>>>>But they are doing bathroom remodel on JoAnne's house. So she is working along with Dean and the new girl.They also introduced JoAnne's "partner", "Jill" or something. I can't remember her name.http://logancustomcopper.com
http://grantlogan.net/
It's like the whole world's walking pretty and you can't find no room to move. - the Boss
I married my cousin in Arkansas - I married two more when I got to Utah. - the Gourds
"They also introduced JoAnne's "partner", "Jill" or something. I can't remember her name."
That was her sister, who I've met (she's a friend of a friend.) Unless JoAnne's had a major mid-life crisis I don't think there are any partners going on....
Guess I wasn't watching that closely. I remember the sister who was featured pretty prominantly on one show. Must have imagined the "partner". I thought it was the last show of that project and they just quickly introduced her. I've been wrong before. BTW, I caught JoJo doing standup on some show one night while flipping channels. Good thing she know how use some power tools. She might have to fall back on it.http://logancustomcopper.com
http://grantlogan.net/
It's like the whole world's walking pretty and you can't find no room to move. - the Boss
I married my cousin in Arkansas - I married two more when I got to Utah. - the Gourds
Tom Silva or any of his brothers.
Or even his sisters!!!!
I saw a bit of Hometime over the weekend, and one of the hosts was pregnant. (The female one, just in case you weren't sure)I'm not really sure who she is. I think the guy is Dean something, but I don't watch the show much. DW gets mad when I make fun of them.(-:
In politics stupidity is not a handicap. [Napoleon Bonaparte]
Thats the problem with that show..They dont show ya how to get out of trouble...On TV every cut is correct every corner is square , every cab they order is the right on..no thinking or problem solveing. Gives people the idea thateverything is just peachy..
View Image Official Jeff Buck Memorial Tagline "
Id like Ron Hazelton. He seem more down to earth. Especially with repairs.
View Image Official Jeff Buck Memorial Tagline "
> Dean Johnson would be easy to get along with, but again, I wouldn't be sure he isn't much more than an actor.
Actually, he isn't much of an actor. Robin Hartl was hired mainly for her ability to remember and deliver the lengthy explanations that were taking too many takes when Dean tried them. Watch their shows, and notice who says the most words in one shot.
-- J.S.
exactly... tom silva here too...
Tom silva shoud be on the list as well as the others that is wjy i voted other.
note norn is number one
on my list but also bob vika tommy silvia joann and dean rank hi as well.
bob and norm for the longest running crafts person and dean and joanne are number 2 they all hold a vary great place in my hart and all of them as a part of my fanmily.
they all shuld be number 1 over all in my book each one brings a lot to the table and give a lot of good info for the 30 mints that they each show each in the way there show are formated.
i would love to have them all for each knowa so much and one person can lern from eachother.
Candice Olson
For The Win.
The tool belt diva.
And I wouldn't care if she got anything done.
_______________________________________________________________
Compassion is the radicalism of our time. - Dalai Lama
That's why I voted for Joanne...I am easily entertained<G> "But to be honest some folks here have been pushing the envelope quite a bit with their unnecessary use if swear words. They just put a character in to replace a letter. But everyone knows what they're saying." Sancho
Of course Joann...everyone else here is gay...lol http://WWW.CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
Joanne's first name was Joe...
I'd have to agree with the Diva. Otherwise, Tom Silva if I wanted anything done.
Headstrong, I'll take on anyone!
Can Boss Hog's "carpenters helper" be considered under "other"?
Terry
Well put that diva in the carps helper work clothes and Ill pull up a chair and watch her all day...
View Image Official Jeff Buck Memorial Tagline "
Yeah, Boss's new helper gets my vote also.
Norm just so I check out all his tools :>)
View Image Official Jeff Buck Memorial Tagline "
That was my vote, but then I thought about Tim Allen, cause I'm such a pig.“How many observe Christ’s birthday! How few, his precepts! O! ‘tis easier to keep Holidays than Commandments.” —Benjamin Franklin
Please explain to me why folks like Bob Villa and Norm Abrahams host DIY shows. They're certainly knowledgable and all that, but I'm betting that they seldom spend time doing the kind of grunt work that a true DIY'er does..or even a typical pro for that matter.
And another thing, those guys are routinely working on homes that cost upwards of a million dollars or more. What's that all about? People who can afford homes like that probably sub out their lawn mowing. Most DIYer's are common folks who live in common houses. We don't hire interior designers, architectural gurus, and specialists who know how to capture the essence of zen, much less sub out ALL of the installation work. These shows don't really reflect the "do-it-yourself" venue that I'm accustomed to.
I buy most of my building products from places like Lowes and most of my tools from stores like Sears. I can't recall the last time I heard someone on "This Old House" mention that they picked up a great deal at Home Depot.
The houses in the neighborhoods where I live often have shingles, vinyl siding, and bathrooms that don't resemble a carwash. I sure wish they'd do an episode on linoleum now and then. We DIYer's see a lot of that in our world.
I learn a lot watching the different DIY shows, but their target audience would probably benefit from them a lot more if the shows were more mainstream. The again, maybe that demonstrates just how far I am from the mainstream.
MichaelNew knowledge is priceless.
Used knowledge is even more valuable.
I don't consider TOH a DIY show, nor was it ever. the work was always subbed. Norm was the first hired carp on TOH.Haven't seen Bob Villa in a while, but his show was not DIY.
bobl Volo, non valeo
Baloney detecter WFR
"But when you're a kibbutzer and have no responsibility to decide the facts and apply the law, you can reach any conclusion you want because it doesn't matter." SHG
"I don't consider TOH a DIY show, nor was it ever."
If I'm not mistaken, The DIY channel routinely does commercials touting TOH as the show which kicked off the DIY craze.
"Haven't seen Bob Villa in a while, but his show was not DIY."
No, it wasn't, and that was precisely my point. However, everything about Bob Villa seems to be marketed with DIYer's in mind, i.e. spokesperson for Sears.
New knowledge is priceless.
Used knowledge is even more valuable.
>>>>>>>>>The houses in the neighborhoods where I live often have shingles, vinyl siding, and bathrooms that don't resemble a carwash. I sure wish they'd do an episode on linoleum now and then. We DIYer's see a lot of that in our world.I disagree. I've learned from TOH and their ilk that if I can afford linoleum professionally installed then I can also afford fancy tile DIY'd. I've done lots of projects in my own houses that were suggested by these shows. I understand your point, but personally, I'm not interested in how to install vinyl siding. We like to dream. If all TV shows followed your logic then all we'd see would be shows about the ordinary and mundane.http://logancustomcopper.com
http://grantlogan.net/
It's like the whole world's walking pretty and you can't find no room to move. - the Boss
I married my cousin in Arkansas - I married two more when I got to Utah. - the Gourds
Well let's take Norm's New Yankee Workshop for instance.
I only own about half of the tools he does, but I still like the show & can build the things he does, it just takes longer & have to use different tools.
As far as Bob Villa, he just gets in the professionals way doesn't he?
I'm not a big fan of TOH, cause most that I have seen is about restoring, I did like Hometime, mainly to get new ideas about different products.
I put them in the same class as cooking shows, I'm not a professional chef, & Paul Prudome will cook circles around me, but it's great for new ideas.“How many observe Christ’s birthday! How few, his precepts! O! ‘tis easier to keep Holidays than Commandments.” —Benjamin Franklin
Bill
That workshop that Norm works out of is not his, that belongs to Moresh, the producer of the show.
Doug
My vote would have to go for Riley ?, white bibs and a bandage on one of his fingers almost every time he was on TOH.
I had an opportunity to put windows in an Extreme Makeover Home Edition build in Iowa last fall. It was amazing to be a part of and see a house being built in 93 hours.
I arrived around two in the afternoon, the framers were placing the last few trusses, I left at 10:30 pm that night and the drywallers were getting started. Roof was on, shingled, house was wired, plumbed, HVAC installed, insulated, windows and doors installed. It was something to see, as was Paige!
Paige Hemmis and Ed Sanders (really didn't know who they were as I'd only seen the show once or twice prior to going) were there the day I was on site, Ty was somewhere schmoozing the sponsors, which wasn't a bad thing IMO.
The home that was replaced had burnt and the new home has a fire sprinkler system, I thought that was a nice touch.
Take care,
Saw
to go for Riley ?, white bibs and a bandage on one of his fingers almost every time he was on TOH
I know he was on BV's Home Again; I don't remember him on TOH (which could just be my memory, too).
On HA, Riley always had a dress shirt with the white painter's bibs; and some new injury. I remember they were re-vinyling a split level when he mitered off 2-3 of the fingers on his left hand cutting something freehand instead of using a saw horse.Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
Mike Holmes is my personal hero. I find myself quoting him often : "Did they do this right, no they didn't!"Do everything you do to the very best of your ability, or don't bother doing it at all.
like Bob Villa . . . certainly knowledgable
BwhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaSamT
So much of the success of a company is not determined by degrees but temperature. gb93433 83537.46
why folks like Bob Villa and Norm Abrahams host DIY shows
Well, Bob V is the son of an old "South Bay Porty-gee" plasterer; and as such knew a bit about remodel work when Russ Morash wanted to create a TV show on remodeling for Boston PBS (¿KOBH?)
Norm got involved in the second (I think) season of TOH as a PM of sorts, after having 'done' a few jobs for the show. Norm has a strong construction (framing moslty, IIRC) background already.
Most of the other 'names' were both available, and telegenic enough to be "returning characters" of a sort. The "Barn rebuild" I think was the first Silva episode; he and his bros would not be back for a bit. Trethewey quickly became a regular, as much for being character as anything else.
Roger Cook got involved, if I have the story straight, becasue of "sharing" Russ Morash as a producer on Victory Garden.
Bob V definitely ket success go to his head. He had a couple condo jobs "go bad" (one was unpermitted and was required to be gutted). About the same time as some all-too-visible uh-ohs, there was the flap about Bob shilling for Sears, and Sears was not a sponsor of the show.
That's when they found Steve Thomas, former racing boat crew to host.
They had spun off AskTOH, when they went to help out a Boston banker with a plaster repair problem. Steve was a bit "tired" of the tv stuff; so meeting up with the banker, Kevin O'Conner, was a happy circumstance.
Short answer "Why're these people on tv?" Two things. Right place at the right time; and tough enough/telegenic enough to be on tv.Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
Michael -
I would disagree with your opinion about some of those hosts. Most of them have been there, done that and have the T-Shirts - lol
In my opinion, TOH and Hometime are the best of the bunch for these types of shows. True, TOH seems to be limited to multi-million dollar palaces, but they'll definitely give you the right info about how to do something. If anything, they sometimes over-do it. Hometime is more "real" and also does a good job.
At the bottom of my list are the DIY shows that feature the eye-candy. They seem to gloss over the "real world" stuff and make people think that it can really be done in an hour - for under $1000. HUH!!!
I think that if I see one more show where they replace a window with a patio door - and totally ignore that pesky receptacle and wiring under the window, I'm gonna throw something thru my TV screen. Moving that receptacle and wiring can turn into a real hassle sometimes but they never mention it. On one show, they ripped off the drywall and the wiring was right there in plain sight. When they returned from the commercials, everything had been rewired - but how and by whom never got mentioned.
Other Robin.
Joe H
AMEN!!!
Yeah, kind of a toss up between Silva Bros and Mike Holmes (other than having to 'book' either only in the winter locally <g>)
You ever see the resemblance of the DIVA to Our MSSHREDDER?
Methinks she is the same...took some work to get rid of the accent with a new one, but think..ever see them in the same room at the same time? AH ha..told ya.
Personally, I'd opt for working w/ Tommy Silva too...I like his action and philosophy.
I saw an episode ( what a great word!) of Norm cutting a cross cut on a sheet of MDF...3' 6.789" away from the cut off, his gut got hung up in a wad of flannel and scissor ends flopping of the unsupported start line...if his foot wasn't on the cord, or a fly in his eye..I'd be suprised.
He missed the 2nd P. section about fat guts and bugs in the 5 P's...Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance...
And Loose Flannel ( a very loose term, being as he is rotund these days and the buttons are straining) is a serious NO-NO.
The babeage on tv are just that, on TV. I work with a female, and lemme tell ya, she is with us CUZ she can't get a gig on TV, and Dale's SO kinda helps..but..I am old school, no girls on my scaffold..none. We never need a distraction, 0r a student that hasn't passed at least ground clean up duty first.
I'll shut up.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
The secret to a long life is knowing when its time to go. M. Shocked
Methinks she is the same...took some work to get rid of the accent with a new one, but think..ever see them in the same room at the same time? AH ha..told ya.
Well, I seem to remember at least mention of a sister (wimmins runs in pack doncha kno?) The trick would be asking Miz to say "butter" <g>
Personally, I'd opt for working w/ Tommy Silva too...I like his action and philosophy
Well, from the "fire" series, I'd be kind of interested in seeing the rest of the Silva Bros, if only to see how the acorns fell from the tree. That, and from AskTOH, Tommy's gotten real good at showing up, and watching you work <g>.Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
Hey- real men have a gut!
Then we have a WHOLE BUNCH of "real men" here on BT...lol.
When you're this good, EVERYONE wants a crack at you!
http://www.petedraganic.com/
"Personally, I'd opt for working w/ Tommy Silva too...I like his action and philosophy."every once in awhile I see him in the hardware store. Looks like anyone one else in work clothes.
bobl Volo, non valeo
Baloney detecter WFR
"But when you're a kibbutzer and have no responsibility to decide the facts and apply the law, you can reach any conclusion you want because it doesn't matter." SHG
I go by the seven P's: Prior, Proper, Planning, Prevents, Piss, Poor, Performance.
But I would love to see Bob Vila work on someone else house. Specifically someone that I did not like.
I like to see the tradesman alway correcting him when he tried to explain what product or technic that they are using.
.
A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
Bob the Builder. He can do it, yes he can.
But Bob the Builder is so...two dimesional!
So are my house plans.
No Holmes on Homes?
"Being a cowboy aint all ridin and shootin" - Tim Mooney
Holmes gets my vote. Do it once, do it right. He's also fair; points out the mistakes, yet never fails to give credit where it's due. Even if it's directed toward the guy whose screw-up he's fixing. Nice to hear someone who realizes that there's nothing to be gained by badmouthing your/our peers.
Hiya..guess we have different takes on Mr Wonderful. He's a charlatan in my books. And he's always running down the rest of the industry, as though him and his crowd are the only renovators who know what they are doing. He's more of a GC, anyway, since he subs out to the real pros most of the time. Oh, and the HOH on his licence plate? That is a fake plate...the real HOH in Ontario, Canada (where he is from and does his shows) belongs to another guy. More BS from a master. Anyhow, just 1 man's opinion!
"Good Enough" is NOT GOOD ENOUGH!
Edited 1/22/2007 9:46 pm ET by en2ohguy
OK, you could be right. I made my statements in light of the 4 or 5 episodes I've seen. Maybe I just caught him on his good days.
Thanks
No "none" category??
I'd just like to spend a few weeks talking to Norm about all the stuff he has seen. What a history he must have.
Looks like Norm has a STRONG lead.
BTW - they just filmed an episode of Extreme Makeover Home Edition here in Raleigh. I didn't get a chance to go but several guys I know did including my BI's, so I heard all about the behind the scenes, blow by blow. I'm sure this won't surprise much of anyone (except maybe the 2 who voted for TY Pennington - musta been someone of the fairer persuasion) but anyway, Ty and the designers don't actually do any building. It's just TV. The guys in tool belts "drop everything" and one of the actors slides in, and picks up the skill saw - or whatever... After the house was done they threw away an incredible amount of new materials...
No Amy Devers?
Cute and very skilled.
DIY to the rescue is a lot of bs but Freeform Furniture is awesome.
That Jenny girl from "In A Fix" should be on the list. :)
She's perty!
Edited 1/15/2007 6:54 pm ET by Stilletto
Nice call
Ms. Devers can show me around her shop anytime.
http://jhausch.blogspot.comAdventures in Home BuildingAn online journal covering the preparation and construction of our new home.
>>>>>>>>>they just filmed an episode of Extreme Makeover Home Edition here in Raleigh.They filmed one here a year or two ago and my next door neighbor said she was drinking in a bar with the on air faces in the afternoon.http://logancustomcopper.com
http://grantlogan.net/
It's like the whole world's walking pretty and you can't find no room to move. - the Boss
I married my cousin in Arkansas - I married two more when I got to Utah. - the Gourds
I had to go with "other" as I didn't see any of the really brilliant and talented artists listed... such as Jeff Buck, Jim Blodgett and Joe Fusco... just to name a few
In case you're not folowing my lead, they are all Breaktimers (limbo, current and past)
When you're this good, EVERYONE wants a crack at you!
http://www.petedraganic.com/
What are the voting criteria? Who do want to DO the work (as in what craftsman)? Or, is it who do you want to hang around your house while the work is being done.
JoAnne is a comedian.
Robin is an actor.
Give me Norm or Tommy, these are the craftsmen who actually understand what they are doing and can do the work,
Ty can be the motivator.
Bob can sell the products used.
Dean can watch.
And me and the Diva can consult._______________________________________________________________
Compassion is the radicalism of our time. - Dalai Lama
other.....
Heidi, from Tool Time. Her bibs had the fewest wrinkles. :)...The unspoken word is capital. We can invest it or we can squander it. -Mark Twain...
Be kind to your children....they will choose your nursing home.
oh yes..
second all those motions....Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
i'm goig with dean,he's as big of a screw up as me and not afraid to laugh at himself on tv. norm would make my overbudget status look like pennies. larry
hand me the chainsaw, i need to trim the casing just a hair.
Vila is the one that gets stupid with the going overbudget...Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
Your kidding, right.
Doug
You really need:
None of the Above- X
Red Green would be about right for me.
heidi klum!
ehemmmm.....i mean tom silva
When I was at the IPTW at St Clairsville, Ohio in October 2005 the keynote address was from Roy Underhill, host of PBS's ''the woodwright's shop.'' He sounds like a handy guy to have around, especially as he did not seem to need all the fancy tools that Norm uses. I am a great fan of Norm though, looking forward to watching him on TV when I get to Seattle next month.
Tom SILVA
Mike HOLMES
Me (but I aint no tv personality)
Scott
My vote is for ROY UNDERHILL of the woodwright's shop on PBS. It might take him a bit longer than the power tool guys, but it sure would be neat to watch.I wouldn't let Mike Holmes near my place. He just HIRES pros, he never does anything spectacular himself and I couldn't stand his whining and complaining. I can do that myself.
Mike Holmes has GOT to be on this list!
Ruth,
I understand that you aren't familiar with the subject but apparently neither is the person who made up the survey. How could anyone who knows the shows leave out Tom Silva and Silva Brothers.
I also think that those of you who think Norm would be too expensive aren't taking into consideration the types of houses you see him work on for the TV show. I'll bet he would adapt his work to the type of house and provide very good relative value.
Out of Square
Trying hard to transition from tool collector to woodworking craftsman.
JoAnne Liebeler ???? Pleeeaaasssee! Her partner is next on the list of unqualified personnel.
Gimme Norm Abrams for the trimwork and cabinetry. Give me Tom Silva as my G.C. . All the rest might have some skills, but most are probably just TV personalities backed up by some good assistants. I think Norm/Tom have been at it long before they were famous. If you took the "TV assistants" away from Norm/Tom, I know they would still be very knowledgable about every aspect of building the house.
I can't verify that it is true, but I heard many years ago that Norm was "discovered" by the TOH producer. He had noticed Norm's jobs while driving around and took note that his projects were neat and tidy and seemed to have much smaller debris piles during during construction than many of his competitors. He took this as a sign that the man was organized and used materials efficiently. I believe the "workshop" is the producers own shop. (I can't remember his name) Is Norm expensive? Perhaps. A great reputation is earned by bringing jobs in on budget, on time, and with quality. With all the lousy work being done out there, many people would much rather spend a little more to get the peace of mind a great reputation brings to a project.
I can't verify that it is true, but I heard many years ago that Norm was "discovered" by the TOH producer
I've heard similar, I think Norm has a degree in mechanical eng. (I think thats what I heard) and was a GC. On one of the shows (out on some island, maybe Nantucket) Norm takes steve to a store that he did the work on years before. Still looked good.
The shop as you stated belongs to Moresh the producer of TOH and Yankee workshop.
Doug
Norm's been on TOH since the beginning. They hired him as the GC for the first house they renovated, and decided to keep him on as a regular (that first house is interesting to look at now...I have a book they published that covers the first season, and they were really working on a budget back then. I remember the kitchen counters were orange Formica. :-) )
This is his bio, from Wikipedia.
Norm Abram (born 1950) is an American carpenter known for his work on the PBS television programs This Old House and The New Yankee Workshop. He is referred to on these shows as a "Master carpenter"[1].
Abram was born in Rhode Island and raised in Massachusetts. He attended high school in Milford, Massachusetts. During high school and college vacations, he learned construction from his father, who was also a carpenter.
Abram studied mechanical engineering and business administration at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He founded a general contracting firm called Integrated Structures Inc. in 1976, operating it until 1989.
Television shows Abram appears on include This Old House, a popular program about renovating and improving old houses; and The New Yankee Workshop, of which he is the host. The New Yankee Workshop first aired in 1989 and is a spinoff of This Old House. Both programs are produced by Russell Morash.
Abram has published eight books about carpentry: Ask Norm, The New Yankee Workshop, Classics From The New Yankee Workshop, Mostly Shaker From The New Yankee Workshop, Outdoor Projects From The New Yankee Workshop, Norm Abram's New House, Measure Twice, Cut Once, and The New Yankee Workshop Kids' Stuff.
Abram voiced the character of himself in the Freakazoid! episode "Normadeus". He had also appeared on Between the Lions and twice on Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? (two WGBH programs); and starred in a series of Foot Locker commercials titled "House of Hoops".
Abram is also on the board of trustees of Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, Massachusetts, and had the privilege of giving the 2001 commencement speech at The North Bennet Street School in Boston, which is renowned for its commitment to teaching craftsmanship.
Abram lives with his wife in a classic Colonial home that he built in Massachusetts. They enjoy cooking and entertaining, visiting art galleries and museums, as well as boating, fishing, and kayaking.
Norm for sure. Not that inarticulate bumbler Holmes. He really gets under my skin.
"Good Enough" is NOT GOOD ENOUGH!
Edited 1/22/2007 9:45 pm ET by en2ohguy
Does anybody watch American Builder on Comcast CN8? The main Carpenter Jim Lemire just makes me laugh. I can't tell if he is acting or just that funny. Kind of fun to watch when he gets ticked off.
I would be stuck between Mike Holmes and the Guys from Discovery Homes Garage Takeover- These guys strike me as more for real, and the budgets are more inline with reality.
To quote a couple of the best...........
Mike Holmes...."Nope, Don't like it. Take it down....take it all down!"
Norm Abrams...."Yes Bob.......But today we're gonna do it a little different!!!!""No doubt exists that all women are crazy; it's only a question of degree." - W.C. Fields
ty who??? besides i wouldnt have enough room for him, his camera crew and all his 'helpers'. ty should have stayed with his original show, now he's just become a commercial whore for sears and other box stores. ty has become the Oprah of the home renovation world
norm or tom ( even though he wasnt listed- why???) definately, anyone from this old house.
joanne - too much testosterone
dean - possible - if norm or tom werent available
other- there is no other.....
The poll does say which one would you want to WORK on your house right?
Why on earth is Bob Villa an option? As long ago as the early PBS days I can't ever recall seeing him lift a finger.
"So Norm your going to measure that board from the end to the 24" mark on your tape there so you'll 2 feet?"
"That's right Bob."
"Norm why is do they call this a finish?"
"Well Bob, it's the last protective coat applied to the material."
"Norm, why are these 16 pennys at times called spikes?"
"I belive it's because they resemble a spike, Bob."