Did anyone watch Extreme Makeover Home Edition last night?

[BlondieK143]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this show. (not just because Ty is amazingly handsome and crazy). I really have to applaud those that work on the show and those that work to build the houses for people who actually need it. Last night (in case you missed it) was about two separate families that were homeless (living in shelters, on people's couches, etc). That in itself was beautiful enough, but the thing that most affected me was a homeless man Paul (the nuts and bolts man) took extra care of. When they visited the homeless shelter the man told Paul he'd help out doing anything and Paul took him up on the offer. The man just seemed so genuinely eager to help out even though the help wasn't going to benefit him. The profound thing.. the show actually found him a full time job. I don't know about you (well, those of you who saw the show), but I lost it right there! That was so amazingly sweet and touching. It just makes me realize how lucky we all are. Just wanted to add that thought to your day.

[Mika]

1. I cracked up too

Reminded me of Cuba, where no family goes without a home. No community there would accept it, so they all pitch in and make it happen - without a TV show.

Still, I like the show despite the ads.

[ClassWarrior]

2. It's one of the few examples of caring and empathy...

...available on the corporate box today. And I'm proud to say those are Progressive values.

NGU.

[Lavender Brown]

3. The part where the man found out about the job

actually did make me choke up. The poor guy looked really emaciated and ill. I love Paul, he *always* cries on the show.

[tcoursen]

4. How long do they get to stay there?

I had a few issues with the show last night. Generally I really like the show because I think it is great how they help these people that have real problems.

So they help a family that is living in a shelter with I believe that they said 23 other families. So why were these particular families the ones chosen? Seems unfair to the other familes that live in that shelter. Hey we want to help out, but we are only doing this for this family. Sure they rebuilt the rec center.

At the end of the show they get the guy a construction job. So now that he is working again how long do they get to stay in this nice new kick-ass house that they build these people? What incentive do these people have to actually move out of this dream home? I don't know if they pay rent on that house or anything like that, but say in a few months of working the guy has some money and they could get an apartment, or maybe in a year they have enough for a downpayment for a small house, why would they move into an apartment? Isn't this going to get them used to a certain level of living and make it harder for them to actually move out of that "temporary" housing?

At one point I believe they said they were building 7000 sq. feet. So I would assume that they split it equal, so each family got 3500 sq. ft. That is A LOT of house. Why not build 4 units of 1750 sq. ft.? 3500 sq feet seems a little over the top for the situation.

I also didn't like how they specialized all the rooms and such for the houses last night. They made a math room for the boys and a room for the girl. Well, these people are only supposed to live there temporarily right. So what happens when the next family moves in? What if the next family has all boys, or all girls? I think in the situation last night they should have built the house a little more generic.

Heck, why not do something to all the units to help all 20+ of the families in those units?

[Lavender Brown]

5. Well

I don't think those two families were living in the housing development to begin with. One family (the single mom and her children) was staying in the living room of a friend, the other was in an overnight-only shelter, and they were riding on the city buses all day to keep warm.

They personalized the rooms even though the families might not be there permanently ... I mean, the whole point of the show is that they make people feel good and cared about after they've been in a de-moralizing situation, so if they didn't personalize at least the kids' rooms it would be kind of odd. It was nice that they made the houses wheelchair-accessible to accomodate future families, though. At any rate, it's "Extreme Makeover" not Habitat for Humanity. :shrug:

and welcome to DU! :hi:

[tcoursen]

6. You could tell the families really liked it

You could just tell that the families themselves were OVERWHELMED.

It probably was way way more than they expected.

Giving the guy the job was probably just as important to them as getting the house.

I was suprised that they didn't get them cars. They almost always seem to be able to get a family that needs a car a nice new vehicle.

And why didn't they get the single mom a job, or did she have a job? I missed the part where they introduced her. I was real confused when i turned it back on and they were building two houses and had two families.

It is amazing how they keep coming up with families that seem to be more needy than the previous one. Just when you think they can't find a more screwed up situation, they do seem to find one.

[Cadence]

7. I missed it last night.

I wish I would have seen it. I love that show. It restores my faith in humanity. That crew is so genuine and compassionate. It's great. I cry everytime.