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Review:
Designer's Challenge
Written
By Rick Ellis, November 23rd, 2000
Maybe it's just
a coincidence, but ever since BBC America added Changing
Rooms to their schedule last year, I've started seeing
more and more shows that feature some version of that show's basic
premise: challenging designers to come up with the best idea within
a given budget.
While HGTV's
new series Designer's Challenge isn't precisely the same
show, it does serve as a companion piece. And although it's not
nearly as hopeless as TLC's Trading Places, it isn't quite a must-see
experience.
At least, not
yet.
Like much of
HGTV's programming, Designer's Challenge does have a host
(Charis Harrison), but he's relegated to a minimal role. A couple
of brief wrap around intros, and the rest is just voice-over work.
And frankly, that's the main flaw of the show.
Each episode
features a house with a specific problem that needs to be addressed.
In the case of this particular episode, homeowners Alberta Chu and
Murray Robinson want to bring in more daylight and create better
nighttime lighting in their small den. The two homeowners have a
few suggestions going in: Change the furniture and layout. Change
the paneling on the walls and closet doors. Integrate the fireplace
into the room. Improve storage and shelving. All with a budget of
$15,000.
Viewers are
introduced to three designers or design groups, each one of whom
makes a brief presentation to the couple. And in many ways, that
segment is the most fascinating.
While you might
suspect that there are a limited number of choices that can be made
with such a limited space. But the three designers come up with
three wildly differing approachs--from a simple makeover to a drastic
gutting of the room.
But the time
the couple is shown making the decision (they go with the simplest
approach), the episode is nearly over. So while we have plenty of
time to watch designer William Davidson and homeowner Alberta Chu
ponder their lounging chair options (geez, do you think they promised
the furniture store a plug?), there's no time after that for anything
but a quick look at the finished product.
Designer's
Challenge isn't a bad show, but it begs out for a host more
tightly integrated with the show. A different type of host would
be in there asking questions and moving the show along. As it stands
now, viewers are often left with more questions than answers after
watching an episode. Why did they pick one designer over the other?
Are they surprised by anything that happened during the changes?
What would they do over if they had a chance?
There's
nothing wrong with programming that's dry and informative. But in
a show called "Designer's Challenge," you'd expect at
least a little excitement.
Otherwise,
why not just call it "Designer's Options"?
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