Like the Food Network, HGTV would like to have a roster of well-known personalities that can draw an audience simply by appearing in a special. But unlike chefs, designers need a bit more than a couple of pans and some balsamic vinegar to show off their talents. Any type of interior design requires a lot of infrastructure and planning. As a result, it's not easy to come up with a workable design equivalent to "Iron Chef."

The network managed to come up with a pretty solid format last summer when it launched "HGTV Summer Showdown," a limited-run series of specials that pitted familiar HGTV personalities against each other. Hosted by George Gray, the typical episode pitted designer Lisa LaPorta and carpenter Carmen De La Paz against Carter Oosterhouse and Angelo Surmelis, as each team set out to make over America's ugliest kitchen.

"Showdown" is back for another round of specials, and while the format and host might have changed, the overall feel of the programs is similar to last summer's programs.

First, the changes. "HGTV Showdown" is now hosted by native Australian and award-winning designer Jamie Durie. While he might not be familiar to most viewers, he does have a great deal of design expertise and a solid approach to hosting. Producers have also dropped the trio of judges, which always seemed like a clunky part of "Summer Showdown." Other than deciding which design is better, the judges didn't have much of role during the show. The judging is now done directly by the couple or family whose room is receiving the makeover. It's a good move, and cuts out some of the fat from the previous shows. The other changes are less obvious, including cutting the overall project time to four hours.

All of the retooling has the effect of streamlining the show, and giving the designers as much camera time as possible to show off their skills.

Last week's premiere episode pitted interior designer Genevieve Gorder ("Dear Genevieve") and carpenter Carter Oosterhouse ("Carter Can") against Monica Pederson ("Designed To Sell") and Eric Stromer ("Over Your Head"). I wasn't in love with the episode, primarily because there was this silly battle over a coffee table, and because Stromer is still recovering from a serious car wreck. So he was moving much slower overall and was forced to have someone life things for him. The result was an episode that just seemed to be all over the place.

Week two's episode pits two teams into a bit of a "HGTV Design Star" rematch. Design Star" season two winner Kim Myles ("Myles Of Style") is teamed up with season three runner-up Matt Locke. Season three winner Jennifer Bertrand is teamed with runner-up Todd Davis (who lost to Myles). While the casting might seem to be a bit of a stunt, the truth is that it's probably the best team-up of the series.

Bertand has kept a pretty low profile since winning "Design Star" last summer. Thanks in part to a pregnancy, her only real network appearance was a one-off hourly special entitled "Paint-Over With Jennifer Bertrand." So her fans will enjoy seeing her back in her element, making over a room.

Both teams are tasked with coming up with design for a kid's playroom, and they ultimately come up with two wildly different approaches to the challenge. Bertrand pulls out her typical mural design, while Kim Myles' approach gives the kids a stage that runs the length of one wall.

The thing that struck me most after watching the episode is that both Todd Davis and Matt Locke really deserve to be on HGTV a lot more frequently. Davis is Mr. Extreme Design, but while his ideas are way out there, they're also jaw-droppingly clever. For this project, he put together a playhouse/stage that folded back against the wall and resembled a set of drapes when not in use. It was a solution so surprising that it left Myles and Locke a bit stunned. As for Matt Locke, he's just extremely comfortable on camera. He's personable, and has a real flair for making complex design ideas seem simple and easily replicated.

While I won't give away the identity of the winning team, it wasn't an obvious choice. And the hour was really entertaining and informative. I'm not sure what excuse HGTV can give to get these folks back together, but I'd love to see more of them.

Next week's episode matches designer John Gidding and carpenter James Lunday ("Rip And Renew") against designer Taniya Nayak and carpenter Steve Henneman ("Hammer Heads") as they battle to come up with the best master bedroom. Week four is the season finale, and it's a battle of landscapers. Designer Frank Fontana ("Design On A Dime") and landscaper Gary Gragg ("Landscape Smart") battle Lauren Lake ("Spice Up My Kitchen") and carpenter Chip Wade ("Designed To Sell") to deliver the design with the most curb appeal.

"HGTV Showdown" airs on HGTV Sundays at 9:00 pm ET/PT through March 1st, 2009.