And now, more "Hometime" news
John Krumm
interesting facts that I've been able to uncover recently about this
important TV program. And while I don't like to brag, even I would
have to say that I ended up with some pretty amazing information.
For those of you who don't know (as if), "Hometime" is a weekly
do-it-yourself show. Here in Pittsburgh it airs on public TV,
although I've seen it on commercial TV before also. It's hosted by
producer/director/star Dean Johnson and his red-headed sidekick
Susanne Egli. The emphasis is on how to do things around the home --
not necessarily woodworking -- but things like laying tile, putting up
fences, and other manly, important stuff like that. In this
reporter's opinion, it's one of the best DIY shows ever.
Surely you remember my posting about a friend of mine who tried out
for the "Hometime" hostess part. Well, she didn't get it, although
she would make an excellent hostess because she has red hair and looks
kind of like Susanne Egli. Anyway, she recently sent me the material
they give to the people auditioning for the part! What a scoop, eh?!
It includes a couple script segments -- one about how to use a paint
roller, and the other from the show they did on building a sauna in
Dean's parents' basement for their 40th wedding anniversary.
(Remember the surprise ending when JoAnne walked up the steps with
nothing on and unexpectedly met Dean's parents? Heh heh heh.)
Also included in these materials were some very interesting "Hometime"
facts. They started in 1986 with Peggy Knapp (who I didn't like too
much). She did 13 episodes with them, and now works on "Newton's
Apple". They now do 26 episodes per year, and are carried by almost
every PBS station in the country. The show is seen by 4-5 million
viewers each week. They currently shoot year-round, about four days
per week. The co-hosts work from prepared scripts which they memorize
and personalize. Each 1/2-hour show takes 7-10 days of shooting.
They make it clear that the hostess position should be considered a
long term job, not just a one or two-year "gig". Apparently Dean is
tired of being jilted.
My second exclusive source came on a little side trip I made over
Christmas break. I was able to penetrate the University of Minnesota
library and do a keyword search through their CD ROM collection of
articles from the "Minneapolis Star-Tribune". Since Minneapolis is
were they tape and produce "Hometime", it's pretty much the "Mecca" of
information on the show, much like Strasburg, ND is where you'd go to
find out the real poop on Lawrence Welk.
I learned from one article that "Hometime's" "Home of the Future" costs
$900,000 and, as of 25 November 1991, was for sale for $595,000. Dean
Johnson's "Hometime" (he is also the president it turns out -- sheesh)
invested $600,000 in the house.
There were also a few DIY articles written by Johnson and ex-hostess
JoAnne Liebler (more about her later). The one I'm looking at now is
called "Latex paint is first choice for most home jobs". Obviously,
that pair is not one to shy away from controversy. Was this an
attempt at a syndicated series of such articles? Did JoAnne really
have much to do with writing them? And is it still best to use an
oil-based primer on metal surfaces?
"Hometime" seems to be a regular topic of the local gossip column. Of
course we all know about the tragic departure of JoAnne Liebler from
the show. She had been cohost starting in 1987 up until about 1992 or
so. At that time she decided to make her way in Hollywood, perhaps
getting into comedy. And now, according to the article, Susanne Elgi
is planning to leave too. The official reason is that the show's
production schedule is too demanding for her. She'll stay on and work
for "Hometime's" radio show (news to me). They're now in the process
of finding cohost number four. Apparently they asked JoAnne to come
back, but she refused. And get this, Dean admitted that home
improvement gets boring after a while (also news to me), and that he
didn't expect JoAnne to return. Wow.
O.K., hold onto your socks now, this is the big one: Dean might be in a
major motion picture. That was not a misprint. I'll quote from the
newspaper's gossip column:
The handyman star of PBS' "Hometime" may be seen in
Robert Altman's upcoming "Short Cuts" ... Things were
frenetic as technical magic transferred clips from
various "Hometime" episodes to a tape that was dispatched
to L.A. 1 1/2 hours after the show's Pam Price was
called. "Hometime" got the call when "This Old House"
dropped an unexpected demand on Altman's people. The way
Price hears it, "'This Old House' strung them along for
weeks ... and then said 'We want thousands of dollars.'
So they called us and we turned it around for them." One
scene for the movie involves an ex-husband -- tools in
hand -- who goes psycho, dismantling his ex-wife's house.
If it doesn't wind up on the cutting-room floor, expect
to see -- spliced into the psycho scene -- shots of
Johnson on TV saying such things as "Keep your safety
guard on at all times for safety."
As far as I know, not even Bob "Sears-Craftsman" Vila or Norm
"Where-Does-This-Hammer-Plug-In?" Abram have been in a movie. So this
is quite a coup for the Deanster.
Well, that's all for now. I'm still trying to get a personal
interview with Dean, and I'll let you know how it works out.
John Krumm
David Kosenko
>Suprisingly, Suzanne is old news. This past week's episode was the debut of
>Robin somethingorother. Seems like she knows what she's doing (to some
>extent). She questions Dean alot more than Suzanne or Jo did, which
>reminded me of my own renovation projects, with my wife questioning me all
>along the way. ("Are you sure it's going to fit?" "Of course I'm sure, I
>measured it!!! Hey, wait; it doesn't fit!"). The scene where they operate
>a power auger was hilarious.
I caught it too. I *especially* liked the bit where she goes back to the
home center for the 3 inch flashing (or whatever) and the delivery guy
gives her this spiel of "well the inch and a half is what everyone uses -
why do you want the 3 inch?" She retorts "Look, do you have the stuff or
not?" She should have added "bozo!". Now I realize that this was all
scripted, but I think it well represents the situation many DIYers
encounter with know-it-all home center types. I'd imagine women would
fare a bit worse that we men in this regard.
Dave
--
Disclaimer: These opinions are not those of Informix Software, Inc.
**************************************************************************
"I look back with some satisfaction on what an idiot I was when I was 25,
but when I do that, I'm assuming I'm no longer an idiot." - Andy Rooney
DX...@psuvm.psu.edu
one he appears to be married to them. Whats the deal??
Brian
stephen anthony
Brian
Word is that they thought if they played it like they were married, then
people would find it more interesting.
Suprisingly, Suzanne is old news. This past week's episode was the debut of
Robin somethingorother. Seems like she knows what she's doing (to some
extent). She questions Dean alot more than Suzanne or Jo did, which
reminded me of my own renovation projects, with my wife questioning me all
along the way. ("Are you sure it's going to fit?" "Of course I'm sure, I
measured it!!! Hey, wait; it doesn't fit!"). The scene where they operate
a power auger was hilarious.
--
Steve Anthony | "Ain't nobody gettin' outta here |
Software Engineer | with out singin' the blues" |
(617) 234-4000 | |
ste...@think.com | - Albert "The Iceman" Collins |
Keith L
~~~~~I have watched the show with both JoAnne Liebler and Susanne Egli. With each
~~~~~one he appears to be married to them. Whats the deal??
~~~~~
~~~~~Brian
Dean is polygamous!!
Bill Bringman
And now he's got another one, Robin something.
What happened to the house they Dean and Susanne were building? Here
in Chicago we went from the house being framed to building a deck
with Dean and Robin.
#############################################################################
# #
# Bill Bringman UUCP: ...uunet!mcdchg!motcid!bringman #
# Motorola Corporation email: brin...@rtsg.mot.com #
# #
#############################################################################
PAUL HETHMON
Well, in Knoxville, they finished the house, and decorated it with some of
the most awful looking furniture and wallpaper. Some of their decorating
tastes are quite interesting. For the last two weeks, we've seen the
deck building with the new girl--Robin.
--
/* -------------------------------------------------------- */
Paul Hethmon
het...@cs.utk.edu
615/974-6433
/* -------------------------------------------------------- */
Jacque Edgar Kubley
the house that Dean and his "ex-wife", Susanne Egli, contracted last year.
I suspect viewers will be seeing alot of the house. Dean likes to get his
money's worth out of one house by spreading many shows out over the same
property. Guess that's why he's the executive producer!
BTW: Has *anyone* heard *anything* about Jo Anne? Talk about dropping off
the face of the earth!!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
internet: kub...@kubley.opt.indiana.edu USMail: Optometric Graphics
kub...@indiana.edu IU School of Optometry
800 East Atwater Ave.
bitnet: kubley@indiana Bloomington, IN 47408
Wayne O. Miller FFR
>BTW: Has *anyone* heard *anything* about Jo Anne? Talk about dropping off
>the face of the earth!!
>
>-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
stint with the show. Seems she had always wanted to be a stand-up
comic, and left Hometime to take the plunge. Perhaps we'll see her
next on "An Evening At The Improv."
Wayne Miller
mil...@pioneer.arc.nasa.gov
Louis Lung
>the face of the earth!!
On one interview I saw (somewhere) Dean Johnson said that JoAnne went to pursue
her career in comedy (standup). She should have stayed - I thought putting
up concrete office buildings was quite funny ! :)
-lou
--
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Louis Lung
OKI Advanced Products Division
100 Nickerson Road
Marlborough, MA 01752
508-460-8658
Opinions expressed herein are my own; Flames > /dev/null
Michelle Stone
>home center for the 3 inch flashing (or whatever) and the delivery guy
>gives her this spiel of "well the inch and a half is what everyone uses -
>why do you want the 3 inch?" She retorts "Look, do you have the stuff or
>not?" She should have added "bozo!". Now I realize that this was all
>scripted, but I think it well represents the situation many DIYers
>encounter with know-it-all home center types. I'd imagine women would
>fare a bit worse that we men in this regard.
I am often completely ignored when I am looking at power tools and
other construction type stuff. I hate it.
Michelle
By the way. I find myself to be a recent addition to the
unemployment statistic. I am a software manager living
in silicon valley. If you know of an opportunity, please
let me know!
David Kosenko
>
>I am often completely ignored when I am looking at power tools and
>other construction type stuff. I hate it.
>
If it is of any consolation to you, let me assure you that this particular
knife cuts both ways. Almost universally, whenever I am shopping for one
or more of: curtains, bed linen, towels, and furniture, I am either treated
like someone who keeps my taste in a damp, unlit portion of my anatomy, or
more commonly, like someone who would go into anaphaletic shock if I was
shown anything with flowers on it. I was once told, while mulling over a
few different style drapes, that I should come back with my wife. I told
them that, should I someday wind up with one, I would return, and most likely
not a moment before!
david.beyerl
> Michelle Stone writes:
> >
> >I am often completely ignored when I am looking at power tools and
> >other construction type stuff. I hate it.
> >
>
> If it is of any consolation to you, let me assure you that this particular
> knife cuts both ways. Almost universally, whenever I am shopping for one
> or more of: curtains, bed linen, towels, and furniture, I am either treated
> like someone who keeps my taste in a damp, unlit portion of my anatomy, or
> more commonly, like someone who would go into anaphaletic shock if I was
> shown anything with flowers on it.
Well put Dave. I have experienced much the same type of treatment
when shopping for linens and furnishings and also when I go into a fabric shop.
By necessity, I do my own sewing primarily for repair but also because every
pair of slacks I buy has to be shortened. I also have occasionally made
something from scratch starting with buying a pattern and the fabric. The
assistance I receive from the clerks has been anything but courteous.
A few years ago I took an adult education sewing class to gain a
better understanding of sewing -- I was the only male in a class of 15! Our
first project was a pair of pants. I did not care for the pockets on the
pants pattern so I found another that had what I wanted. I then incorporated
the new pockets into the pants making adjustments along the way. When the
teacher came to approve my layout, she was concerned that I had deviated
from the original pattern. Only after I showed her my sketches, templates
and sample pockets did she relent. However, she then asked why I was taking
a sewing class when I was creating my own designs.
Dave Beyerl
att!ihlpm!db21
william.l.millios
>Michelle Stone writes:
>>
>>I am often completely ignored when I am looking at power tools and
>>other construction type stuff. I hate it.
>
>If it is of any consolation to you, let me assure you that this particular
>knife cuts both ways. Almost universally, whenever I am shopping for one
>or more of: curtains, bed linen, towels, and furniture, I am either treated
>like someone who keeps my taste in a damp, unlit portion of my anatomy, or
>more commonly, like someone who would go into anaphaletic shock if I was
>shown anything with flowers on it.
I get the same treatment when shopping in fabric stores. If I ask
a question, the salesperson almost invariably looks around for my
wife, who I am presumably asking the question for.
That's if I can get any service at all.
Bill