There have been a few reality shows over the years that I wish I was still seeing today. So many great seasons left unproduced because I was the only one watching. To ease my pain, I've started a club. One by one I will invite the late, great, fallen reality shows that I do so dearly miss.
My first inductee is what I think is the best reality show that nobody ever talks about. Please welcome House of Dreams. This show aired on A&E in the first quarter of 2004. Hosted by George Wendt (aka, Norm from Cheers), it featured sixteen people who built a house together. They would have a certain project to complete on a given day. A foreman would oversee everything, and if they screwed up, he'd rip down whatever they've incorrectly built and they would have to do it again. They lived not-too-far away in relatively large tents, in a tree-filled area where they could plot and scheme. Every episode, they would go through the ritual of everyone picking out a key at random. One at a time, they would each take their key, walk up a couple steps to a random door in the middle of the front yard (seriously, just a door and some steps), and try to unlock the door. All but two keys would work. Those who had one of the non-working keys would wear red contruction hats. Each would then lead a team on their end of the next project. The episode would conclude with a vote, where the red hats would plead their case, then leave while the jury deliberated. The vote was by a show of hands. If the jury could was deadlocked, the red hats would choose a member of the jury to go home. If the red hats couldn't agree, they would both go home. The last five people to be voted off would comprise the jury and vote for one of the last two people to win the "house of dreams" that they had all built.
The show featured some interesting characters, and I've listed their bios below. You should give a couple a read. If anyone has this show on tape or DVD (or anything), PLEASE let me know.
Sherrill is a 67-year-old widower from Spokane who lost his wife of 39 years. He's recently come out and wants to win the house so that him and his new life-partner can retire in Florida.
Jared is a 35-year-old record producer from Philadelphia. He's lost everything and after years of living it up now travels from one friend's house to another, staying wherever he can. He's trying to rebuild his life as he tries to build the house of his dreams.
Flor is a 35-year-old attorney from New York. Originally a child of war from El Salvador, she's worked her way towards her American dream and wants the house to top it off.
Jim is another immigrant to the United States. Originally from Australia, this 41-year-old now living in New York can't find work as a librarian and has taken a job as a cater-waiter. He wants the house for him and his new American bride.
John is a 35-year-old single father from Miami. He recently lost it all in the stock market but held onto his job as deputy sheriff. He would like to win the home for him and his son.
Lisa is a 42-year-old single, unemployed mother of three. She is a former Army combat medic and currently is an Army National Guard reservist. She's come to build and win this house so her children can have the stability she's always wanted for them.
Mark is a 37-year-old writer from Chicago. He doesn't really care so much about winning the house he's in it for the game. But, if he does win, he'll use the house as a colony for writers who can't afford to write as their day jobs.
Rochelle is a 36-year-old single mother from Evanston, Illinois. She is also an award-winning website designer. She just hasn't been able to save up enough for the home she's always wanted.
Mike is a 26-year-old bartender from Massachusetts. On his nights off, he doesn't stray far from work. He just lands on the other side of the bar. If he wins the house, he'll fill it with a big family one day. But, for now, he'll fill it with keg parties.
Mike is a 26-year-old from Edison, New Jersey. He was once an investment banker but left that job to work with high-risk teens. He wants to build and win the home for his favorite student.
Naomi is a 33-year-old photographer/pillowmaker. She currently lives in Ohio and would like to win the house so she can finally put down some roots.
Patricia is a 39-year-old real estate broker from Los Angeles. It says in her profile that she sells homes to the rich and famous but wants to win this house for her down and out friend.
Tony is a 34-year-old husband and father of two. Originally from Virginia, Tony and his family are now staying in a homeless shelter in Orlando. He is currently unemployed and would like to win the home so that he and his family can have a home of their own.
Amy is a 32-year-old dainty Southern belle from Mobile, Alabama. She would like the house to go along with her recent attempt to start a new life.
Wanda is a 42-year-old photographer from San Gabriel, California. Being a recent divorcee, she would like to win the home to jumpstart her life.
Viveca is a 37-year-old circus juggler. She lives in New York and wants to win the house so her circus friends can have a place to hang out.
My first inductee is what I think is the best reality show that nobody ever talks about. Please welcome House of Dreams. This show aired on A&E in the first quarter of 2004. Hosted by George Wendt (aka, Norm from Cheers), it featured sixteen people who built a house together. They would have a certain project to complete on a given day. A foreman would oversee everything, and if they screwed up, he'd rip down whatever they've incorrectly built and they would have to do it again. They lived not-too-far away in relatively large tents, in a tree-filled area where they could plot and scheme. Every episode, they would go through the ritual of everyone picking out a key at random. One at a time, they would each take their key, walk up a couple steps to a random door in the middle of the front yard (seriously, just a door and some steps), and try to unlock the door. All but two keys would work. Those who had one of the non-working keys would wear red contruction hats. Each would then lead a team on their end of the next project. The episode would conclude with a vote, where the red hats would plead their case, then leave while the jury deliberated. The vote was by a show of hands. If the jury could was deadlocked, the red hats would choose a member of the jury to go home. If the red hats couldn't agree, they would both go home. The last five people to be voted off would comprise the jury and vote for one of the last two people to win the "house of dreams" that they had all built.
The show featured some interesting characters, and I've listed their bios below. You should give a couple a read. If anyone has this show on tape or DVD (or anything), PLEASE let me know.
Sherrill is a 67-year-old widower from Spokane who lost his wife of 39 years. He's recently come out and wants to win the house so that him and his new life-partner can retire in Florida.
Jared is a 35-year-old record producer from Philadelphia. He's lost everything and after years of living it up now travels from one friend's house to another, staying wherever he can. He's trying to rebuild his life as he tries to build the house of his dreams.
Flor is a 35-year-old attorney from New York. Originally a child of war from El Salvador, she's worked her way towards her American dream and wants the house to top it off.
Jim is another immigrant to the United States. Originally from Australia, this 41-year-old now living in New York can't find work as a librarian and has taken a job as a cater-waiter. He wants the house for him and his new American bride.
John is a 35-year-old single father from Miami. He recently lost it all in the stock market but held onto his job as deputy sheriff. He would like to win the home for him and his son.
Lisa is a 42-year-old single, unemployed mother of three. She is a former Army combat medic and currently is an Army National Guard reservist. She's come to build and win this house so her children can have the stability she's always wanted for them.
Mark is a 37-year-old writer from Chicago. He doesn't really care so much about winning the house he's in it for the game. But, if he does win, he'll use the house as a colony for writers who can't afford to write as their day jobs.
Rochelle is a 36-year-old single mother from Evanston, Illinois. She is also an award-winning website designer. She just hasn't been able to save up enough for the home she's always wanted.
Mike is a 26-year-old bartender from Massachusetts. On his nights off, he doesn't stray far from work. He just lands on the other side of the bar. If he wins the house, he'll fill it with a big family one day. But, for now, he'll fill it with keg parties.
Mike is a 26-year-old from Edison, New Jersey. He was once an investment banker but left that job to work with high-risk teens. He wants to build and win the home for his favorite student.
Naomi is a 33-year-old photographer/pillowmaker. She currently lives in Ohio and would like to win the house so she can finally put down some roots.
Patricia is a 39-year-old real estate broker from Los Angeles. It says in her profile that she sells homes to the rich and famous but wants to win this house for her down and out friend.
Tony is a 34-year-old husband and father of two. Originally from Virginia, Tony and his family are now staying in a homeless shelter in Orlando. He is currently unemployed and would like to win the home so that he and his family can have a home of their own.
Amy is a 32-year-old dainty Southern belle from Mobile, Alabama. She would like the house to go along with her recent attempt to start a new life.
Wanda is a 42-year-old photographer from San Gabriel, California. Being a recent divorcee, she would like to win the home to jumpstart her life.
Viveca is a 37-year-old circus juggler. She lives in New York and wants to win the house so her circus friends can have a place to hang out.
