Episode: “Ex-Wife vs. Ex-Husband” – Season Premiere (Season 9)
Premiere Date: Saturday, January 26th, 2008
Rating: 2½ out of 4 stars
Quick Synopsis: Two Rooms, Two Days, and $1000.
Long Synopsis: A divorced couple with a son, one remarried and one not, trade bedrooms. The woman and her new husband are teamed up with Doug Wilson and the guy and his brother are teamed up with Hildi Santo-Tomas. Hildi’s idea consists of lots of hammering to put up about 1500 circles on the wall. Doug gives the guy’s room a steakhouse look. They both finish on time and under budget, even though the guy tried to sneak over and get a peek at his place. Paige caught him and sent him on his way. Both seemed to like there new rooms, especially the guy, as his waterbed was kept as part of the new design.
Review: The ninth season of Trading Spaces returns to the format that made it a hit at the beginning of this decade. That includes the return of host Paige Davis. But, it isn’t exactly the same, as they have added a twist. Now instead of friends and neighbors trading spaces, we get exes, rivals and opposites.
What does that mean? Well, in this episode it means that an ex-wife and ex-husband will be redoing each other’s bedroom. In up coming episodes they will have rival cheerleaders, a mother and daughter-in-law, a boss and employee, etc. It adds an interesting tweak that will probably end up with the designers getting away with a lot more, for the most part, with less argument from the traders and the potential for some very interesting reveals.
The TVaholic used to watch Trading Spaces, but when they did away with the host, it was just too different and became quite boring to watch. Haven’t watched an episode in a long time. So, decided to checkout the first one back with Paige returning as host.
It was definitely an improvement. Not necessarily because of Paige, but because their was a host to pull the show together. But, there was still something missing. Maybe, they will find it as they continue along in the old format. They did bring back some of the previous designers, as well, so that must of not been it.
Overall, it wasn’t enough to get the TVaholic back as a regular viewer. How about you? Will you be back on a regular basis? What did you think of the ninth season premiere of Trading Spaces and the return of Paige Davis?
Hey– yeah, it was nice to have a host back on the show. I watched a couple of the summer/fall episodes and couldn’t stand them. A host is always good because a home owner can’t always tell the designer that hate their idea. I also like Paige, she fun for the show. Nice to have Doug and Hildi back too– though even though I liked the concept of Hildi’s room the execution wasn’t that great.
But– something I liked that they started doing after Paige left and didn’t do with this new episode is the 2 weeks later. I liked seeing if the home owners kept the room the same, or changed it
anyways- just my thoughts- thanks, new to your blog
BHcolin
BHcolin, welcome and thanks for taking the time to leave your thoughts.
It had been a while since I watched the show at all, but now that you mention it, I do remember the “2 weeks after” from the host-less format. That would be an interesting idea, especially with the new twist to the show this season.
On the subject of Hildi’s room, yeah, it was poorly done. It had a good visual look until your eyes hit a corner of the room, as the design or the execution didn’t take them into account very well.
Sorry, can’t take that Hildi or her designs.
I like Frank and Lori. Doug is ok but is pretty stuck on himself.
Maybe concentrate more on the homeowners, and less on the stars???
I agree with BHcolin…I liked the two weeks later feature. I’ve read before that Hildi’s philosophy on doing rooms is to simply “have a vision for the room,” then do everything within your power to get there. Of course, she never considers practicality, which I feel is just as important in design as the aesthetic. That being said, it’s always hilarious to see people’s faces when they find out she’s in their homes. Ha!
Jen, I think the two weeks later feature would be really great to see when Hildi or Doug has designed your room. It is funny to see the reaction of the homeowner when one of those two gets paired up with the people in their house and the relief of the people they get teamed up with, knowing that they won’t be messing with their house.
We can’t stand Paige, and probably will quit watching now that she’s back. She adds nothing to the show, it was so much better when they went back two weeks later to see the homeowners, and how they were adjusting to the new room. She’s a waste of show time, please show her the door, so the show can get back to it’s newer, improved format. Thanks!
What’s up with lori? I saw the show where the people said ANY color except brown. And what does she do???? She paints it “taupe”, in other words BROWN. Why does she have to be so stubborn and insist on a color or design she knows the people hate? Besides the color, the room was absolutely UGLY. Poor people, they had to get Lori — the idiot.