Is Extreme Home Makeover Still On? Here’s Why We Loved the Original and Why We Can’t Wait for the Reboot.

As cultivators of fabulous interior design with an affinity for social good, we’re big fans of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.” And we were crushed when it was canceled by ABC. But now, there’s good news: HGTV is rebooting Extreme Home Makeover, and it’s returning to television in 2020! Read on for details on the reboot and for some of our favorite moments. 

When Is Extreme Makeover On?

So when in 2020 will the show be on? If you’re like us, you probably want to block off time on your calendar for the inaugural episode. Unfortunately, the timeline from HGTV remains pretty vague. However, there are plenty of other details that suggest that this will be an exceptional reboot worth waiting for. 

The initial run of 10 episodes will be hosted by “Modern Family” star Jesse Tyler Ferguson. Each show will shine a light on a local hero who has dedicated their life to making the world a better place. 

Additionally, every episode will feature a special guest star who will work alongside the volunteers and design team. We’ll see former host Ty Pennington as well as other notable names in home renovation including Tarek El Moussa of “Flip or Flop,” Jasmine Roth of “Hidden Potential,” and Tamara Day of “Bargain Mansions.”

To recap:

• When Is Extreme Makeover Back? Early 2020, but HGTV will be airing reruns leading up to the premier.

• Who Is the Host? Jesse Tyler Ferguson.

• Who Else Is in the Extreme Makeover Reboot? Ty Pennington, Tarek El Moussa, Jasmine Roth, Tamara Day, and Anthony Anderson have been confirmed so far.

Extreme Makeover Home Edition Best Moments

Because early 2020 is still a ways away, we’re looking forward to those reruns that will be airing on HGTV. Personally, we hope the following episodes and moments make the cut. 

Defining the best moments from 200 episodes was not an easy feat. To be honest, we’re not so sure that we ultimately succeeded (we wanted to include them all). Still, here are five moments that gave us some major feels. 

#5 - Miss Piggy of the Muppets Karate-Chopping Down the Wall 

Season 7, Episode 12: The Morris Family

Originally aired: January 3, 2010

There aren’t many people who can upstage Ty. However, this episode includes a busload of colorful characters who keep the demolition moving right along. But as soon as you hear the dulcet tones of Miss Piggy saying, “I’m ready,” around the 22-minute mark, you know you’re in for a real treat. Clad in her smart pink shirt and white hard hat, she brings down the house as only Miss Piggy could. 

#4 - Lucy Ali’s Reaction Her Amazing Bedroom Suite

Season 2, Episode 20: The Ali Family

Originally aired: October 31, 2004

A delighted scream and then Lucy, a single mom of two adopted sons, spun in circles in her gorgeous new bedroom suite designed as a secret project by Ty himself. The room was a tropical escape of bright yellow and green with large prints of a lily which added hot pink accents. Hardwood floor and paneling gave the room a nice warm feeling. And the grooved headboard of the walnut platform bed provided the illusion that the mattress was floating. But our favorite part—not that we’re biased—was the sisal rug that Ty used to evoke rippling sands. 

“There was a healing that took place within me because now I knew that I had a resting place I could call my own,” Lucy said. It had been 13 years since she had her own room.

#3 - Tears of Joy During the “Family” Reunion on 100th Episode 

Season 5, Episode 8: The Swenson-Lee Family

Originally aired: November 25, 2007

“I really do have a bigger family than I thought,” Ty said during a barbeque to celebrate the 100th episode. The party was hosted by eight families previously featured on the show. As Ty, and the rest of the design team, spoke about the one big family created by Extreme Home Makeover, there was not a dry eye in the place. 

The families—Ripatti-Pearce, Kubena, Ginyard, Piestewa, Johnson, Burns, Wofford, and Cadigan-Scott—helped build the house for the Swenson-Lee Family. At the end of the episode, these families welcomed the Swenson-Lee family to the Extreme Home Makeover family. 

#2 - A Renovation Project with a Global Impact

Season 6, Episode 8: The Frisch Family 

Originally aired: November 16, 2008

It was hard to choose a favorite episode from season six. We are awestruck by all the phenomenal heroes that were highlighted this season. But, the Frisch household is hard to top. With this family, love reigned supreme—not just for their family, or their community, but for the world at large.

“A hero is someone who gives hope and, Aaron and Jackie give a lot of hope,” said designer Paul DiMeo. The duo had eleven children: three biological and eight adopted—five from Haiti and three from inner-city Toledo. The family’s undersized house was in disrepair, following Jackie’s diagnosis with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome which robbed the family of a second income while contributing hefty medical bills. 

The house renovation, as always, was amazing, but what we really loved was how this project positioned the family and the world for a better future. Planes to Haiti were packed with donated toys, school supplies, and clothes from Hasbro, Playschool, and the Toledo community. 

Full-ride scholarships for each of the children provided another way for the family to contribute to the world. This point was illustrated by Moise, the oldest boy adopted from Haiti.

“My dream is to go to college and then to go back to Haiti and give back everything that you have given to me in America,” he said.

And, of course, an updated house meant the family could help more kids—something that the family continues to do. Based on a follow-up article, the Frisch family has opened their doors to at least 14 more kids. Talk about a gift that keeps on giving. 

#1 - A First-Rate Appearance From Then First Lady Michelle Obama 

Season 9, Episodes 1 & 2: The Jubilee House

Originally aired: September 25, 2011

For a minute it looked like Ty and crew had their sights set on renovating the White House. But Michelle Obama sent the team to Fayetteville, North Carolina to build a new property for Barbara Marshall. 

As a retired servicewoman, Barbara was well aware of the challenges that female veterans faced. Calling it Steps-N-Stages Jubilee House, Barbara had opened up her small home to provide transitional housing, career support, medical assistance, and transportation for homeless female veterans and their children. 

The First Lady joined the crew in Fayetteville as the team was putting the finishing touches on the house. Michelle even wrote a letter to Barbara that was encased under glass on a custom-designed desk. Michelle also planted the flag on top of the playhouse-sized replica of the White House created for the children of Jubilee House.

“We are grateful to you,” Michelle told Barbara when the crew presented the house. “You are our hero … and this is just a small way of having our nation show you and veterans like you just how much we value your service. We’re shining a light on the work that you’re doing so that other people continue to do that work so that we can end homelessness among our veterans.” 

Move that Rug! Move that Rug!

While we can’t make the year 2020 come any sooner, we are poised and ready to help with any and all Extreme Rug Makeovers for you or your clients. We offer a variety of sisal, wool, and natural fiber rugs that can be used to create a space worthy of a Ty Pennington secret project. 

Contact us if you have questions about any of our rugs or if you just want to discuss your favorite episodes of Extreme Home Makeover!