One of ABC's most ambitious projects on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition has become a victim of the foreclosure crisis.In 2005, more than 1,800 people volunteered to help tear down one family's home in Georgia and replace it with a lavish mini-mansion. The Harper family used the home as collateral for a loan, but now has to put the house on the auction block August 5 — a situation not even Ty Pennington can fix. The AP reports that the Harpers told a local news station that they applied the money toward a construction firm that's gone out of business. ABC issued a statement saying that it encourages Makeover families to get financial advice once they receive their new homes. It's sad to see recipients of such a great gift have to lose it so soon — what's your take on how things were handled? — Anna Dimond
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Oxygen is bringing back The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency for a third season starting Dec. 4. A third season? Sheesh. By the time they stick a fork in this baby, Janice is gonna need oxygen.... Ty Pennington: The E! True Hollywood Story premieres Nov. 17, at which point the hyper designer can at last say definitely that he has arrived.... Recovering as best she can from Viva Laughlin, Madchen Amick (along with Robin Givens) has landed a lead in Lifetime's The Verdict, a legal drama pilot about the trial of a pop star accused of ordering a hit on her lover. Or, for short: "Britney Spears: The E! True Hollywood Story." — Ben Katner
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Extreme Makeover: Home Edition host Ty Pennington was sentenced to 36 months probation today after he pleaded no contest to driving with a blood alcohol level higher than permitted under California law, authorities said.The charge of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, which was brought against Pennington on May 5, has been dropped, according to Stan Rosenfield, Pennington's representative.Besides probation, Pennington has to pay a $1500 fine and attend a 90-day alcohol education program, said Los Angeles Press Deputy Frank Matelijan. "I'm happy to bring closure to my recent court proceedings," Pennington said in a statement. "Drinking and driving is never acceptable. I have pleaded no contest and will abide by the court's ruling. I hope this experience can help others as much as it has helped me."Pennington had faced a maximum sentence of up to six months in jail. — by Nadine Mendoza
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Extreme Makeover: Home Edition frontman Ty Pennington on Wednesday was charged with two misdemeanor DUI counts stemming from his Saturday-morning arrest in Los Angeles. Pennington, says TMZ.com, reportedly had a 0.14 blood alcohol level when he was pulled over, and the legal limit in California is 0.08. Now that, folks, is hammered 'n nailed.Has Ty's arrest forever tarnished your view of him? Vote in our new poll (bottom right).
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OK, that's it. I'm sick of this. Hey, Hollywood, ever heard of a car service? A designated driver? A cab? A better hiding place for your drugs!? Are you so drunk on all that fame and fortune that common sense flashes away with every click of the paparazzi cameras? How many news stories are we going to see about celebrities relocating to jail cells, failing drug tests and paying fines for disappointing incidents? In fact, in the time it takes me to write this blog, some other starlet (or otherwise) is probably being stopped by the police.Ty Pennington, you've saddened me this week. Even though you strain my ears when you scream through that megaphone on Extreme Makeover, my adoration for your professional drive was confirmed after speaking with you a few months ago. Couldn't you request that the EM:HE bus pick you up after a night of drinking? You don't want to end up like The Hoff, now do you?Speaking of the hassled ex-lifeguard, I can only hope that videotape will confirm his love ...
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