Extreme Makeover: Home Edition's Ty Pennington by Vivian Zink/ABC
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
read more
Janice Dickinson courtesy Oxygen
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
read more
Ty Pennington by Lester Cohen/WireImage.com
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
read more
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).
read more
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 ...
read more
Ty Pennington by Lester Cohen/WireImage.com
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition host Ty Pennington was arrested in Los Angeles on Saturday morning at 12:35 am/PT on suspicion of being under the influence of alcohol and drugs while driving, TMZ.com reports. Pennington was released two hours later after posting $5,000 bail and giving the holding cell a super-cool "Wild, Wild West" theme.UPDATE: Pennington said in a statement, "I made an error in judgment. We all make mistakes, however this is about accountability. Under no circumstances should anyone consume alcohol while driving. I could have jeopardized the lives of others and I am grateful there was no accident or harm done to anyone. This was my wake-up call. I also want to apologize to my fans, ABC Television and my design team for my lapse in judgment and the embarrassment I have caused."
read more
How can you go wrong? A beautiful city, a beautiful family, a great team — it was truly an enjoyable week. Ty was joined by Eduardo, Tanya, Paul and me. We headed to a town that is rich in history, flavor and music, making us appreciate being on the road. And we met a beautiful and amazing family.The O'Donnell family has six children, five of whom have some form of autism. You would think that this family would complain or feel angry at the situation in some way, yet they feel like they are blessed and the most fortunate people in the world. The mother of this family shows each child love, care, affection and attention while at the same time being a good wife and helping out at the local school. She believes that each child is a special gift and a blessing. After spending just a moment with this family, you realize that she is right. Each child is so special in his or her way, and makes your heart melt until you are in love with each and every one of them. They all have special...
read more
Extreme Makeover's Ty Pennington (inset) and the Thomas family.
When he's not screaming into a bullhorn, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition host Ty Pennington actually has a lot more to say than "Let's dooooo it!" In fact, he happily babbled on about more than just ABC's acclaimed home- (and thus life-) improvement show when TVGuide.com asked him about this week's two-hour 9/11-themed episode, airing at an earlier time, 7 pm/ET. Turns out, when Ty's not saving America one house at a time, he's taking on the publishing world, building one-of-a-kind pieces for his store, and shining light on other people who are changing their own neighborhoods. Pennington's plans sound exhausting, but luckily he really is as energetic as he seems on camera, and his hard work not only helps others but keeps him happy.
TVGuide.com: Tell me about this Sunday's 9/11 Extreme Ma
read more
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition's Ty Pennington talks New Orleans musician Irvin Mayfield.
Stunned silence doesn't play especially well on reality TV, but then reality TV hasn't encountered anything quite like New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
Archille "Chile" O'Neal, a blues musician from storm-struck St. Bernard's Parish who lost all of his instruments, was moved beyond words when Extreme Makeover: Home Edition's Paul DiMeo — the carpenter with the Buddy Holly eyewear — surprised him with a pickup truck full of gleaming Gibson and Hohner guitars. As he clicked open case after case, O'Neal just shook his head in glorious disbelief.
"You realize these are for you, Chile?" a producer asked off camera. "All these are yours to keep."
DiMeo slung his arm around O'Neal's shoulder and smiled warmly, as the producer asked them to redo the moment. On Take 2, they got exactly the Extreme reaction ABC needed: hoots, hollers and an unholy scream of "Oh, my god!"
As its popularity co
read more
Question: I watched Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Sunday night and I saw that Ty Pennington stormed into TV Guide's offices. I was looking for you, hoping to see your smiling face. Were you hiding?
Answer: If you consider jumping up and down on my desk frantically waving my hands in the air to try to get on camera "hiding," then, yes, I was hiding.
read more
