BBC Babble – Ty Pennington invades England

I’m told that Ty Pennington is a big deal. As host of ABC’s wildly popular Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Ty has positioned himself as a 21st Century Bob Vila with good hair. I still remember him as the male model carpenter on Trading Spaces. Well, the dude has come a long way since those days. He’s so in demand that he took his renovation and motivational speaking skills across the pond. Ty’s Great British Adventure debuted on UKTV’s Home Channel back in September of 2008. In an unprecedented move, UKTV turned around and sold the rights to their home grown show to ABC. This past Sunday, ABC debuted Ty’s newest venture, so I took a look to see what all the hoopla was about.
Extreme Home Makeover – Now I remember why I don’t watch it anymore
Last Sunday night, Keith and I did something we rarely do: we turned on the TV to a show we don’t watch, just for some background noise. I personally hate having the television on if it isn’t a show we’re watching because it ruins any chance at getting anything done for me. It doesn’t take much for me to become a TV zombie.
It wasn’t long before I was sucked into Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, a show we used to watch regularly. I loved the house renovations they did — remember when they’d actually just renovate and add on, rather than wipe out the old structure and build from scratch? — and the sentimental stories touched the cockles of my heart.
So I was pretty excited to be visiting this show… or so I thought….
Tonight on the tube: The Amazing Race ends & Robot Chicken returns
7:00p/6:00 Central
- Saudi officials aren’t worried that we’re going to spend less on their oil. That’s what they’re telling CBS’s 60 Minutes. ABC offers a special look behind the scenes with Ty Pennington on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.
- NBC says It’s Football Night in America, in case you weren’t sure. Meanwhile, the new CW Sunday continues with the second installment of Jericho.
- The first two of three King of the Hill repeats kicks off the night. These are for the West Coast as the rest of us will be dealing with the NFL. TLC is offering up a look at Superhuman Strength.
Tonight on the tube: MTV ga-ga for Britney; Cheech & Chong roasted
6:00p/5:00 Central
- Who knew? A new reality competition show! This time it’s E! getting in on the fun with Party Monsters: Cabo. This new show, premiering on a special night and time to ensure no one can find its regular time slot (Tuesdays at 10/9), features nine party planners competing to throw the ultimate A-list shindig.
7:00p/6:00 Central
- While NBC kicks off another Football Night in America and ABC settles down with some more of America’s Funniest Home Videos, CNN’s Anderson Cooper sits down with Olympic medalist Michael Phelps before goldfish America forgets who he is on CBS’s 60 Minutes.
Tonight on the tube: MTV bids a final farewell to TRL

MTV
5:00p/4:00 Central
- Hey, The CW’s 4Real is M.I.A. tonight. Get it? Because they feature hip-hop artist M.I.A. heading to Liberia to meet the woman who founded a youth organization trying to bring some hope and happiness to the embattled children of the region.
7:00p/6:00 Central
- While CBS is bringing you President-Elect Obama’s first interview since he won the election on a new 60 Minutes, NBC is kicking off another Football Night in America.
Tonight on the tube: Ralphie May, Ruby and Summer Heights High

ABC
5:00p/4:00 Central
- The farmed out CW Sunday is all repeats tonight, kicking off with two 4Real installments. However, I can’t find any details as to which episodes are airing.
6:00p/5:00 Central
- The CW repeats continue with the first of two Valentine repeats on the night. Again, I’ve no idea which one this is, or any of The CW shows tonight.
7:00p/6:00 Central
- NBC kicks off another Football Night in America, while CBS’s 60 Minutes sits down with some of President-Elect Barack Obama’s closest advisors.
- But if that gets too boring, you can always switch over to ABC at 7:30p/6:30 Central and watch a 30-minute edition of America’s Funniest Home Videos.
- The CW repeats continue with In Harm’s Way. The lack of information coupled with the reported production halts really make me wonder how much longer this Sunday lineup will remain.
- FOX starts off their night with animated repeats. First up is the King of the Hill episode where Bill got diagnosed with diabets. That’s followed by The Simpsons repeat where Homer becomes a bounty hunter.
Tonight on the tube: Brotherhood returns, Army Wives leaves

Showtime
5:00p/4:00 Central
- At 5:30p/4:30 Central, The CW’s 4Real takes Red Hot Chili Peppers wild man Flea to Haiti to meet a rural health care worker.
7:00p/6:00 Central
- Like something out of a movie, a man pretended to be a narcotics agent, tricked local law enforcement and proceeded to make a series of illegal arrests. Find out how he did and what happens next on a new 60 Minutes on CBS.
- Or start getting psyched because the NFL is back on Sunday nights this week. Kick off your Football Night in America on NBC.
- Over on The CW, check out the very real dangers of volcanologists on a new In Harm’s Way. What could possibly be dangerous about studying volcanoes?

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