ABC Ends "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition"

[JamesG]

ABC Cancels "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" (Exclusive)
12/15/2011
by Lesley Goldberg


ABC has canceled "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition".

The network has opted not to move forward with the series in its weekly format, The Hollywood Reporter has learned exclusively. ABC, however, will air four special episodes after its current ninth season ends its run on Jan. 13 with its 200th episode.





The series, which features host Ty Pennington and a team including designer Michael Moloney visiting and rebuilding the homes of families in need, premiered in 2003 as a 13-part special to 12 million viewers on a Wednesday night, moving to its initial home on Sundays where it became a regular staple for its first eight seasons.

The "Extreme Makeover" spinoff continued to grow, cracking the top 20 in viewership in its second season, averaging 15.8 million viewers per episode as it made its way to visit all 50 states helping veterans, victims of natural disasters, the homeless and foster care and adoption organizations.

To date, the team has designed and rebuilt more than 200 homes, in addition to firehouses, schools, day-cares and more.







The decision to air four specials follows a similar model Fox incorporated for "America's Most Wanted". The long-running law-enforcement series, hosted by John Walsh, was canceled as a weekly series in May with Fox opting to air four quarterly specials.

(Lifetime has since picked up the series for a 25th season.)





"It is with a somber heart I close this chapter, but with such excitement I begin the next one," Moloney said in a statement to THR. "I have EM:HE to thank for the platform I have to continue doing good work and great design in 2012 and on."



Ty Pennington, meanwhile, has already lined up a new gig, ABC's upcoming daytime health and lifestyle series "The Revolution", set to premiere in January.

He joins Tim Gunn and Harley Pasternak.



The series has earned two Emmys for outstanding reality program in its nine-year run, with another year of eligibility to go.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/liv...edition-274311

[Pavan]

The final two regularly scheduled episodes of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, ”Gibbs Family” and “Joplin, Missouri,” will air January 6 and January 13, respectively in its normal 8:00-10:00 p.m., ET time period. Extreme Makeover: Home Edition will continue on ABC with specials after this season.

Read more: http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/...#ixzz1geVi1mKe