So did anyone catch "While You Were Out" on TLC this weekend? This is a new show from the producers of "Trading Spaces". It kind of works like the BBC show Ground Force (except with houses not gardens.) They convince someone to go away for two days and their spouse or whoever redecorates a room with a design team.

It was kind of lame actually. It might be a good idea eventually, but being the first episode they have some kinks to work out. One of the more annoying aspects is they try and make it like a game show. They offer up prizes to the homeowner based on how well she knows her spouse (who they happen to ask questions of on camera while they are away.) This whole part is really cheesy and unnecessary. Plus, if this show ever gets popular, it would seem hard to sustain: I'm going on a trip with my friend for 2 days and they suddenly have a video camera and are asking me questions?

The host is a little strange. She is cute and perky but something about her was weird. The designer didn't seem to have a strong personality, such as the Trading Spaces designers do. The real star here is the carpenter-- he is British, hard-working, and hunky-- pretty much everything Ty Pennington is not. I wouldn't mind it if HE became a TLC sex symbol (I've never understood the females swooning over Ty.)

It took Trading Spaces a little while to get in stride, so I'll probably keep watching this show (plus Trading SPaces is in repeats so it helps fill my decorating show jones.)

My girlfriend and I started to watch it Saturday afternoon and both fell asleep during it. I was not entertained at all by it. Trading Spaces is a much better show and more entertaining.

Cat

Maybe they ought to make it a half hour show and drop the Newlywed Game aspect?

One hour is too dragged out to focus on one room.

Jadzia: I thought the carpenter was the worst part of the show.

Well, maybe I was biased, but I'd let him hammer my shingles any day.

Cute, handy, and that accent!

Let's see... okay, so we take trading spaces, replace Paige with someone less attractive, remove the humor, remove the personality, and instead of doing two rooms, we do one, and this is a good idea?

Maybe in a world where we don't have Trading Spaces, but it's too late for that.

Did anyone see the look-alike show called Surprise by Design? It was also on TLC, and seemed to be about the same format, except in one day, instead of two. There were two hosts, a man and a woman, who both seemed to be more of a handyperson/host rather than someone like Paige Davis.

Hey! I like TY!!!!!!

I missed this new show and am hoping to catch it on it's second run. Looks like the same idea and I don't understand the quiz for prizes concept. How did they get the answers from the partner? Were the prizes really worth a darn?

Any idea when this show will be rerun?

The person goes away with a friend, who is armed with a camcorder.

Then they take things that the spouse says and asks the wife what he would have said.

For instance: What time did your husband say he wanted to get up in the morning and go fishing?

The prizes are decorating things for the room. For instance if they get the question right, they get a bird feeder. if they get it wrong there is a crappier consolation prize, like bird seed. It's pretty dumb.

I'm not sure when they are re-running this episode, but it looks like new episodes of this show airs Saturdays at noon.

My wife watched it and told me it was just ok. She would take trading spaces over it anyday of the week.

I didn't see that show, but I did catch 2 episodes of the Discovery Channels Surprise By Design.

That was a pretty entertaining show.

They ahve a spouse go away for a while, or do it while they are at work.
2 designers work with the one spouse who may bring over friends to help.

It was pretty funny when they were running low on time, the spouse would try to stall their other half by having them run errands or something.

I'll still prefer Trading Spaces though.

At 1st glance, I didn't like it as much as Trading Spaces. Maybe it's that I don't know or am not used to the designer and host. Also, the two women both kinda looked alike. BTW, on TS, I think Vern's designs are the best. Frank's and Laurie's are great too.

when does Surprise By Design air? I can't seem to find it in my guide anywhere.

I finally saw this over the weekend.

Worst. Design show. Ever.

Take the worst aspects of the Newlywed Game and forcibly meld them with the driest aspects of Trading Spaces.

This show will have an abbreviated run. Mark my words.

The host is shrill and annoying. The carpenter is wooden and boring. And what "designers" they employ have zero style.