G. Noel Gross

One great thing about TiVo is that it regularly rounds up episodes of This Old House Classics, This Old House and Ask This Old House (and the latter two are also aired as The New This Old House Hour).



Anyone else even mildly distressed that Steve Thomas has, after 14 years, been replaced by a new, younger host? Kevin O'Connor sent an email with a wallpaper-stripping question to Ask This Old House and wound up getting himself a job! How's that for luck?

I guess I'm a real TOH geek because I remember being equally distressed when Thomas took over for Bob Villa. From what I understand, Thomas is striking out on a home-improvement series of his own?

B.A.

I have a subscription to TOH magazine and last month they introduced Kevin and gave no reason why they replaced Steve. I was wondering what the hell was going on - I thought it was rather abrupt. Curious as to what happened.

G. Noel Gross

Yeah, this is all they have on the official website ...

B.A.

Interesting - thanks, Gross.

I can't believe I didn't even think of checking the website.

Have they aired any new eps w/ Kevin? What do you think of him?

shaun3000

Wow, I can remember when Bob Villa left and they got the new guy. Scary

G. Noel Gross

Yes, they introduced him with the new project ... a refab on a small barn that's being coverted as a mother-in-law cottage. He's real "green" and asks a lot of neophite questions around the job site, which I think is the point of having him. They're trying to open the show up a la TLC and H&G. They've also shot new intro and outros to This Old House Classics with him.

And the first episode of Ask This Old House has aired with him as host. That's a really cool show if you haven't watched. Really practical "how to" stuff from replacing toilets to repairing drywall. Gives each member of the TOH team a chance to shine.

Where O'Conner is most shaky is in those pre-taped segments where they tour other houses and projects. He uses a lot of crutch phrases like "I feel drawn into this space" and "What's the thought on that?" and "This is very elegant." Then again, Thomas had become as onry as Villa in recent years. Still miss the way Bob would yell at the home owners for being lazy.

B.A.

I've been meaning to catch this since I first read about in the magazine a while ago. I'm happy to hear some positive feedback in regards to it. I'll keep an eye out for it - thanks.

mapson

I saw AskTOH with Kevin and I miss Steve. NOt that Kevin did anything bad, just that I am used to Steve like many of those that watch the shows. Glad I saw this thread, was wondering where Steve went.

G. Noel Gross

Just had to shout out to the TOH geeks out there ... I JUST SAW TOM SILVA AT THE BOSTON AIRPORT!!! Wooooo!

Walked past me near the cab stand and I did a double-take ... caught up and Chris Farley'd him: "Just gotta tell you I love the show!" Too funny.

B.A.

Awesome.