HGTV Viewers Want to See the Return of Classic Shows
HGTV viewers are making their voices heard when it comes to the network’s current line-up, with many asking for the return of classic shows such as Design on a Dime, Curb Appeal, and Gardening by the Yard.
The demand for “Old HGTV” came after HouseBeautiful.com shared a Facebook post remembering some beloved HGTV stars who have passed away, including Interiors by Design host Chris Madden, House Hunters narrator Suzanne Whang, and Design Rivals star Chris Hyndman.
This post had HGTV fans feeling nostalgic, and many of them flooded the comments with memories of old favorites, with some arguing the network should revive these shows rather than more programs about “lottery winners” and “flippin’ houses.”
“HGTV needs to bring back shows with people like Carol Duvall and Eduardo Xol. Design on a dime, Curb appeal, Gardening by the yard!!! While enjoyable to watch an $800,000 home become a $1,000,000 home, it’s not relatable to the middle class or those who originally watched this channel to learn how to rehab our house OURSELVES!! Please for God sakes, bring these shows back HGTV,” wrote one commenter.
Design on a Dime, usually hosted by Casey Noble, aired from 2003 to 2013 and followed a design team demonstrating how problem areas can be revitalized on a budget of only $1,000.
“Bring back [Candice Olson], Vern Yip and all the Yard Crasher, Kitchen Crasher-type programs,” said another. “Done with the lottery winners and what $300,000 can buy you in Europe. We want something we can put together/ideas to use in our lives.”
“Yes, I am flippin’ tired of flippin’ shows…..wish they would get back to their roots!! Gardening and Decorating,” said another.
Another added, “Miss the old shows. Now they are all building and renovating. I miss the decorating shows!”
“So many shows with basically the same format, just different personalities,” said one user. “Couldn’t stand listening to the reveal cries of ‘oh my God’ one more time.”
“Room by Room usually featured a project the viewer could complete,” another added. “So tired of [taking] the whole house down to the studs and relocating rooms. Why can’t there be a couple of redecorating rather than remodeling shows?”
Room by Room saw hosts Shari Hiller and Matt Fox introduce their audience to many practical, inexpensive decorating ideas for every room in the house. It aired from 1994 to 2007.
“I miss the decorating shows. I like those better than remodeling,” wrote another.
As has been said before, many fans miss HGTV’s focus on gardening shows. “They might as well take the garden out of their name,” one commenter wrote. “Truly disappointed in the direction they went. Too many home renovation and way too many house hunting shows.”
“They don’t have garden shows anymore, always enjoyed them,” said another.
“Yes need more garden!” added another.
Gardening by the Yard was hosted by Paul James and was described as being for people who want their yards to look great but don’t have time to spend on them. The show aired from 1996 to 2009.
Do you miss the old HGTV shows? Which shows would you like to see return? Let us know in the comments below.
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Agree! In particular, EVERY kitchen renovation looks the same. What if it's not possible to knock out a wall and install a giant island??? My first choice to bring back would be CURB APPEAL. It had tons of useful ideas that one could actually duplicate. Each episode had a different design because every featured house was different. Not to mention a personable gorgeous host made it entertainment plus.
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Loved curb appeal
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Yes. More DIY shows on houses and gardens. Way too many house hunting shows.
Like the food network, too many food competition shows. Let's back to the good old days.
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I totally agree. Miss Candice Olsen’s show. Former shows were more down to earth options - for the common TV watcher.
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Yes, I don't have $100K to remodel. Show me what I can do in my kitchen for $1k.
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Completely agree it's way too lopsided with flipping this and flipping that. Need some decorating shows for indoors and outside to balance the programming better.
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I agree 100% ! Landscape shows and home improvement projects you can afford to do. The home improvement houses shown now are not the average home. My home is just 1300+ square feet. There’s no way I can afford a $150-200 thousand dollar improvement, single retirement income but want my house to look great. Even my son and daughter in law would be strapped to pay for most the improvements you feature.
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Agree totally with all critiques. Really — how many lottery winners can there possibly be? Flipping - ENOUGH ALREADY! House hunters- never have seen so many picky people. Home and GARDEN — what garden?? At least the House Hunters international is a bit more interesting, other than the “still wet behind the ears” young women looking for CHARMING!! Overuse of that word for sure. Just don’t watch much at all anymore. Used to be my favorite channel.
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I’ve pretty much stopped watching. Tired of all the renovating shows! I’m for getting back to where it was years ago. I’ll not watch until that happens
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Same
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Especially the part where they take a sledgehammer to everything. Not necessary.
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Please bring the old shows back. Tired of My lottery dream ,house hunter .
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I agree so much... Design on a dime. Room by room.. as a young mom I love these shows and gave me cheap and inexpensive ways to dress up my home
Curb appeal was my favorite along with landscapers challenge and the design challenge for three different designers give thier ideas...
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Sick of House Hunters. I miss the old shows also. Candace and Vern, decorating on a small budget. Who can afford million dollar homes and then redecorate? Years ago, I finished my kitchen using Shari Hillars and Matt Fox's ideas and i loved it. Simple and inexpensive.
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Bring back the old shows. Candace Olsen and Vern. AND I am sick n tired of Lottery Dream Home. Much rather see David in his previous element------decorating and painting.
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I have said this for years. Please bring back Candice Olson and design on a dime,ect.
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Go back to the basics of decorating, design and color theory. All these shows now are basically about real estate nor decorating. And yes, some gardening shows too.
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I would love to see a show like The Carol Duvall show, the actual decorating, and gardening shows return.
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I would like to see a show focusing on medium price homes
How to remodel and decorate on a budget.
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Curb Appeal the block
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More decorating, less flipping. More gardening, less mansions.
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While I love "My Lottery Dream Home" (I love David and don't we all dream of what we'd buy if we won the lottery? It's fun), "House Hunters," "House Hunters International," I wouldn't mind seeing some of the older shows revived. I'm not a gardener but I''d watch. Some of the shows I've never watched. I'm tired of flipping homes, too. "Holmes on Homes" - I'd like to see more of.
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I've been saying this for years! I loved Design On A Dime and used so many of their ideas! Also, using under $1,000 to help update your home for sale. Not everyone has $100,000 budget to redo everything in their home. These were real life helpful shows for homeowners. I learned how to wallpaper, correctly paint, how to use curtains to the best advantage, and always remember the fifth wall! Bring them back! Please!
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Why can't it be a mixture? I don't mind the renovating shows but get some design shows back in the line up as well. Even some shows with design competitions like the next HGTV Design Star I liked that show. More "How To" shows with small/medium sized projects would be great considering that the average person is more eager to take on projects. Just provide balance in the type of shows you offer why does it have to be one or the other?!
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Totally agree. I lived the old shows.
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Property virgins, my house is worth ŵhat?, my first house. So many. I still love watching house hunters. I am truly sick of remodeling except for home town and love it or list it. I enjoyed farmhouse fixer also
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I agree with being sick of the renovation shows working on multimillion dollar properties. Every decorator has their own trademark and every job looks the same in the end. Doesn’t anyone have any creativity out there?
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The earliest old school shows are what made me start watching HGTV. I would make plans to watch the gardening shows on Friday night and Saturday afternoon. Was it Alexandra Stoddard who hosted a Sunday night Homes across America about styles?They might have been out of my price range but they gave me ideas. They inspired.
While I'm at it, I learned much about cooking from the old Food Channel hosts. I don't need the competition shows and Chopped is the most joyless hour on tv. I don't need to watch people make an appetizer out of cotton candy and Brussel sprouts.
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Trading Spaces, Christopher Lowell, Design on a dime, Candice Olsten and Designer guys!!!! Loved those relatable shows!!!!
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I used to love This Small Space. I do miss many of the former shows.
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Garden shows
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I miss Candice Olsen and Jane Lockhart. Get Color! was interesting with her color wheel. Since Covid, I noticed that the same shows with reruns are played every weekend. It drives me crazy. I've started to watch A&E and they have some great flip and redecorating shows. P.S. I love Alison Victoria, Egypt & Mike, as well as Christina! Oh, and boys from Detroit!
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I missed Design in a dime. Divine design, gsrden shows and curb appeal
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Yes, please no more million dollar homes to remodel. I loved the old yard crasher and design on a dime. Show more gardener shows and outdoor stuff. How many remodeling shows can a person watch. Some are ok, but they are all the same, why the drama of finding a vent pipe in the wall that they are trying to take out?
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I agree with most of the comments. I used to go to sleep watching HGTV every night. After HGTV started focusing more on expensive renovation shows at the expense of gardening and decorating shows that are reasonably affordable for the average person, the network loss my interest. The network became more about consumerism rather than home and gardening ideas that appeal to regular people. The network may win some, but for me, they just lost one.
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Bring back “Moving Up”. An incredible show, fun to watch, interesting to hear what people think. Many old ones come to mind….the people who removed the 1950’s pink kitchen, I wanted to cry. Please, a really fun show!! Tired of the flipping shows!! TY.
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100% agree!!
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Agree
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Totally agree. The oringinal HGTV gave the homeowner incentive to try to make changes on whatever budget you had. Now all we see homeowners with hundreds and thousands of dollars to spend on renovating an entire home. Not realistic. Most homeowners tackle 1 room at a time with a limited budget. I hardly watch the shows anymore. The network has strayed away from the initial concept
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I don't like watching the Byran and Sarah Bauemlar all she does is roll her eyes and is not a designer. BRYAN did well.on his own.
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Would love to see some specialized variety Decorating and Design. Spaces for seniors, design ideas for people with pets, renovations for a handicapped person, ideal 2025 Bachelor pads, designing really special closets in homes that just have the typical one rod one shelf over it and sliding doors, compact fitness centers that can work in a family room or bedroom, etc.
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So agree that everything looks the same these days white cabinets White marbly countertops gray walls gray floors. Love the variety and uniqueness that they used to do for each individual.
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I loved all the original early shows, I hate this now... it's like a real estate channel, not a decorating show. Get away from the buying new houses, selling old houses, rebuilding, Etc and bring back ones like Candice Olson, shows with decluttering,
etc. I used to watch HGTV all day long! Now I may watch 1 hour a week or none at all.
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Totally agree that HGTV should return to its roots. I was an avid viewer when they presented shows that could help me with affordable redecorating ideas, and mini-renos. I also miss the gardening shows. I so rarely watch anymore that I don't even remember the channel it's on!
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I'm so tired of these shows that tear down and build back up. I know a lot of us can't afford all this big money that homeowners spend. A majority of us do not have that amount of money to spend. Come on, Get Rea!!!!!
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I agree.The average person doesn't have hundreds of thousands to remodel their house. I alo miss the decorating and gardening shows. Bring them back!!
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Also tired of flipping and house hunting. Loved curb appeal, gardening, Candace Olson and the older HGTV shows. HGTV has almost lost me.
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I liked Design On A Dime with host Taniya Nyack,
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I agree, there used to be more variety to the programming. Watching millionaire designers redo million $+ homes that look like showrooms is boring . H home G gardening - where is the gardening?
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I can't take another House Hunters International; Bring back Candace Olsen, Landscapers challenge, Designer's challenge...Once you buy the house you got to decorate it and now you have to maintain the yard...Thats what we need..no more flipping houses, keep HOUSE hunters but pull back on so many reruns...
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Totally agree. Now it's just remodel, build, house hunting. My favorite shows were about all aspects of landscaping, gardens, and regular & budget decorating. Most people do not have 1-2oo,oo to spend. Used to watch all the time, not very much now
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I agree. I haven't watched HGTV in YEARS, and then it was an the hospital or doctor's office when they had the TV on that station. I go to YouTube for my home, gardening and decorating ideas now, so I know there continues to be a desire for shows like this. The house hunting/reno shows were fine at first, but what they became the only programming, I lost interest.
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Theres not much on there that interests me anymore. Really tired of lottery winners and flipping houses and house hunters. More landscaping show for typical homeowners. Not everyone has thousands to hire professionals.
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Please bring back Design on a Dime and Stone House Revival! I'd like to see more designing and decorating, less drama and flared tempers.
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Agree!!! Not interested in some couple married 5 times. I don’t watch HGTV at all by any more.
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Bring back designers and landscapers challenge. Loved designing for the sexes. HGTV has gotten so blah.
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Remember Designed to Sell??; So many good old ones that are easy to relate to. Sick of Tarak, the bros, the lottery, , Loved all the crasher shows!! I quit watching lately.
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Bring back Clean Sweep
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Oh, I so agree! I loved the shows that helped me with ideas on simple improvements I could actually do. I also like “nice people” as hosts, not the sarcasm so often heard.
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Totally agree!! Need more gardening type shows, landscaping also and room decorating. Loved those shows so much and truly miss seeing them. Very Tired of David Bromstead and House Hunters overseas.
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Totally agree to comments! Well remember Joan Steffend-Decorating Cents, & similar shows.
Those were the GOOD shows. Please consider bringing back both reruns and updated shows like these oldie goldies.
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I've watched HGTV from the good ole days til now. I do agree we need more realistic shows.... mainstream America doesn't have budgets like those shows... miss gardening shows!!!! Miss the old shows!
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Yes I agree with most of the people. Let’s get shows where ordinary people can afford. No richy rich. Common sense shows for the normal people. Also like the gardening show. Paul James was good and used his common sense. We are people who are not rich but tricks of trade to help make our homes nice and homey and not airy etc. let’s have shows that are different. Are you listening HGTV?
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Miss Decorating Cents and Room by Room
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I totally agree! Bring back the shows for real people on a budget.
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I really miss the gardening shows. I found Gardening by the Yard hosted by Pail James on Discovery streaming so now I watch Discovery instead of HGTV!
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I agree. The older shows had more value to the overall population. House hunting overload...Just unnecessary. Rerun after rerun also unnecessary. I can't tell you how many times I just turn the channel.
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TRADING SPACES…!!!
Bring it back please
Feature Long Island, NY….
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Totally agree, stoped watching HGTV because it's not what it used to be. Very sick of house flipping, bring back all the old shows, they were soooooo much better.
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Yes, more gardening shows. I've been watching the British gardening shows since the are none on HGTV.
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Yes to the older shows. Why do the renovation shows almost always have white furniture? So impracticle. And they all seem to need an abundance of entertainment space.
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Yes Please Mix it up a bit! We need some Gardening shows. We can still have some flip shows but not so many! I will admit I love the flip shows but I want to see Gardens and curb appeal ideas also!
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Monty Don has very educational and interesting shows. Copy his format.
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HGTV seems to cater to people who do not represent the general population. These shows should be family friendly. Too many questions asking about married men etc when kids are in the room.
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I agree. I stopped watching a long time ago. Bring back shows that demonstrate decorating on a budget so that the vast majority of us who are not millionaires can relate.
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Bring back more down to earth shows and definitely more garden and outdoor improvements
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I agree, I like decorating shows and gardening shows. I am always interested in new ways to spruce up my home and gardens.
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Whatever happened to the "GARDENING" in HGTV??
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More No Demo Reno is realistic tired of everything gray and white. Love Tarek but not his mentorship shows more House Huners & International. Not a fan of the garden shows but know there's an audience. Really do not like the host on bargain mansions that is just too unbelievable and way over the average viewers price range and she takes so long to talk but I do miss Kitchen Crashers and the other Crasher shows just not a real fan of Allison Victoria and her condescending attitude towards others but I did like her in Kitchen Crashers..
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my all time favorite besides Candice Cameron was Sabrina Desotos high low project and design on a dime.
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I like House Hunters International but record it so I can bypass the back stories of the “hunters”. If she wants modern-he wants primitive and vice versa. He wants the country, she wants the city. Then they want the city center but with lots of outdoor space, privacy, on busy streets but no noise or neighbors, 4 bedrooms and at least 2 full bathrooms and on the beach if that is possible and the budget is $1000 US$ or less. I can see the houses and their choice in 15 minutes or less.
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What I would like to see is Weekend Warriors. That was a great show with real people renovating a room over a weekend and also I would like to see gardening shows so I can learn how to take care of my little bitty garden.
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Yes more garden shows native planting and good diy decorating
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I loved Design on a Dime and Decorating Cents. Shows that helped people on very slim budgets find ways to decorate their homes.
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YES PLEASE BRING BACK THE OLDIE BUT GOODIES‼️ DESIGN STAR, Design on a Dime, etc. I can't remember the last time I watched HGTV...
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Was thinking about "Gardening by the Yard" just this morning. I miss the Gardening shows.
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Yes,too many Renos, bring back the garden and how to ob yards.
Tired of the same stuff over and over, reruns on together same day.
Just saying
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Room by Room was the OG !!
Def a fav. Reason I started watching HGTV in the 1st place.
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Yes, bring back the gardening and DIY shows so we can learn how to do things ourselves.
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Yes!!!! Bring them back
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I love the Napier’s and the Matt’s but not house hunters or Flippin. We do need more realistic shows for the DIY’s and gardening shows back!
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Yes! Please bring back the old shows format. They were more for gardening and decorating ideas that people could actually use. I no longer watch HGTV with the current format.
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What ever happened to Designed to Sell?! Bring back Clive and Lisa. Not only were they were entertaining, but Lisa is an extremely innovative and talented designer who worked within a budget a widespread audience could relate to! HGTV, your average viewer doesn't have a hundred thousand dollar (or more) budget. HGTV is just no longer enjoyable to watch. I look at Tarek and Christina and how much they have changed since they first started. The clothes, the jewelry, the hair extensions..they have "gone hollywood" and I no longer can watch any show they are on.
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I missed and would like to see room by room. Making over just a kitchen, bath, or game/recreation room is palatable, and preferred by many.
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I agree! I would like to see more realistic shows that focus on things one can do inexpensively. I remember gardening by the yard and loved it. I also would like to see the network bring in more of the midwest instead of New York or LA.
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Was so pleased to read this article!!
Those shows were so much s realistic for the average person! Got great ideas and the we’re so REAL!
Truly bite many of us actually have the time and money to get down to the studs and do a huge financial renovation!
And every show is basically the same!
Yes let’s get back to those bare bones PLEASE!!
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I sure do miss the old shows! So tired of renovations..still enjoy House Hunters tho
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Totally agree with this quote "HGTV needs to bring back shows with people like Carol Duvall and Eduardo Xol. Design on a dime, Curb appeal, Gardening by the yard!!! While enjoyable to watch an $800,000 home become a $1,000,000 home, it’s not relatable to the middle class or those who originally watched this channel to learn how to rehab our house OURSELVES!! Please for God sakes, bring these shows back HGTV,” wrote one commenter."
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I thought it was ME!! HGTV has move into millionaire status when most of their viewers are everyday people who want to see good old down home interior and exterior styling. Yes keep some of the new but bring back the old guard who got HGTV it's status in the first place!
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I agree. More of the old shows. Enough of renovating whole houses. Most of us could not afford to do that anyway. Show me how to make changes in my living room or bedroom with little money.
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I am so tired of lottery winning I just turn away. Still enjoy Ben and Erin
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Absolutely! I watch far less HGTV these days because there aren't any gardening shows, and what's there is about houses way out of my price range/location.
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Yes would love some shows the average person can relate too! And bring back gardening shows!
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Absolutely agree. So tired of million dollar fixer uppers. Give us the good shows.
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I want to learn something watching HGTV. I see homeowners tearing out rooms & walls in homes most people only dream of owning. Get real! Bring back the old show concepts of teaching the viewer gardening & decorating techniques THEY themselves can do to improve what they own & live in. Enough with living in fantasy land!
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Started watching HGTV while summer vacationing in Canada. Never watch it anymore. So glad others are begging for old shows. It hasn't been the same except for a few shows.
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YES to all the above..The gardening shows I miss the most and decorating for people of average income.So tired of Stick Figure Christina and all her marriages..Good Lord..show some real people like you used to!!!
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I miss Surprise Gardener!
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I used to watch HGTV all the time and learned so much. I rarely watch it now. Too many makeover shows that all sound alike.
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Or even Trading Spaces but revamped.
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Sorry, no more gardening shows. Enough of multiple threads from same team, however. Too much Gaines and Scott bros, but don't go backwards to the 'old days'.
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Trading Spaces. And I can't remember the name but they went in a house and redid a few rooms while they had a yard sale and got rid of stuff to earn money to pay for it.
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