HGTV’s Keith Bynum Reflects on Family Loss Following ‘Bargain Block’s End
In the wake of Bargain Block‘s end on HGTV, Keith Bynum opened up about the late family member who serves as his inspiration.
“Circa 2005 i miss my mama sometimes. She was a hard person to love but I did,” Bynum captioned a throwback family photo via his Instagram Story on Thursday, September 11. “My parents built the fireplace we’re on here, they built the mantel, they hung the wall paper. They loved building. She’d love the houses in Detroit. She is why I love junk and redoing old things into pretty things.”
In the photo, Keith sported a blue striped shirt while posing with his parents, LaQuita and Howard Bynum, and his sister, Joni Bynum. “I’m glad I have my dad and sister but I miss her,” Keith added.
According to an online obituary, Keith’s mother died at the age of 63 in June 2022. She worked as a teacher in Texas for 27 years until her retirement. In addition to her children and husband, LaQuita is also survived by Joni’s daughter, Joli Vaughn.
Courtesy of Keith Bynum/Instagram
Keith previously opened up about his relationship with his family in an HGTV Pride Month video in 2021. “I would look at [my partner] Evan’s family to kind of find, like, some normalcy, some calmness, and just some love, because my family, it did not go well when I came out,” he revealed. “They have essentially disowned me. I just kept working, and Evan kept helping, have me focus on what we love doing. And it got to a point now where I realize it’s their loss and it’s not gonna hold me back from having a fabulous life and being who I am.”
Shortly before his mother’s death, Keith revealed that the two had begun to make amends. “It’s never too late to start again. #lovemymama,” he captioned a May 2022 Instagram photo of himself holding LaQuita’s hand as she laid in bed.
Fans were happy to see that Keith and his mother had reconciled. “Your family are the lucky ones! Never too late to love,” one Instagram user commented underneath the post. “Awwww Keith…. I am sooo happy that you were able to reconcile with your Mom before her death.. if not for you, but for her sake,” another fan wrote. “I know how much she loved you, and how much she must be proud of you. She loves you.”
LaQuita died one year after Keith and Evan Thomas launched their HGTV home renovation series, Bargain Block. The show — which concluded its four-season run on Wednesday, September 10 — is one of several recent HGTV cancellations, including Married to Real Estate, Izzy Does It, Farmhouse Fixer, Battle on the Beach, Christina on the Coast, and The Flipping El Moussas.
HGTV
Keith commemorated the show’s conclusion in a Friday Instagram post, writing, “It’s sometimes surreal to look back on that time, everything we’ve been through, everything we’ve accomplished, everything that has changed in our lives and in our business, with a lot of it captured for television. …. And now, that chapter has ended.”
Teasing what’s next for himself and Thomas, he added, “We are working with some amazing clients on some fun projects, and we can’t wait to show you! Whether those will just be on social media, or some other media….stay tuned 😉.”
Conversation32 Comments
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R
So talented. One of my favorite remodeling shows. To take all those rundown houses and make them warm and wonderful homes made such a difference in their communities, and upgraded all the neighborhoods. The artistic touches in every home made each one so special. I hope they come back on another bigger and better show. They deserve it. I wish them all the best.
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Bargain Block is a program about creativity, love and giving back to Detroit. I abhor the HGTV shows about competition, contests and haste. HGTV has lost its vision and heart. Those of us who are passionate about design, ingenuity and beautiful homes will go elsewhere to feed our creative souls. I hope we find, embrace and support Keith and Evan in a new place far from the cold hearts at HGTV.
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Sad to see the show wrap up — all three were kind, funny, and made a real difference in the Detroit community.
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What's wrong with HGTV?
They complained about the cost of renovations and cancelled the show that spent the least. That was part of Bargain Block that was so endearing. They were able to create beauty and creativity without extravagant spending.
Do you think that viewers care about that Chicago designer jetting to Paris? She doesn't seem to have a heart, and no matter how heavily you hype her, I will never watch her shows
And why do "bad comedy" shows like the ugliest house and the other weird house show belong on HGTV. It isn't Comedy Central. Those shows offer nothing and are a waste of time to watch.
At one point I looked forward to HGTV shows. Bargain Block was the best of showing what was possible. It was inspiring to watch the creation of amazing houses that at the same time provided opportunities for first time buyers and helped to revitalize a community.
What should your viewers come away with after watching Retta or Allison Victoria? I've come away disgusted by HGTV's lack of respect for viewers. I won't be one of those viewers anymore.
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Bargain Block was a blast! Keith and Evan are the best! Wishing them all the best in whatever the future holds.
P.S. I'm done with HGTV.
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Bargain Block is one of my all-time favorite shows. In fact, all of the shows they canceled I DVR. So, I will be watching all reruns with joy and sadness as they have been ended. I cannot imagine what HGTV feels is better for us, the viewers, to watch.
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Sad to see Bargain Reno go off the air. I so enjoyed Keith and Evan as they took ugly homes and made them beautiful!!!!
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One of my all time favorite shows Bargain Block. Please get all the shows that were canceled and start your own channel.
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OH MY GOODNESS...OH MY GOODNESS!!!! What will I watch next?!! I love love your shows, and I love the houses you work on. You both are super brave going into the demolished homes and working on them. But I love love the results. Talented....Talented...Funny....Gifted...Silly... Awesome results.....Amazing how you find things to decorate the houses and they are BEAUTIFUL. OK, I have a suggestion come to San Antonio, Texas and do my house. And I'll make you good, awesome, delicious Mexican food. 😂
Love you guys. Love Love every single show. God Bless you. Hope to see you soon. 💕🙏❣️🌺.
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O
I'm not pleased this will not be on anymore. It's one of my favorite shows. Someone has made a terrible mistake to take this show off.
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Loved love love that show ! And what a great thing to do ..TV loosing some of the BEST shows ! What the heck ? Overdone and the drama ...
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I think canceling Bargain Block was a terrible mistake. These guys were bringing homes for people that may not have been able to achieve that dream any other way. And Keith and Evan truly loved these people, and what they were doing. And on Rock the Block it seemed evident to me that they absolutely were not treated fairly.
Rather then give them a win they called a "tie"...totally absurd.
And as for canceling the others, I find that rather suspect, too. HGTV has gone to far, and gone to pot, in my book.
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I will miss Bargin Block!!! The talent and chemistry of all 3 participants was phenomenal. The show stayed fresh and creative all tru the seasons. Best of luck!!!
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Great show! So much hard work and talent. Helping people have beautiful safe homes. Such a disgrace to cancel this show, among several others!
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I wish I could pay for them to come and fix my house and put some joy back in it
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HGTV lost its vision. Canceling some very good reconstruction shows. This is one of them.
What were you thinking?
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I love this show, watched from day one! I always felt the guys just kept it real. Hope they continue to bless the airwaves!
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Going to miss the humor, love, and absolute fabulous designs created by Keith and Evan. That goes for Farmhouse Fixer with Johnathan Knight...another great loss. And yet you keep some others and recycle them into yet another show. 😪
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O
HGTV has been in the garbage can for a long time they only have a few shows that are worth watching most things have gone on to the bigger pay networks anything that was ever worth watching is gone after this lineup so goodbye HGTV
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Could you move over to YouTube?
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Don’t cancel Keith and Evan!
They are one of the few remodeling shows I watch.
I will stop watching home remodeling shows all together unless you bring them back. To cancel their show is a mistake!!!!
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I hate that bargain block was canceled, this show was my favorite. Keith's think out the box design is amazing . Outside my relm of tthinking, please cancel Lottery Dream house. That show is on my list for cancelation.
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O
Bargain Block was the best show, because it was for average people, wanting something nice, instead of all the other rebuilds for people with money! You will both be missed!
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Me and my wife loved the show, hope we haven't seen the last of you both
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Im so glad u were able to find some peace in ur family, Keith 🫶🙏. Ik ur Mama is looking down & feeling so much love & pride over the great guy u r & just how much u & Evan r loved!!
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I think instead of giving Allison Victoria a new show the should keep Keith and Evan Bargin Block ! I loved the silliness the isperation their houses were one of a kind and always affordable. I will miss this show
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It's one of my favorite shows. There is nothing that good to watch on HGTV anymore. Use too be one of my favorite channels, not anymore
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I really like the show, they are amazing working together. I hope to see them again 💝👍
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I loved this show. Those young men worked hard to rebuild broken houses. I loved all the results of their work, I’ll faithfully watch all reruns. Love you young men
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They were the best n most normal show! I watched every show, n repeats! So disappointed they r off. No longer my favorite channel. Not interested in over the top rehabs!
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Enjoyed the shows from start to end, I wish. They kept well enough alone. But they have to do it.
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Gonna miss your show! Not always a fan of Evan cheapening things and keep houses more as they were intended. He to much flipper not enough restorer. Will be waiting for your next venture!
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