'Extreme Makeover' coming to Knoxville

1/6/2012

ABC's popular "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," the show in which communities come together with a TV cast to build a new home for a family, is coming to Knoxville.

According to a news release, "The name and location of the selected family will be revealed on Jan. 10, 2012, when the show's host, Ty Pennington, will knock on the door of the selected family and give them the news that they have been chosen. Producers from "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" have visited Knoxville and have narrowed down their search to a handful of families from which they will choose the winner."

Grace Construction, a woman-owned area general contractor, will be lead builder on the project. The show's producers chose the contractor.

When Christi and Scott Branscom of Grace Construction first got the call from ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," it was a lot for them to take in.

But when they realized it was indeed the show and producers really wanted them to be the lead construction company for the project, they couldn't pass up the chance.

"This was a great opportunity to do something for the community that we love," said Christi Branscom, president of the company.

"This is something that has a direct benefit, not just writing a check or being on a board. This is a rare opportunity to affect them on the scale we're about to do."

Branscom attended a pep rally at the Tennessee Theatre and introduced Milan Vasic, the senior producer of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," and update project volunteers about preparations for the show's January taping.

"It's a neat thing. It will give ABC and 'Extreme Makeover' an opportunity to really see Knoxville," Branscom said.

"And it's an opportunity to get together to build momentum. This will be fast and furious, and you will have to enjoy it while you can."

"We have gotten widespread support," said Cynthia Moxley, spokeswoman for the project. "This is definitely a bigger community effort than I thought it was. It's a massive undertaking in a week."

The show, winding down after nine seasons, selects a deserving family in America, based on needs and circumstances, for a total home remodel or rebuild.

The show's producers have visited Knoxville and narrowed their search to five families, one of whom will emerge as the winner. The show boasts that it can get the actual project done in a week, while typically sending the winning family off to a vacation in a place such as Disney World.

The lucky family will be revealed Jan. 10, when the show's cast knocks on their door to deliver the good news. Knoxville's episode will air in late 2012 as a two-hour special.

The project still needs lumber, exterior siding, vinyl or aluminum facia material, a paint supplier and installers of exterior siding, stone and wood flooring.

More than 2,500 people have signed up to volunteer.

"I'm surprised every time I look at the volunteer sheets or where materials are coming from," Branscom said.

"I'm fascinated to see the number of people come from all over to do this. 'Extreme Makeover' has this amazing following, and people are coming out for the Tennessee build."

Branscom said the largest challenge in planning for the build — which is getting help from a number of area contractors including Heritage Homes, Hickory Construction, Southern Magnolia Homes and 11/11 Construction — is the scheduling.

"We'll be doing milestones every 45 minutes," she said. "We have to make sure we have the materials there and staged on site. We are doing some unique things to help move faster. It will be a 24/7 work site."

Tennessee's tried and true Volunteer spirit can shine in January, she said.

"The lasting effect of this show for this family is it will change their entire world in a dramatic way," Branscom said. "It will make all of the sleepless nights worth it."

Moxley said that besides the benefiting family, the show will leave its mark on the entire community. Habitat for Humanity will receive any leftover materials from the build, and donations will also be collected for the YWCA.

"This will bring us together," she said. "I think it will have a spillover effect for others. So come down and see what it's all about and it'll be fun to be a part of a national television show."

Source: Knoxville News Sentinel