Man, I must have really missed this news, or it was something that was way under the radar when it was first reported. Either way, it turns out that Paige Davis, the eternally cheerful former host of TLC's Trading Spaces is returning to the show that made her a household name.
Her comeback begins this Saturday with the show's eighth season premiere. She was fired from the show three years ago without any explanation (although, I'm sure some of you 'insiders' know the real reason why she was let go). The show went on without a host after that and slowly disappeared into the universe of home improvement programs, which were actually spawned from the success of Trading Spaces in the first place. And, if that's not irony...
The show will be going back to its roots -- two houses, two days, $1000. Some of the original cast, like Hildi Santo-Tomas, will also be returning (I don't know if she really ever left). There will be a new production company, though, and the home owners will be slightly different. Instead of having two sets of friendly neighbors look for divorced couples, disgruntled employees and their ex-bosses, and rival cheerleaders to decorate each others homes.
Personally, I'm happy that Paige is returning. When she was let go Trading Spaces really lost all of the energy that it had and let the other home improvement shows walk all over it. Sure, her return is not going to catapult the show back into the fan favorite it was a few years ago, but it should help people remember that the is still on. I know I'll be recording it just to see what it's like.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-23-2008 @ 9:51AM
ORKMommy said...
I couldn't stand Paige and her constant happiness and holier than thou attitude. I'm glad I don't have cable so I don't have to watch her again!
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1-23-2008 @ 10:15AM
Ralph said...
We pretty much stopped watching it when she left, so we'll likely make it a regular view again once she's back.
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1-23-2008 @ 11:04AM
I miss my stars! said...
I'm glad to hear she's coming back.
Was it true that she was canned because she liked to make "home movies" or, was that just urband legend?
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1-23-2008 @ 11:12AM
Ladi said...
TRADING PLACES was the US version of CHANGING ROOMS a UK show that had been on for several years before TP appeared here. So CHANGING ROOMS is really the influence that created all the home improvement shows. You can still see the old episodes is you have the BBC network.
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1-23-2008 @ 11:35AM
Mac said...
Page Six: IS it her recent weight gain or her terrible ’50s hairdo that cost Paige Davis her job as host of “Trading Spaces?” Davis was in trouble with TLC last summer when she did a go-go dance showing off her tiny thong at the Broadway Bares Equity Fights Aids gala. Recent Internet rumors of a steamy sex videotape couldn’t have helped matters, even though no tape ever materialized. A rep for “Trading Spaces” confirmed: “TLC is taking ‘Trading Spaces’ in a new creative direction, transitioning to a ‘host-less’ format this spring . . . Paige helped make ‘Trading Spaces’ a great success for the network, and we wish her the best of luck.”
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1-23-2008 @ 11:46AM
Pamela Koczak said...
Trading Spaces is/was my all time favorite TV show. I would re-arrange an entire evening just to catch the show (especially when pregnant with my daughter). When Paige left I lost track of showtimes and channels. When does Trading Spaces air now?
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1-23-2008 @ 12:02PM
RichK said...
Ladi, technically you're right. However, Trading Spaces on TLC was on the air before many of the households around here knew about Changing Rooms. So, I would say that Trading Spaces was the American impetus for the home improvment craze.
Pamela, the show now airs at 10:00 pm on Saturday nights.
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1-23-2008 @ 2:01PM
Ladi said...
Interesting. But not quite true. It doesn't matter that most Americans didn't know about CHANGING ROOMS, without that program TRADING PLACES wouldn't exist. So CHANGING ROOMS is the inspiration that started it all.
1-23-2008 @ 12:10PM
Oreo said...
I thought she quit to do plays.
Either way the show sucks. Why watch a show that does one room when we know have shows that redo whole houses?
The new designers, who make up 90% of the people suck, and her returning will do nothing.
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1-23-2008 @ 12:17PM
GigG said...
I'm glad she's back but I'm also very happy they are changing the format. It had, to say the least, gotten a bit tired.
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1-23-2008 @ 3:27PM
Justin said...
Trading Spaces went downhill the day Paige replaced Alex.
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1-23-2008 @ 5:47PM
Isabelle Carreau said...
Even though I was not a Paige fan (I didn't like or hate her), the show was never the same without a host. I used to watch the show every week (and weekdays since I didn't start watching the show from the start) and even bought the book! But when the show changed format and lost its host, I didn't like the pace and format so I quickly dropped the show from my viewing schedule. I'll definitely give it a try now that it's going back to its roots.
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2-01-2008 @ 1:18AM
Just Call Me Nobody said...
I never watched the show until a teacher I was working with got me hooked on it. At first, I liked Paige, but then she started getting on my nerves. I didn't like how she would always remind everyone that they only had just a few more hours to work and why weren't they working when she was in there bugging them or screwing up stuff and one time, she refused to give a designer a few extra dollars to get some more stuff they needed. I quite watching because of her, and when I heard she wasn't on, I started watching again. I only watch on the weekends now, since that's the only time I have seen it, and I saw the episode when she did the divorced couples. She seemed like she had taken Concerta or Ridilin because she wasn't as hyper and fakey like she was before. I don't know if I'll continue to watch it now that she's back. And what happened to Doug? Does he have cancer or has he starved himself and has that lollipop thing going that all the Hollywood stars have? You know skinny bodies and big heads?
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4-03-2008 @ 4:04PM
thj said...
I have never ever liked Paige Davis.. I think shes too lovely dovey towards the men.. Isnt she a married gal.??. She needs to grow up .. I never watch the show now.. I liked it when she wasnt their.. I think shes a big joke!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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