Best TV Show of the Week

Extreme Makeover: Home Edition recently began its ninth season on broadcast TV. The series’ longevity is one of best demonstrations that TV audiences want more from entertainment than non-stop gore and smutty sex jokes; and for providing genuinely inspirational and optimistic entertainment for the whole family, the September 25^th season premiere of ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (Sundays, 8:00 p.m. ET) deserves recognition for being the Best TV Show of the Week.

In a humorous opening, Ty Pennington and his Design Team pulled the Extreme Makeover bus into the driveway of the White House. “Are we dressed okay?” new team member Sabrina fretted, while Pauly asked, “Are you sure they’re home?” As usual, Ty bellowed “Good morning!” through his bullhorn…only to be greeted by First Lady Michelle Obama. “My house is fine. We don’t need a makeover. We’re happy with it the way it is,” the First Lady joked, before pledging her support to assist in helping the Steps and Stages Jubilee House in Fayetteville, North Carolina.  

Founded by Lieutenant Commander Barbara Marshall, a former U.S. Navy chaplain, Steps and Stages is a transition home providing housing and support for homeless women veterans who are temporarily out of work, and who need a place to stay. But with the recent death of her husband James, who maintained the house, Steps and Stages was falling into disrepair, and Barbara did not have the financial means to keep it operating at the previous level; and the house itself was overcrowded with women and their children.

Enter Ty and the Design Team! While Barbara and the present Jubilee residents vacationed at Disney World, Blue Ridge Log Cabins erected a new two-story home, with ten spacious bedrooms, a full dining room and kitchen, a resource room where residents can research jobs or study, and a soundproofed playroom for their children. The Design Team added their own touches: Sabrina completed a mosaic of the American flag composed of photos of active-duty women military personnel; Tracy added a wall of plaques bearing inspirational messages from former residents; Johnny provided Barbara’s son with a room where he can practice his drumming; and Paul built a shared room with a movable wall for the resident’s children to stay in. At Mrs. Obama’s suggestion, a greenhouse was built, where the residents can grow and enjoy fresh vegetables -- once Ty adjusted his pneumatic “Veg-a-Tube” so that the tomatoes were not reduced to salsa en route to the kitchen. Inspired by Barbara’s actions, singer Rihanna auctioned off tickets to her next concert, with all proceeds going to Jubilee House; groups in Minnesota, New Orleans, Boston and New York organized service projects for women veterans in their areas; Sears provided new clothing and job training for the residents; and the College of Charleston established a scholarship fund for residents of Jubilee House.

Though Extreme Makeover is a “feel-good” show, it is also much more. This episode reminded viewers of the many great contributions made by women soldiers, and showed that life after their service in the military is not always an easy one…but it also demonstrated how everyday people can make a difference in the lives of others, and repay the selfless courage our veterans have shown in protecting us all.

Best TV Show of the Week

The Parents Television Council - www.parentstv.org