Tag Archives: HGTV

Featured, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Timber Kings returns for Season 3 of incredible log home builds

Log homes are a work of art unto themselves, but what the team from Pioneer Log Homes of B.C. create are truly works of art. Bryan Reid Sr., founder and owner certainly thinks so.

“It’s truly like an orchestra,” he says on the line from Vancouver Island. Reid Sr.’s voice is filled with pride as he talks about his veteran crew being able to build homes with nary a word, communicating through hand signals—voices would be lost under the scream of crane hydraulics—as logs are guided into place and homes are created.

Reid Sr., and his artists return for Season 3, Sunday, Jan. 3, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on HGTV, with bigger projects and more laugh-inducing hijinks. Sunday’s return has a little bit of both, as Reid and Joel Roorda jet to Russia to put the finishing touches on an 82,000-square foot home—it more like a compound—boasting an Olympic-size pool and 13 sets of stairs; the log veterans teach a team of Russian builders how to construct the steps on their own.

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“Every time I went over there, the homeowner would pull me aside and tell me, ‘Bryan, I use your company as an example in my company, as the way to treat a customer,'” he recalls. “He didn’t have to do that. He didn’t even have to show up on the site, but he was there almost every day. He loved his home and what we did.” The massive home outside of Moscow is in sharp contrast to the challenge Peter Arnold takes on: creating a log raft—complete with motor and barbecue—that will triumph over white water rapids … with predictable soggy results.

Also on tap for Season 3? Projects see members of the team head to Germany, Philadelphia and the aforementioned Vancouver Island where Reid Sr., is creating something a little off-the-wall that will be shown later on this season.

“We’re building a log car,” he says with a chuckle. “It’s going to be electric, with a turbine. I’ve always wanted to do some kind of log car and now it’s a reality. It’s probably the craziest thing I’ve ever done.”

While much of Timber Kings is spent focusing on the homes being built, HGTV turns the tables on the guys with Under the Hard Hat. The six-part special, beginning March 13, provides in-depth peeks at each of the cast members, exploring their most impressive builds and over-the-top pranks unleashed on their co-workers.

Timber Kings airs Sundays at 10 p.m. ET/PT on HGTV.

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Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Timber Kings return for Season 3

From a media release:

Canada’s favourite log home builders return this winter in a new high-stakes, high-reward season of Timber Kings premiering January 3rd at 10pm ET/PT on HGTV Canada. The awe-inspiring builds and hilarious hijinks continue online with full episodes and bonus scenes appearing on HGTV.ca the day after broadcast. Fans can also get a closer look at their favourite cast members on-air in the six-part special series Timber Kings: Under the Hard Hat premiering March 13th at 10pm ET/PT.

Season three of Timber Kings kicks off with Joel and Bryan Sr. putting the final touches on an enormous 82,000-square foot home in Russia that includes an Olympic-sized swimming pool. Meanwhile, Beat takes on the most perilous build of his career: a luxury vacation home on the edge of a 100-foot cliff. When they’re not building the world’s most spectacular log homes, the crew tackles plenty of impressive side projects. It’s sink or swim for Peter as he undertakes an adventurous experiment to build a wooden raft that can handle white water rapids. André focuses his attention on a sentimental kids’ play-palace at the local hospital, while Bryan Jr. whips up an outdoor kitchen before hitting the beach in search of the ultimate driftwood bar.

After every episode, fans can catch exclusive bonus scenes on HGTV.ca that dive deeper into the storylines from that week. Whether it’s taking a tour of the Russian mansion, getting an even closer look at the challenges of log home building, or getting an all-access pass to Joel’s Tough Mudder race, these bonus scenes offer an extended look at life as a Timber King.

Beginning March 13th, Timber Kings: Under the Hard Hat takes over the 10pm Sunday spot with back-to-back episodes. Each half-hour installment provides an in-depth look at one of the cast members, revisits their best builds, biggest challenges, and priceless pranks. There’s no holding back as the entire Timber Kings cast serves up a healthy dose of fresh colour commentary on their fellow builders.

Fans can watch past episodes on HGTV.ca or catch-up with an all-day marathon on January 3rd starting at 9am and leading up to the season premiere at 10pm ET/PT.

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Featured, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Is House of Bryan: The Last Straw for Bryan and Sarah Baeumler?

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Is this it for Sarah and Bryan Baeumler? After having TV cameras in their faces 24/7 for House of Bryan, have HGTV’s super-couple finally called it quits? The latest iteration of the franchise—returning Sunday with back-to-back episodes—is called The Last Straw. So, what gives? Is the title a reference to the show being set on their property close to farmland? Does it refer to this being the last-ever home they’ll renovate together? Or maybe it is, simply, the final steps in creating that forever home they’ve dreamed of.

“Is this the straw that broke the camel’s back and lead to divorce?!” Sarah says with a laugh during interviews at HGTV headquarters. The short answer is, no, the Baeumlers are not severing their marriage. As a matter of fact, their next TV project—read on for details on that—will bring them even closer together. “In the beginning, it was our goal to show our real lives. Bryan said at the very beginning that he wanted to show our house being built and everything that comes along with that, including what a couple goes through. The reality is, we have lives, there are jobs and kids and things happen.”

“Anyone that tells you, ‘I own a construction company and I’m building my house, it went perfectly, we were under budget and ahead of schedule and everybody is happy is full of shit,” Bryan says. “It’s just not like that. It’s not a railroad track. It’s a shipping channel and you’re meandering towards your destination.”

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Things do, however, begin Sunday night without a hitch. House of Bryan: In the Sticks followed Bryan, Sarah and their kids Quentin, Charlotte, Josephine and Lincoln as renovations began on their home. Those episodes showcased how weather and other obstacles pushed construction on the new wing of the property way past the original deadline. Now that section of the home is done, and attention is turned to the original part of the house and the challenges that come with bringing 70s-era style into the present day.

In The Final Straw, Bryan begins the season by taking advantage of Sarah being away for two days and gutting the original structure. In no time, he and his team have dispatched old panelling, addressed some minor moisture issues and prepped for a vaulted ceiling by hauling in a massive beam to provide strength to the structure. As Sarah tells it, Bryan knows his best option is just to begin work on a project and then reveal what he’s done. That way, she can’t say no. Her reactions, of course, make for great TV.

“They’ve gotten quite a few reactions, and have had to edit out some language,” she says with a laugh. What you get from watching the Baeumlers on screen—and in a conference room with no cameras to capture it—is their sense of humour. These two take everything in stride and don’t let construction drama—or what some fans say online—bother them.

As for their next television project? They’ll be working more closely together. Bryan Inc., which began production just a week ago, spotlights Baeumler’s business by following him around during a typical day. Building and renovating homes will be part of it, as well as Sarah becoming more involved in the 60-plus employee company based out of Burlington, Ont.

“As Bryan says, ‘It’s bring your wife to work day. Let’s see how this goes!'” she says. “Bryan does have me sweeping some floors and it’s good to learn a job from the ground up. We have a really great working relationship and we’re expanding on that.”

“There are going to be challenges,” Bryan teases.

House of Bryan: The Last Straw airs back-to-back episodes on Sundays at 9 and 9:30 p.m. ET/PT on HGTV.

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Featured, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Preview: Alan Thicke’s Unusually Thicke renovates for Season 2

Listen, as long as you realize every scene in Season 2 of Unusually Thicke: Under Construction is a set-up, you’ll enjoy the heck out of it. Yes, Alan Thicke, wife Tanya and son Carter are back for another go-round—this time on HGTV because, well, they’re renovating their house—Unusually Thicke once again explores the exploits of the Kirkland Lake, Ont., native many know as Mike Seaver on Growing Pains.

Returning Thursday with two back-to-back episodes, Alan, Tanya, Carter and guest star Wayne Brady strap on tool belts, pick up hammers and start renovations on Thicke’s sprawling home. Oh, wait a minute, no they don’t. Instead, Episode 1 follows Alan and Carter as they trade $100 for Alan’s stolen cell phone and Wayne swings by to drop off a redneck golf tournament gift bag (containing press-on nails, double-A batteries and baby oil) to Tanya. Anyone expecting to see the key cast doing any kind of manual labour will be disappointed; they merely pick up the phone and order others to do the work.

And you know what? I’m fine with that because Alan, Tanya and Carter are a hoot going through their scripted everyday lives. How scripted? Well, what are the chances Alan’s cell phone is stolen and the Find My iPhone app used to locate it minutes after Alan tells Carter he is going to use that app to track his son while he’s away at college? And yet that’s exactly what happens, complete with a dimly-lit meet in a parking lot where the “thief”—whose face, unlike Cops, is shown the whole time—gets $100 from Alan for returning the phone. I’m using quotes around the word thief because no other criminal would stick around with camera crews milling around Alan’s car. Carter in particular puts in a strong performance in Thursday’s debut, rolling is eyes and delivering playfully snide remarks at his father’s expense.

As for home renovations in the return? Tanya orders crews to fix the cracks in the tennis court, replace the hot tub’s heater and empty out the septic tank. Mike Holmes this trio ain’t, but that’s OK because they’re fun to watch.

Unusually Thicke: Under Construction airs Thursdays at 10 and 10:30 p.m. ET/PT on HGTV.

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Featured, Reality, Lifestyle & Documentary

Scott McGillivray takes control of his Property

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Scott McGillivray has built an empire with a handful of shows surrounding home renovation and property investment. Now he’s adding another segment to his realm with his own production company, McGillivray Entertainment. The longtime host of Income Property figures this was the natural evolution of his brand. After increasing involvement in the HGTV hit—he’s been an executive producer for the last four seasons—McGillivray decided to start McGillivray Entertainment not only to manage new projects starring himself, but fostering new talent as well.

“You become this conduit,” he says from behind the wheel of his truck. “I’ve got this great group of talented individuals that I’ve been working with and there are a lot of possible opportunities. I’m always looking to fill that opportunity gap. When you have a brand, and a branding team and you have sponsors, it’s a lot easier to get a show. And when you have your own production company, it’s easier to spin that out to people as well.” McGillivray has already got two projects put to pilot by HGTV in the U.S. and a third project in development. And while that trio is still in the beginning stages, McGillivray Entertainment’s first series is already filming.

“It’s not the Kardashians.”

Moving the McGillivrays—set to air in 2016 on HGTV Canada—spotlights Scott, wife Sabrina and daughters Myah and Layla as they not only build a dream home for themselves but he constructs a home for a family in need. Cameras are currently rolling on Episode 2 of the 10-parter. Die-hard fans of McGillivray can get a regular dose of Sabrina and kids via his YouTube series Good to Grow, but a television show is a totally different beast. Just ask Bryan Baeumler’s wife, Sarah, who has acquired a fair number of detractors who don’t like the way she acts in the House of Bryan series.

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“Sabrina has been hands-off on the television thing since Day 1,” he says with a laugh. “We’ve been in our current house for eight years and have seen a lot of change during that time with having kids. I said, ‘We could make a show about this!’ and she said, ‘Please don’t.'” She relented, but McGillivray stresses Moving the McGillivrays will be authentic and show who his family really is (“It’s not the Kardashians,” he says.). McGillivray notes anything he posts showing his private life garners a lot of attention from fans, so the project is a logical move. And with the success of series like Income Property, All American Handyman, Canada’s Handyman Challenge and Holiday Battle on the Block, his popularity doesn’t show any signs of erosion.

Next up following Moving the McGillivrays is a full season of Income Property: On Vacation. Something he’s been wanting to feature in the mothership series for ages, On Vacation shows people who own getaways how to make a buck from them.

“I grew up with a cottage and you’re just a different person when you’re there,” he says. “Even if you’re working, it’s not the same as being in a basement in the city during a snowstorm.”

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