I see that they have started showing "A Gardener's Diary" again. I have my TiVo setup to record it each morning. My wife makes fun of me, but I love that show. I really hate the "surprise the homeowner with a project completed in 4 hours using items collected from dumpsters" type shows that seem rampant on HGTV. I also record "Gardening by the Yard".

- Brent

"surprise the homeowner with a project completed in 4 hours using items collected from dumpsters"

LMAO. I agree, those shows are awful. I haven't watched any of them in a long time, probably because of the really bad ones. The interior design shows of that sort are really horrible, too.

I like Paul James, too, even if he is a bit corny, he has a lot of good info. I'll have to check my TV listings, I don't even know what's on anymore.

There was "Georgia Gardener" with Walter Reeves here in Georgia. I haven't seen it for a while. It is/was on the public TV channels and may be available by satellite. That show had some good info. Walter still does radio and speaking engagements.

As a professional designer who has been approached several times over the last few years to be in one of these programs, I can tell you they don't really make it an appealing proposition for the designer either. Rather than perhaps film an actual job with a real budget, they prefer to give you a project and have it be a rush job with very little money. Why would a talented designer want to do a half-assed job with little design or realistic budget, when it wouldn't be representative of their work? I told them I would consider it if they wanted to film an actual job I was already going to do, but this just isn't the way they prefer to work.

As a result, I can't say I spend anytime actually watching HGTV, and prefer to get PR through being published in design magazines, or doing a charity garden tour.

Garden by the Yard is also one of my favorites. Lots of good info.

The designers challenge show, where they pit 3 pro's against each other is another favorite. They provide a glimpse of the design and rationale for choices (of course all in TV-time, so pay attention). Watching the winner designer and homeowner interact is also part of the entertainment.

Now THAT's a show I would watch. Wouldn't it be great if a program could follow a "real" designer through the design process, installation, and finished project? That's the sort of program that would enlighten viewers and really promote a thoughtful approach to LD for homeowners.

I agree with David. Having been involved with one of these "entertainments" the show looked like I was the presenters labourer who in reality only turned up on the day of the shooting to hog the camera.

Bahia wrote: I told them I would consider it if they wanted to film an actual job I was already going to do, but this just isn't the way they prefer to work.

Too bad you can't pair up with a videographer (aspiring pro or freelancer maybe?) and make your own series, maybe with other REAL designers. I'd love to see your work (even though I have serioius zonal envy), and I bet there would be an audience.

Easy to do in your copious spare time too, I bet *grin*.

-VW

My inquiries to HGTV re good garden shows resulted in a short, luke-warm form response with no encouragement. It is obvious they don't care about interested gardeners.

I agree! They have taken the good shows off and are putting junk on instead. I love the Gardener's Diary too. I miss the gardening shows that were on Saturdays.

BBC's Home Front with Darmuid Gavin was such a good show. I wish they'd rerun that series.

Although they have watered down a bit from their early years, Taunton Press still puts out some insightful pubs on building, woodworking, gardening, cooking, sewing etc. What if they got in to the video biz?

My inquiries to HGTV re good garden shows resulted in a short, luke-warm form response with no encouragement. It is obvious they don't care about interested gardeners.

H G T V has the goal of making money, not of producing quality shows. To make the most money, they appeal to the broadest audience with the cheapest shows. If, by some odd twist of fate a quality show sneaks in under those guidelines, they might let it slip by.

Don't expect quality from H G T V.

-VW

Here is a link that might be useful: Did I mention the evil of product placement on TV?