Rodney

I've enjoyed it quite a lot -- I like the dynamic of people working together and figuring out how to get things done when they haven't a clue to start with; reminds me of software development.

Sometimes the producers try to goose up the conflict aspect too much -- they even incite it, I've read from some of the participants on the MH discussion board on the Discovery website -- but generally it's fun to watch. The crew I felt the most sorry for was the one that had to build a 20,000-Leagues-Under-the-Sea-type house, with a ton of welding to do -- but only one certified welder on the crew. The producers really set them up to suffer, especially the welder, but she carried it off.

My favorite show was the zen house -- these guys got along so well that they finished the whole job in just over three days -- to maintain any tension, the producers challenged them to several extra big projects in the remaining time, and the did it. Plus it was a pretty cool house that anybody would want to live in.

I do appreciate that the people that they get for this show are truly game for anything that's done; I guess they know what to expect. And although some of the mods are a little strange -- okay, a lot strange -- if you look at most of the houses, they're pretty much run-down older (read "cheap") tract homes owned by first-time buyers. On balance, I would say that the house's value usually goes up. I mean, who wouldn't want a personal pneumatic tube system that brings bottoms of beer directly from the kitchen to your easy chair? And sure, 95 percent of buyers wouldn't be interested in a house with a light-up dance disco floor, but you can bet that there are a few people out there who'd actually kill for one.