Want an Extreme Makeover? You'll need to answer a few questions
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To the list of extremely difficult jobs in this country, I'd like to add the task of deciding who gets a new home on ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," starring Ty Pennington (pictured here). According to the network, thousands of applications are received each week.
Also among the tougher tasks one might take on in life: filling out the extremely long "Extreme Makeover" application form. Not only do you need to submit photos of the family and a compelling video of your home-related needs and desires, you also have to answer a long list of extremely personal questions. Among them:
— Does anyone in the household have a MySpace or Facebook page, blog or website of any kind? If yes, please list all the addresses.
— Do you receive state aid for foster care, disability, adoption subsidy or any other benefits of this kind? If yes, how much and for whom?
— In the event you are selected, will you be able to provide W-2s and/or your tax returns for the last three years?
— Are you current with your mortgage payments? If not, why?
— IMPORTANT: Have ANY members of your household ever been convicted of or been charged with a crime? (It could be as simple as a driving violation or as serious as armed robbery.) Be honest. We will find out sooner or later through our comprehensive background checks. If yes, please describe (include dates).
— Have you been or are you involved in a lawsuit? If so, list date of judgment or settlement and the amount.
— Do you have any debt other than your home mortgage? If yes, please describe.
— Are you friendly with your neighbors?
And there are many, many more. That neighbors item would be important. Imagine living near the ruckus involved in such a makeover operation, with no direct benefits coming to you as a neighbor.
If you're into some full disclosure and want to apply, here's the full application form in PDF.
(Photo: Ty Pennington Style)

Man, I remember when these guys rolled into Bakersfield a few years back when I was living there. Totally shady. Hid grandma's house behind a giant stack of hay. Pretended the home was in one town when it was actually in another. really put major pressure on the locals to poney up serious dough for the project plus scholarships for the kids -- some of which had already been raised and put in a special trust fund -- not good enough. They needed ANOTHER trust fund.
So then they build the house, and immediately get sued by the family of the guy who killed the dad in the house (car vs. tractor accident) because they family of the guilty party thought they had money and wanted to make their lives miserable.
Yeah, made their lives WAY easier.
Posted by: lil_gaucha | May 15, 2008 at 06:56 AM
but, as you say, thousands of people each week gladly give up all their privacy for the chance to be on TV. no wonder the government can get away with tapping our phones, reading our emails, reviewing our bank accounts and library records, and centralizing all our medical data, no matter how unconstitutional. no wonder ChoicePoint has more information about us than our parents do - and is allowed to sell it for profit, even to law enforcement and identity thieves! man, what is wrong with people?
Posted by: sheila | May 15, 2008 at 11:22 AM
I stopped watching the show when I kept seeing kids living at home that were out of high school and in their 20's. Kick them out or make them pay rent and then they wouldn't be having finacial problems.
Posted by: Tammy | July 13, 2008 at 08:53 PM
Please send help to Ms. Lilly Mae Hargrove that was living in Houston, TX under the care of her Daughter Lois Guidry that is her primary care giver. She moved back to New Orleans thiinking that Road Home was going to give her the remaining money to fix and repair her mother home. Well that did'nt happen as planned. Ms. Lilly Mae Daugher have been taking care of her for years after Hurricane Katrina damaged her mother's home and now she's stuck between a rock and a hard plate. This has cause stress on the daughter becasue she's not able to work because she's been her mother caregiver since she been diagnosed with cancer and before her mother die I just wish that Ms. Lilly Mae Hargrove can die in peace in her home that she raised her kids in. My name is Deirdre Williams and I reside at 205 Chimney Rock Dr.; Tyler, TX (903)262-8261
Posted by: Deirdre Williams | September 29, 2008 at 03:50 PM