First appearance of Kevin O'Connor 2003

This Old House first appearance of then-future host Kevin O'Connor in his television debut. With the help of painting contractor Jim Clark, homeowners Kevin and his wife Kathleen remove some old, painted-over wallpaper at their home. From "Ask This Old House" Season 1 Episode 22. Originally aired Thu Mar 06, 2003.
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[@Arieeeee]

The Kevin haters don't understand his role on the show, especially early on. He was there to be the relatable "every man" who's not afraid to ask the questions that the viewer might be thinking of. Bob, Norm, Tom, Richard, Roger, Electrician of the week, etc. are all grizzled professionals who have seen everything and it might be intimidating to a first time home owner watching the show to see them. Kevin gets to ask the simple questions and over the years has become a very knowledgeable and handy person himself.

[@Arieeeee]

@Brisdad53 I'm not going to argue against you about the current affair of this and other HGTV style shows. A lot of them have moved away from fixing "normal people" homes and turned into young couples with large trust funds playing decorator at their million dollar+ homes. Still, I like Kevin's role in the show.

[@bobby-c7731]

My wife started watching TOH and ATOH with me this year. She had an initially negative opinion of Kevin. I had to explain this to her. His questions are scripted in such a way that it makes the interactions with the masters more conversational and accessible. I love Kevin for this.

[@bobby-c7731]

@Brisdad53 Not all. When I started watching TOH I was a serious novice. I found Kevin's questions, and the experts' answers incredibly helpful

[@bigmacdaddy1234]

@DR PHIL Actually Bob was very handy and he knew very well what he was doing.

[@bigmacdaddy1234]

@DR PHIL Ok, so in his 50 years in the business he knows absolutely nothing, and you walk on water. Thanks for letting us know this.

[@electricianron_New_Jersey]

Kevin's been a great host for TOH. I like when Tom calls him "sonny boy"!

[@Sam-zd9ut]

Kev is the man. Never understood the hate. Dude is a legend.

[@alexanderzerka8477]

What are you talking about? I've literally not seen a single negative comment about him.

[@fakeascanbe423]

"Sounds good, I'll put Kathleen on it right away" got him the job

[@edman2740]

I hope this gets pinned 🤣

[@danielmiller2977]

Keven O'Connor in my humble opinion is the best host in the history of This Old House. I love the guy.

[@Omrentonth999]

Yea Bob vila was OK but Kevin is just as good as a host

[@nick4leader]

The benefit of Kevin is he's kind of a Layman so he can speak better to us ordinary people who don't necessarily have a lot of experience

[@louistroisi2411]

not bad for someone who could not use a hammer before this show

[@backwashh]

1:47 the way he smoothly hit his head. He was born for the TV role

[@ericholdsworth6611]

Nice catch, saw that to, flawless transition.

[@squierjoshyt]

I was thinking the same thing. Classic Kevin.

[@donaloflynn]

I love how comfortable Kevin was on camera from his very first appearance. His ease and witty banter evidently got him the job!

[@squierjoshyt]

That's literally how it happened. They approached him.

[@kennixox262]

I suspect that he had the job before this was aired.

[@johntilson2535]

TOH should've hired Kevin's wife to host. She seems like the prime motivator of that couple! LoL

[@ActualGenius]

Kevin talks, Kathleen works eh?

[@marchetta67]

She was actually their first choice to become the new host. But, she turned them down, and they "settled" for Kevin.

[@DW7887]

@@marchetta67 Trust Kevin, she is a beast - oh yes, guys talking about ex-wifes :-D

[@Skammerd]

Funny how us who've been watching TOH for ages always associate it with Bob but Kevin's been hosting longer than anyone.

[@ronj2110]

Kevin O'Connor is the best host since This Old House started

[@armyvet8279]

Kevin's a nerd. He's lost around tools.

[@Sickoflife]

@@armyvet8279 That is the entire point of his TV Persona, he is suppose to represent the average 1st time home owner that doesn't know anything.

[@stoneyj1a1]

Steve was the best

[@Skammerd]

@@xzxoxlx Bob Vila

[@TheBenjammin]

He Looks just like that dude that hosts This Old House. Same name too.

[@Dog.soldier1950]

Amazing

[@chaunceypullman3380]

I remember this episode like it happened yesterday. He was very photogenic. The All American boy look. Reason they called him Sonny boy!!! He was the best choice to take TOH to its next level. Glad to see he's still hanging onboard. Always wondered how their house looks after all his time on the show.

[@andrewfutterman3346]

I don't think they live there anymore. I recall reading that they bought a new house and were living there, and were renting the old house to tenants. That's probably why they opted to keep the house as a two-family unit.

[@lunaholiday8585]

I’d bet that’s a nice rental.

[@sherrihurst3142]

To be honest I'm not sure how Kevin's wife didn't get the job lol

[@kepstein8888]

Kevin is more relaxed and natural than a lot of the homeowners who go on camera. Many seem like they're trying too hard and make fake, cheesy comments out of nervousness. I can see why they picked him up.

[@211teitake]

Kevin looks like a boy and much younger than his wife.

[@67goodoleboy67]

O'Connor worked for Fleet Bank as a Vice President in the Sports Finance Group, then worked for Bank of America as a Senior Vice President in the Commercial Real Estate Group.[1] The producers of This Old House approached him to become their new host following the departure of Steve Thomas. O'Connor and his wife, Kathleen, had appeared on an episode of Ask This Old House (Season 1, Episode 22), in which painting contractor Jim Clark assisted them with a wallpaper-removal project.[2] O'Connor, also the host of Ask This Old House and Inside This Old House, holds a position on the editorial board of the This Old House magazine, published by This Old House Ventures, Inc. In September 2011, O'Connor debuted as the author of his first book, The Best Homes from This Old House.[5]

[@Humphrey2309]

Finally I looked everywhere for this video and could never find it thanks TOH

[@glorygloryhallelujah]

Me too

[@greencello599]

Kevin tends to get a lot of flack for not being a tradesman. He isn't supposed to be the tradesman, he is the host and as the host, Kevin asks the questions a homeowner would ask to the experts. He also goes to different places to learn things that have more of a science background that isn't limited to a single trade. Examples include going to a place that studies and duplicates the forces of a hurricane, a place that sets fire to everything to know how people can stop or escape from fires, and a place that pre-makes concrete walls for foundation add-ons. Kevin helps where he can, which makes him more as an additional apprentice or journeyman, but he is the bridge between the experts and the audience.

[@disjointedbuilds8107]

This. Well put.

[@greencello599]

@DR PHIL None of the hosts are tradesmen. The point of having the host is to have that bridge between the experts and the audience.

[@chadwygal2077]

I like Kevin and I think he does a great job as host.

[@twistingterrain7748]

I think Kevin was the perfect host. Asks lots of questions, not intimidating to the viewer, and relatable

[@A_Gzilla]

So he was a customer first how cool.

[@flyingozzy]

Kevin: What's in this stuff, there's a little smell to it. Jim: Yeah, it's sort of an enzhyme Kevin: hmm.. let's hope so.... I hope they hired him because of this reply! nice repartee

[@natereik]

@ 5:55 for those wondering

[@PS-vc2yz]

Based on this first audition I think you should have hired Kathleen LOL

[@dff19707]

Rumor has it that Tom Silva screwed Kevin’s toolbox (that’s visible at bottom right of the video at 1:07) to the floor as a practical joke that day.

[@whicky1978]

Do you ever think TOH shows up to the wrong house and the residents are like “shhh 🤫 don’t say anything “😆

[@artflorez1568]

You can really see how much Kevin has grown since his first appearance 19 years ago. On a side note as a New Orleanian I really liked that Tulane University hat that Jim Clark was wearing. I wonder what his connection to the school is.

[@nscaledelights]

Kevin hasnt aged a day since 2003 lol.

[@K-Riz314]

Lol he really hasn't!

[@thesaexplorer]

I believe Kevin was a banker before becoming host. Such an interesting transition...

[@NickCBax]

Yup. He was a VP with Bank of America.

[@bofadeeznuts469]

Nicholas Barnard good thing he finally got a decent paying job with ToH lol

[@philoyphilia]

Kevin is such a cool guy. He is very humble and very intelligent. Every tv host are due our respect, but because of Kevin's qualities, he is one of the best.

[@JM-yx1lm]

Heck Kevin's wife is pretty hot!

[@ronj2110]

Kevin O'Connor is the best host since This Old House started way back

[@thyslop1737]

Disagree

[@squierjoshyt]

@@thyslop1737 I disagree with you.

[@mcarroll598]

Totally disagree.

[@kurtkisandi1575]

I went over my stubborn wallpaper with 1/4 inch drywall!

[@BrianandSnoopy1]

I always liked him and i think he the best one they have. I remember that he replaced Steve Thomas who i also liked because I think Steve wanted to concentrate on an acting career. either one of them was much better than Bob. I think his wife is pretty cute and i liked their dog. I wonder if they still have the dog. :)

[@aurvaroy6670]

Finally waiting for this video 😀

[@juanrf2122]

The wetter the better, l agree with him

[@koconnor]

Who the hell is this guy? And why did this pop up in my recommendations?

[@rawbacon]

He's that annoying host guy that everyone likes to complain about but no host gets razzed more than Bob Vila.

[@MattLitkeRacing]

She sounds like George’s fiancé on Seinfeld

[@garychambers5930]

Right I was thinking she sounded familiar Hahahahahahahahahaahahahahahaaha

[@javedakhtar]

I wonder if she gets a separate room for her doll collection.

[@garychambers5930]

@@javedakhtar hahahahahahahahahaahahahahahaaha Hahahahahahahahahaahahahahahaaha

[@BobLovesKaren]

Hope she didn’t lick that wallpaper glue. 😂

[@Metal1USMC]

Kevin does an outstanding job. I think of all the Hosts he does the best job.

[@sweatervestfest918]

Kevin and Steve Thomas were the best hosts in my opinion.

[@stephanieray6587]

I'm a Bob Vila fan myself... I recently was able to see the original episodes, and his website is very good.

[@wowzers0_070]

@@stephanieray6587 It's funny, I don't think the cast liked Bob.

[@natereik]

Love how Kevin hits his head at 1:47 :-D

[@johnnynbk]

Nice how today we have an app that removes wallpaper. So much easier

[@joe6096]

Kevin hasn't aged a day in 20 years. But leaning off the scaffold like that against the opposite wall would age me 20 years in a day lol

[@josephu6845]

Kevin is a wonderful host but I think we need to see Kathleen on the show again!

[@ncc74656m]

I don't believe that anyone doesn't like Kevin. He's a good kind man, funny, and is quick on the uptake in a way that's hard to do on camera. I hope he's here until he's ready to retire.

[@bhadz100]

Heard rumors that Kathleen was the original choice 😆

[@mcarroll598]

So he asks for help to remove wallpaper, then he gets the job of hosting a home improvement show. Now he wears a tool belt. He must be tradesman now.

[@jimmyd277]

Kevin is one of the greatest host of This Old House. They made a good choice when they picked him.

[@Mister006]

He was just a regular old homeowner who had zero idea, and now we look at this to see a time when he had NOT A SINGLE CLUE that he was about to become the host of both This Old House and Ask This Old House for the next 20 years! I watched this episode when it first came out!

[@bobby-c7731]

Do they still have that pink house?

[@kenk8215]

I have to admit I didn't like Kevin when he first started but I have grown to really appreciate him. I now consider him my favorite TOH host.

[@twistingterrain7748]

Kevin!!!!

[@tomhoyer2313]

Way to go Kev. The best host of TOH.

[@michaelmase5498]

would've been easier to just go over the wall with 1/4 inch sheetrock, yikes what a tedious job

[@larry78cj7]

I remember this, it’s so weird now.

[@chrisgrandpre6063]

I've been looking for this video, thanks for posting!

[@silverwoodchuck47]

7:06 Kevin's lying against the wall while the scaffolding looks like it could move makes me nervous.

[@GreddyReaddy]

Went back to check it out and you’re right. If that scaffold would to slip it would have smashed his wifes face.

[@cajunfid]

@@GreddyReaddy And he would have gone straight down a flight of stairs. Yikes.

[@squierjoshyt]

Pretty sure they screw it to the floor so it doesn't move back and forth.

[@AndreViens]

Is Kevin still living at the pink house?

[@SteS]

2:16 is it me or is Kevin pulling a face here when he thought the camera wouldn't catch it?

[@nbrowser]

Wow...history here, granted Kevin is vastly improved over the guy he replaced...that's how forgettable that one guy is...don't even remember his name, Just Bob Vila and Kevin O'Connor.

[@fordkoleski7913]

I can't believe he has been on 20 yrs already!

[@DigitDesign]

21 years in and I still think of him as the new guy. Even though he's been there the longest!

[@bosse641]

Cool to see the young Kevin :o) And his lovely wife.

[@squierjoshyt]

She's a babe AND super sweet. What a combination.

[@mschmitz57]

they look like brother and sister.

[@crosstheborder731]

The clip we've all been waiting for...

[@mendonesiac]

It's a shame they didn't hire Kathleen to host TOH instead of Kevin. She seemed to be doing most of the work

[@lindsayritterbeck9012]

Kevin O Conner the most beautiful man alive 😍 ❤ 💙 ♥

[@lucky1206]

Looks like he is hosting already

[@ericortiz6775]

Conner said, " you know what, this remodel is gonna be expensive, ill just take your job" lol

[@jprezemexi]

haha kevin looks like a kid!

[@JJ-zg1hh]

Who would hate Kevin? He's a legend!

[@russofamerica]

Look at young Sonny Boy!

[@Ted_E_Bear]

Wow, who does not know this ??

[@LMNMODE]

Whooaa pink house! Oh no Kevin 💅 !! Kathleen was a hottie! This old house really dropped the ball on her (no pun intended).

[@brucelee4996]

Never new people didn't care for Kevin. I always thought he was a breath-of-fresh-air.

[@AlBeebe]

100 to 1 thumbs up to down ratio... welcome to the Hall of Fame Kevin!

[@thomasdelbert]

Because I had heard Kevin O’Connor impressed Tom Silva so much from his appearance, I expected more, but it turns out he stuttered on camera just as much as anyone else. I have a hard time talking into a microphone; I can’t get through two sentences without a stutter. Seeing this gives me hope.

[@squierjoshyt]

I think he was more impressed with his questions and ability to generate conversation about what was going on, not necessarily his skills on camera.

[@mikek2416]

Ha Kevin has a pink house

[@KevboKev]

I like Kevin......it's a good name.

[@72chargerse72]

Kathleen is a cutie. how come we didnt end up with her. Would have brought a lot more viewers.

[@Nick_Lavigne]

Kevin and Steve were the best hosts. My experience with Bob was mostly from home again, and it was okay I guess.

[@privacyatty]

I’d be worried about lead paint

[@grillo7196]

Absolutely love that front door.

[@nestor8369]

i thought kevin appeared in 2009 i didnt know it was in 2003

[@fnhwk]

@@krinohs not years after his appearance. Shortly after his appearance on Ask TOH.

[@thesaexplorer]

He joined TOH in 2003 after Steve Thomas left

[@PatrickWagz]

5:46 Close your eyes and just listen!

[@PatrickWagz]

@DR PHIL oh no! go to your safe place!!

[@jamesbarker4752]

Kevin is a great host. Steve Thomas was better though. I have no issues with Kevin and like him as a host. How he got the job is interesting because he first appeared as a homeowner needing help, but he’s a great host.

[@izzynutz2000]

She's doing all the work.. How'd he get the job?? LOL love you Kev

[@davidgagnon2849]

Kathleen should have been the one to join the show. She's much easier on the eyes. (Sorry Kevin!)

[@JM-yx1lm]

Change the title to 1:46 first time Kevin knocked his head on the light fixture!!!

[@oddballcraftscreations]

Someone needs to dub in the Stormtrooper head bonk 😆

[@ericsundheim5912]

Kevin was cracking jokes before he got paid for it!

[@thomaslussier7801]

I like Kevin a lot but my favorite host was Steve Thomas. I loved norm he was so talented

[@davegordon6943]

Use laundry detergent and water in a sprayer for wall paper

[@bofadeeznuts469]

Kevin won the Emmy for lifetime achievement when he got Kathleen

[@squierjoshyt]

Indeed.

[@karenrapoport7852]

Yeah he was just some dorky VP of a Bank when he “scored” the plain Jane chick who plastered one room in the house he bought her.

[@p0llenp0ny]

@@karenrapoport7852 Don't hate because you're lonely.

[@SurferKenTV3]

Little known fact: Kevin is actually the kid from Home Alone. TOH recruited him after watching his home security expertise. The more you know 🌈

[@scnj6958]

I remember doing this exact project after watching this episode.

[@dcatullo]

So how did this turn into him being host?

[@nestor8369]

yeah

[@emtffzartman666]

Exactly. No offense to him, but it’s not his skills of construction.

[@nestor8369]

i believe tom ask kevin to be the host of ask this old house at first he said no but changed his mind so now today hes an host of the show!!

[@Vl7248]

The show could also be called young homeowners who got suckered into a money pit

[@fvalencia3494]

It was because he looked just as goofy as Steve the previous host, but after 17 years Kevin is still goofy looking and he is so afraid of work. He also has the best teachers like Tommy, Roger and Richard but still hasn't learned much. Worthless

[@richardkoon5544]

How about a spin off....This Olde Tomb....Or, revive or declare dead hosted by, DrPaulBearer.net Love the show and Kevin does a great job!

[@prozack1312]

What a cutie

[@prozack1312]

@DR PHIL hell yes I do

[@ElysiumQC]

Getting it nice and wet and keeping it wet is the key.

[@harrychest4303]

I never heard hate for Kevin. He has chemistry with everybody. He’s not a pompous know it all like Vila was, and isn’t perceived as unintelligent like Steve was. Although my favorite Steve season was the wick wire house back in about 1989.

[@davegordon6943]

Kevin lives in a pink house ahahaha

[@803mastiff9]

Looks like the same Kevin and still has a full head of red hair.