First Full Appearance of Richard Trethewey 1981

This Old House first full appearance of plumbing and HVAC contractor Richard Trethewey. He explains the rough plumbing at the Bigelow House and demonstrates how to assemble PVC pipe. With Bob Vila. From "This Old House" Season 2 Episode 5 "The Newton House Part 5". Originally aired Sun Feb 15, 1981.
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[@ncc74656m]

I love the concept of Rich explaining what PVC is. Like, you get an understanding of how genuinely old this is.

[@ekop1778]

BOB WAS ALWAYS A ASS! INTERUPPING PEOPLE PRETENDING HES WORKING NO WONDER HE WAS FIRED NOW A DAYS THEY USE CUTTERS TO RIP PVC NOT HAND SAWS

[@MrWolfSnack]

PVC was only out by 1975/1976 at the earliest. It was still super new in 1981. I have some old home improvement magazines from the 1970s they talk about "a new plastic composition pipe" in the news section but say it's far too costly to adopt for most homeowners, and they expressed how it could be brittle and prone to damage easily. Remember the only plastic we knew at that time was Bakelite, which was extremely delicate.

[@ChrisMcKeown560]

I'm not sure it's really him. He didn't say "full city water pressure" once.

[@hand-jobs]

I'm really enjoying these first appearances of such proud tradesmen

[@johnenright4969]

hand jobs I remember watching these on PBS every Sunday when I first got married flash forward 30 years and now in still watching them but on an I pad!!!!

[@hand-jobs]

and you're still watching the same guys. that's how you know they're good

[@Craigthepope]

It's strange to seem them so young, shy and nervous.

[@Mikidy303]

Richard certainly aged gracefully. I remember watching this show back in high school, TOH has been a big part of my life. Thanks.

[@user-gk3lu1gg9t]

"You have a very little amount of time Bob...so step on it."

[@rsprockets7846]

8 years til he jumps ship and goes sears and home again ....yen yrs til home improvement

[@theactualsalvagedrover]

That was what I WAS gonna comment!!! HAHAHA!!! :)

[@pawpawstew]

He still says the same thing when working with the Generation Next apprentices!

[@bigmike2000mb]

That’s the wrong Bob. He looks like he should be painting a picture.

[@greggh.748]

He's confused, can't decide if he want to be "Ross" or a so call-contractor.

[@rsprockets7846]

Or leading a third world revolution.

[@Yezir760]

LMFAO

[@blucheer8743]

Lol

[@paulcarlsen4088]

😂👍

[@highdesertexplorer123]

That beginning scene. I wasn’t sure if Bob villa was walking up or Bob Ross. Great old episodes.

[@ochsj1971]

Bob Ross had an afro. Bob Vila just looked shaggy, like someone from Michigan last year who wasn't allowed to go to the barber for several months.

[@SenileOtaku]

yeah, noticed that too.

[@JP-od9ps]

I love Richard’s humor!!! “ Not bad for a rookie” he doesn’t it with no bad intentions. Just great humor.

[@ElectionFraudHasConsequences]

Bob sawed that PVC like he was saying "I'll show those bastards that I can saw this pipe, even though I've barely ever used a saw in my lifetime" 🤣😂🤣😂 Which is true of course.

[@ElectionFraudHasConsequences]

@@craigjensen6853 So true 🤣

[@moemanncann895]

🤣🤣

[@TortureBot]

Was thinking the whole time, "Get ready for a gusher, he's gonna saw through a leg artery!"

[@jayhizzy22]

Exactly what I was thinking.😂 That PVC had no chance.

[@Austin18025]

And as im watching im thinking its going to fall down that hole....sure enough...it did. Kind of a jerk wasnt he?

[@wurly164]

Rich was on the first year but with his dad doing most of the talking. Now with Rich's son on Ask TOH he is the 3rd generation of that family to be on the show.

[@mariepotter9804]

I didn’t know that his father was on as well! Thanks for the neat tidbit.

[@JimDean002]

There's something so cool about the fact that in his very first appearance Rich had to bring out a prop to show what old plumbing look like. That is awesome

[@JAW88]

OMG, I am 45 and I have been watching TOH since 1982 when I was 7. I love seeing the old footage!!! A lot has changed in building over the years.

[@samueljaramillo4221]

I’ve been watching this show since it stated in 1979

[@rsprockets7846]

Me too. April of 1979 when they did the DORCHESTER home I was home sick puking my brains out and this came on channel 13

[@sadokbarbouche9427]

I been watching when I was 4 5 in 2008 since I first starting watching TV I was obsessed with this old house

[@taylorsmith9629]

Still using pvc today

[@ekop1778]

@@taylorsmith9629 YEP NOW YOU USE FANCY CUTTERS NO HAND WOOD SAW

[@robertgroover3316]

Did Bob Vila just come from a disco?

[@petemcintire4339]

Those pants make him look like he should be in a sketch with Will Ferrell and Jimmy Fallon

[@SportsFan0027]

He doesn’t sound at all the same. By far my favorite presenter. Lotsa love Richard.

[@johnstancliff7328]

OMG! Bobs using a hand saw to cut the pipe! and Richard was so young.... to think that he was raised in the plumbing industry! HUGS to Rich! we all love you!

[@michaelmcneffii1912]

@natty4now you’re an angry guy.

[@chrisgrandpre6063]

"Look out below"!!!

[@Patrick94GSR]

@natty4now so what if he is? Got any phobias?

[@stevejensen3471]

A woodworking rip saw no less. How times have changed.

[@tripjet999]

"Bob, do you have any idea what you're doing, here?" Bob: "Not a clue. Is that important?"

[@thesaexplorer]

I really wish they would've kept the original theme song in today's episodes of TOH...it was fitting for the old houses they'd work on.

[@andrewfutterman3346]

I think they had to change it for copyright purposes. The original theme was Fats Waller's rendition of "Louisiana Fairytale". The subsequent theme songs were composed specifically for the show; the first one, which I think is called "This Old House 2001" had an old-timey sound to it, but the ones that followed had more of a modern sound.

[@ekop1778]

THIS NEW TUNE KINDA SUCKS AND KEVIN ACTS LIKE A JERK

[@johnroberts9560]

I like when Richard told Bob to step on it , I like Richards unibrow , it reminds me of a caterpillar ! 👍😁🛠

[@Killmonize]

This is why he is till on TV. Always a pleasure to learn.

[@alexveitia6909]

He’s a brown noser

[@row8017]

Rich is a true gem love his humor

[@Type2DarylBTeas]

I've noticed in recent videos, and have confirmed by watching these old videos, the space between Richard's eyebrows looks to be the exact width of a lady bic disposable razor.

[@sean_heisler]

Bob lived in Boston and sang for the band Boston as well, I'll be damned.

[@netdog713]

TOH should revisit this house and see how it is doing

[@patirvin-bz9pg]

I started watching from the beginning when I was young. I'm older than all of them now. I still learn something new on every show.

[@rogermurph101]

I’ve been watching this show off and on for 40 years. This is the first time I can remember seeing Bob do any hands on work. It’s apparent why he didn’t do it too often! Nice to see Rich lost that Boston accent. No more bothtubs!

[@67marlins]

what are you saying, we talk funny?

[@kenmore01]

Bob did okay considering the circumstances. Get a table and a jig and it would be better. I'd be happy with his results.

[@Mosfet510]

That's a blast from the past. Nice clip!

[@Scottybravo1]

Richard reminds me a little of Chet Kelly from Emergency, the 70's tv show

[@timepoet77]

I’m a huge Emergency fan.

[@Scottybravo1]

@@timepoet77 definitely one of my favorite shows ever

[@steverosenbaum2469]

Looks more like Andy Kaufman to me.

[@TheGuitarman1968]

I love EMERGENCY! I watched it as a kid in the '70s, and I have the entire series on DVD. However, I would have to say that Bob looks like another '70s icon in this video....Mr. Kotter!

[@markkeller9378]

Wow, the start of pvc! Great show…..cant get enough of TOH

[@michaelfuller2153]

Wow! Richard looked a little younger in 1981...I'm glad I haven't changed! 🤔

[@mushroomherbs]

I only know all these guys from the mid 90s to now so this is so surreal!

[@paulyandle6081]

SO Cool, and More entertaining than today.

[@ekop1778]

TOH IS KINDA LAME WITH KEVIN BEING A MORON TOO NORMS RETIRING ,ROGER GOT HEALTH ISSUES TOM IS UP THERE WATCHIGN BOB WAS MORE BETTER THAN 2022

[@chevelle74us]

A legend was born!

[@XzTS-Roostro]

His voice has changed over these decades

[@chrischurch4551]

Year I was born. Been watching these guys since not long after

[@TransplantHelper]

Wow! The “two match points” tip was awesome. Simple but great

[@greywolves2]

These are the BEST!!! A FAN from the BEGINNING

[@cantcomeupwithausern]

Bobbo really did a bang-up job cleaning that connection considering the rag probably dried up by the time he used it.

[@JimDean002]

The fact that they were using a rag to clean it really dated that episode for sure

[@tommy13t]

Love the old school shows and then Seeing them now.

[@dIIFEO]

sick monobrow man!

[@sanity1977]

Old school 👍. Retro videos . Nice

[@dipankarsd]

First full appearance of Richard Trethewey and his hair!

[@adamkimball1721]

I love these throwback clips! Great to see where these idols got their starts!

[@dwderp]

I remember thinking after Bob left, that the show could never recover from that. Little did I know all the show needed was a redheaded host or two. How silly I was and how great the show became.

[@howtodoitdude1662]

The show got better because the host actually knows construction, unlike Villa!

[@joelkton1]

It still hasn’t recovered in my opinion.

[@JimDean002]

I would have to say that Kevin O'Connor was made for this show. He does such a good job letting them play off of him and explain things to him

[@davcot3675]

Really cool seeing these firsts for the TOH crew Great flash backs Makes me feel old

[@d206gt]

If my memory serves me correctly, Richard's first appearance was actually a non-speaking role in a lot earlier episode, possibly even season 1. He brought in the new furnace to the basement of that season's house for his dad, who did all of the talking.

[@christian8742]

This is correct. I don’t know the episode but his father was the master plumber in that episode, I believe.

[@MrWolfSnack]

I love how a home improvement show has such a dedicated fan base and has all this lore and knowledge surrounding the show's production. Reminds me of the Sesame Street community. lol

[@bobbg9041]

Its funny to see that episode for one reason, it was so advanced that even today in 2021 you could drop in a few newer appliances and its still in style today. Shaker style never goes away. Its timeless.

[@67marlins]

Thanks for posting!!!

[@patirvin-bz9pg]

I love hearing him say, bahthroom.

[@franarruda4640]

Haha, old English?? Great guy and great show!!

[@Peter-.H]

So much fun to see these old clips. I love it! Thanks guys.

[@247snob6]

Ahhhh, that's incredible

[@Connectronix]

Classic! Still getting it done! 👍🏼

[@sebastianramos8491]

Nice clip thanks for posting

[@nighthawkj30A4]

Im Loving all of this Vintage This Old House videos thanks guys.

[@danielkennedy8530]

Wow PVC has become popular in the last couple of years.! That's all I've ever known.

[@ryanroberts1104]

Bob Vila meets PVC...LOL! First appearance and he's prepared with props...I'm surprised he's not the guy explaining heat pumps later!

[@SDS-1]

Love these first appearance clips

[@anthonyferrara2222]

Richard, I would have never recognized that was you. Isn’t nice to be young.

[@lcusatis]

This is amazing!

[@aidenp265]

Remember when this old house was actually about old Victorian houses.

[@irish89055]

Well, they're doing one now in Rhode island.. but yeah the show is gotten away from its roots.. it's all about da money

[@rsprockets7846]

Sponsors

[@Charlesb88]

I bet they also considered the PBS members who watch the show to make sure they were OK with the show branching out beyond old Victorian houses to more general house building/remodeling, but then again that’s partly about donor dollars so we’re back to money.

[@elfinmajictime]

if only you'd do some research to see how they started. They had no sponsors. Now they do, and materials have gotten better and more expensive as the years went by. In 1979, you could build a whole lot of things for $100. Now you can't.

[@ekop1778]

@@elfinmajictime THEY DO NEW HOMES NOW USED TO BE OLDER HOMES ALL THE TIME NOW ITS BOTH

[@GrahamDIY]

Wow!!!!!! What an awesome clip!! Love Richard 🥰

[@kkknotcool]

"bauth tub." He lost his Boston accent.

[@ROGER2095]

And his hair.

[@joed1244]

Yeah, his accent was pretty thick back then

[@cbalan777]

I haven't seen Bob Vila since he was on the show, so when he shows up in these clips he looks how I expect. Seeing everyone else is a much bigger shock. Not in a bad way though. I hope these guys are around for another 40 years.

[@chrisdwalter]

You should watch the 40th anniversary show, Bob, Steve and Kevin all sit down together.

[@cbalan777]

@@chrisdwalter I hadn't heard about that. I'll check it out. Thanks for the info!

[@kobelcofan]

@@chrisdwalter which episode was it? I want to see

[@chrisdwalter]

@@kobelcofan it was a pledge special. I’m guessing if your a this old house inside you can probably stream it otherwise I did record it I could try emailing to you

[@kobelcofan]

@@chrisdwalter I ended up finding it on the this old house website. I enjoyed every minute of it.

[@DustinPlatt]

Now that I've watched the 40th Anniversary episode all I can hear now is Richard saying _Exactly Bob_ 20 times

[@SergioGonzalez-fk1dm]

That’s pretty awesome keep up the good work Richard 👌 i’ll be seeing you on ask this old house! And Learning about Plumbing 😁

[@elioselectric468]

This is great in so many ways

[@samueljaramillo4221]

This is Richard 39 years ago. Dark hair, big mustache, and slender. Present, almost no hair, no mustache, and a little more weight. And his voice is a bit different .That’s called growing old. But he’s still a great guy. That’s why I still watch the show every week.

[@45asunder1]

Wish they would bring back the original opening music.

[@bosse641]

Fantastic. ....the great tutor, Richard.

[@oobaka1967]

I didn't know Bob Vila was once a hobbit.

[@SeanBaker]

I feel Richard doesn't have the accent anymore. I don't even recognize his voice in this video.

[@robertsturtevant6185]

He actually sounds like Roger in this video....

[@Craigthepope]

He does, it's just more subtle. I think that's true for several longtime cast members.

[@OneManParade]

Richard is the reason I got in to the plumbing field.

[@cruisinthru3916]

WOW. 6 yrs before tom silva even!

[@seabass450]

Wowwwwww! He's soooo young!

[@toats-mcgoats1833]

No freaking way!!! 😄awesome

[@brucelee4996]

*AWESOME*

[@Martimion]

I remember that episode.

[@WardCo]

Nice shoes, Rich!

[@kevinnorman2937]

He's wearing the "duck boots" Back in the 80s they was really popular!! Some were different colors. Blue was very popular then!! Ahhh!!! The good ol' 80s.

[@PJ-HT59South]

Richard was a beast back in them days 🏋️‍♂️

[@lupelicious822]

LOL...he's explaining to Bob how dangerous the PVC solvent is to breathe in but is bare handing it cleaning off the pipe.

[@farithjarir7616]

That's Richard!! Whoaa~🤣🤣

[@K-Riz314]

Wow how he's changed! If I didn't know going into this video, I would never had made the connection.

[@KLondike5]

Good thing you're digitizing this before the old reels deteriorate into dust.

[@jgibs81683]

Crazy watching them talk about PVC as this relatively new invention! You can’t think of using anything else now!

[@pawpawstew]

Man, that new-fangled PVC stuff is awesome. I wonder if it will catch on? Geez, I graduated high school in '81.

[@ekop1778]

NOW ITS PLASTIC TODAY AND SOME NEW TECH KRAP THAT MAKES WORK LESS TOO DO AND DONT LAST LONG

[@stoneyj1a1]

Step on it Bob!

[@chrisgrandpre6063]

I love it! You guys need to post Roger Cooks first episode now.

[@TOHClips]

Roger's first appearance in the coming weeks. Stay tuned!

[@chrisgrandpre6063]

@@TOHClips Awesome!

[@lydialaird3979]

and Kevin's first appearance too

[@Mixwell1983]

@@lydialaird3979 Kevins should be easy to find, he was actually one of the homeowners they helped and eventually became the host. I think TOH were at Kevins house removing wallpaper or something to repaint a hallways or something...

[@carlcarlamos9055]

I believe I remember the show with Kevin and his wife working to remove some very tenacious layers of wallpaper by crosshatching them and using various methods to soften them up.

[@keystonecarpenter3002]

Things sure changed, today the walls built then the pluming go in.

[@06colkurtz]

What a hilarious look!

[@wldmike223]

Richard was 25 when this was filmed.

[@Insidiousotter]

That's crazy, he looks 45

[@rogermurph101]

Wow. He looks pretty good then for 64.

[@johnboren5910]

He already had a bit of a combovee

[@bobbg9041]

I dont think I've ever seen Bob pick up a tool. Every host after him did. Ok Richard his first visit on the show had Bob cut one cut on 4" pvc pipe. Then glue up the joint. Might be why Bob started his own show with Craftsman tools. Back when sears sold simi decent woodworking tools.

[@fastrice3461]

So many extensions cords back in the day!

[@kevinboucher3247]

Wow! Wow! Wow! 😮❤

[@russellmoore8187]

Rich pronounces "bath" differently today than he does here

[@johnboren5910]

Bob Vila swayed around a ton at the beginning, surprised they used that take.

[@mntucket7410]

Holy shit! Not talking about Bob but Richard

[@user-ne9wp8ve5u]

That Cliff Huxtable sweater though!!

[@kenc2257]

Richard really looked different "back in the day."

[@RangeRov49]

Bob's so ancient that PVC was new enough for him to forget the acronym; "To do the exact job that we're doing over there with PV... Yeah." Richard: "Exactly."

[@injustifiiable]

Love Rich!

[@eddo1983]

This was two years before I was born. I'm surprised they didn't use purple PVC primer back then

[@O_l_i_v_e_r391]

I came here to say the same thing, where's the purple primer. LOL

[@patirvin-bz9pg]

Later

[@curiousgeorge986]

It's amazing what age will do to you and your appearance