The Real Reason Bob Vila Left "This Old House”

One of these crafty fellas is a man by the name of Bob Vila. He first found a modicum of success on public television but with hard work, dedication, and with a little bit of help from his superbly likable personality, he eventually found himself somewhere he never expected - that is, in the global spotlight with corporate sponsorship, far-reaching advertising campaigns, and even corporate branding that carried his name.
Bob Vila rose to fame by being the face of This Old House, a show that helped redefine the way we look at home-improvement TV shows. Bob was likable, skilled, and very relatable. He just seemed like a regular guy doing his best to explain the ins-and-outs of home renovation. The show was educational and entertaining at the same time and gave audiences valuable tips and tricks for their home projects.
He stuck it through with the show for a solid decade despite the fact that his pay was relatively low. After all, This Old House aired on public television. The Regan administration wasn't very keen on funding public TV back in those days, much the same as it is today with the current administration.
So to work around these budget problems, PBS allowed corporate companies to become underwriters in order to pick up the bill. Even still, Bob's paycheck was pretty puny. If he wanted to make a real income with his image, he would have to become a corporate pitchman. You've no doubt seen his commercials when he was the face of Sears right?
Well, it was these commercial partnerships that would eventually be at odds with his relationship with This Old House. Find out what conflicts of interests and controversies ended up being the undoing of his connection with the show that launched his name into the living rooms of millions of people all across the country.
Like this content? Subscribe here:
www.youtube.co...
Or, watch more videos here:
• All Videos Facts Verse

[@elisag.9136]

This show along with the Victory Garden were a staple in my house when I was growing up. I loathed then when I was a kid. Now I can't get enough of those kinds of shows.

[@johnjoiner18]

The show was never the same after Bob left.

[@steveharte8712]

It was 100% better!

[@williamjackson5942]

It was much better, I remember Vila hawking some silly heaters in an "Amish" wooden case. Put a cheap 35 dollar resistance heater in a 50 dollar box and sell it for 299.99 !

[@scumbaggo]

When I was an infant and toddler, the only shows that would keep my interest were This Old House and Yankee Workshop. When I was 2 my mom was hanging pictures, so she gave me a small hammer, a finishing nail, and a pizza box to try and nail into. She turned around to keep doing her thing, and within 30 seconds she heard a sharp crack. When she looked, expecting to see the hammer thrown across the floor or something, I had driven the nail perfectly through the box and into the ceramic tile floor under. Well, I'm 30 now. Full time framer, love every minute of it. Thanks ma, and thanks Norm Abrams and Bob Vila :D

[@carlhenry4206]

Early on when Bob Villa ran the show, they would work smaller projects in a house, say a basement remodel. They later started redoing the whole house over an entire season. With the newer shows, they are doing a lot more new construction. I liked seeing the rework/upgrade better than the new building. its called This OLD House for a reason.

[@matttanglewood2522]

This Old House is the only home improvement show I will watch, but I think they took a wrong turn when they started doing only the extremely high dollar projects. Still decent craftsmanship, but doing jobs that 90% of Americans can't even come close to affording. Yeah, what happened to the old house that was getting the much needed repairs?

[@christopherfoland1104]

They literally started the show with the Dorchester house! The my remodeled it from top to bottom! The next house was the one that was a mansion and they converted to 5 condominiums! So I’m not sure what you’re talking about them staring out doing small jobs!

[@neoasura]

@@christopherfoland1104 The Dorchester house cost $17,000 back in 1979, thats' $69,000 in todays money, that's VERY cheap for a house that size even back then.

[@christopherfoland1104]

@@neoasura well your talking in dollars and cents when discussing the size of a project. I’m talking about the amount of work that went into remodeling that house and it was no small feat!! 🤷‍♂️

[@garbage854]

This Old House . I have been watching it since the beginning . 😀

[@Amidat]

yeah I stick to that because of the detail... HGTV style shows are nowhere near as detailed.

[@MrToast-hj6kp]

As a UK fan over the years, I recently got access to the early episodes with Bob Vila then I got to watch the episode when Steve Thomas took over when Bob Vila was replaced due to the issues raised in this video. Though I enjoyed Bob's programs, I have to say I found Steve's presentation a lot better, a lot warmer and there seemed more chemistry between him, Norm,Tom and others. More the format I am used to having watched the more recent episodes with Kevin O'Connor.

[@russellthornton9283]

I enjoyed watching Bob Vila’s Home Again when I was a Teen. And then discovered that he was on This Old House before his show when I turned on PBS one day. I watched some of the Episodes of TOH with Vila and it was Very Good. I can see why he left TOH and was Very Successful with his own show and Sears Craftsman for about 16 years. Today’s TOH has better Team Chemistry than during the Bob Vila days but it was the early days of TOH that really paved the way for all of these Home Improvement shows that are on HGTV today.

[@jonehaney8939]

I watched it from the beginning . i even sent away for their t-shirt... and still have it .Bob Vila was my favorite!

[@cathykeim1088]

Loved watching This Old House with Bob Vila. He made the show what it was. I was so surprised to hear he was paid so little. No wonder he went elsewhere. I stopped watching the show after he left it. Some people just make the show and he did.

[@FactsVerse]

We're happy to know that you love the show. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. If we may ask, which episode did you like the best?

[@cathykeim1088]

@@FactsVerse "Loved, past tense." I don't remember what episode was my favorite. I followed Bob Vila to his new shows.

[@dansimon1100]

I remember the old episodes for Bob villa on this old house. But they were reruns by that time but Bob villa's home again. It's more what I watch because my dad used to watch it all the time. He like those home improvement shows. But that's what I remember watching when I was growing up.

[@jerrysmith9780]

Bob started this trend for sure and I always enjoyed watching him. The new crew has amazing chemistry though.

[@bullettube9863]

I always thought it was strange that WGBH in Boston had a problem with Bob Villa. The show soon started featuring brand names, visiting local stores, and allowing GM to advertise twice on each episode. Now that PBS has sold the show to a private company the show has become one long infomercial. Bob was an experienced home re-modeller, and he understood the need to keep things moving on the show. I also liked how he sat down with the owners and went over their budget, something they never do now. Now days, the cost of their renovation are so high, I wonder why they don't just tear it down and start over! Bob was also a likeable guy on and off the set, and no one ever said a word against him.

[@mark9118]

The problem they (mostly TOH producer Russell Morash) had a problem with Bob Villa is that Villa had started some endorsement deals on the side with Sears, and the sponsors of TOH (who competed with Sears on tools, etc) got upset. Despite being a public TV show, it is all about the money.

@@mark9118 The Sears deal came AFTER he left TOH. Re-watch the vid. It had to do with a regional competitor of HomeDespot.

[@Redandranger]

@@mark9118 It was Home Depot ---- that original owner was a total ass.

[@daveclark8337]

Bob was journalism student and then became a TV spokesperson. He has no more construction skills than Ty Pennington, Joanna Gaines or Martha Stewart. Contractors don't wear pink button down shirts with cashmere sweaters on jobsites.

[@bullettube9863]

@@daveclark8337 Well he must have learned something helping his father build their home plus work he did to pay his way through school. Too may people think that remodeling is all about hammers and nails, but remodeling requires knowledge about local restrictions, engineering standards and architecture which is what makes a house look good.

[@mscupcakedreamson36]

I remember being a little girl in the 80s, watching this show on LPB. Now, I’m an adult and I still enjoy this show. I found a station on my television, that’s dedicated to this show only. I’m in love. I remember Bob so well.

[@1997cr80r]

Hey roku streaming has "This old house classic" and it's all the original Bob Vila episodes

[@kenborne8215]

I enjoy watching Bob from the beginning of this old House

[@thomasbeckett1245]

Although I’ve seen home again, it is this old house that my father watched so very many times. It was pure entertainment to watch together... something home’s again never acclaimed.

[@hijodelaisla275]

Acclaimed? Huh?

[@35thvert1]

True fans will remember Rilley. He was a great carpenter as well.

[@RepTheFam]

Idk about them but Norm Abram's that's a great carpenter.

[@christopherfoland1104]

@@RepTheFam yeah I remember after I made the statement about being Bob Vila after I had made a birdhouse my uncle told me if you want to be like someone on This Old House be like Norm Abram, he’s the real deal! I eventually grew to find out this was a very accurate statement!

[@markmaryanderson1856]

I'm old enough to have watched This Old House from the beginning and Bob Vila did a great job working as host with NO SCRIPT and lots of low budget projects and finding his footing when things screwed up while filming. I love this aspect, lost today. The comments that he was arrogant and so forth--just opinion, as I rather like someone who is up front. What you see is what you get. Big ego people are needed for the job and many moderate it better than Vila, but it is fun to watch him and Norm kind of push each other's buttons in the early shows. And he had a major point about PBS and hypocrisy. BTW like the other two hosts as well, but Bob and Norm and Rich were pioneers which I'll always appreciate!

[@troyeager8877]

I enjoyed both. I graduated in 89. Bob Villa was a big part. My joy is wood working and home projects. This Old House is still part of my life. Not my problem big corporations cant share a popular person. I have no loyalty to big corporations. As you see its was a two way street.

[@RecollectionRoadEntertainment]

One of my favorite shows! Between TOH and KZbin, I can do anything!

[@dc5723]

New Yankee Workshop with Norm Abrams is the best.

[@jjyemg2397]

correct That was Morash's gift to norm and he invested a lot of money on the workshop

[@danno8852]

Yes, Boston native here. Grew up watching this old house with my dad, local narrative has always been that..Bob Vila sucks and Norm Abrams and Tom Silva are where it’s at

[@innputinnput7049]

Another problem he was he disregarded building codes on his residence in the upity section of beacon hill in boston a legal battled brewed between the city and him and pbs didn't want that kind of exposure so they parted ways the story was carried by the boston newspapers. The boston globe and the herald

[@ENCwwe]

I used to watch that show with my dad as a kid in the early 2000s. Good memories

[@bobwigg761]

Norm Abram hasn’t appeared very much in recent seasons, it would be more accurate to say Tom Silva is the second host alongside Kevin O’Connor who actually first appeared on the show as a home owner when Steve Thomas hosted.

[@stanleykeith6969]

Norm is getting up in age. Slowing down. Norm is a Great Guy !

[@mcarroll598]

They don’t even need Kevin O’Connor to be the host.

[@hijodelaisla275]

"actually"

[@rustybeatty6567]

The real reason why Norm Abram left This Old House was to focus all of his time on his other TV Show on PBS where he was building furniture and and other wood related projects Norm Abram didn't do very much on the This Old House show he was more or less an extra set of hands and occasionally doing finer detail work when it was needed modern manufacturing of building materials like trim pieces and stairs railing and cabinetry and bookcases rendered his use obsolete on the show.

[@matttanglewood2522]

I liked it when Steve Thomas was on the show.

[@ron4448]

Don't care why he left, just GLAD he did. Everything was about him, in his mind. I'll watch Norm on New Yankee Workshop, he's more of a "Craftsman" than a Camera Hog, Bob always Re-Explaining to people what someone else Just said.

[@Stuart68505]

Very interesting. Commercial forces and politics do affect public broadcasting behind the scenes. I had many issues of “This Old House” magazines. That magazine was not mentioned. The program paved the way for many other home improvement and informational shows about construction which I still enjoy today.

[@markjordan4994]

The original This Old House wtth Bob and Norm was my favorite DIY home improvement show by far. Nothing since has come close to it, although New Yankee Workshop was great for cabinet makers.

NYW was a different animal altogether. And it was the very best of it's kind, as was the original TOH.

[@ErnestODell]

All these years, I didn't know that Bob Vila had left the show, nor why. I always enjoyed the show through its transition(s), and learned a lot about building. I'll always be grateful to Bob Vila, Norm Abrams, and the many show transitions for showing me how to build a stair stringer that wasn't too short... or too long. LOL!

[@FactsVerse]

The show really taught us a lot! What else has the show taught you how to make, Ernest?

[@dawnwagoner8307]

Best show on OPB , never missed an episode

[@spanishpeaches2930]

Norm , with his hat and blue jacket looks like he's about to direct Jaws.

[@FactsVerse]

Thanks for watching!

[@phlydude]

Richard Treh-theww-eeee - c'mon man, watch a freaking episode and learn how the name is pronounced

[@allensirkis6799]

I like this old house

[@stevem048]

Bob: Hey Norm, what are you doing there? Norm: Um , hammering in a nail Bob.

[@anonymousperson4363]

I liked the show, but not Vila. His personality didn't seem so likable to me. However, this video did give me some insight that he wasn't as bad as i thought.

[@hestheMaster]

I am by no means a woodworker but a "jack of all trades "and well " Master of none" type yet with my OWN plans I have built a small mission style bedroom oak table lamp, a 4" tall CD/DVD oak storage shelving unit, and a 2' by 1' mission style oak wall clock with brass pendulum with a hinged glass front door. Thanks to the inspiration of both Bob and Norm from the This Old House show and still watch it to this day. Longest running " how to " show on TV .

[@candiceperry7916]

It is awesome to watch this old house

[@Shazistic]

The harder you fall, the higher you bounce. -The Shades

[@fredciba]

This Old House with Bob Vila was like the Beatles. He/they invented the format that everyone else followed. Bob Vila's Home Again even raised the likeability.

[@bluesanty]

I remember Bob Vila's first project on This Old House on PBS it was a huge house/barn/maids quarters/ gate house all in one building and he and the This Old House crew turned it into a 5 unit condo . We never missed an episode and their reruns , and their reruns.

[@msmith4700]

That wasn’t the first season..

[@cdjhyoung]

@@msmith4700 Correct. That was the second season project, but the first to get a national audience.

[@mark9118]

@@cdjhyoung They must have re-run the first season nationally, because I saw when I lived in Texas. It may have been after it first aired on WBGH, but it was shown nationally by most PBS stations (I think each station has to pay to air it).

[@cdjhyoung]

@@mark9118 I'm not sure when season one was aired nationally. It's almost 40 years ago, but I don't think we saw it in my market until after season 2 and 3.

[@johnmcclanahan2272]

Bob always knew more than the experts. I never cared much for that.

[@harldave9850]

I liked them both actually and still watch this old house.

[@davidwyatt4845]

This Old House with Bob. But of course Norm is the man. My youngest daughter is 32, and she can still tell you Norm’s tool safety speech verbatim.

[@tedtolentino4955]

I find both old and new programs both entertaining and informative. I have no problem with Bob V. In fact, all the programs we watch today, including the HGTV programs such as those featuring Joanna and Chip Gains offer more variety and information. What's not to like? If you have the experience and know better than the hosts of these shows, share it!

[@BBQ_kevin]

This old house, and now the spin offs as well. Magazine, and ask this old house. Was glad to see they invited bob onto the anavesary show of this old house. Yes he was the host that came up with this concept, but it was the cast that really carried the show. Lots of the time he talked a talk, an people like Norm, Richard Tommy and others have broke it down showed and explained what was going on. Best show for Bob was the one where him and Norm redid a persons basement.

[@FactsVerse]

What's your favorite This Old House episode, bbq kevin?

[@dtom1145]

The reason shows like TOH , Ask This Old House, Holmes and New Yankee Workshop are so much better than the DIY shows today is that they actually showed you WHY and HOW! Today’s shows gloss over everything or do quick before and after shots so you learn very little. You Tube has more value than most of today’s DIY shows. Same goes for problems you might (will) encounter doing the work yourself and how to solve them - today’s shows show you nothing. TOH... set the bar high and none have been able to come close.

[@jimmystewart5586]

Norm was the man. True carpenter

[@Notguilty1]

I loved the show only when Bob Villa was on it. And I loved Yankee Workshop.

[@dalelerette206]

The interesting fact was that years later I was talking with my sister-in-law, recalling that night. That was when she relayed that a friend of hers who moved into the house after us also saw someone there. Lisa McGovern also described the man and noted he looked like Bob Villa. Joanne was shocked because she did not tell Lisa about my encounter. When we inquired further we found that apparently a man had taken his life there. And that the man who took his life there was a policeman. This was the family my mom and dad bought the house from; my sister-in-law believes they moved to Texas, if her memory was correct. I am wondering if this is true about the previous owner committing suicide. And I am curious if he was actually a policeman, too. And I am also curious what the policeman actually looked like. If it turns out he actually looked like Bob Villa then this may turn out to be a very freaky experience!

[@13squier]

Been watching TOH since the 90s so I always knew Steve and Kevin as hosts. When I watch the old Bob Vila episodes I find him annoying; pushy and pretentious. That he just became a corporate pitch man was fitting. The pros always carried the show anyway, nobody tops Norm, Tom, Richard, and Roger!

[@FactsVerse]

Thanks for watching, Clay!

[@vilod]

Exactly what I was thinking.

[@cmeller55]

Villa seemed to act like he was above all the trade folks in his old TOH shows. I’m a big fan of Kevin OC as he genuinely seemed impressed by the experts and asked questions no matter if they seemed too simplistic.

[@66limelight]

I kind of agree with your take on Bob as host of TOH. I like both Steve and Kevin as hosts more than Bob but I still like watching those old shows with Bob as host because he was the pioneer of hosts for DIY shows. Given the reasons in the video as to why he left, I don't blame Bob at all. They were holding him back on lucrative endorsements. I agree with one of the other commenters about how the show has changed. They aren't remodeling the average American family home anymore like they used to. I like watching them turn a small or average family home into something beautiful rather than remodeling a huge Victorian. But they have stuck to renovating an "Old House" and I like the idea of saving history.

[@toma5153]

Agree. I found the way he interrupted or talked over guests or staff was rude and annoying. Good riddance.

[@John-mz8rj]

Worth 70 million, good for you Bob.

[@robertwilhite9821]

I like new yankee work shop.

[@hoffer54]

Getting ready to build three of the blanket chests from the book, have a lot of wood I need to get rid of!

[@thecollectoronthecorner7061]

I dont blame Bob. You only have your youth and productive years once. No point in selling that part of your life for a pittance. In the beginning this old house was great. But then it became too big for its britches and catered to the high dollar extreme.

[@johnkelsey2482]

please do a video on Norm ....Bob's side kick....Thanks...

[@chrisburns5691]

side kick? he was the one who actually knew what he was doing, lol.

[@kc0lif]

this old house the innovativer of home improvement shows even the sitcom home improvement had bob vila as a guest star and helped norm Abram start new yankee workshop.

[@krazzygranny7032]

the producer of the This Old House, produced New Yankee Workshop also in fact the work shop was in the back yard of the Producer, it replaced the old shop for Victory Garden

[@WiSeNhEiMeR-1369]

THIS OLD HOUSE is my favorite but ... really did NOT like watching Bob VILLA in any of his iterations I like the Details & the INSTRUCTIVENESS of THIS OLD HOUSE & always learn something With BOB VILLA it is always about his persona or EGO IMHO COOP .........................................

[@StevenTorrey]

This Old House is really about how a house is engineered.

[@TheBurnsStuff]

Richard Trethewey's last name is pronounced "Treh THEW ee", not "Treth EH way".

[@mikemakuch2824]

So who gives a Shit!

[@rogerhansen1314]

this old house was a great leader

[@shawnsmith5498]

You just can't get a thumbnail right

[@hoffer54]

@Bill of Rights Go away shill!

[@johnwhite6005]

I miss him.

[@walterulasinksi7031]

While the original format of This Old House in assisting homeowners in their renovations still is being used and successfully, Bib Villa seemed to always try to place his design concepts above the homeowners wants and needs. He also did not seem to embrace new technology on the show, going more for older and more inefficient products. There always seemed to be an undercurrent between Villa andNorm Abrams. Who as a craftsman, was more open to helping homeowners to attain their wishes while. Using the best products affordable. The same has applied to. Richard Trethewy , who while helping homeowners to understand diy plumbing issues made sure that everything that was done would pass a building inspection the same applied with the addition of Tom Silva, who while owning his own construction company has allowed a number of his contracts to be used as TOH projects with the homeowners permission and including the current drive to enlist apprentices into the building tradesmen also has given his expertise to homeowners who are in DIY mode, most recently the Detroit episodesThis leaving Steve Thomas and Kevin O’ Conner to be presenters learning along with the public the how to’s of renovation and building repair be it. Stone work , landscaping, carpentry plumbing and new products.

[@mark9118]

Walter, it mainly had to do with historic preservation rules, which in many cases was mandated by the cities or neighborhood the houses were in.

[@douglasfahner7536]

I always liked the shows but Bob Villa wasn't as good as he thought he was.

[@tatsumaru12345]

The REAL reason I left this video, 3 minutes in and haven't even began why Vila left

[@EarthREALTOR]

TRUE!

[@silasmarner7586]

Settle down there, Beavis!

[@jackagain8346]

I heard Bob was forced out of the show because he was doing Sears commercials and PBS told him not to. Bob told them to take a hike....so they got rid of him.

[@travis8106]

Heard he fucked a house up in Malibu. Homeowners went to sue WGBH. They axes him.

[@annkrieger2877]

Norm was terrific!

[@KingNothing22]

"Tra Thooo EEEE" not "Theferway"

[@bluesanty]

I just said the same thing , LOL

[@albertjones1386]

I also laughed when I heard how he pronounced the name.

[@gasmeistr]

They hired a random speaker who is obviously not a fan of the show and has probably never even seen an episode.

[@35thvert1]

Theferway? Isn't that where you're supposed to hit a golf ball.

[@joewilbur5075]

this old house was the very best/better then what we have now /clowns..

[@anzaal]

Villa was not a master craftsmen, very obvious to me he didn't know diddly about the construction trades. Just a host who hired skilled construction personnel and trade script writers. He always irritated me the way he talked down true craftsmen.

[@maryjobraun1101]

😢

[@johnsradios484]

I doubt any of the modern diy people are craftsman either.

[@Redandranger]

There must be a "thing" with PBS management or certain local stations and how they handle shows that were created by a person. Tommy Mac had a huge falling out with WGBH (I think) regarding his show so they let him go. He did one season where he and his buddy built a great 2 story shop building ..... the whole season. That season is not available from the "new owners" of Tommy Mac's show and it's definitely not available from him either. It was quite good.

[@fp5495]

RICKELS was the best. Before Home Depot moved into two and homogenized the industry, the only competition for Rickels was Channels. At least that's what it was in the northeast.

[@RaoulThomas007]

Are you telling us Bob Vila and Norm Abram weren’t doing the majority of the work on This Old House? At least we know Larry and Joe Haun really did the work! 😆 Nails really do destroy clothing.

[@Aeronaughtica]

A master handyman?! You’ve gotta be kidding me! Bob Villa was so work adverse on that show that I would laugh every time he swung a hammer because it was so foreign in his hands. Now don’t get me wrong, I like Bob Villa and think he was a great host; but master handyman, he was not.

[@StevenTorrey]

That explains a lot!

[@FactsVerse]

Thanks for watching! We're so glad you enjoyed this video. What other types of video would you like to see?

[@ed9492]

He teamed up with Sears and you can see how that's worked out for them.

[@mikemakuch2824]

You JackAss, Villa had no fault in sears going down. K-Mart was going Bankrupt and was allowed to buy sears out! Think about that for a minute you damn fool, Villa only had endorsements, Not control of the company! What an AssHole!

@e d It was VERY profitable for both for many years, ms.Jackov. Were you born this stupid, or are you a product of your trailer-park environment? Just asking.

[@kurtiswm]

1:57 - 2:07 😆 Thought I was glitching out

[@XPStartupSound]

Same lol

[@marknadin770]

Big Norm for me across the pond.

[@5150Lane]

The show was so good, that it had to have taxpayers subsidize it.

[@41357500]

yes and i remember villa saying he was tired of seeing $1000 toilets being used,,,,,,waste of tax money

[@greggzillges7210]

@@41357500 must be talking about the military

[@41357500]

@@greggzillges7210 no .....liberal pbs

[@Redandranger]

@@41357500 If you can't spell his name right, I have no confidence in your story.

[@41357500]

@@Redandranger ook kiddooo ookk dubmassey

[@azcharlie2009]

Tool Time, with Tim Taylor!!! Yay!!!!!

[@schven0112]

I never heard of any of the names he mentions in the first 10 seconds of this video. But I have watched Bob Vila, Steve Thomas, and kevin and all the others on This Old House. Still the only show on weekends. And they always gave the local talent Kudos. Something no other home Improvement show has done. The only other show to give local talent a chance was "Home Time" Home Time Hosted by Dean Johnson and other Co Hosts. was thee best home improvement show as far as teaching the viewer how to do the project.. This Old House is 2nd best. But # 1 in entertainment. Mike Holmes from Holmes on Homes would show how local contractors messed up. But wouldn't mention the good ones.

[@GregInEastTennessee]

No thumb's down, but no thumb's up either. You just showed a flash of Home Improvement. I expected more with Tim Allen.

[@marksomerfield1]

I think all three generations of TOH are great and all three hosts brought a lot to the party but just like Star Trek, there's a special place in my heart for the original. Just like Captain Kirk, Bob Vila was the trail blazer. Maybe Elon Musk can have Bob remodel his spaceship and send Bill Shatner back up in it. That would be all of my boyhood dreams come true especially if they had that poster of Farrah Fawcett on the wall of the capsule. To carry the analogy further, I guess Norm would be Spock , Tommy would be Bones and the Code Enforcement Officers would be the Klingons.

[@SkyWire88]

I found the initial shows of This Old House fascinating and waited each week to see the newest episode. Soon, I grew to despise Villa for his bombastic style and I just stopped watching the show. Villa had become arrogant and obnoxious and talked down to the workmen on the show a bit. Anyone could sense this. Then came Norm Abrams, who had a much softer approach and better delivery of technical info. Norm's "show" was better for me for two reasons: One, it wasn't Bob Villa, and; Two, the show was almost all carpentry type work and was a bit easier to digest. I never gave Villa's new show a shot --- it was not what I wanted to see.

[@jettpro6647]

Bob villa days were the best in my opinion. Too bad they fired him over his side gig for more money

[@FactsVerse]

What's your favorite memory of Bob, Jettpro?

[@jettpro6647]

@@FactsVerse just the way he presented the project and interacted with everybody else.

[@gregkoerber5820]

Bob played the part. The people have voted Sears and Bob are both gone! TOH rules.

[@mikemakuch2824]

Friggin' Idiot!

[@professorr.5427]

Sears didn't die because of the customers. It died because of greedy incompetent management.

[@BillyBob-fd5ht]

I remember it was a barn being converted into a home was the last straw

[@sammierunner1328]

Watched This Old House from the beginning, it coincided with the purchase of my first house. Bob talked too much, was never the expert. The show improved after he left.

[@bslcouple]

I liked both. Can't blame Bob for wanting to make more money.

[@FactsVerse]

What was your favorite This Old House episode, Doc Hood?

[@gregcaron6627]

I'm pretty disappointed that Pamela Anderson wasn't featured in this video.

[@kennethbode2017]

Bob did very well after leaving TOH. Some of his projects on Home Again did not turn out too well for the owners.

[@u-shanks4915]

examples?

[@likearockcm]

Stupid as this sounds,I would love to work for any of the contractors on toh.Enjoyed home again but his contractor was hyper and that's dangerous and stressful for employees.

[@FactsVerse]

Good point! What's your favorite This Old House episode, like a rock?

[@likearockcm]

@@FactsVerse No fav ,I have watched 90% of them over the years along with new yankee,home again ,ask toh and wood wrights shop. I was in the business and their content and up to date projects were invaluable.wood wright shop was colonial woodworking and very much fun to watch.

[@carlhenry4206]

I remember one time they redid an eyebrow window. Norm A. took us to a new house to show how it was done. Turned out, it was Norms' new house he was building at the time...

@@FactsVerse = Robot posts.

[@floridadude7981]

My wife and I have been watching from the first season. We're now on season 8. We're always jabbing each other, and laughing in disbelief with how rude Vila could be towards people. Constantly interrupting, asking too many questions while the craftsman is in the middle of answering his last question, lots of mhmm's, and uh-huhs clearly showing he has no interest about what someone was saying... But yet he'd be totally interested and over the top enthusiastic about stupid stuff.

[@retrocloud760]

He was into wood working for sure. Also the guy was pressed for time, can't blame him. Ever notice how he said they were running out of time in at least season 5 (where I am at)? Trying to cover as much ground in little time.

[@keithpetrino]

I was promised a "startling truth." I feel a bit cheated.

[@manguera9]

Bob Villa left the show ,because the TV brass wanted to play tv advertisements from other sponsors in Bob Villa show and they were the competitors of the sponsors that paid Villa 500,000 dollars a year in 1989.."

[@LoveWatchingNDEs]

Bob Vila, This Old House

[@johnfaustus1]

Why the double take at 1:57 and 2:02?

[@haroldalexis4200]

Honestly I liked both shows. I would say in that case sponsor interference. Bob Villa contributed his time not just to entertain the public but educate mostly all.that do Home rebuilding projects or of interests that i later by accident discovered by PBS WNET in my area. If you're number 1 & your business sponsors you in addition to your tv work & cutting ties by force from your producers & less pay. You are doing them a favor & then one you to cut ties with your other business sponsor ? It's a no brainer I would leave being fired is a slap in the face. I started watching This Old House in 1985 or 1986 to the present. I was puzzled by the new host at the time Steve Thomas why the change ? I do vaguely remember what was going on off set prior to Steve Thomas' arrival back then. Sears was number 1 in sponsorship in many shows since & around Home Again With Bob Villa. Shame it to had shares financial of difficulties & ended another decade of a fantastic show of his talents as a builder. Video gets a thumbs 👍

[@randalldoty8877]

I liked both but would rather watch home again because I didn't care for the new host of this old house and still don't like the second host on the show today

[@darthgoggins1747]

Didn't Tool Time with Tim Taylor push him out. Lol

[@lynettekrick2324]

I remember watching this show with my Step-Dad when I was 9 and 10 years old, granted they were reruns but yes, Bob was an erogant jerk and I liked Norm much more. Norm took his time and was much more detailed, precise, just way better at his job which you could tell irritated Bob Vila (so funny.) And I hope it is just me but when Bob acted all snooty, his face looked strangely and overwhelmingly punchable. I'm glad Norm remained professional, lol. In the end the erogant jerk burned his half a$$ bridges while the Master Carpenter Norm only got better at building his reputation, contacts and relationships. Way to go NORM!!! Also learned a ton of remodeling information from TimeLife Magazine. Kicking myself now for getting rid of them. Thanks for the memories guys.

[@CURTISYOUNG-jf4wj]

Bob could talk up a storm, but he was not a tool guy.

[@kevinmccarthy8670]

This old House I never liked Villa he seemed like a wnnabe rather than someone who worked their way up!

[@mikeclarke3005]

was too arrogant for me . like the show however still

[@jerrycross1829]

He was defiantly a shill

[@jerrycross1829]

@ bitter much?

[@kylepifer9509]

This old house was really interesting more so then the other. I like the most recent update!

[@keithhicks9196]

If you use the word then when you shoth

[@keithhicks9196]

If you use the word “then” when you should use the word “than” it makes you appear ignorant

[@PearComputingDevices]

I think one of the best things that came out of corporate sponsorship was forcing the network to be competitive when otherwise it wouldn't be. Besides I don't believe it's a good use of tax dollars. Especially in a 21st century. But I am shocked his pay was so low and you would have thought Home Depot would have taken advantage of him being a spokesman.. But, they didn't. Thus I can't blame Bob for taking up on some extra cash. Heck I am a capitalist too.