TLC revives ‘While You Were Out’ with HGTV and will shoot in Atlanta

Originally posted Thursday, December 6, 2018 by RODNEY HO/rho@ajc.com on his AJC Radio & TV Talk blog

Another reality show revival is coming to Atlanta, this time “While You Were Out,” a former TLC show that was similar to “Trading Spaces,” which TLC brought back earlier this year.

“While You Were Out” would lure a homeowner away for a weekend while someone else (typically the spouse) helps the designers re-do a room or yard for a big surprise reveal. 

The series premiere will simulcast on both TLC and HGTV. Production is happening in Atlanta and the series will premiere in 2019.

Hosted by Ananda Lewis, the series will include the following design talent: from TLC, Carter Oosterhouse, Doug Wilson, Frank Bielec, Hildi Santo Tomas, Kahi Lee, Sabrina Soto, Ty Pennington and Vern Yip. From HGT: Bristol and Aubrey Marunde, David Visentin, Hilary Farr, Karen E Laine, Mina Starsiak, Nicole Curtis and Vanilla Ice.

The original show aired four seasons from 2002 to 2006. 

This new season will up the budget for the redesigns from $2,000 to $10,000. Each episode will feature two homes and two designers and a carpenter per room. 

This is the first collaboration between the two networks since Discovery purchased Scripps and now has control over HGTV.