DIY Diva -- a blog from the community, hosted by the Idaho Press-Tribune

More thoughts on Design Star developments; Consider 'Bad Boy' Guy Fieri's image

Vickie Schaffeld-Holbrook
Thursday, September 17, 2009 - 8:30 am

Photo by: HGTV.com

Photo by: HGTV.com Jennifer Bertrand's show, Paint Over, started Sept. 11.

Consider Dan Vickery a member of the HGTV.com family. Catch his design magic sometime next week if all goes as planned.

After a disappointing - and oh-so-close winner of Design Star Sunday night - the Vale native begins immediately making videos to air very soon - maybe next week.

"After generating millions of page views and votes, we know that HGTV Design Star viewers and online community are excited to see more of Dan," Vice President and director of HGTV.com Jillian St. Charles said Wednesday morning. Voting ended Tuesday afternoon.

"Over the course of the season, Dan has proven to be a skilled designer and charismatic host. We look forward to adding him to the line-up of experts at HGTV.com."

Here's a great interview with Vern Yip about Dan and Antonio.

Dan didn't reveal many details.

"I just want to say thanks to everyone for voting and supporting me," Dan said minutes after he was notified. "I especially want to thank my sister, Karen Vickery, for rallying the troops" to get the vote out via Dan's Facebook Fan Page.

Expect the 27-year-old bartender and University of Oregon architecture graduate to share his thoughts about the whole experience including the finale, the judges' decisions, favorite moments, and behind-the-scenes dish.

We should also learn the topic of his new upcoming web series scheduled for an early 2010 launch.

Dan faced off with Bad Boy of Design Antonio Ballatore in the final when they each overhauled complete homes: the kitchen, living room and two bedrooms with $50,000 and carpenter crews.

Since Antonio's win, Dan's fans expressed rage at HGTV.com and other blogs.

Many plan to boycott Antonio's January 2010 TV series because they "appalled with the judges' bizarre decision, and the absurd basis upon which they claim to have made it."

But with the online announcement, I personally hope the negativity dies down. I wouldn't choose Antonio to makeover my house, but I'm not going to bash him. He won the contest.

His first show - Antonio's Project - airs Sunday night. I plan to watch. I'm not joining the push to boycott his show.

I liked what Jamie (don't know her last name) said in her comment on my blog:

"People, I think it's time to take the high road and show some civility. Yes, it's great Dan has this show. Now let's focus on that and not criticize Antonio anymore. That's not classy." - Jamie
Right on. Move forward. Dan already did.

Look at Guy Fieri's story

The "Bad Boy" of the Food Network hosts four popular shows and he's everywhere! Fieri's official bio dubs him "Food Network's Bad Boy" of cooking. Why the nick name?

"I don't know," Fieri told fabulousfoodshow.com. "I didn't write it. They just stereotype me because of the tattoos and spiked bleached hair and my thing for hot rods and rock-n-roll. But I'm a good guy, a dad and a real family man."

Sound familiar? The same company owns both HGTV and the Food Network.

Bad Boy Antonio may not be the popular choice - Dan Vickery won the popular vote - but Antonio won the big prize.

Let Antonio have it!

Dan will shine.

A bit more history: Fans chose Season 3's winner of Design Star last year. A bit more history: Fans chose Season 3's winner of Design Star last year. Jennifer Bertrand's first show, Paint Over, aired Friday. I suspect creative differences and "I'm-having-a-baby" delays forced HGTV to regain control.Let's face it. This is a business. We don't have to like the decisions.

Comments:

“Personally I am not boycotting his show to be malicious but rather because I do not like his designs, and I think having a man like that on a family channel, with his language, is a a bad role model for any children watching the show. I will not watch anyone on a family network who is crude, or whose show I do not like. I do not like him and so therefore I will not watch his show. However there is enough negativity in the world, and so bashing him will not do us any good. Its not as if HGTV will listen to us. I cannot wait to see more of Dan.

Liz - 7:54 PM, Friday September 18, 2009

“I wouldn't have wanted Antonio to win, however I would have had to vote for him if I were a judge. Sounds off I know, but he was the one who took the risks and dared to go where no one else would go. I love Dan and his ideas were safe and clean. And maybe I wanted him to win, but Antonio did. Now, Antonio deserves a chance to do his thing as he was promised when he won. I believe he deserves a chance. Dan has his on-line show now... Let them both enjoy what they each won and stop all the complaining. I am looking forwarde to BOTH shows from BOTH gentlemen. And I wish them BOTH Luck and happiness.

mandysmom - 1:21 PM, Friday September 18, 2009

“I wholeheartedly agree with the sentiments that expressing one's self isn't always abuse. I didn't like Antonio from the first episode! For someone who is supposed to have worked as a set designer - he showed he had no concept of scale with Kathy Griffin's office or that big ugly cabinet he mounted on and over the family's fireplace. I don't like his style either in personality or design. So no I will not give him a chance..I have no desire to watch his show or him.

George - NJ - 11:46 AM, Friday September 18, 2009

“Nope. I won't watch Antonio's program. Plain and simple,end of subject.

Stephen Melott - 10:54 AM, Friday September 18, 2009

“People need to be able to express themselves. Change never happens unless people speak out. Silence only perpetuates ignorance and bad situations. The network needs to know that they upset their customer base.

Douglas - 2:52 AM, Friday September 18, 2009

“I note your plan, Vickie, to watch Antonio's Sunday program. You must have a stronger stomach than I do. Regarding the question of civility, there is outright bashing, and there is valid criticism. Beware that words are not abused in a manner intended to stifle honest debate or reasonable expression of opinion, whether personally agreeable or not. Since I cannot tolerate Antonio's personality for even 5 seconds, I'm simply choosing not to allow him into my home in any way, shape, or format, period. (As I mentioned in the HGTV blog, and which you have partially quoted in your comments above, Vickie, I don't call it advocating a boycott, I'm just clicking the TV remote to view elsewhere.) Call it what you will, I find Antonio's uncouth manner, down-market style and dubious design ability unworthy of my time. As far as "Bad Boy" Guy Fieri, he's in a totally different class than "bigger, badder, bolder" Antonio. People can overlook a lot of personal idiosyncrasies when they're packaged along with abundant talent (or other remarkably positive traits) which is something that Antonio does not appear to possess. His overbearing, abrasive demeanor completely blots out any small glimmer of design ability. For a struggling, neophyte TV host (particularly of a design show) that spells disaster. Antonio will survive to reinvent himself elsewhere, while HGTV hopefully learns its lesson: focus on design first. You can always coach and/or edit in the appropriate "attitude" and "drama" to please the up-top corporate powers-that-be at Scripps Networks, and still "kick up" the ratings. Now, on to an exciting, fresh start for America's favorite Design Star, Dan Vickery! Your fan support is overwhelming, Dan, and so well-deserved. Looking forward to your meteoric rise to the top of the design charts.

ShowMe - 12:49 AM, Friday September 18, 2009

“Great story and I totally agree. People are entitled to their opinions. It is better to avoid the bashing of a person, when I'm sure he (AB) and his family are happy and proud to have such a wonderful opportunity. As a Dan fan, I am hoping we get to share in the same kind of excitement - of hearing Dan has also been offered a TV Show. I am extremely excited about his upcoming On-line Show! Thank You!

Beth - 12:13 AM, Friday September 18, 2009

“What really bothers me are the posts over at HGTV praising Antonio as "a real man," and his behavior being touted as a "real man" role model. For me, the clothes and tats don't matter, because it's a person's actions that count, not how they look. One of my daughters had blue hair for a while. She also got herself a very large tattoo on the small of her back. Okay, it's just outward creative self-expression. But to me, a "real" man is one who respects others, can work on a team, listens to and considers the input of co-workers & those around him, and doesn't continually leer at women, make suggestive remarks, and swagger & brag about how bad he is. (Or how much he drank the night before, celebrating his DS win -- which I saw in an Antonio interview over at HGTV). I've been blessed to be married to a "real man" for 33 years. I'd be so sad if either of my daughters wanted to marry any man who didn't treat them with the respect they deserve. And I'd be horrified if my foster son dismissed others' opinions with such blatant disregard and took pride in being rude and "bad." None of us are perfect by any means, but I honestly believe this is not a very positive male role model for a family network to promote. And whether they mean to or not, that's what's happening.

Pam - 8:25 PM, Thursday September 17, 2009

“Sorry, let me just add that Antonio's tattoos & baggy camo shorts have nothing to do with how I feel about him. One of my absolute favorite real life tv persons is Steve from Ghost Hunters. That man is covered in tats & often wears shorts just like Antonio's. He is, however, a policeman, he's clean cut, polite, funny, kind, thoughtful. He's not loud, obnoxious or pushy. So for those that think Antonio's looks are the sole reason he's disliked, I know for most of us, that is not true. It's his behavior, how he treated his teammates (except for when he helped Lonnie, that was cool), how he refused to accept responsibility when things went wrong, his refusal to work as a group during group projects, his favorite word being the f word, his comments about women (alway wondering if this one or that one was "available"). It's just very crude behavior. It's not fresh, it's not new, it's not cute. I have the right to decide who comes into my home, whether it's via my front door or my t.v. set. And Antonio is not someone I care to invite in. I don't wish him ill, don't wish him bad luck. I'm not saying he's a totally useless person. I'm sure he has some very fine qualities. I just don't think he's who I want held up as a good example on a family oriented t.v. station. Anyway, other than my letters to HGTV, Sears & Lumber Liquidators, I won't talk about Antonio any more. I also won't be watching him! ;-)

dana - 6:56 PM, Thursday September 17, 2009

“If Design Star viewers were simply upset b/c their favorite designer wasn't selected it would be one thing. This goes so far beyond that. Many of us feel misled. Many feel Dan's integrity was tainted by the purposeful negative editing. Even now, after so many letters explaining what really happened with the pergola & budget issue, there are folks calling Dan a liar or stupid. Editing to cram a lot of info. into one hour is one thing, purposely misleading us is another. Even I, a huge Dan Fan, was thinking - who would pay $10,000 for that little thing? - I always knew it was a group mistake (I played the tape back several times) so I never questioned Dan's honesty, but many, many people did. I felt this was done to justify their decision to go with Antonio & to make people upset with Dan (which it did). In addition to this "creative editing," I am upset that behavior such as Antonio's was rewarded. I'm not bashing Antonio or being negative. This was certainly not Antonio's fault. His behavior was encouraged as well as rewarded. I do not feel it is being negative to let HGTV and its financial backers know that as a viewer I am not happy with their decisions. This isn't just about Dan vs. Antonio. It's about the way HGTV treated its viewers. So, for me, I intend to write letters. I intend to be professional and polite, but I'm not just going to pretend this never happened and that it's okay. This was more than an insult to Dan, it was an insult to the viewers as well. I've always been a huge HGTV fan & never, ever expected this kind of behavior from them. I guess I'm just getting old, but I'm tired of loud, pushy, rude people getting by with that behavior & now we reward them with their very own show? And lest we had any thoughts that now that he has a show he will shape up and behave, watch the preview for his special. You'll see him cutting cake with a circular saw and handing out hunks of it with bare hands. This isn't cute, it's just gross. Dan, we love you. YOU are an example I would want children to emulate. Antonio? Not so much.

dana - 6:39 PM, Thursday September 17, 2009

“I'm so glad Dan will be on the Web. Also glad to know he is aware of all the "FAN" support that has been overwhelming the HGTV website. He is in awkward position, a wrong was committed and HGTV must make it right.Dan can't say much about it - but his fans can. Thanks

dan ream - 3:31 PM, Thursday September 17, 2009

“I praise the call for a curb in further negativity. Whatever logic the network based its decision to promote a bad boy image in Antonio may not be fair to him either. I do believe it’s important to clarity the $10,000 scenario before the upcoming show to prevent any misconception. Rumors about Dan’s sexual orientation should also be stopped, perhaps in a more subtle way on line. If there’s one good thing that comes out of this, it’s that the majority of us as a nation still values honesty and integrity. I appreciate this greatly as a mother. Let’s hope the dust settles so that we could all enjoy a refreshing spring season of Dan’s new show.

ekonglo - 3:29 PM, Thursday September 17, 2009

“I understand that we viewers have to move forward as much as Dan has. I do however believe that the network has to clarify the $10,000 incident as there's been a lot of negative reaction generated on this. The on-line show would be a good channel to explain more to us about the facts Many people still speculate on Dan's sexual orientation. Although that should have no bearing on the selection of a winner, it should also be clarified, perhaps in a more subtle way. Whatever logic the network used to promote the bad boy image in Antonio may not be fair to him either. One good thing that comes out of this is that it demonstrates we are a nation that values honesty and integrity. Let's all wait till the dust settles and enjoy a new season of your show.

ekonglo - 3:16 PM, Thursday September 17, 2009

“I haven't been negative, but I won't watch Antonio's show solely based on the "talent" he demonstrated during the Design Star series. I don't watch Eric Stromer for the same reasons. When there's a designer who displays a knack for doing "classy" rooms, that's what I want for my home. I just don't get that feeling from Antonio's work.

Ed in RI - 2:00 PM, Thursday September 17, 2009

“I agree that there is too much negativity in the world, and Antonio should not be bashed. HOWEVER, when a network like HGTV makes a big, bad mistake, there will naturally be big, bad moaning and groaning after the fact. On a positive note, my friends and I are SO looking forward to seeing more of Dan!

Jeff in Kansas - 10:41 AM, Thursday September 17, 2009