Handyman Superstar Challenge
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Handyman Superstar Challenge (also referred to as Superstar Handyman Challenge from the show's logo) is a television game show on HGTV Canada, hosted by Karen Bertelsen. It is considered a sister show to Designer Superstar Challenge, also on HGTV (and also hosted by Bertelsen), and Superstar Chef Challenge on Food Network Canada.
The show, organized akin to a talent search, with the winner being awarded the opportunity to host a show on HGTV. Candidates could be nominated through HGTV's website. The ten finalists are evaluated by three judges: HGTV casting agent Shasta Lutz as well as the hosts of two HGTV shows, Mike Holmes from Holmes on Homes and Jim Caruk from Real Renos.
Currently, one season has finished, and there are plans for a second competition.
[edit] Format
At the start of each day, each of the remaining contestants are given a challenge, with the contestant believed to have done the worst according to the three judges being eliminated. This continued until three contestants remain, from which one of the three would be named the Handyman Superstar after a final head-to-head challenge.
Challenges tend to combine a skill aspect and a presentation aspect - some challenges, however, are purely skill-oriented or purely presentation-oriented.
Each show is 30 minutes in length, with the final show being one hour long.
[edit] Synopsis
The ten finalists, as chosen by the judges, for the first season are the following:
| Name | Hometown | Finish |
|---|---|---|
| Ted Andersen | Welland, Ontario | Runner-Up |
| Ivan Gojmerac | Welland, Ontario | 10th |
| Glen Horwood | Courtice, Ontario | Runner-Up |
| Randy Jones | Vancouver, British Columbia | 7th |
| William Lush | Upper Guilles, Newfoundland and Labrador | 4th |
| Jordan MacNab | Coquitlam, British Columbia | Winner |
| Ian MacRae | Burlington, Ontario | 5th |
| Ilka Riemann | Vancouver, British Columbia | 9th |
| Paul Stary | Niagara Falls, Ontario | 7th |
| Richard Zwic | Toronto, Ontario | 6th |
| Episode | Title | Challenge | Eliminated |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The "Pitch | Each contestant must pitch an idea for an HGTV show to the judges, with the contestant having the worst pitch eliminated. | Ivan |
| 2 | Stick Around | Each contestant has two hours to build and two minutes to present a piece of furniture or a decorative item fashioned from hockey sticks, with the contestant giving the worst combined effort being eliminated. | Ilka |
| 3 | Finishing School | The eight remaining contestants are split into four teams of two, with each team having to finish a mock room in three hours. Aspects tested include tilework, drywalling, floorboard laying, and wainscotting. The worst team is eliminated. | Paul and Randy |
| 4 | Meet the Client | Each contestant must give an estimate of the costs of a homeowner's basement renovation. The contestant giving the worst estimate, according to the homeowner, is eliminated. | Richard |
| 5 | Know it or Blow It | Each contestant must complete three challenges with twenty minutes for each challenge: shingling a doghouse, hanging a door, and installing a toilet. Each contestant is also subject to a 20-question quiz by the judges on their contractor skills. The contestant with the worst overall performance is eliminated. | Ian |
| 6 | Show Time | Each of the four remaining contestants, after being given acting lessons and a makeover, are to deliver a script, which are then evaluated by an HGTV focus group. The contestant with the worst performance according to both the group and the judges are eliminated. | William |
| 7 | All Hands on Deck | The three remaining contestants are given eight hours to build a deck. Each contestant is given ample materials and tools, as well as a budget for obtaining additional materials, as well as a team of carpenters, led by a "celebrity carpenter" (either Neil Davies from Real Renos, Shawn Morren from Holmes on Homes, or Jay Purvis from Kitchen Equipped). The contestant with the best deck is named the Handyman Superstar | Glen and Ted |
In addition to hosting their own show, it is revealed in the final episode that the winner (Jordan) would also be making a guest appearance on an upcoming episode of Holmes on Homes.
