Common Sense Media Review
By Joyce Slaton
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Home-reno reality competition has a philanthropic twist.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Home Free
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
On reality show HOME FREE, nine couples are challenged to renovate one fixer-upper house every week. On each hour-long episode, teams of two pitch in to reconstruct falling-down abodes under the direction of noted contractor Mike Holmes (Holmes on Homes). Each week, the couple who does the sloppiest job on the renovation is eliminated. But there's a twist -- unbeknownst to the remaining competitors, the eliminated couples are given the houses they've just renovated. It's a lot of hard work -- but everyone wins in the end.
Is It Any Good?
The sweet (but not saccharine) plot pivot of gifting a house to each couple makes this home renovation show a whole lot easier to watch, for kids and sensitive adults, than shows where contestants leave empty-handed. Watching them struggle to strip roof tile and screw down drywall has meaning when viewers know their hard work will pay off. Renovating a house sure looks like hard work -- contestants sweat and cry their way through tasks -- but watching a couple win a life-changing prize is a pleasure. Recommended for whole-family viewing, particularly for families who enjoy makeover, real estate, and reality shows.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why there are so many shows centering on renovating homes. Which shows can you name? How is Home Free like or different from these shows?
Why are contestants on this show not told they're renovating houses they will each win?
Stranding competitors in a remote location and putting them into physical stress is a classic reality show gambit. Why?
TV Details
- Premiere date : July 22, 2015
- Cast : Mike Holmes
- Network : Fox
- Genre : Reality TV
- TV rating :
- Last updated : March 13, 2020
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