Restorer Guy
By Anne Louise Bannon,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
So-so show for house enthusiasts tame but not kid-targeted.
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.
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Based on 1 parent review
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What's the Story?
RESTORER GUY follows Gable Painter, a contractor in Richmond, Va., who restores old Victorian buildings. Rather than serving as a how-to, the series takes a more "day in the life" approach to its subject, following Painter as he tackles various jobs, interacts with his employees, and more.
Is It Any Good?
Restorer Guy isn't a bad show -- seeing the before and after of some of the projects can be interesting. And Painter is clearly very knowledgeable about both the buildings and the Victiorian society that spawned them. But he comes across as kind of bland. It's good that he doesn't have screaming fits or temper tantrums (like so many other reality show subjects), but his laid-back style actually veers a bit too far in the other direction, making him rather dull as a whole.
Kids probably won't be too interested in tuning in, given the show's subject matter, but if they do, there aren't too many content red flags. Painter's clearly a smoker, but the show doesn't linger on the fact.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how editing affects viewers' idea of how and when scenes take place on TV shows, particularly reality shows. Do you think Painter is really working on several jobs at once? Why might the producers choose to present it that way?
How does seeing someone smoke on TV shows or in movies impact kids? What are the real-life consequences of smoking?
What can viewers learn about construction and restoration by watching a show like this? Did you get any useful tips?
TV Details
- Premiere date: July 21, 2009
- Cast: Gable Painter
- Network: TLC
- Genre: Reality TV
- TV rating: TV-PG
- Last updated: February 24, 2022
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