Run My Makeover

Run My Makeover is an engaging and innovative television series produced by HGTV in 2011 that gave a whole new meaning to the concept of 'interactive television.' This unique home improvement show managed to keep both its on-screen participants and its viewers on their toes with its surprising premise and dynamic execution. Unlike your typical HGTV show where professional designers take the lead in making over spaces according to their expertise, Run My Makeover offers a twist—online voters decide the design elements, leaving the homeowners and the hosting team to work with the results.

Hosted by the vibrant and charismatic Alexi Panos, each episode of Run My Makeover begins with the introduction of homeowners who are looking to renovate a particular space in their house, ranging from the living room, kitchen, bedroom to the patio, and even the garage. The requirements - in terms of functionality and style - are discussed, post which, the homeowners, along with Panos and her professional design team, present a range of options, corresponding to various elements of the room that's awaiting renovation.

This is where the magic, indeed the primary uniqueness of the show, comes alive. HGTV's online community is invited to visit the network's website and vote on the design elements they prefer for the project. The options cover the full gamut of renovation items - from flooring, color palettes, fixtures, furniture, to accessories, materials for countertops, style of cabinets and much more. The online viewers become, in essence, the ‘deciding team.’

Once the voting period is over, the homeowners and the Run My Makeover crew are revealed the results. The twist is that, instead of getting the final say in their design, the homeowners have to surrender control and view the choices made by an online audience of design enthusiasts. This is where the name Run My Makeover derives from, providing an entirely new take on the typical DIY home makeover show.

Each episode then focuses on implementing the audience’s selections under the guidance of Panos and her crew. The installation of the chosen elements, regardless of whether they are the homeowners' preferred choices or not, takes center stage. While installing the selections, the host and the crew face multiple challenges - some elements might not fit together as expected, transition between different realms may be stark or the overall functionality may be compromised. However, the team, persistently, endeavours to create a cohesive design scheme that respects the voters' choices and homeowners' needs.

Moreover, the audience also gets to learn helpful DIY project ideas as they witness the process of transforming the room from drab to fab. Often the host, Alexi Panos, takes viewers through the implementation steps in a detailed, step-by-step manner, endowing them with valuable tips and tricks for their home improvement needs.

Towards the end of the episode, a grand reveal is staged where the renovated room is presented in its full glory to the homeowners and the audience. These are heartwarming and fun moments of surprise, satisfaction, and at times, awe, as everyone gets to witness the final outcome of their collective decision-making.

In its overall essence, Run My Makeover cleverly merges home design with reality television to create a sense of camaraderie between viewers and homeowners. Whether or not the homeowners end up loving or disliking the chosen design elements served as the crux of the show's suspense, bringing a distinct brand of excitement and unpredictability to traditional home improvement television.

Spanning over a dozen episodes, this show exemplifies the unpredictable and engaging nature of collective choice, while charming viewers with the charm of design transformation. Despite being aired in 2011, Run My Makeover continues to hold relevance for modern viewers who are looking for unique, innovative, and interactive home improvement programs that break away from the conventional mold.