Celebrity IOU: Brad, Melissa, and Viola.
Sunday, May 3, 2020 at 10:00AM by Eric Blume
And now for something completely different. Not sure how many folks have caught it yet, but a few weeks ago, HGTV, center of home improvement and home selling shows, launched a new program called Celebrity IOU. The concept is that a famous person treats a loved one to a home/property makeover, working in conjunction with the network’s twin “Property Brothers” Jonathan and Drew Scott.
Usually we wouldn’t write about this here at TFE, but HGTV got some really big guns for their first three episodes, all recent Oscar winners or nominees. Episode one featured Brad Pitt; episode two was Melissa McCarthy; and episode three, Viola Davis...
The show is your typical home makeover show (opening set-up, middle block all renovation, then the reveal), but this version is a low-key and fun way to see Pitt, McCarthy, and Davis off-the-clock and “being themselves” in a world out of their usual element. I’d guess that each celebrity gave the production team about three two-hour windows: a stretch for shooting each of the three sections of the show (the middle section has each actor swinging some hammers to demolish things, and then quickly gets them out of harm’s way). They’re really there for the set-up and the reveal.
Brad Pitt comes off the best of the three. He works with the brothers Scott to redesign the backyard bungalow of his makeup artist of almost thirty years, Jean Black. Pitt’s hangdog charm propels the episode, and you believe his love for this woman who has taken care of him for decades. Pitt smartly defers to the Scott brothers, and is casually awed by their talent. And he never feels like he’s straining or “acting like a regular person” for the cameras. He comes across exactly how you hope he would: easy-going, intelligent, and kind. One can only imagine the work it must take for one of the biggest stars in the world to maintain some sort of connection to reality, but you couldn’t tell that with how Pitt seems in this show. And his relationship with Black is so sweet and touching, made better by the fact that Black isn’t a great camera subject (she’s awkward on camera, in a terrific way), and you can see him take care of her in the world he knows so well. There’s a moment at the very end, when Pitt hilariously makes her do line readings for a crime show, that is so genuine, it’s actually moving.
Melissa McCarthy proves to be great fun in her episode. As expected, and as you want it to be, she’s playing to camera and for camera more than Pitt. She’s “on” as a comedian throughout the episode, but very aware when she’s on. And she lets her guard down, too. She works with the Scotts to develop a quick rapport while they renovate her aunt and uncle’s house in Chicago, alongside her cousin. You feel McCarthy’s deep connection with her family…they’re weird and quirky together and have a natural rhythm that’s groovy to watch. At the end, she fully credits the Scott brothers for doing all the work, and her generosity feels honest and without false humility.
The Viola Davis episode is the one that works the least. Viola Davis is without doubt (pardon the pun) a great dramatic actress, filled with depth and possessed with enviable technique. Going to the house of her former Julliard roommate on a reality show might be a way to see her in a wonderful new light. But I guess lightness is not Davis’ thing, and you know what, that’s cool, she’s crazy talented. Here, though, she seems like she’s always performing a bit (as does her Julliard friend), and the episode isn’t as much fun.
As for the Scott brothers, they take extraordinarily good care of these stars, building up their stories for them when they’re not around, propping them up, easing them into a foreign world, and remaining very light on their feet by adjusting to each personality. There’s a reason these guys have been the star talent of that network for the last decade.
Have you seen Celebrity IOU? Is it too far out of a movie-loving reality for you? Celebrity IOU airs Monday evenings on HGTV. Michael Bublé and Rebel Wilson are up next.
Brad Pitt, Melissa McCarthy, TV, Viola Davis
Reader Comments (16)
I was very uninterested in this upon seeing the incessant promos leading up to its premiere. Beyond watching a ton of movies, I've distanced myself from the "celeb culture" during this quarantine and this just seemed like something that would be too-"celeb worshipping" during this time. I was pleasantly surprised. I haven't watched the Viola Davis episode yet, but I agree with everything you said about the Pitt and McCarthy eps. There was a charm and down-to-earthness (especially in the Pitt episode) that didn't scream "CELEB!"
I'm also kind of indifferent on the Property Brothers in general (another reason why I wasn't eagerly anticipating this show), but I agree that they do a great job at creating a rapport with the celebs as well as crafting some great spaces so far. Needless to say, the show has been added to the DVR.
Funny to see the caliber of celebrity this show was able to pull - especially when contrasted against the mixed bag of "celebrities" on Rupaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race.
After Katrina, Brad Pitt appeared on "Holmes & Holmes" for a special series where they built new homes in New Orleans for victims of that disaster. He seemed like a regular guy back then, so it's nice to see that he still gets a kick out of renovation projects for someone who is close to him.
Melissa McCarthy has the kind of family you would expect, and looks right at home with the property brothers. An impressive start to this series.
These brothers are no friends to the LGBT community. Do some research. I can’t believe you’re honoring them with a post
Adri, i would like you to provide some research.
By all accounts, including many personal LGBT friends who have worked with them, the Scotts are advocates for the community. Many of their shows have featured gay couples.
Perhaps you're thinking of the Benham brothers, whose HGTV show was canceled and indeed have made anti-LGBT comments.
If not I'd be curious to read your research on the Scott brothers, as it goes against all research I've done.
It's things like this that makes me like Pitt, Davis, and McCarthy even more. Pitt and McCarthy as they never forgot where they come from and always remain humble while Davis I think wanted to have some fun and do a solid for a friend. If no one is humble, then I'll have to call the Iron Sheik and he'll put a camel clutch on someone. He'll make that person humble.
adri-
I concur with Eric... I think you have mistaken these 2 with the other HGTV brothers who were anti LGBT. I appreciate your passion to call out bigotry but please be sure to make sure you are accurate in your assertions.
Dear EricB and DAVID:
I am sad to have to say that this is another post by the poster imposter who seems to have chosen me as their current plaything. I find it discouraging, which I guess is what I am supposed to think. The imposters like to choose people who identify feminine or who have female sounding handles, so that the internet can go back to being just about good old boys.
The posters who have “male” handles don’t seem to have the imposter problem.
The intent appears to be to drive posters away by posting dopey ill-thought out posts under their name.
I love this site, and would really prefer to be able to read here in this time of quarantine.
Adri - I'M SO SORRY ABOUT THIS. this week is very challenging for me with Smackdown event stuff but next week I will call Squarespace and figure out how we change the commenting system because I really dont want any of you to have to go through this trolling. It's so discouraging.
i dont really understand why it's been happening or what the people get out of doing it -- most of the time now it's not even directed at anyone so why use someone else's name? -- but it's obviously happening again.
Dear Nathaniel -
Don’t worry about it now.
We appreciate how many clever, amusing, literate things you provide us with.
I’m always grateful for your ingenuity and ability to attract good colleagues.
And really, we have a lot more serious things to be concerned about. My best thoughts go out to you in NYC. Thank you for providing such a respite from our daily worries.
Bless you (from someone who also went to Sunday School but is never going back).
Adri, wow how terrible, and I apologize to you. I've been writing for the site for several years, and for some reason, in the last few months the comments have turned a really ugly corner.
I love dissenting opinion (that's why this site exists), and I am no wallflower as I am criticized for my writer on an ongoing basis. But the tone of some of the comments lately has been really deflating and demoralizing. I mean, just downright hateful and so disrespectful. I'm now for the first time feeling the need to comment back, just because I want to stand up for myself. I realize now this was not from you, so please accept my apologies, and thank you for your support of the site.
Nathaniel, please let let us know if it requires some system upgrade ($). I am VERY willing to chip in (more) to help promote a better commenting system that drives away the trolls.
Thanks for this site always!
The Benham Brothers really are reprehensible. One of them was arrested outside of an abortion clinic in Charlotte for protesting during the COVID-19 lockdown. So well-deserved.
Tyler -- i hadn't even heard of them until they were mistakenly confused with the Property Bros on this post. So good thing their fame has been cut short.
good read. thanks for sharing
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