Photo by J.J. Kindred
Paul DiMeo, left, chief designer for ‘Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,’ talks on his cell phone to guest designer Jenny McCarthy while taping a segment at the Knoxville Zoo Jan. 12, to get some inspiration for designing a children’s room in a safari theme as the crew rebuilds a home in Knoxville. Pictured right is Allison Swank, director of marketing for the zoo.
By J.J. KINDRED
J.Kindred@theknoxvillejournal.com
Paul DiMeo, the chief designer on “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” walked around the Knoxville Zoo Jan. 12 to get some inspiration for a children’s room in the house they are rebuilding for the Watson family of Knoxville.
DiMeo taped a segment for the episode, which will be the final one in the popular ABC show’s nine and a half year-run, at the zoo, corresponding with animals such as a loose porcupine, a parrot and “communicating” with elephants and creatively using that communication to help paint portraits that will be hung in the room, which will have a safari theme.
“We have Jenny McCarthy helping us out this week,” said DiMeo after filming his segment. “I am doing a room with her and one of the rooms we’re doing is to gather and play in, and really can be a learning room. Because the family has so many wonderful ties to Africa, if we can bring in different animals with a little safari flavor, how cool would that be?
“Although it is very sad that this is the end of something, it’s very possible that here in Knoxville is the beginning of something, so it’s all very good,” DiMeo added, with tears starting to stream down his face.
DiMeo learned to design by working on sets at the Pittsburgh Playhouse, while also honing a craft for acting. After many appearances on Broadway, he moved to Los Angeles where started in the sitcom “Third Rock from the Sun” and also improved his home design skills, designing homes for such clients as the Beverly Hills Ralph Lauren polo store, Glenn Close, David Niven, Anne Archer and George Hamilton before landing on “Extreme Makeover.”
DiMeo encouraged the fans to volunteer for projects in their communities.
“We’ve nobly built 200-something homes the last nine years,” he said. “Whether its a home for our troops, Habitat for Humanity or a local church, just get out there and volunteer. If people pulled that (spirit) away from us the last nine and a half years, then we’ve done our job.”
DiMeo had a off-beat answer as to what was the best thing about the show.
“Did I tell you that Jenny McCarthy is here?” he said with a laugh. “The best thing is we’ll shoot 400 hours this week to make a two-hour special or 90 minutes of TV. It’s the stories you hear, and being able to listen to what kids tell you, and what parents and neighbors say.”
DiMeo said he and the “Extreme Makeover” crew have been to Tennessee many times, and that it was ironic that they were in the Volunteer state.
“My last build is taking place here, and the claim to fame is its volunteers,” DiMeo said. “That’s what the show is all about, and it’s great that we’re here.”
He was also appreciative of what the Restoration House, which the Watson family runs, does for single mothers.
“Jenny McCarthy is a single mom, so people are very aware,” DiMeo said. “For me, it’s a learning experience. I never knew what it was like to be raised by a single parent, and a lot of mentors are helping out.”
So what’s next for DiMeo after the show ends?
“I always wanted to play baseball for the Philadelphia Phillies,” he said with a laugh. “With Ryan Howard out they’re going to need a first baseman. I don’t know — I certainly want to continue to do what we know as feel-good television. Whether it will be for TV or not, I don’t know. I’ve been doing this for nine and a half years. It’s going to be different waking up every week.”
