This Old House (1979– ) User Reviews

A great show for all homeowners....the first "reality"

[MarieGabrielle · 9/10 · 28 September 2006]

concept show that actually helps the audience, gives us useful information and has lasted for over 20 years on TV.

I have recently watched the "Boston" series, where homeowners can make $2,000.00 per month renting their property, so renovating an historic brownstone from 1875 is well worth it. Having lived in Boston, I can assert that the architecture and surroundings are both unique and storybook-like; trees on Commonwealth Avenue and at the Boston Public Garden are preserved, as opposed to NY or other large sprawling metropolitan areas.

While aspects of the show are sometimes a bit technical, this show is well worth it for anyone who wishes to improve the quality of their home, and appreciate its value. This show and "Sell this House" (regularly shown on A&E cable) are the ONLY two reality shows I watch; they are both educational and interesting. Highly recommended. 9/10.

Great show up to ~2003

[kjpublic · 9/10 · 17 August 2019]

This was a show you could actually learn how to do something. They still have some of that, but not nearly as 'how-to' as it used to be.

An American Institution

[matlock-6 · 13 October 2003]

I grew up watching this and I STILL watch it. One of the best things about This Old House is that it has changed very little since it first aired in 1979 (other than the occasional new host). When Bob Vila left, I was pretty disappointed because he WAS This Old House, but after I warmed up to Steve, I could see that it didn't really matter, that Steve was just as good as Bob and they were still doing all kinds of cool renovation jobs on historic old houses, and that's the most important thing.

I was surprised to see in this season's premiere that Steve has now left and there is another new host (I missed the last few episodes of last season). He seems a little stiff and unsure of himself now, but I'm sure he'll relax and turn out just fine as Steve did.

It's great to see some of the older shows from the early 80s and compare the styles of then with the styles of today. It would be really interesting to see the guys go and redo a house that they did back around 1981 and bring it into the current style!

People can make sarcastic jokes and laugh all they like, but this show ROCKS!

the original home improvement show

[aptpupil79 · 10/10 · 24 October 2007]

my favorite of all the home improvement shows, and the only one that you know will show you the latest and greatest techniques/products in the home improvement industry. bob Vila made the show popular, Steve Thomas made it for the everyman, and Kevin o'Connor has yet to make his legacy. regulars like norm Abram, tom Silva, Richard Trethewey, and roger cook are the best in their individual fields, many of them have had their trades in their family for many years. it wasn't until later in the series that they ventured away from Massachusetts, but eventually they went out of the country to London, as well as having a couple shows in CA, one in HI, TX, LA, FL, and many other locations. with these guys you know you can count on a craftsmanship that just isn't approached in more recent shows which breeze over complex projects. a truly classic and indispensable show. now if they released archived episodes on DVD or made them available for download then they're really be on to something...

Best show of its kind

[mdb-33935 · 10/10 · 22 January 2022]

Been watching since Bob & Norm worked on that first house in 1979. Always amazes me how much pride they all take in their work. From start to finish, we see great workmanship.

This Old Lady

[kh-17438 · 10/10 · 20 October 2022]

Is giving up the dream of ever being handy. I gave my toolbox last week to my elderly mom who can actually fix things. My daughter is now using my saws to lay new flooring in her home. I should say also I have thousands of dollars of tools. I even have a masonry saw. It was a real dream of mine.

I have tried and tried to learn but if my kids see me with a wrench or a tool they take it away from me. My screwdriver flipped out on me recently changing out cabinet knobs and I'm still wearing a bandaid.

I have an old house with an office and two apartments and I can't even paint without it all being all over me. These are the cards I was dealt and I am facing it head-on now. My hopes are all gone, but I'm grateful for my kids that can do amazing things. And for my mom who fixed her apartment door and can actually put together the furniture she orders.

I am very good at cleaning though and watching without fail "This Old House." I will keep watching and continue laughing at myself when I think something looks easier to do.

Rippin' Good

[wilburscott · 2 June 2002]

I've watched this show for a long time, and it's still the best. Granted, Norm needs to wear something other than plaid, and Steve can be annoying, but it's fun to watch these guys inflict terror to homeowners in the form of lines like "We gotta replace all this" and "It's expensive, but it's worth it". Tops had to be when they were in London and asked everyone they met "Would you let me buy you a cup of tea?"

Not the same show quality since ROKU purchase

[gmar-94983 · 21 December 2023]

Since ROKU purchased TOH a few years back the show has gone down in quality, a big slide from it's glory years. Not much actual work is shown anymore and the segments are shorter. ROKU has changed the show to more fluff and less hands on work. Also, the crew is aging out, Norm left a few years back and Tommy has cut back his efforts and isn't running the projects anymore. Once Tommy retires completely, I'll have no reason at all to watch anymore. I'm sure the show will just continue as is for more years, but it makes me sad to remember what the show once was and can never be again. Hope Kevin and Richard can hang around awhile longer.