Q&A With Design Star’s Producer
Loren Ruch and Tanika Ray in front of the 5 Pointz Aerosol Art Center, where they shot the White Box Challenge.
We caught up with Loren Ruch, the show’s producer, to get answers to your most-asked questions from episode two. Get his behind-the-scenes take after the jump.
Why was Tanika chosen as the new host?
Tanika was a natural choice to host HGTV Design Star because she is OBSESSED with HGTV and has extensive background as a host (you may have seen her on Extra). I thought she was going to faint when she met Candice Olson for the first time, and she has also become fast friends with Genevieve and Vern. She has a great attitude, positive spirit and is a lot of fun to work with! I can honestly say that we have one of the most fun sets on television. There’s a lot of laughing, joking and camaraderie.
What was the budget the designers had to work with?
For the White Box Challenge, each designer had $1,200 in cash to work with. We also gave them tools and paint, so they didn’t need to pay for those.
If Mark’s room hadn’t won, who do you think would have won the white box challenge instead?
It was actually a very, very long deliberation because the panel was having a hard time deciding between Mark, Tyler and Kevin. Everyone ultimately agreed that Mark’s room was the most avant-garde, but Tyler was a very close second.
I missed the show! Will it air again?
Watch us Saturday at 5pm ET if you missed this week’s show!
What questions do you have for Design Star’s producer? Tell us in the comments below and Loren just might answer them next week.
Which contestant was preselected to win this year's "contest?" Ever since that no talent slob Antonio became DS, everyone knows the fix is in before filming ever begins. So, who do you think you are fooling this time?
Antonio is great! Just because you don't like his style doesn't mean he has no talent. Bet your designs wouldn't suit a lot of people either. And I seriously doubt they would spend this kind of money to "fix" the results.
Antonio is a no talent slob, and apparently so are you. His whole resume was a fraud, even taking credit for other people's work, even his agent's other clients were hair dressers and manicurists. Same as Kim Myles, a hair dresser and no talent excuse for a designer, who got to be DS because she did someone's hair regularly, from the show. And who's the clutter queen who "won" last year. What total crap "Design Star" is. It's all planned in advance, as to who will "win."
Well it is a good thing that you have the choice to watch the show or not. Don't like it…. TURN IT OFF!
There was a Design Star winner (I believe her name was Stephanie) that has not been seen or heard of since she won. Is she going to have a show on TV or not? If I'm remembering wrong, I apologize. Please let me know if I'm right or wrong, and if I'm right I would like to know where she is and what she is doing, if that information can be shared.
i believe you are thinking of Jen ( from season 3). Stephanie was on that same season. Jen won and shortly after found out she was pregnant. She did a few shows but her son was born with a disability so she was unable to fulfill her contract.
Thank you so much for setting me straight on the name. I am so sorry to hear about her son. My thoughts and prayers are with them.
Why in the world do you have a "host" this season? I find her distracting since she adds no design know-how or experience (also I think she is just annoying in general). Why not let David host or if none of the actual designers on the show have the time, find someone who actually knows something about design?
You people don't see with clear eyes just like the judges on designer star do you think BLACK PEOPLE can not design? Well you wrong we can . And as for the HOST on designer star she is doing just what the other host did on the show. STOP LOOKING AT COLOR and look at the work the person is doing. AS FOR ME I WILL NO LONGER WATCH DESIGNER STAR until the judges start judgng people on the work that they do on the episode and not on what the think they will do on the next episode. DOUG should not have went home when MARK just worked on a wall and waited at end to help place the furniture WOW!!!!! DO YOU FEEL that was right ? I DON'T so I DON't have to watch DESIGNER star any more.And I hope it don't come to the point that I have to stop watching HGTV because of this.
Felicia I agree with you partially – about judging people on what they do on the episode and not on what is thought they will do on the next episode. However, I enjoy Emily's new show (not her voice) and thought for sure she was a gonner on the first episode last year! What I disagree with, Felicia, is your comment about black people can't design. I know they can! My main problem is calling on the race card and thinking that all people judge on race. We don't; I'm sorry that you live in a place that gives that feeling. I think Cathy is probably a fair designer, but those eyes on TV every week would be totally distracting – I'm pretty sure they are going to pop out of her head! Unfortunately, her diva head (attitude) is taking away from her design presentation.
We thought Tanika was gone when she so poorly competed on the show! But no, you chose to keep her on as a hostess with an attitude. She still has that look on her face of she's better than all! I still wish she was gone and not a part of HGTV! I'm disappointed.
I would love to buy a piece of art work by David. Is it possible? Will you be kind enough and let him know? He is my favorite! It appears to me that perhaps he has the most staying power out of all the other winners. What do you think? I would really love a painting,David, for my bedroom…of water, of blues…hint to David…
Again–What happened to Clive (a true class act!)? I'd just like to know! Salary disputes? Artistic conflicts? What? Meanwhile–thank you for getting away from the "what kind of flower/musical instrument/whatever represents you" forced format of last year–hope that's not in the offing for later in the 6th season!
Just curious, what happened to Clive???
Tanika is nice but she takes too long and uses too much drama to introduce each segment. And. Now. Contestants. Your. Designs. Will. Be. Judged.
So true. She's cute but just superfluous. Why do they even have a "host" anyway? I liked it so much better when there was no host (last season I think). Also, why are they doing the Project Runway elimination stylings??? Just cut the drama and let us see real designs and critiques!
I disagree — I loved it when the host was Clive Pearse. I don't feel any warm fuzzies with Tanika like I do for Clive and David Bromstead (who I LOVE!). Both Clive & David are very engaging and incredibly likable on screen. Last year was almost my last year with Design Star. No host — and the judges had to do everything, which is probably why they seemed so mean and nasty. I know there were several times I was literally shocked by their nastiness, especially from Vern whose on camera persona (since I don't know him personally) never seemed to be negative or nasty.
Clive was fine, David is GREAT, and Tanika….she's sooooooo AWFUL!!!!! She MUST go! Immediately! She constantly talks in the same, annoying, see-saw, up/down, constant pausing, style and it drives me to distraction. Literally. I have to mute or fast forward any comments she makes. Like others have already said, she adds nothing to the show, but DOES DETRACT from the show with her obnoxious commentary "style". Please remove her from the show – NOW!!!!
David you are awesome! I love my HGTV and wouldn't change a thing. I'm remodeling my home and thanks to all the designers I have lots of ideas about spaces, colors and budget. I give you guys 5 stars and two thumbs up!
New host is completely distracting in a negative way. I love love love Design Star, but when she's talking I'm tempted to turn it.
Couldn't agree more.
I thinkk the show should be 2 hours long, just too much for 1 hour. Then we could actually get to know the contestants and see more of each design. Too much jumping around!!
i agree. Everything is just spread so thin. It also seems to be HGTV's overused oppotunity to give everybody on HGTV an appearance oppotunity. Quit trying to please everyone.