by If you’ve seen even one episode of ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, then you know that you have cried at least once.
It’s a heartwarming series about making a difference in the lives of families who need it, and it sure does find a way to bring tears to your eyes while doing it. And now, in its ninth season, the show has decided to balance out your emotions with a bit of comedy, thanks to new “designer” Jeff Dye.
Dye told The Comic’s Comic that series producers from Endemol had seen him when he performed on NBC’s Last Comic Standing a few years ago and were interested in having “someone who could lighten the mood at times and show the other side of the show’s true spirit.” After his development deal with NBC transpired, he flew out to Kansas to audition with the existing Extreme Makeover crew.
“It was their finale and was I simply thrown in with the gang, had a blast shooting stuff that would never be used because it was strictly an audition,” Dye said.
In the meantime, Dye received word that his MTV pilot, prank show Money From Strangers (which also features work from NYC comedians Kurt Braunohler and Grace Helbig), received a pick-up with 12 episodes (which debut in January). That limited Dye’s participation in this season of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Dye said he could only participate in three episodes of EM:HE this season — his first episode aired two Fridays ago.
But does Dye have any real experience as a home renovator?
“I worked construction with my Dad as a kid, but the show has no modesty about hiding that my attribute that they are bringing me on the team for my humor more then anything,” Dye said. “I’m like the designer for the average people, the people that just wanna get their hands dirty and help. Kinda like the way Ellen (DeGeneres) was the judge on American Idol that represented the ‘average Joe.'”
