1991
ABC-TV airs Home Improvement,
a sitcom that “coincidentally”
features a character not unlike Bob
Vila. Later he tells a reporter that
he got a call from the show before
it launched: “There was some
concern in the legal department
that I was being ripped off.”
WHAT ABOUT BOB?
1996 1998
1994
For the fi rst time, a
TOH project—the 1887
Nantucket House —goes
from being a home
renovation to something
closer to a complete
rebuild. A number of
viewers say they can relate.
Looking for fresh challenges,
the crew tackles its fi rst true
adaptive reuse project, turning
a 1906 Arts and Crafts church
in San Francisco into a young
couple’s home. It may be TOH ’s
only house with a belfry.
TV viewers are
gripped by TOH’s
oldest house,
circa 1710, in
Acton, MA. On
the agenda: Get
the dishwasher
out of the
dining room!
THIS OLD HOUSE
MAGAZINE
LAUNCHES.
DIYERS EAGERLY
AWAIT IDEAS
FOR STORING
BACK ISSUES.
1988
Landscape
contractor Roger
Cook joins the
full-time cast,
prompting a
nationwide run
on hydrangeas.
2002
GREAT ADAPTATION
In an effort to
bring the TOH
crew’s expertise
to a wider circle
of homeowners,
Ask This Old
House is born,
and declares
its intention
to cross the
country in
search of great
questions.
1992
The guys expand
their reach,
crossing the
pond to tackle
their fi rst fi xer-
upper outside
the U.S.: the
top-fl oor fl at of
an 1857 building
in London.
1989
The show
welcomes
a new host,
Steve Thomas,
and raises its
fi rst barn, in
Concord, MA.
1995
1988
TOH, Outstanding
Directing in a Talk/
Service Show
1990
TOH, Outstanding
Directing in a Talk/
Service Show
1987
TOH, Outstanding Achievement
in Technical Direction/Electronic
Camerawork/Video Control
1992
TOH, Outstanding Achievement
in Technical Direction/Electronic
Camera /Video Control
1986
TOH, Outstanding
Directing in a Talk/
Service Show
ROGER THAT!