ABC kicks of the Christmas season with a festive battle
Christmas is a time of giving and family togetherness, of love and compassion — not a time of year that lends itself easily to the world of reality television, a world often mired in nonsense, selfishness and conceit. ABC’s luminous holiday tradition, however, manages to lift reality television out of its self-indulgent torpor for three weeks every holiday season, and it’s that time of year again.
An intense battle of wills and skills (with plenty of Christmas spirit to boot), “The Great Christmas Light Fight” is the ultimate in festive reality shows. Featuring contestants from across America, the latest installment of this three-week competition begins Monday, Dec. 7, on ABC, and will deliver fun and cheer for the whole family.
Season 3 of the Yuletide challenge promises to live up to the legacy of the first two, with just as much Christmas intensity and even bigger and more impressive projects than ever before. Two new episodes air each Monday for three straight weeks, and each one consists of a battle between four families or neighborhoods.
Each group of contestants goes to great lengths to adorn their dwelling with the most extravagant Christmas decorations possible. The materials they use can consist of just about anything their imaginations can dream up; participants in past seasons have utilized not only traditional Christmas lights, but statues, music, trees, blow molds and even live animals.
Of course, it wouldn’t be reality television without a judge or two and a huge grand prize — as in past seasons, $50,000 will go to each of the winners.
This year, ABC welcomes a new pair of judges to the program. While former judges Michael Moloney (“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”) and Sabrina Soto (“Real Estate Intervention”) have left the series, a pair of equally recognizable faces have stepped into their shoes.
New judge Carter Oosterhouse honed his carpentry skills at a young age, following in the footsteps of his older brothers who were skilled carpenters themselves. After moving to Los Angeles, he began his Hollywood career working behind the scenes for the HBO movie-making series “Project Greenlight.” It wasn’t until 2003, though, that his big break came — TLC hired him as part of the “Trading Spaces” cast, and he quickly made an impression on the show’s audience.
Oosterhouse guest starred in the reality series frequently until 2007, and has since appeared in a plethora of home renovation and do-it-yourself TV programs, including “Million Dollar Rooms” and “Rachael Ray.” Known for his exceptional eye for detail and his green building solutions, Oosterhouse is definitely an expert when it comes to judging what’s most pleasing to the eye.
Taniya Nayak, the second new judge for this season of “The Great Christmas Light Fight,” is somewhat of a reality star herself. She has loaned her expertise to renovation programs such as “Designed to Sell,” “Bang for Your Buck” and “Restaurant: Impossible,” plus she endeared herself to millions of Ellen DeGeneres fans when she became the brand ambassador for ED On Air, DeGeneres’ line of home products.
Originally from India but raised in Boston, Nayak’s ability to transform any space and her easily accessible design concepts are a major part of the reason she’s become one of America’s foremost interior designers. It’s also her personality, though, that keeps clients (and TV watchers) coming back for more. Her bright smile and an ability to put others at ease makes it easy for her to help her clients without overwhelming them.
Nayak is a pro when it comes to decorating on a budget, and she’ll be a keen judge of how well each contestant uses their resources. Between Nayak and Oosterhouse, not a thing will be missed and you can bet the best decor will win every time.
In each episode of the series, individual displays are explored up close, and viewers are shown the massive effort that goes into creating each spectacle. Many of the features used by contestants are impressive works of art or science — it’s often surprising both how simple the execution of an elaborate-looking display can be, and how elaborate the creation of simple concepts can become.
We also get to know each family or community, learn a little about their lives and motivations so viewers can cheer for them heartily as they display their finished product. Then, a winner is chosen based on three specific categories: design, light usage and Christmas spirit. There’s one winner per episode, and each victor is given the $50,000 prize.
With lots of festive fun in store, “The Great Christmas Light Fight” is a great source of family Christmas fun. Tune in to the premiere on Monday, Dec. 7, on ABC.