The Property Brothers are back in ‘Celebrity IOU’
Great Scott: Home hobbyists and those ravenous for renovations can delight in the news that HGTV’s favorite brothers, Drew and Jonathan Scott, are returning to the network for a second season of “Celebrity IOU.” The hit show (one of many hosted by the Scotts) will feature new episodes as of Monday, Dec. 14, airing on HGTV.
Known as the Property Brothers for their vast home design and renovation know-how, Drew and Jonathan Scott first introduced “Celebrity IOU” to the market in spring of this year. Featuring Oscar-winning actor and celebrity sexpot Brad Pitt (“12 Years a Slave,” 2013) in their premiere episode, the series shines the spotlight on various Hollywood and music industry stars as they select a non-showbiz star of their own to receive a well-deserved overhaul to a part of their home. Popular episodes from Season 1 included Melissa McCarthy’s (“Bridesmaids,” 2011) gift to her aunt and uncle — both retired police officers — in need of an improved entertaining space, the aforementioned Brad Pitt premiere in which the Property Brothers helped Pitt’s friend of 30 years by turning her dilapidated garage into a guest suite and makeup studio, and the season finale in which Jeremy Renner (“Avengers: Endgame,” 2019) enlisted the brothers to create the condo of his mother’s dreams before he fulfilled her other dream by moving her to L.A. so she could be closer to her grandchildren. Each one of “Celebrity IOU’s” six Season 1 episodes successfully managed to tug at the viewers’ heartstrings, and word is that Season 2 will be no different.
Premiering Dec. 14 with all new episodes, Season 2 is slated to feature more familiar faces, from “New Girl” star (and co-host Jonathan Scott’s current girlfriend) Zooey Deschanel to “The Office’s” Rainn Wilson, Oscarwinning actress Allison Janney (“Mom”) and “This Is Us” heartthrob Justin Hartley. Each teaming up with the talented twins to give back to a non-Hollywood superstar in their life, these big names will help to make “Celebrity IOU’s” second season at least as heartwarming as the first.
Tune in for all the overhauling fun as “Celebrity IOU” kicks off once again, Monday, Dec. 14, on HGTV.
From snow to mistletoe: Santa Claus is coming to HGTV on Friday, Dec. 18, and this time he’s bringing the muscle — lots and lots of muscle. World-famous strongman and (huge) Santa impersonator Albie Mushaney is joining the home renovation circuit this holiday season with “You’ll Be Home for Christmas,” coming Dec. 18 to HGTV.
Inspired by the popular (and similarly titled) Christmas song, “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” Mushaney — who, in addition to dressing as Santa and being able to deadlift over 750 pounds, is also a licensed real estate agent — will team up with first-time homebuyers to help them find their perfect place in time for the holidays. Once each forever home is found and purchased, Mushaney’s family takes on the role of the elves, decorating the new home and hanging their stockings “by the chimney with care.” Christmas trees will be brought in, furnished with tinsel and carpeted with presents as each home gets the holiday staging of a lifetime for its newest owners.
Full of Yuletide cheer and real-life dilemmas, this hulking host, much like the jolly elf he portrays, is bringing a little bit of hope to families this season. So switch on your TV set and don’t miss the Season 1 premiere of “You’ll Be Home for Christmas,” as it, too, comes down the chimney Friday, Dec. 18, and finds a home on HGTV.
New fur in the game: Christmas is going to the dogs ... literally. Switch over to CW to catch an all-new installment of this season’s furriest of festive friends when “Dogs of the Year” airs on the network, Thursday, Dec. 17.
Executive produced by Robert Horowitz (“Supersize my Pool”), Lewis Fenton (“The Singing Bee”) and Josh Greenburg (“The Sing-Off”) in conjunction with JUMA Entertainment, this hour-long holiday special features appearances from this year’s Top 10 most influential pups — from the most charming and socially influential canines to those performing incredible feats, dog lovers will not be disappointed by this adorable 2020 roster.
While news of this year’s host(s) remains hush-hush, it is likely, given the production team remains the same, that “Dogs of the Year” will once again be hosted by “Entertainment Tonight’s” Kevin Frazier and renowned entertainment correspondent Nichelle Turner (HLN’s “Showbiz Tonight”). The pair hosted the holiday roundup special from the American Kennel Club Museum of the Dog in New York City in 2019, charismatically shining the spotlight on dogs that helped soothe burn victims during their recovery, to one that helped an NHL team to Stanley Cup victory.
So why not pull up a chair and get a front-row seat to the cuteness as a new year brings new fur to the game in “Dogs of the Year,” airing Thursday, Dec. 17, on CW. If you happen to be out picking up more eggnog or attending a holiday party, however, don’t worry — the special will be broadcast on the network once again on Wednesday, Dec. 30.