TV show rescues homeowners from repair woes

CINCINNATI Kate and Brad Bolger were so discouraged by their failure to save their kitchen from a botched repair job that they considered moving. Then they teamed up with do-it-yourself experts accompanied by a TV crew.

''It was almost like a gift from God,'' Kate Bolger said. ''Our kitchen was so horrible. There were mismatched countertops and an ugly floor with a surface so rough it destroyed every mop I used on it.

''Now, I look at my beautiful new floor, matching countertops, storage space, the first dishwasher I've had in 13 years, and I just can't believe it.''

The Bolgers of Columbus are among the homeowners to be featured on the new half-hour series ''DIY to the Rescue,'' which airs 10 p.m. EDT Thursdays on the DIY-Do It Yourself Network.

In each weekly segment, hosts Amy Devers and Karl Champley visit a home with a carpenter, a licensed local contractor and any necessary subcontractors to help complete the job.

The production company supplies materials and appliances, with some articles donated by home improvement companies. The homeowners must have failed to complete a project or found one so daunting they don't know how to tackle it.

They also must help the team do the work; the jobs have to be completed within three days; and a second qualifying homeowner must be found within walking distance so two shows can be taped.

''This show is really about empowering people with knowledge and skills to help them rescue themselves,'' said Daniel Schw-artz, senior producer for RIVR Media, the Knoxville, Tenn.-based company that produces the show. ''It melds specific step-by-step details with real problems.''

Schwartz said the Bolgers had tried repeatedly to do the job themselves.

''Apparently, Brad had become so frustrated after putting linoleum down in the kitchen three times unsuccessfully that one night he just ripped it up and threw porch paint over the floor,'' Schwartz said.

''We all have had projects where you finally just throw up your hands.''

Bill Sykes, DIY vice president of programming, said he hopes his show's ''focus on real-life problems will broaden the DIY audience to include people who have an interest in fixing things themselves but aren't necessarily dyed-in-the-wool do-it-yourselfers.''

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