This Old House

[Gary J Belch]

Not sure but caught what appears to be the beginning of the 2010 season of TOH on pbs today. New opening to show, Norm was there, Kevin was there but no mention of Tom Silva and his crew. In the opening segment Kevin mentions you will see some new faces this year and did mention a new general contractor. Any ideas as to where Silva and crew have gone...:mad:

[Mitchell Andrus]

From the TOH website:

General contractor David Lopes, who has extensive experience with both historic preservation and affordable housing projects, is heading up the Roxbury project.

No mention of Tommy in the show descriptions.
.

[Matt Meiser]

Wow, that's going to be a change if that's what's going on. But I saw this in the description "Working alongside affordable housing nonprofit Nuestra Comunidad, Norm Abram, Tom Silva, and the rest of the TOH TV crew will hammer out the complete renovation of a foreclosed 1870s Second Empire in Boston's Roxbury neighborhood"

Usually the "winter" project is smaller scale and is out-of-town. For example, Austin, New Orleans, DC, etc. And because of location they use a different contractor. I wonder if they did so because of schedule even though this one is in Boston. I'd guess their average project takes longer than 6 months, so maybe Tom is already working on the next season?

We won't start seeing the new ones here for quite a while. They just started painting the Newton house here.

[Joe Leigh]

I hadn't seen TOH in quite a while but did catch it last weekend. Couldn't help but notice that Tom Silva is using a SawStop contractors saw and a truckload of Festool....jus sayin'

[Dick Strauss]

Matt,
I saw the new program from WGTE (Toledo) this afternoon. They tore down a garage, took off some asbestos siding+clapboards, and took off a second story addition IIRC that were all in bad shape.

All,
The change in GC may be because they have carpenter apprentices, etc working on the project. Possibly Mr Lopez is overseeing the nubes continuing development while they work on this low income redevelopment project.

Maybe Tommy and his crew can't work at the wages needed to make the house affordable...just a thought...no inside knowledge here.

[Matt Meiser]

Matt,
I saw the new program from WGTE (Toledo) this afternoon. They tore down a garage, took off some asbestos siding+clapboards, and took off a second story addition IIRC that were all in bad shape.

Ah, but according to the FCC that signal magically stops at the state line/Toledo city limits 8 miles south of me. :rolleyes: Instead we get a signal from Detroit's WTVS 35+ miles away on our DirecTV box. Since I basically don't watch non-DVR'd TV, I see what's on there.

[Bob Marino]

Usually the "winter" project is smaller scale and is out-of-town. For example, Austin, New Orleans, DC, etc. And because of location they use a different contractor. I wonder if they did so because of schedule even though this one is in Boston. I'd guess their average project takes longer than 6 months, so maybe Tom is already working on the next season?

Matt,

I think you are correct about the winter projects. They are smaller, out of the area and hence, use other contractors.

Bob

[Kent A Bathurst]

I remember reading some years ago that the highest-paid person on public TV at that time was Norm, and they were talking serious money - many hundreds of thousands per year total between TOH and NYY. Am sure Silva, et al, can afford to buy any type of tools they want.

I don't begrude any of them any of that money, but I'd darn sure have my plaid shirts custom made - become the Rick Pitino or Pat Riley of woodworking:D

[Jim Rimmer]

Matt,
The change in GC may be because they have carpenter apprentices, etc working on the project. Possibly Mr Lopez is overseeing the nubes continuing development while they work on this low income redevelopment project.
I caught this, too. Mr. Lopes has a training program for these kids and they will be working on the project and showcasing their talents. I hope Tom is lurking in the wings for later shows.

[Gary McKown]

I wouldn't worry about it, as Tom has been absent from other shows in the past. The two I remember were the adobe abode in Arizona, and the Savannah project. I actually rode back to Atlanta with Norm and crew just as the latter was being started, and Tom Silva showed up on the last day (on vacation, presumably).

[Lee Schierer]

I watched that show and I'm pretty sure Kevin mentioned that Tommy will be involved.

[Randal Stevenson]

I would say, see if he is on ATOH, if not, then maybe something happened.

[Mark Patoka]

I caught the last part of that episode yesterday and Tom's name was on the aftershow credits so I'm sure he'll still appear. Maybe Tommy took a field trip and was out filming at one of their manufacturers for an upcoming episode to show us how they make some of their special countertop or something.

[Richard Ray]

Ah, but according to the FCC that signal magically stops at the state line/Toledo city limits 8 miles south of me. :rolleyes: Instead we get a signal from Detroit's WTVS 35+ miles away on our DirecTV box. Since I basically don't watch non-DVR'd TV, I see what's on there.
Look into an AM 21 tuner attachment for your DTV box. It enables you to get off air channels through your DTV tuner. They will then appear in the guide and you can then even record them.

http://cgi.ebay.com/DIRECTV-DIRECT-TV-Satellite-Off-Air-Tuner-AM21-AM-21_W0QQitemZ160400095162QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_Defa ultDomain_0?hash=item25589737ba#ht_770wt_1167

[Harry Hagan]

I remember reading some years ago that the highest-paid person on public TV at that time was Norm, and they were talking serious money - many hundreds of thousands per year total between TOH and NYY. Am sure Silva, et al, can afford to buy any type of tools they want.

I don't begrude any of them any of that money, but I'd darn sure have my plaid shirts custom made - become the Rick Pitino or Pat Riley of woodworking:D

If that was per show it would be significant, but not for two shows per year. That’s Chump Change for a network’s highest-paid person these days. e.g. Charlie Sheen earned $825,000 per episode in 2009. According to Forbes magazine, Jerry Seinfeld earned $264 million in 2004 and turned down $5 million per episode to continue the show into its tenth season. Based on that, I think Norm is underpaid.

[Matt Meiser]

But those guys aren't on public TV.

[Don Jarvie]

It looks like Lopes (Nuestra Comunidid) and the City of Boston are partners and fixing up the home and selling it. From the article in Boston.com it seems like TOH is helping so thats why Silva isn't forefront and center.

[Fred Voorhees]

My opinion......it would be a darned shame to have Tommy and his crew leave TOH. My young brother and I have really come to respect his talent and knowledge of everything building construction. I would give my left n*t to spend some time working with him. I can imagine that he would probably be a bear to work with, but the time invested and knowledge gained would be well worth it.

[Harry Hagan]

But those guys aren't on public TV.

Public TV used to mean “commercial-free” programming subsidized by the public.

Nowadays, most public radio and television stations are licensed as non-commercial broadcasters, yet many stations air underwriting spots (resembling advertisements on commercial broadcasting but with some content limitations) in exchange for corporate contributions.

Norm has probably inspired more people to take up woodworking and buy power tools than anyone in history; and if PBS didn’t make big bucks on TOH from underwriting spots, they should have. The point is: Norm is a bargain for PBS and a godsend for the power tool industry.

[Kent A Bathurst]

If that was per show it would be significant, but not for two shows per year. That’s Chump Change for a network’s highest-paid person these days. e.g. Charlie Sheen earned $825,000 per episode in 2009. According to Forbes magazine, Jerry Seinfeld earned $264 million in 2004 and turned down $5 million per episode to continue the show into its tenth season. Based on that, I think Norm is underpaid.

I doubt Charlie wouldl pull down quite that much making sawdust and renovating houses, though. ;)

[John Terefenko]

Guys, guys, Tommy is not leaving the show. This is their winter project. Where have you guys been for the 20 years. They do one series of shows that is the meat and potatoe of the show with the whole gang and that one just finished up in Boston. They did the addition out the back replacing the screen porch.

The second half of the season is always a house away from Boston and none of the guys are directly involved. They make a cameo appearance and Kevin does most of the narrating with Norm. They been doing this format for years.

[Jim German]

Guys, guys, Tommy is not leaving the show. This is their winter project. Where have you guys been for the 20 years. They do one series of shows that is the meat and potatoe of the show with the whole gang and that one just finished up in Boston. They did the addition out the back replacing the screen porch.

The second half of the season is always a house away from Boston and none of the guys are directly involved. They make a cameo appearance and Kevin does most of the narrating with Norm. They been doing this format for years.

+1 This is how they always (or at least for the last few years) do it.

[Ken Fitzgerald]

I am ready to close this thread as it has drifted way off topic. The OP's original question was whether or not Tom Silva and company was still with TOH.

Whether or not Mr. Silva has a business relationship with Festool is Mr. Sliva's business.....and is nobody else's business. And since nobody appears to know for sure...it's just wild speculation.....


I would suggest we get back on topic. This thread has drifted so far off topic that editing it would be way more work than just removing it from public viewing.

Edit - I cleaned it up in an attempt to get things back on track. If it heads down the same road as before...we will close it. Glenn

[Dennis Thornton]

I would be surprised if Tommy & crew aren't booked until the end of time with projects. They probably need a few months away from the show to manage them.

If you had a big remodel planned in the area who would you call?

[John Terefenko]

Here's a test for you TOH fans. Who was the talky before Kevin??? Where did he go???

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Steve Thomas.....I saw him recently doing a special on the Discovery Channel or the History Channel IIRC.

[Matt Meiser]

I looked up what happened to him a while back. He's got his own web site. http://www.stevethomashome.com/

[John Terefenko]

You guys are good. That is correct and I did hear he was all about the green thing. I guess this old house wasn't green enough for him or didn't want to be second banana any more. It is amazing how Kevin just fell in their laps and how well he fits right in. Got to admit a young guy in with those older folks. He is getting some education.