Canada's Worst Handyman (series)
Encyclopedia
Canada's Worst Handyman is a Canadian
television series broadcast on Discovery Channel. The show is produced by Proper Television, and shares its production with Canada's Worst Driver
, including executive producer Guy O'Sullivan and host Andrew Younghusband
. The series is based on a one-off episode of the Britain's Worst series, titled "Britain's Worst DIYer". Unlike sister series Canada's Worst Driver, there has not been any similar adaptations in other English-speaking countries. Six seasons have been completed, and nominations for the seventh season are being accepted in the fall.
Since the second season, each challenge is judged on a pass/fail system, based on whether challenges are completed within the allotted time limit (typically two to three times the time needed for a professional to perform the challenge). Nominators are expected to assist their nominees (though, as of season 5, they are unable to directly offer suggestions as to the proper course of actions, so as to not take charge of the challenge themselves), and contestants may freely help each other upon the completion of their challenges. Contestants may also revisit a previous challenge on their own time if they had failed the challenge or was otherwise incomplete.
Each episode also contains a group challenge, where the five contestants, typically without their nominators, must perform a challenge together. Starting with the second group challenge, one contestant is deemed the foreman and is given the task of leading the other four. The foreman concept was instituted starting with the second group challenge in the first season as a reaction to how bad the contestants had worked together for the first group challenge, and it has stayed with the series since.
At the end of each episode, two judges and host Andrew Younghusband
inspect the contestants' worksites, and after each contestant is interviewed, deliberate on which contestant had improved the most and which contestant was named the worst. The contestant named the most improved is given the "golden hard hat" (a tool belt was given in the first two seasons), and is rewarded with the privilege of leading the next group challenge. The contestant named the worst (who may also be the most improved contestant) must "hang their head in shame" and nail their portrait to a "wall of shame", and is treated to a private "homework challenge" with Andrew. The experts reserve the right to not name the most improved handyman or to name more than one contestant as the worst, though the former has never occurred and the latter only once. On rare occasions nominators may also be awarded the most improved or the worst for helping their nominees. On one occasion, the contestant and their nominator pair was collectively the most improved and worst.
Throughout the entire process the experts teach the contestants the various skills they may need in order to perform the challenge in classroom sessions. Starting in the third season, the experts also perform each and every challenge themselves before the contestants are given the challenges, partly as a demonstration to the contestants and partly to show that the tasks can be done correctly and within the time limit. During the challenge the experts observe each contestant from the show's production facilities, or in later seasons, the "expert's room". The experts may also intervene in the event of a gross safety violation or other serious incident, or if a contestant is otherwise unprepared for the challenge (such as prerequisite challenges not being close to completion).
The final episode of each season differs in many details, but is centred around a list of tasks that all contestants must finish. For the first season, this was the "handyman final exam", where contestants must work together to fully renovate an apartment in an extended group challenge. For the second season, the list was used in a group challenge where the contestants and nominators as a whole must finish every shed, with the final challenge being moving their sheds out of their workshop, while in subsequent seasons each contestant is given their own lists for the tasks that they must finish in their workspaces so as to make their rooms presentable for a series of clients; furthermore, the list must be completed in the order stated therein, typically corresponding to the order in which the challenges were originally presented. The contestant with the worst finished product, as determined by the clients, experts, and Andrew, is named Canada's Worst Handyman.
brand. Canadian Tire
became the series' primary sponsor for seasons 4-5, and one of the first challenges in those years was to shop for all the required tools and materials from the local Canadian Tire store; as a consequence, Mastercraft
products are prominently featured. Canadian Tire withdrew their sponsorship as of season 6, and as such the shopping challenge was eliminated and contestants' tools returning to being from multiple different brands.
The show has not given any indication as to whether the contestants are given the tools as a keepsake or whether the tools are returned to the show's production staff following the series.
Furnishings for the rooms in the first three seasons included decor from IKEA
.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
television series broadcast on Discovery Channel. The show is produced by Proper Television, and shares its production with Canada's Worst Driver
Canada's Worst Driver (series)
Canada's Worst Driver is a Canadian television series on Discovery Channel, based on Britain's Worst Driver. It and sister series Canada's Worst Handyman are the two highest-rated programs on Discovery Channel...
, including executive producer Guy O'Sullivan and host Andrew Younghusband
Andrew Younghusband
Andrew Younghusband is a Canadian television personality, writer and journalist, best known for his most recent appearances as host of the reality shows Canada's Worst Driver and Canada's Worst Handyman, as well as the documentary series Tall Ship Chronicles.-Career:Younghusband began his career...
. The series is based on a one-off episode of the Britain's Worst series, titled "Britain's Worst DIYer". Unlike sister series Canada's Worst Driver, there has not been any similar adaptations in other English-speaking countries. Six seasons have been completed, and nominations for the seventh season are being accepted in the fall.
Format
In each season, five contestants and their nominators arrive at the Handyman Rehabilitation Centre, where they partake in a three-week (16 filming days over 18 days) renovation project there, consisting of challenges that are designed to improve the contestants' handyman skills. Each contestant and nominator pair are assigned color-coded workplaces, and otherwise work separately on their respective projects. Prior to entering the Handyman Rehabilitation Centre, each contestant performs a challenge in their own home, to be aired in the first episode; this is colloquially referred to as the "home challenge".Since the second season, each challenge is judged on a pass/fail system, based on whether challenges are completed within the allotted time limit (typically two to three times the time needed for a professional to perform the challenge). Nominators are expected to assist their nominees (though, as of season 5, they are unable to directly offer suggestions as to the proper course of actions, so as to not take charge of the challenge themselves), and contestants may freely help each other upon the completion of their challenges. Contestants may also revisit a previous challenge on their own time if they had failed the challenge or was otherwise incomplete.
Each episode also contains a group challenge, where the five contestants, typically without their nominators, must perform a challenge together. Starting with the second group challenge, one contestant is deemed the foreman and is given the task of leading the other four. The foreman concept was instituted starting with the second group challenge in the first season as a reaction to how bad the contestants had worked together for the first group challenge, and it has stayed with the series since.
At the end of each episode, two judges and host Andrew Younghusband
Andrew Younghusband
Andrew Younghusband is a Canadian television personality, writer and journalist, best known for his most recent appearances as host of the reality shows Canada's Worst Driver and Canada's Worst Handyman, as well as the documentary series Tall Ship Chronicles.-Career:Younghusband began his career...
inspect the contestants' worksites, and after each contestant is interviewed, deliberate on which contestant had improved the most and which contestant was named the worst. The contestant named the most improved is given the "golden hard hat" (a tool belt was given in the first two seasons), and is rewarded with the privilege of leading the next group challenge. The contestant named the worst (who may also be the most improved contestant) must "hang their head in shame" and nail their portrait to a "wall of shame", and is treated to a private "homework challenge" with Andrew. The experts reserve the right to not name the most improved handyman or to name more than one contestant as the worst, though the former has never occurred and the latter only once. On rare occasions nominators may also be awarded the most improved or the worst for helping their nominees. On one occasion, the contestant and their nominator pair was collectively the most improved and worst.
Throughout the entire process the experts teach the contestants the various skills they may need in order to perform the challenge in classroom sessions. Starting in the third season, the experts also perform each and every challenge themselves before the contestants are given the challenges, partly as a demonstration to the contestants and partly to show that the tasks can be done correctly and within the time limit. During the challenge the experts observe each contestant from the show's production facilities, or in later seasons, the "expert's room". The experts may also intervene in the event of a gross safety violation or other serious incident, or if a contestant is otherwise unprepared for the challenge (such as prerequisite challenges not being close to completion).
The final episode of each season differs in many details, but is centred around a list of tasks that all contestants must finish. For the first season, this was the "handyman final exam", where contestants must work together to fully renovate an apartment in an extended group challenge. For the second season, the list was used in a group challenge where the contestants and nominators as a whole must finish every shed, with the final challenge being moving their sheds out of their workshop, while in subsequent seasons each contestant is given their own lists for the tasks that they must finish in their workspaces so as to make their rooms presentable for a series of clients; furthermore, the list must be completed in the order stated therein, typically corresponding to the order in which the challenges were originally presented. The contestant with the worst finished product, as determined by the clients, experts, and Andrew, is named Canada's Worst Handyman.
Tools
In the first three seasons, the contestants were given the tools and materials needed for each challenge, with most tools being of the DeWaltDeWALT
DeWalt is a worldwide brand of power tools for the construction, manufacturing and woodworking industries. It is a subsidiary of Stanley Black & Decker.- History :...
brand. Canadian Tire
Canadian Tire
Canadian Tire Corporation, Limited is one of Canada's 60 largest publicly traded companies. The firm operates an inter-related network of businesses engaged in retailing hardgoods, apparel and petroleum as well as financial and automotive services, employing more than 58,000 people across Canada...
became the series' primary sponsor for seasons 4-5, and one of the first challenges in those years was to shop for all the required tools and materials from the local Canadian Tire store; as a consequence, Mastercraft
Mastercraft (tool brand)
Mastercraft is the Canadian Tire exclusive hardware line of products. It is broken down into two lines: Mastercraft, which is the household series, and Mastercraft Maximum , which is the new professional series...
products are prominently featured. Canadian Tire withdrew their sponsorship as of season 6, and as such the shopping challenge was eliminated and contestants' tools returning to being from multiple different brands.
The show has not given any indication as to whether the contestants are given the tools as a keepsake or whether the tools are returned to the show's production staff following the series.
Furnishings for the rooms in the first three seasons included decor from IKEA
IKEA
IKEA is a privately held, international home products company that designs and sells ready-to-assemble furniture such as beds and desks, appliances and home accessories. The company is the world's largest furniture retailer...
.
Nominations
The contestants are chosen by nominations submitted to Proper Television. Canada's Worst Driver and Canada's Worst Handyman are filmed alternately, with one season of Driver followed by one season of Handyman. Currently, Driver is filmed during the summer and Handyman in winter. Nominations for the next season of one are accepted shortly before the airing of a season of the other on Discovery Channel. Candidates may be nominated by multiple nominators, though only one nominator accompanies the contestant to the Handyman Rehabilitation Centre.Home Video/Internet Availability
Just like it's sister show, Canada's Worst Driver, all 6 seasons are available for download from iTunes Canada in Standard Definition (480i/p) Anamorphic widescreen, with Seasons 5 and 6 also being available for streaming on Discovery Channel Canada's website. There is currently no known plans for a DVD/Blu-ray release of any of the seasons.Seasons
- Canada's Worst Handyman (2006) took place in an abandoned apartment complex in the Regent ParkRegent ParkRegent Park is a neighbourhood located in Old Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Regent Park is Canada's oldest and largest social housing project; built in the late 1940s. Formerly the centre of the Cabbagetown neighbourhood, it is bounded by Gerrard Street East to the north, River Street to the east,...
neighbourhood in TorontoTorontoToronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
. Contestants must fully renovate a one-bedroom apartment, with group challenges being various yardwork tasks. Keith Cole was named Canada's Worst Handyman for his lack of focus. - Canada's Worst Handyman 2Canada's Worst Handyman 2Canada's Worst Handyman 2 is a 2007 Canadian television series, airing on Discovery Channel Canada, and is the successor to Canada's Worst Handyman. Like its predecessor, five contestants and their nominators enter the "Handyman Rehabilitation Centre", where a series of challenges await them. At...
(2007) took place in a warehouse just east of downtown TorontoDowntown TorontoDowntown Toronto is the central business district of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is approximately bounded by Bloor Street to the north, Lake Ontario to the south, the Don River to the east, and Bathurst Street to the west...
. Contestants must build an eco-shed (a shed built with sustainability in mind), which was auctioned off sight-unseen to bidders on eBayEBayeBay Inc. is an American internet consumer-to-consumer corporation that manages eBay.com, an online auction and shopping website in which people and businesses buy and sell a broad variety of goods and services worldwide...
with proceeds being donated to Habitat for Humanity Canada; a sixth bidder also won a shed built by the experts. Group challenges being assorted outdoor creature comforts. Terry Cress was named Canada's Worst Handyman after he was forced to tear down his eco-shed in order to remove the shed from the warehouse. The series was the first in which a contestant's nominator was replaced partway through the series, when Terry's nominator Harvey Houle had to be hospitalized due to persistent back pain; Terry's wife Angie served as his nominator for the rest of the series. - Canada's Worst Handyman 3Canada's Worst Handyman 3Canada's Worst Handyman 3 is a 2008 Canadian television series, airing on Discovery Channel Canada. It is the third season of the Canada's Worst Handyman series, a series in which five contestants arrive at the Handyman Rehabilitation Centre, where the contestants can improve on their handyman...
(2008) took place in an old mansion on Hamilton, OntarioHamilton, OntarioHamilton is a port city in the Canadian province of Ontario. Conceived by George Hamilton when he purchased the Durand farm shortly after the War of 1812, Hamilton has become the centre of a densely populated and industrialized region at the west end of Lake Ontario known as the Golden Horseshoe...
. Contestants must fully rebuild a room on the ground floor of a house to make it suitable for a bed and breakfastBed and breakfastA bed and breakfast is a small lodging establishment that offers overnight accommodation and breakfast, but usually does not offer other meals. Since the 1980s, the meaning of the term has also extended to include accommodations that are also known as "self-catering" establishments...
. Group challenges centred around renovating the common area into the kitchen for the bed and breakfast. Joe "The Bullet" Barbaro was named Canada's Worst Handyman for his poor design and workmanship in his room. - Canada's Worst Handyman 4Canada's Worst Handyman 4Canada's Worst Handyman 4 is the fourth season of Canada's Worst Handyman, a Discovery Channel Canada series which seeks to find the worst amateur home renovator in Canada. In this season, five contestants arrive at the "Handyman Rehabilitation Centre", located at the Pow Wow Point Lodge, a...
(2009) took place at the Pow Wow Point Lodge in Huntsville, OntarioHuntsville, OntarioHuntsville is a town in the Muskoka Region of Ontario, Canada. It is located north of Toronto and south of North Bay....
. Contestants must rebuild a room in the lodge to make it suitable for a children's retreat. Group challenges centred around building the parts needed for an ice fishingIce fishingIce fishing is the practice of catching fish with lines and fish hooks or spears through an opening in the ice on a frozen body of water. Ice anglers may sit on the stool in the open on a frozen lake, or in a heated cabin on the ice, some with bunks and amenities.-Locations:It is a popular pastime...
hut; the hut itself was assembled in the last group challenge. Johnnie Bachusky was named Canada's Worst Handyman for his slow progress. The series was also the first in which one contestant, Brian Pugh, was removed for behaviour reasons; no verdict was given in that episode, and the series continued with four contestants. - Canada's Worst Handyman 5Canada's Worst Handyman 5Canada's Worst Handyman 5 is the fifth season of Canada's Worst Handyman, a Canadian series which attempts to improve the handyman skills of five contestants, nominated by their peers. It airs on Discovery Channel Canada....
(2010) took place in the Delta UpsilonDelta UpsilonDelta Upsilon is the sixth oldest international, all-male, college Greek-letter organization, and is the oldest non-secret fraternity in North America...
fraternity house located near the University of Western OntarioUniversity of Western OntarioThe University of Western Ontario is a public research university located in London, Ontario, Canada. The university's main campus covers of land, with the Thames River cutting through the eastern portion of the main campus. Western administers its programs through 12 different faculties and...
in London, OntarioLondon, OntarioLondon is a city in Southwestern Ontario, Canada, situated along the Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. The city has a population of 352,395, and the metropolitan area has a population of 457,720, according to the 2006 Canadian census; the metro population in 2009 was estimated at 489,274. The city...
. Contestants must renovate individual rooms therein. Group challenges centered around renovating the frat house's kitchen. This is the first season in which a nominator, Matt Hanley, was named as the worst in an episode. Actor Alan ThickeAlan ThickeAlan Thicke is a Canadian actor, songwriter, and game and talk show host. He is best known for his role as Jason Seaver, the patriarch on the ABC television series Growing Pains.- Early life :...
, who used to live in the very house, a photo of Thicke appeared regularly throughout the season. Ultimately, Deen Flett was named Canada's Worst Handyman for his unsafe work; Deen is the first to have been named Canada's Worst Handyman without having been the worst in any given episode. - Canada's Worst Handyman 6Canada's Worst Handyman 6Canada's Worst Handyman 6 is the sixth season of Canada's Worst Handyman, a Canadian reality television series on Discovery Channel which seeks to improve the do-it-yourselfer skills of five contestants....
(2011) took place at the Niagara Falls Carriage House at Niagara Falls, OntarioNiagara Falls, OntarioNiagara Falls is a Canadian city on the Niagara River in the Golden Horseshoe region of Southern Ontario. The municipality was incorporated on June 12, 1903...
, where several hotel suites were to be transformed into honeymoon retreats. Group challenges were focused on transforming one space into a spa. Ultimately, Charlene Hunt slow craftsmanship made her the first woman to be named Canada's Worst Handyman.