Details

Release year: 1979

Storyline

The host guides various participants as they repair and renovate various houses.

Top credits

Cast

Norm Abram — Self - Master Carpenter, Self - Head Carpenter, Self
Richard Trethewey — Self - Plumbing and Heating Expert, Self - Plumbing Contractor, Self - Plumbing & Heating Expert, Self - Plumbing & Heating Consultant, Self - Plumbing and Heating Consultant, Self - Plumbing and Heating Contractor, Self, Self - Heating and Plumbing Expert, Self - Plumbing & Heating Contractor
Tom Silva — Self - General Contractor, Self, Self - Belt Sander Race Contender, Self - Contractor, Self - Silva Brothers Construction, Self - Yankee General Contractor
Kevin O'Connor — Self - Host

Did you know

• The first project house was located in Dorchester, Massachusetts. The house was owned by the show's producers who had purchased it for a mere $18,000 and sold it once the project was complete. In 2004, when the show revisited the house as part of the 25th anniversary special, it was noted that the house was valued at over $500,000.

• "Master Carpenter" Norm Abram is the longest serving crew member of This Old House, being with the show since the first season. He was originally hired by creator Russell Morash to do carpentry work on the project house but not to appear on TV, and Norm had dreamed of making a background cameo in a scene and being able to tell his friends that he had been on TV. Abram's role on the show has since expanded to that of a near co-host, and was given his own show, "The New Yankee Workshop" in 1989.

• Original host Bob Vila left the show in 1989 following a dispute about doing commercials. According to news reporter Barbara Beck, Vila was fired by WGBH Boston over making TV commercials for Rickel Home Centers, Home Depot's competitor. Home Depot, the show's underwriter, dropped its local sponsorship for This Old House after Vila made the commercials. Vila was fired in an effort to have Home Depot return as a sponsor to the show. Cast members later complained that Vila took up too much screen time, and noted that the show became more of an ensemble production after he left.