HGTV Isn’t All It’s Built Up To Be
Like it or not, we have become (not that this is a new phenomenon) an ever-expanding society of celebrity worshippers. Once upon a time it might have been a matter of “Hey, I just saw Tom Hanks munching a bagel,” now it’s being around anybody and anything connected to a flimsy perception of celebrity, from cars to homes to over-priced restaurants. Here is just one example of Reality TV meeting reality and where it can lead.
HGTV and All That
“Windy City Rehab” is one of many shows that takes a home that has fallen into disrepair and within 48 hours (or so it seems), it is turned into a drop-dead gorgeous showplace. We love those shows because many of us believe the hosts are on the level and truly are experts who can perform miracles against the clock.
The hosts of “Windy City Rehab” on HGTV were sued to the tune of $1.4 million over a home they allegedly flipped that started falling apart a few days after the celebrity work crews finished it. The couple who bought the home, James and Anna Morrissey, filed a lawsuit on December 30, 2019. The suit targets host Alison Gramenos. It is actually the first lesson here. The stage name of Ms. Gramenos is Alison Victoria. Her partner/builder is Donovan Eckhardt.
According to the lawsuit: “The buyers alleged that just one day after they closed on the house, the shower in upper floor leaked “gallons” of water to the kitchen ceiling below it…the couple lists several other issues that have taken place in the home since moving in…they were promised a new roof that was never installed, adding that ‘leaks and water penetration’ exist in the walls, windows, ceilings and masonry work.”
The lawsuit claims that virtually every window and the doors were improperly installed. The home needs at least $80,000 in upgrades in addition to correction of the existing work. They are asking for a reversal of the sale.
Hardly for Free
The buyers, James and Anna Morrissey, who may have been starstruck at the time HGTV “blessed them” with the rehab project, shelled out $1.4 to buy the property. When the couple realized that celebrity is nice, but quality is nicer, they discovered many improprieties which constitute potential fraud. The allegations include: “allegations such as performing or directing work without proper permits, making false statements on permit applications, and performing or directing work that poses an immediate or imminent threat to the health and safety of workers or the public.”
Apparently, the allegations were so serious the City of Chicago suspended their licensing. They are allegedly guilty of “breach of contract, breach of warranty, defective and shoddy work and consumer fraud.”
The City apparently reinstated the HGTV show after a four-month review of their operation.
The HGTV flipping franchise is one of the cornerstones of the network’s show offerings. Not surprisingly, neither the host/actors nor the HGTV station have directly responded to the lawsuit, they are presumably shooting new projects in the “Windy City Rehab” series. The show must apparently go on, despite fraud.
The show itself (and that’s what it is) sees opportunity to make money from its sponsors and viewers. The actual projects such as the Morrissey house are a mere backdrop. The idea is to turn the homes as quickly as possible.
Alison Victoria, who came to the HGTV show by virtue of her interior design expertise also builds her cachet as a media personality. Her need may be for fame and elevating her platform, but there is a dirty secret behind the show’s façade: allegedly they are doing fraudulent work, they are not pulling permits and they are in breach of contract.
This case of fraud underscores a recurring theme in terms of how consumers process their decisions by celebrating “platforms.” We rationalize that huge Instagram accounts, television shows or even GoFundMe requests as permits to automatically green-light our contributions, purchases, or commitments. Fraud seeks opportunity and it loves ignorance. Research is essential, especially where “platforms” are in play.
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