Showrunner Shake Off - Response to TV Show Viewers: Post 27

(Response to TV Show Viewers: Post 26 - March 20, 2026)

When the interviewer teased, “C’mon, Trent. Act like you’re a little excited about getting your own TV show,” it sent my mind racing.

My brain began to replay phone calls, both with HGTV/DIY and the company this crew worked for. No one on either end had mentioned this being a chance to have a show of my own. I was sure of it. Maybe this showrunner thought the network had spoken to me on this or the other way around.

Up until this point, the first day of filming this thing the network called the “test reel” had felt seamless, mundane almost, just a different type of work in many ways. I mean, it was out of the ordinary to have people following me with a camera as I walked and talked about home renovating. But I settled in by mid-morning. I fell into a rhythm doing my part, delivering for them either good or better than they’d expected. I may have been imagining this, but it was effective speculation because it calmed my nerves and gave me something to build upon.

Even though it jolted me, I got over any implications now floating in my melon and all the questions that poured in over the prospect of me having my own show.

The woman resumed her progression down the list of questions, and at first, I was cruising, on track once more. Even though this more formal interview process was unfamiliar territory, I was solid within my POV, since I’d been speaking on it for over a decade and then driving those points home online for the last several years.

However, the sit-down was derailed when the showrunner crossed what I felt was a demarcation in her directing, saying she needed me to look into the camera and say, “My name is Trent, and I’m addicted to rehab.” 

But right away, it felt wrong. I must have stared at her for a full second or two, and then shook her off, like a pitcher who got a sign from the catcher and signaled, nope.

She seemed dumbfounded, her mouth falling open slightly.

“I’m not gonna say that,” was what spilled from my lips.

Had my day of delivering filled my ego to the point that I now wanted to spread my wings and strut?

No. It really hadn’t.

I knew how I was feeling. It wasn’t self-assurance or cockiness. I was disappointed along with feeling ruffled about being put on the spot so cavalierly, without any sort of tiptoeing. The camera was rolling. All my words were being recorded, and it was just—Boom! Say this thing. Cross this bold bright line. 

With me temporarily dug in, the showrunner frowned and her confused look led to her asking, “What? Why not? What’s wrong?”

This reaction amazed me. I thought some things were just understood. The production company had sent me the Rehab Addict DVDs. I’d watched them and so I answered back, “That’s Nicole Curtis’ thing.”   

Then this weird moment devolved even more as the young woman asked, “What do you mean? Who’s Nicole Curtis?”

And that had me thinking, Is she kidding around with me? She represents the production company making Rehab Addict, but doesn’t know who Nicole Curtis is?

This wasn’t adding up.

To me, her question would be like an alleged basketball coach asking, “What’s a technical foul?” or “Where’s the baseline?” since Curtis and her show were featured regularly on multi-hour marathons, on both HGTV and DIY. To an average Joe like me, the female rehabber seemed like one of the dual network’s brightest stars.

My next thought was that this crew leader was lying to me and that wasn’t great either.

I felt confused and disoriented.

Not knowing what to say next, I stumbled into an explanation about how the phrase more-or- less belonged to Ms. Curtis, that it was a big part of who she was, or something like that. 

Fortunately, the audio technician nearby was tracking with me and he chimed in saying, “Yeah. That’s what Nicole says at the beginning of each episode.”

We resumed our Q&A segment, but the vibe had shifted in one moment.

I felt as if I’d been tested. I wasn’t sure if I’d passed or failed,

The smooth fun day would be marked mainly by the blowout we all experienced while speeding down the home stretch of day one. I’m not overly self-assured. But in the moment when put on the spot, I’d been unequivocal.

It had been a long day. We all needed rest and I was feeling added focused to give this crew even more to help me impress the network executives on day two.

(Response to TV Show Viewers: Post 27 - Coming Soon)