Response to TV Show Viewers: Post 1 - January 23, 2026
Response to TV Show Viewers: Post 65 - June 22, 2026
It’s
understandable for people to watch the show and then send notes with questions
or pointed remarks:
“If you’re a
historic restoration expert, then why would you do a, b, and c instead of x, y,
and z?”
I can easily
follow that sort of head scratching.
“Why is the
show called American Rehab Charleston instead of ‘American Rehab Summerville?’
Don’t you like Summerville? We think it’s wonderful. What’s your problem?”
“Why is the second
one Restoring Charleston? St. George ain’t Charleston.”
That
feedback also tracks.
I can
apologize for the decisions, any confusion or discontent these choices have caused.
I don’t have any hesitations over explaining how I’m not an expert as they’ve read,
as I’m described throughout both series. I’ve never said that about myself nor did
I talk this over with producers. Rather than calculated deception though, I
think some on the production side see me in a more glorified posture than I
deserve.
Also, even
though I can try to shed some light on program creators using Charleston in the
titles, it oftentimes seems to ring hollow, feel like it’s not enough, perhaps
due to me not being part of the verdicts on show naming.
People have invested
a lot of time watching the shows, sometimes all fourteen episodes more than
once. Then they’ve found a way to reach out to me, thought out what they wanted
to say or ask, and hit send. Ignoring them may seem optional, but I’m inclined
to do something when I can. Now, I haven’t typically stepped in when people have
vented online, but I’ve read enough comments to gauge opinions, and diverted
those responses to this series.
In 2014, after
committing to a four-episode series about my house project in Summerville, the production
company downgraded this opportunity to one pilot episode with a chance for a
full season. To the surprise of many, we were granted the unexpected, along with
a two-episode bonus. Even more shocking, was that ARC rated well enough for us
to earn a chance to keep going, to renovate three more houses with film crews in
2016.
Although an
actual series being shown occasionally on DIY and a verbal agreement to do more
was wonderful, it had not been enough to secure the financing I needed to buy
three houses in Charleston. Perhaps my appeals to producers for necessary steps
went unrealized because it was the end of the year, the holiday season, and decision
makers in New York were focused on more important projects.
Without a valid
written commitment, or perhaps a letter of intent, financing for the three houses
on the historic peninsula, what it seemed like everyone, including me, really
wanted, were out of my financial reach. Even though I was willing to take chances
that hinged on over-the-phone directives, bank officials had boxes that needed checked,
and written specifics was early in the approval process.
Their preliminary
questions were basic:
“What if the
producers don’t actually come back?”
“What if
they decide not to do all three houses?”
“What if
they put you off for a year, like they did before?”
This seven-figure
financing, my efforts to form the short-term partnership with lenders, was another
test and I did not score high marks. Getting written details from the networks was
not an outlandish request. And yet I couldn’t get that done. Not only did my
willingness to move forward without a contract make the arrangement appear questionable, but it also made my professional judgement suspect.
And still,
my faith more than solid business acumen, allowed me to roll the dice and tap
into my own reserves.
After unsuccessful
property searching in Summerville, I eventually found three of my sorts of
houses—vacant/condemned/seemingly unwanted—in St. George, pig’s ears I could buy
with a combination of cash and a negotiated agreement with one of the groups of
sellers. Diann had seen the lights, cameras, and activity, and she was in my
corner, unwavering. She wasn’t pushing me on yet was staunchly supportive in
this gamble.
But then, bank
official’s concerns became a reality: the network cut our episodes from twelve to
eight and three houses down to two. Although this was still an amazing blessing,
it was unfortunate. Even though I extended my trust to Team Scripps, the financiers
had known not to, exemplifying why they were sentries of the safes with the
money. It stood to reason, that besides not wanting me to default on loans,
they likely were trained to avoid involvement with that sort of mis-stepping
I hope this post
goes further to answer curious questions of some viewers.
I can now
see the runway approaching this series’ end. And I’ll be wrapping on a decidedly
upbeat note, sharing fond memories of making Restoring Charleston.
Response to TV Show Viewers: Post 67 - Coming Soon
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