Recently it was announced that Damon Bennett would be parting ways with Mike Holmes and the crew of Holmes Makes it Right after a decade long run. The reasons given were sparse, and in my opinion a little unsatisfying. However, as time marches on, we are beginning to see a little more detail to fill in the information gaps.
Today, the Edmonton Journal released small editorial on Damon Bennett headlining the 2014 Edmonton Renovation Show. So for all you Damon Bennett fans, you can meet the big man himself at the Edmonton Expo Center from January 24-26 (see the schedule below for more details).
Some rather interesting gleanings from the article... Damon stated the reason he left the show was "[S]trictly because I had to go out on my own — I’m 42 — and it was time to leave the nest." the article also states that the pilot for "Damon Bennett: Restoration Company" is a no-go, but Damon has rather ambitious goals to succeed nevertheless: "The networks didn’t bite, and Bennett says one of his objectives in 2014 is to get a pilot done that will be picked up..." That's too bad about the pilot, because I feel that Damon Bennett is a strong television personality who could easily carry his own show. This was NOT always my opinion, I have to admit. What changed my mind were those DIY Primers posted on the Point Load Pictures website. Until then, I was completely unconvinced that Damon could ever pull off his own show, but after watching a few of those short videos, I feel that to not give Damon his own show would be completely foolish. First, Damon has generated a lot of fans that are his own, not just "run-off" from the Holmes shows. Secondly, Damon is incredibly knowledgeable and personable. Lastly, Damon has that "HGTV hunky handyman" look about him. Sexy sells, and sexy plus competence sells a lot. That's just my own personal opinion, take it for all it's worth, which probably isn't much.
From the Edmonton Journal:
Kick-start the season with reno show
Celebrity guests offer project-planning tips
Discovered years ago while working on a client’s home, Damon Bennett was approached by producers of the hit television series, Holmes on Homes. Bennett is the celebrity headliner of the 2014 edition of the Edmonton Renovation Show.
You know him best as Mike Holmes’ right-hand man.
But when Damon Bennett lands in Edmonton next week as the celebrity headliner of the 2014 edition of the Renovation Show, he will be flying solo. After almost 10 years of making it right with Mike, Bennett is moving on.
“I left Mike (Holmes) recently,” said Bennett, who said goodbye to the Holmes crew late last year to start up his own contracting business. “It’s strictly because I had to go out on my own — I’m 42 — and it was time to leave the nest. It’s been fun and one of the most memorable experiences in my life, but it was time to lay out my own shingle, so to speak.”
At the Renovation Show, being held at the Edmonton Expo Centre from Jan. 24 through 26, Bennett will provide show goers with behind-the-scenes details from his work on Holmes on Homes, Holmes Inspection and Holmes Makes It Right. He will also give advice on how to start a renovation, how to avoid pitfalls when renovating your home and how to deal with a contractor.
“What I’ve noticed when I’ve been in the States (at similar home shows), is that a lot of people bring notepads and that they’re there to gain as much knowledge as they can, which I think is fantastic,” said Bennett, who also has ties to Edmonton: his girlfriend used to deliver the Edmonton Journal.
“It was bittersweet leaving Mike. It (the show and team) was like a family to me. Pulling out was a hard thing to do, but between the two of us we can do more,” said Bennett, who is working on landing his own show to keep teaching about home construction and renovations.
A pilot, the Damon Bennett Restoration Co., was shot, aimed at restoring parts of homes to their original glory. The networks didn’t bite, and Bennett says one of his objectives in 2014 is to get a pilot done that will be picked up; the other is to get his construction company into gear.
“Mike’s got a fantastic show, but to possibly have another show helping people and teaching — after 10 years of helping to make it right — I’d like to continue,” said Bennett, who is big on giving others a helping hand. Because of that, he is also turning his attention to assisting Canada’s veterans to get back to work. “Veterans are highly trained, can step into any workforce at any time and make an impact, said Bennett. “I just strongly believe all our veterans need a place when they come home. Everyone looks at veterans as old men but we have veterans in their 20s and 30s; we have new veterans and they need our help.”
Bennett won’t be the only home-improvement expert on hand at the Renovation Show.
Kitchen and bath renovation specialist John Sillaots will also be there, providing the lowdown on the full home-renovation picture, taking into account how your renovation affects other parts of your home.
“People come to the show for the discovery process,” says show producer Rick Young. “Most often, they have a specific product they’d like to look at, but in the process they see so many ideas and new products that they haven’t considered, so the show is a catalyst for the entire renovation process. The key is that while you can still see individual products in stores, you won’t see a group of professionals in one place who do the work and demonstrate the importance of the products they are selling and installing — and they’re right in front of you.”
But when Damon Bennett lands in Edmonton next week as the celebrity headliner of the 2014 edition of the Renovation Show, he will be flying solo. After almost 10 years of making it right with Mike, Bennett is moving on.
“I left Mike (Holmes) recently,” said Bennett, who said goodbye to the Holmes crew late last year to start up his own contracting business. “It’s strictly because I had to go out on my own — I’m 42 — and it was time to leave the nest. It’s been fun and one of the most memorable experiences in my life, but it was time to lay out my own shingle, so to speak.”
At the Renovation Show, being held at the Edmonton Expo Centre from Jan. 24 through 26, Bennett will provide show goers with behind-the-scenes details from his work on Holmes on Homes, Holmes Inspection and Holmes Makes It Right. He will also give advice on how to start a renovation, how to avoid pitfalls when renovating your home and how to deal with a contractor.
“What I’ve noticed when I’ve been in the States (at similar home shows), is that a lot of people bring notepads and that they’re there to gain as much knowledge as they can, which I think is fantastic,” said Bennett, who also has ties to Edmonton: his girlfriend used to deliver the Edmonton Journal.
“It was bittersweet leaving Mike. It (the show and team) was like a family to me. Pulling out was a hard thing to do, but between the two of us we can do more,” said Bennett, who is working on landing his own show to keep teaching about home construction and renovations.
A pilot, the Damon Bennett Restoration Co., was shot, aimed at restoring parts of homes to their original glory. The networks didn’t bite, and Bennett says one of his objectives in 2014 is to get a pilot done that will be picked up; the other is to get his construction company into gear.
“Mike’s got a fantastic show, but to possibly have another show helping people and teaching — after 10 years of helping to make it right — I’d like to continue,” said Bennett, who is big on giving others a helping hand. Because of that, he is also turning his attention to assisting Canada’s veterans to get back to work. “Veterans are highly trained, can step into any workforce at any time and make an impact, said Bennett. “I just strongly believe all our veterans need a place when they come home. Everyone looks at veterans as old men but we have veterans in their 20s and 30s; we have new veterans and they need our help.”
Bennett won’t be the only home-improvement expert on hand at the Renovation Show.
Kitchen and bath renovation specialist John Sillaots will also be there, providing the lowdown on the full home-renovation picture, taking into account how your renovation affects other parts of your home.
“People come to the show for the discovery process,” says show producer Rick Young. “Most often, they have a specific product they’d like to look at, but in the process they see so many ideas and new products that they haven’t considered, so the show is a catalyst for the entire renovation process. The key is that while you can still see individual products in stores, you won’t see a group of professionals in one place who do the work and demonstrate the importance of the products they are selling and installing — and they’re right in front of you.”
JUST THE FACTS
The 2014 Renovation Show
When: Jan. 24 to 26
Where: Edmonton Expo Centre
Hours: Friday, Jan. 24 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday, Jan 25 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, Jan. 26 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Ticket prices: Adults, $12. Seniors and students, $10. Children 12 and under free
Show overview: Nineteenth annual edition of the first home show of the season, focusing on renovations. Visitors will find exhibitors including builders; renovators; flooring; windows and doors; window treatments; heating and cooling contractors; roofing; furniture; and a wide range of lifestyle products and services.
Celebrity guests: Home improvement stars Damon Bennett and John Sillaots
Celebrity schedule: Damon Bennett on Friday, Jan. 24, and Saturday, Jan. 25; John Sillaots: Friday, Jan. 24, Saturday, Jan. 25, and Sunday, Jan. 26.
The 2014 Renovation Show
When: Jan. 24 to 26
Where: Edmonton Expo Centre
Hours: Friday, Jan. 24 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday, Jan 25 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, Jan. 26 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Ticket prices: Adults, $12. Seniors and students, $10. Children 12 and under free
Show overview: Nineteenth annual edition of the first home show of the season, focusing on renovations. Visitors will find exhibitors including builders; renovators; flooring; windows and doors; window treatments; heating and cooling contractors; roofing; furniture; and a wide range of lifestyle products and services.
Celebrity guests: Home improvement stars Damon Bennett and John Sillaots
Celebrity schedule: Damon Bennett on Friday, Jan. 24, and Saturday, Jan. 25; John Sillaots: Friday, Jan. 24, Saturday, Jan. 25, and Sunday, Jan. 26.
© Copyright (c) The Edmonton Journal
With all the stuff that Mike Holmes has going on now it won't be possible for him to continue with his TV show for much longer.
ReplyDeleteIt would be perfect if Damon could continue what Mike started. I'm rooting for him.
And I can assure you that Damon would have a fan forum.
Jundee
i would absolutely watch every episode, he is a star waiting to happen
ReplyDeleteDamon always reminded me of an ass kisser I used to work with. I just could never stomach him. I always got the impression he was trying to undermine Mike Holmes. Sorry, but I'm glad he's gone.
ReplyDeleteHis boy references to the crew botherd me buddy
DeleteReminded me of Eddie Haskell.
ReplyDeleteI worked there on the production side and I have to say your perception of Damon couldn't be further from the truth. He is the nicest, most caring guy you will ever meet, & he took care of his crew and stood up for them all the time, he really treated them like family and went above and beyond whenever anyone was in need at any hour of the day. Never forget that everything you saw on tv was heavily editEd, things had to look a certain way for all of the different 'characters' to be believable in their 'roles'. The only Eddie Haskell's in that company are Mike's own kids and its behaviour that they obviously learned from their dad because he's one of the worst bullies I've ever met, I honestly don't know how Damon was able to take it for so many years, but he always said he stayed because he wanted to help people. Luckily Mike wasn't around much, but when he was, look out!
ReplyDeleteAMEN!Mike is very controlling. The kids know who's the boss and they will always be in the show's spotlight.
DeleteRecently had opportunity to meet Damon Bennett at home show in Woodstock Ontario. March 17th 2018.
ReplyDeleteTotally professional informative building contractor. Q&A sessions were very informative. I would not hesitate having Damon as my general contractor and consultant for our home which we are planning on building. John & Marian