Episode 8

Episode 8 is here! And for the first time ever, Cyndi and I actually manage to sit down and watch an entire episode of Trading Spaces all the way through together. 😂 This one is Doug’s infamous “Zigzag: I’m Not Mad” room (yes, the chevron floor) vs. Vern’s gorgeous bedroom makeover. We spill a LOT of behind-the-scenes tea in this episode: discussions of drug use behind the scenes, Doug and Ty getting into it over the budget, what moments felt genuinely real vs. what may have been nudged along by producers, how emotionally invested I was in everything being authentic, and how I maybe took the show just a wee bit too seriously. At one point I even have a mini existential crisis wondering whether or not I was actually emotionally in tune with the homeowners during the reveals. So that was fun. And then… somewhere along the way… I suddenly realize Vern has muscles. Like… MUSCLES. And that voice? That deep, soothing baritone voice?! How did I work with this man for years and never fully absorb this information? Honestly, once I notice it, the entire episode devolves into me basically needing a cold shower while Cyndi laughs at me. There is an alarming amount of sexual innuendo in this episode. Like… a surprising amount. Hell, there's just full on sexual references. Innuendo has never been mine or Cyndi's strong suit. Hahaha. Also, I ask whether fighter fish actually enjoy living in tiny jars, which somehow feels completely on brand for this conversation.*** There’s laughter, chaos, nostalgia, memories, innuendo, and several moments of “wait… did that REALLY happen?!” We had an absolute blast going down memory lane and hope you enjoy watching us watch it as much as we enjoyed watching it. (***Note: They do not. Despite the old myth and the way they were often marketed in the early 2000s when Trading Spaces was at it’s peak in popularity, Betta fish can survive in very small containers for a little while because they’re labyrinth fish (meaning they can breathe air from the surface), but survival and thriving are very different things. Tiny bowls and jars can stress them out, shorten their lifespan, and lead to lethargy and illness. Eek. Sorry, fishies.)