~ Where Have You Gone, Joe Ruggiero?

**An update from Joe:**

"Donna, thank you for your nice comments. We hope to be back on PBS. Fine design needs a showcase on TV. I hope to do it.

Looking for a sponsor to bring the best of design to TV. It will have to be PBS. My passion to showcase the best of American Design."

Oh, are we happy to hear this? Yes, I know you all are!

"Where have you gone, Joe Ruggiero?

Our nation turns its lonely eyes to you.

What's that you say, Mrs. Robinson?

Decorating Joe has left and gone away."

{ Thanks Paul Simon for almost the words :)

and of course Joe hasn't gone away.

He just isn't on HGTV }

Do you still watch as much HGTV now as you did in the past?

What happened to all the great programming on HGTV? I wonder if their ratings have declined as people like us have watched less and less, or if they have found an audience who is quite different from those who watched it in the beginning. It used be that their success was copied by others, now they seem to be fishing for hosts from other channels all the time.

Remember shows like Homes Across America, hosted by Joe Ruggiero? In the past, many of HGTV's shows had hosts who actually had decorating & design knowledge and they took us on trips around the country, or world, giving us such fantastic glimpses into beautifully decorated homes, often done by extremely talented decorators and designers. We also were treated to professional design observations by the host. And the host didn't sound like a vaudeville act like quite a few do today, yelling and over animated. Joe spoke in a normal tone. Thank goodness.

Well, of course Joe didn't go away. He is as busy as ever and still making many people happy with his design talents. But HGTV isn't the same without him.

Just in case you've missed Joe like I have, you can visit him on his blog and find him on Twitter as well!

You can visit Joe's blog HERE!

There are exceptions of course! Candace Olsen, great show. Holmes on Homes will give you great insight into remodeling. Angelo's Rate My Space is interesting, too. I'll add as I can think of any.

{I blog for the fun of it. And I am not paid
for any of your visits to this site
or any reviews written here.}