Latest news with #RobAnderson
CBS News
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
TikTok users rediscovering Twin Cities HGTV show "Decorating Cents" decades later
If you've been scrolling TikTok lately, you've probably seen the internet's newest obsession: a show called "Decorating Cents." Most of the longtime HGTV makeover series was shot in the Twin Cities, and is now going viral decades later. The show was hosted by Joan Steffend and ran on HGTV from 1997 to 2008, with the former channel 11 anchor and reporter narrating and assisting designers, who were given a $500 budget and a few hours to transform rooms. The first five seasons of "Decorating Cents" are now streaming. They've caught the attention of TikTok users, including comedian Rob Anderson. The two have connected and he's shared with her that many of the designs were great. In his TikTok videos, Anderson says he's picking on the show's most outrageous transformations. "I understand some of the stuff is crazy looking right now . . . but that was also their job to do wild decorating," said Steffend. Now a 70-year-old grandmother of four, Steffend is using the show's newfound fame for good. She's selling shirts, mugs, and other items to mark the occassion with a portion of the proceeds going to World Central Kitchen. Since "Decorating Cents," Steffend has focused on projects that spread kindness. She's written two books and is working on a documentary with her husband about former Minnesota Twins legend Joe Mauer.
Daily Mail
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
HGTV show's 'horrendous' home makeovers go viral
An old HGTV show is going viral on social media thanks to its 'horrendous' home makeovers and 'criminal' interior design work. Decorating Cents, hosted by Joan Steffend, aired from 1997 to 2007 on HGTV. The popular series saw interior designers attempt to redecorate a room in just a few hours on a paltry $500 budget. The series has now resurfaced on TikTok thanks to comedian Rob Anderson, with many users shocked by some of the flamboyant and garish design choices. In another episode, a wooden kitchen is haphazardly whitewashed over to create a 'farmhouse' look. One of the most egregious designs saw the decorator decoupage a wall unit with 'sacred Indian prayers' that had been dipped in tea and torn to give it 'an aged look.' Anderson called the series 'the most horrendous decorating you'll ever see' and said some of the redecorating deserved a 'prison sentence.' Social media users now can't stop talking about the show either, with one writing, '$500 budget to do $5,000 worth of damage to any room they step into.' Another commented, 'You know what? Maybe millennial gray was a trauma response.' A third wrote, 'I would press charges if someone did this to my house.' Steffend, who hosted the series until it went off the air in 2007, has now spoken out following its resurgence on TikTok in an interview with Entertainment Now. 'I mean, it's from the late 90s, early 2000s, and the designer's job was to be as wildly creative as they could be,' she explained of the show's questionable design work. 'There were hits and there were misses. And it didn't matter to HGTV. If it didn't look quite like we all thought it was going to, it didn't matter — I still needed to be encouraging. It was still gonna air.' She also said that the beauty of the show was allowing people to be creative and to enjoy their weird and wacky design work without judgement. 'We've gotta stop pointing and laughing at what people think is pretty, what people love at that moment in their life,' she said. She added, 'We did the best we could at the time.' Since Decorating Cents went viral, HGTV fans are now calling for its revival on Reddit. We are all clamoring for it. It's so hilariously bad that it deserves a revival. Gone too soon,' wrote one viewer. 'Oh lord no lol. I've been watching Rob Anderson's recaps on social media and those women were criminal,' another commented. A third wrote, 'Joan Steffend's voice is so calming. I completely understand how she hypnotized homeowners not to riot after her interior decorators destroyed their homes.' A fourth commented, 'Those shows were hilarious for the viewers, but devastating for the poor souls who sacrificed their homes on the altar.' Since Decorating Cents wrapped in 2007, former host Steffend has turned her attention to projects outside of design. Now 70-years-old, Steffend is focused on being a grandmother to her four grandchildren. She's also a published author with two inspirational self-help books under her belt. Decorating Cents is currently available to stream on Discovery+.
Daily Mail
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Popular HGTV show's 'horrendous' home makeovers are going viral: 'I would press charges'
An old HGTV show is going viral on social media thanks to its 'horrendous' home makeovers and 'criminal' interior design work. Decorating Cents, hosted by Joan Steffend, aired from 1997 to 2007 on HGTV. The popular series saw interior designers attempt to redecorate a room in just a few hours on a paltry $500 budget. The series has now resurfaced on TikTok thanks to comedian Rob Anderson, with many users shocked by some of the flamboyant and garish design choices. In one episode, a multi-colored medicine cabinet is used to display a collection of Beanie Babies and Disney figurines from Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. In another segment, colorful plates are smashed into small sharp pieces and then glued onto a coffee table. 'Yes, who doesn't want jagged pieces glued to the table,' Anderson said sarcastically in a viral TikTok video. 'Look how boring it used to be. Now it's difficult to clean and a little dangerous and you can't even put your drinking glass down!' In another episode, a wooden kitchen is haphazardly whitewashed over to create a 'farmhouse' look. One of the most egregious designs saw the decorator decoupage a wall unit with 'sacred Indian prayers' that had been dipped in tea and torn to give it 'an aged look.' Anderson called the series 'the most horrendous decorating you'll ever see' and said some of the redecorating deserved a 'prison sentence.' Social media users now can't stop talking about the show either, with one writing, '$500 budget to do $5,000 worth of damage to any room they step into.' Another commented, 'You know what? Maybe millennial gray was a trauma response.' A third wrote, 'I would press charges if someone did this to my house.' Steffend, who hosted the series until it went off the air in 2007, has now spoken out following its resurgence on TikTok in an interview with Entertainment Now. 'I mean, it's from the late 90s, early 2000s, and the designer's job was to be as wildly creative as they could be,' she explained of the show's questionable design work. A bizarre doll with curly red hair is pictured in an Autumn-themed design space 'There were hits and there were misses. And it didn't matter to HGTV. 'If it didn't look quite like we all thought it was going to, it didn't matter — I still needed to be encouraging. It was still gonna air.' She also said that the beauty of the show was allowing people to be creative and to enjoy their weird and wacky design work without judgement. 'We've gotta stop pointing and laughing at what people think is pretty, what people love at that moment in their life,' she said. She added, 'We did the best we could at the time.' Since Decorating Cents went viral, HGTV fans are now calling for its revival on Reddit. 'We are all clamoring for it. It's so hilariously bad that it deserves a revival. Gone too soon,' wrote one viewer. 'Oh lord no lol. I've been watching Rob Anderson's recaps on social media and those women were criminal,' another commented. A third wrote, 'Joan Steffend's voice is so calming. I completely understand how she hypnotized homeowners not to riot after her interior decorators destroyed their homes.' A fourth commented, 'Those shows were hilarious for the viewers, but devastating for the poor souls who sacrificed their homes on the altar.' Since Decorating Cents wrapped in 2007, former host Steffend has turned her attention to projects outside of design. Now 70-years-old, Steffend is focused on being a grandmother to her four grandchildren. She's also a published author with two inspirational self-help books under her belt. Decorating Cents is currently available to stream on Discovery+.
CBS News
20-05-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Bennett resident "kind of went hysterical" as Colorado tornado hit quickly-growing town
After multiple tornadoes damaged Colorado communities Sunday, neighbors are beginning the long process of cleanup. The Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office said 17 buildings, including six homes and a solar farm, were damaged in Bennett. Tornadoes are not new to the Bennett area, but what is new are hundreds of new residents as the rural area east of the Denver metro area sees more development. Bennett's population has historically been around 2,500 to 2,800, but with recent development the town estimates their population is now more than 4,000, and it's only going up. In his near 50 years in the Bennett area, Rob Anderson has avoided a tornado, until Sunday. "Home. Been here for 40 plus years. This is the first one I've ever had hit me," Anderson said. While preparing to load up his horses for a competition out of state, Rob Anderson says his sister warned him of the tornado. @illegallychelsea "I had come around the south end of the barn here, and there was a tornado sitting over there. And I says, 'Okay.' I said, 'This ain't looking good,'" Anderson said. He rushed to get his horses into the barn and take shelter in his home. When he emerged, he surveyed the damage. "I went, I kind of went hysterical. I guess you could say," Anderson said. "I saw my trailer sitting over there. I saw them two trailers right there, like they're at my one shed here, gone, the other shed on the side of the barn gone, and just a mess." The horse trailer he'd been working on minutes earlier had been ripped open and thrown across the property. Other trailers, sheds and even a bedroom window were also destroyed. "Just been picking stuff up here, there and everywhere. All I can do," Anderson said. Rob Anderson points out where he saw the tornado. CBS While no one was hurt in this tornado, Anderson knows that future twisters could threaten more homes in his community. "The town has been small," said Trish Stiles, town manager for the Town of Bennett. "We have been prepping though as we knew that eventual growth, as all growth is, is coming east within the metro area." The Town of Bennett says managing severe weather in the growing community means leaning on partners, like Arapahoe and Adams counties. "We have been working through scenarios with all of those partners, so yesterday was really a testament that that preparation does pay off," said Stiles. If there's one thing Anderson knows, it's that severe weather comes with the territory. "It's chance you take," Anderson said. "It's a chance you don't know, here today, gone tomorrow." But despite a whirlwind of devastation, Anderson still says he'd take that chance in a heartbeat for his home. "Couldn't get me to live in the city. No," Anderson said. The biggest thing the Town of Bennett wants their new residents to do is sign up for Code Red alerts so they get warnings for severe weather like tornadoes and other safety alerts. They can sign up on the town's website at or by texting BENNETTALERTS to 99411. The town also offers a fire safety grant program. The American Red Cross will be at the Bennett Park and Recreation District Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to help those impacted by the tornado.
CTV News
13-05-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Alberta premier's chief of staff criticizes new environment minister
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, right, speaks to reporters, as chief of staff Rob Anderson looks on in this file photo in Calgary, Alta., Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's chief of staff is sounding the alarm over Prime Minister Mark Carney's pick to head up the government's environment portfolio. Rob Anderson says when it comes to new Environment and Climate Change Minister Julie Dabrusin, Albertans should 'sit down' for what he suggests is a shocking announcement. He points to Dabrusin's website, which touts her support for putting a price on carbon pollution, her strong stance against oilsands expansion, and her push for a transition away from fossil fuels. Anderson, in a social media post, says, in his words, ' gas.' Smith has said she wants to reset the province's combative relationship with Ottawa, and her government has demanded major changes on the environment file. That includes unfettered access to build oil and gas pipelines to the coasts, and a repeal of the Liberals' single-use plastics ban. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 13, 2025. The Canadian Press
