Catching Up With Evan Farmer

Home-repair addicts will always have a soft spot in their hearts for Evan Farmer, the handsome, Jack Tripper-esque host of TLC's "While You Were Out," which along with "Trading Spaces" helped take home-and-garden television to the next level. We recently caught up with Farmer -- an accomplished actor, musician, designer, songwriter -- to see what he's been up to since the popular show went off the air. 

Q. Great to be interviewing you, Evan. I know you've been really busy since "While You Were Out" went off in 2006. Why don't we begin with you telling us what you've been up to the last few years. 

A: Here's a list in no particular order: had a son, rebuilt my house that burned, did an HGTV show called "FreeStyle," a WE show called "Bride vs. Bride," a ridiculous VH1 show called "Celebrity Paranormal Project," developed a handful of shows with three different production companies, started a production company, built an airplane and flew it solo cross-country, moved three times, wrote a book, and started a real estate investment company -- OK, I'm stressing myself out right now (laughs) -- four years slips by fast!

  Q: Tell us about your days on "While You Were Out." How did you land the gig? 

A: I made them laugh ... I was auditioning in a room full of British people (it was produced by the BBC) and they shared my somewhat unique sense of over-the-top physical humor. At then end of the audition they stopped me from leaving the room, and I returned unbuttoning my shirt while asking, "OK, how far are we gonna take this?" It was a risk since I really didn't know these people from Adam. But at the same time I knew nothing about the show and wasn't in a position to desperately need the job either, so that's just where my head was. In fact I only agreed to do the audition since my mom was in town visiting for her 60th birthday and I wanted her to see what I had had been doing for that past seven years firsthand. She was in the waiting room, and I come strolling out putting my shirt back on ... you should have seen her face! 

Q: What are you fondest memories? 

A: Fondest memories were the times my mother came out to help on the set; sewing and doing other craft projects. My mother passed shortly after the show ended in 2007 and it was great to share my profession with her in that way. 

Q: What about your worst memories? 

A: Let's see, cutting my finger off in St Louis -- but it was very worth it! I came back to build a hell of a fire-screen for the Irish pub (laughs). 

Q: Any recollections of "spoiled" surprises? 

A: I'd say we had about two or three total in 3 1/2 yrs -- not bad! But we always managed to turn it around on them in some way so it always was fun. A Rhode Island dining room comes to mind and when the husband figured us out, we introduced him to a backyard with plastic junk everywhere and told him his wife "lost" an in-ground pool in a quiz. Then we showed him the dining room which he loved... We always got a surprise in there somewhere!

Q: Why do you think the show resonated so well with viewers? 

A: Well, if you think about it we were the precursor to "Extreme Home Makeover" except on a smaller budget. I've even heard that "EHM" was based directly on us from several people. Unlike a lot of shows that were generating ratings by doing ludicrous things to people's homes, we were helping people out who could not typically afford to do what we did for them otherwise. The story was a what made the big connection with viewers for sure. That's why we never had anyone not love what we did (except once I'm told in Season 1 before I was there). The only other thing was the cast. We had a very unique chemistry that can only come down to good producing, and dumb luck -- we had both. 

Q: Why did the show end when it did? 

A: Good question. We were one of the top 3 highest rated shows on the network at the time so it took all of us a little by surprise. Just before the announcement, we learned that there were a lot of major admin personnel changes at the top and that often comes with sweeping and (sadly illogical) change. With that being said, I do think it ended when it needed to -- if for no other reason to give me a personal life! 

Q: So tell us, do you want any home shows these days? I'm hooked on "Income Property." 

A: Honestly, I don't have time to watch TV at all these days. The last show I remember loving was "Design on a Dime." I'll look for "Income Property" now though!

Q: And speaking of getting you a personal life, did your wife, Andrea, marry you because of your handyman skills?

A: (Laughs) I'm not even going to touch that! When we met she wasn't watching much TV and was actually pissed to find out from friends a week later exactly the scope of what I meant when I said I was a carpenter and a musician. ... Luckily she was cool with it in the end. I've always been hypersensitive about the recognizability side of being on TV and all of the attendant issues it can bring, but my wife is that once in a lifetime woman and I knew it immediately. 

Q: So fans must still still recognize you from the show. 

A: Well, after almost 300 episodes re-run almost vomitously for five years, I sometimes wonder if I'll ever escape that ... but I at least rest easy knowing that this show in particular was a multiple-generational show in that everyone from grandbabies to grandparents can watch it without there being a gap of interest. It was clean fun, interesting at times, funny at times, inspiring, downright goofy, and frequently very endearing. I may never be involved again with a show that crosses all those dimensions at once again, and for that I wouldn't trade anything.

 

Visit Evan's official site HERE.