Ellen's Design Challenge (2015– ) User Reviews

I like it and I hope it gets better

[slimvgp · 7/10 · 3 March 2015]

I really like the show. Some of my recommendations are please get rid of the phony drama. I think we have all seen it so many times that we know they are trying to make it exciting. Not exciting anymore. Also I would like to see it be a challenge and not a game. I think take this junk and make it into something is making it in to a game. The idea of having a room and making the furniture fit was good but I don't think any of the contestants fully understood what was required of them. I think Gaspar just lucked out and picked a color that fit in the room but none of them got the dimensions right except the length. I wonder if they started with a room then every week they designed and built a piece for the room. Each building the same piece. Then when they got to the end they had a room full of furniture that fit their style. I really thought Carley had the nicest couch but it didn't fit in the room. But I would love to see it in a room of her designed furniture. I would rather see more of the designing and building techniques rather than the phony drama.

Sadly Disappointing

[smb12321 · 5/10 · 3 March 2015]

i had looked forward to this but Jeez, the problems. It's sad because the designers were talented. First, if Ellen can only pop in for one or two shows in her usual "outfit" to try and be funny then why call it her show? Second, the judging was almost exclusively female with phrases like "too masculine" heard frequently. Thirdly the judging was far more subjective than objective, the goal was furniture design - not satisfying individual taste.

Then the finale. The best two made it but the "disqualification" was dumb. Tim has a huge business and has designed numerous pieces. Yes, the pieces resembled one another - except for the lay of the wood, drawers, legs, lines and size. LOL

Another unreal reality show that is formulaic and does not accomplish Ellen's stated goal

[bowofdeath · 6/10 · 28 December 2015]

Ellen stated she wants to show us how designers go about designing furniture. I don't really think much screen time is spent showing how they normally design things. That got lost in the short deadlines and drama. They don't have a three day deadline normally, they do normally have material and labor cost concerns which this competition does not address except for the 1 episode of reused materials. The use of artificially short deadlines to create suspense is a common reality show formula that is used to build suspense and save on production time and costs, but it is very tired. It irritates as much as builds suspense. Surely there is a more creative way to build suspense or at least interest. This Old House never really used time deadlines to build suspense and it lasted for decades.

Ellens Furniture Design Challenge

[aswilliams40 · 10/10 · 10 February 2015]

I was skeptical at first; Now, I'm Hooked line & sinker on this show. I put reminders just to make sure I don't miss it. I've enjoyed every moment of the show. I love the creations these artists make in such a short amount of time. Looking forward to future episodes but right now I'm enjoying this Amazing shows 1st season & truly see so many more to come! Great job Ellen Degeneres & HGTV; I really enjoy the people whom you allow to come on; they are from all walks of life & they are so down to earth; like a next door neighbor, not some huge name designer already. I can see these all going to do bigger & better things in the future; just from being on this amazing show. Keep it coming I'll be watching.

Good show, but where's Ellen???

[daydreamskips · 4/10 · 1 March 2016]

So I enjoy the work of the designers on the show - and the innovative and forward thinking designs!

In the last three episodes I watched - where's Ellen? The periodic video clips of her I don't find amusing, and really destroy the vibe of the show.

After watching the show it became VERY obvious that they are just using her name to create interest - or is it the other way around???

If the show is named after her, I would expect her to be an ACTIVE PART of the show and expect to see her every week - otherwise, take her name off the show and eliminate the annoying video clips with her. Doing that, you'd have the same, if not, a better show.

Ellen's Design Challenge

[avaholley · 10/10 · 25 February 2015]

I have absolutely loved the show. I hope they do the show every year. BUT.....has anyone else not noticed that you know who is kicked off the show BEFORE the finale'? Each commercial before the finale' practically divulges who won't be on the next show. I knew Carley was going to be kicked off because the commercial for the preview for the next week did not include her. Then, the show on Sunday's commercial showed Ellen talking to Tim and Katie only (before the finale'), which said to me that Gaspar was going to be kicked off . I think I can even determine who is going to win the finale' from the commercial. As the confetti is falling, you can see one of the final contestants steps back out of the way. I won't give it away because I don't want anyone else to be as disappointed as I was. So, don't watch the finale' commercial. OK? Am I the only one who noticed that??

Ellen's Design Challenge

[sharna-n-horn · 3/10 · 16 February 2015]

I am disappointed in the show. I completely understand that Ellen is a very busy person. BUT when you have a show and it is named after you, one would expect a large presence on the show. I am an EXTREMELY devoted fan of Ellen and I have seen all of her work. This show goes outside of my interest but since it was Ellen I have been watching. If she does not have a larger presence, I will probably stop watching. Design is a passion of hers and she should be present throughout the show so that her appearance does not distract from the show. She is the most talented person in Hollywood but I hope she does not just become a brand without a face to it.

Love it!

[softspokentruth · 10/10 · 12 February 2015]

The show is fun and each episode you can see beautiful pieces of furniture being made from start to finish! How cool?! I love the host Jay and the two women who judge it week to week. They all seem to genuinely care about the work being made for them. It's always exciting to see who will be the guest judge because it is always someone super talented and respected. Ellen isn't always on the show in person, but she is executive producer. I think a lot of people expected her to be on a lot due to her name being in the title, but I think that is more because she created the show and works on it behind the scenes. So the name does fit despite you nay sayers complaining over the little bit of Ellen you see in the episodes. I do love when she comes on though, always funny as usual. On her talk show she discussed more contestants for next season, which would be awesome (plus there will be more seasons, which is also awesome!!). I think you get to go on more of a journey with a show like this when there is more competition. Love it and can't wait to see what other beautiful items are created during the rest of the season!!

Jury is Still Out

[pauleesco · 4/10 · 15 February 2015]

I have watched this show twice and enjoyed each episode, UNTIL Ellen appeared out of no where and destroyed the vibe. This is one of those investments where, IMO, she should remain "passive" and let the other executives run it. By making an appearance, she inadvertently re- directed the suspense of who was going to win to herself, which just seemed wrong on a multitude of levels. Why cheapen or spoil the atmosphere by making an appearance? She had nothing to add but an annoying distraction. The focus should have been on the contestants, and by literally breaking into the show, she proved that even stars like she cannot resist stealing the spotlight. Word of advice: it's not all about you, Ellen.

hated this show

[marleeneheller · 1/10 · 5 March 2015]

I hated the show. It went OK for awhile then the goofy lady designer was to weird, all she wanted to do was make acrylic furniture. That's not furniture its plastic crap. Of the George Jetson era in the 1950's. No real thought. She appeared to be in a "stoned" state, Like oh man far out, I made a plastic desk, half plastic table, and PLASTICPVC piping for legs, give me a break. She should never of won. I will never bother to watch this show again. DUMB SHOW ELLEN . IT SUCKED. THE WINNER SUCKED THE STONED GIRL Awful SHOW GET RID OF IT A WASTE OF TIME. Even Casbar was better than stoned girl. My favorite was the cowboy, unfortunatlly he had a beautiful piece of furniture that I'm sure you will make a lot of money off of, was similar to someone else design. This show prolly won't last. Done with the show.

Corrupt Judging

[goldencarrot-69946 · 1/10 · 10 March 2016]

The judging on EDC is clearly corrupt. There was no reason for Sef staying until the finale. They clearly wanted to build the TV drama, and besides, they aren't very good at judging either. Not to mention the fact that Ellen has her name in the title, yet appears about once per season. If the judging were not corrupt and the judges considered all pieces going into the finale, and didn't just include Sef for drama, Miles almost certainly would have won, not Vivian. Sef won once, with a crappy table on week 2. Miles and Vivian both won twice. Even when Sef did win on week 2, Mile's bar chairs looked so much better. Sef made many nasty comments about other pieces, despite the fact he had to cheat to not be eliminated, and was not at all nice when he was with Chip. He completely ignored the judges advice, and for didn't even make a couch. He made a bench. Kyle, who actually made a decent couch, was eliminated. Oh yeah, he also cheated on dresser week, and the film crew recorded it. He stayed. The judges clearly wanted to build the drama on the show to attract more viewers, but it completely backfired, turning people away and writing reviews like this about their corrupt judging.