Ellen DeGeneres‘ hit HGTV show “Ellen’s Design Challenge” is set for Season 2, which will premiere in January 2016.
“I’m so excited to be doing Season 2 of ‘Ellen’s Design Challenge,’” DeGeneres (pictured above) said. “We have a new motto this season: Watch ‘Ellen’s Design Challenge,’ where the furniture stays together longer than any couple from ‘The Bachelor.’”
“Ellen has unparalleled star power and universal appeal, so it was a thrill for us welcome her to HGTV in 2015,” added Kathleen Finch, president, HGTV, DIY Network and Great American Country. “With the resounding success of Season 1 behind us, we are pleased to bring Ellen back to our air and our teams are completely focused on making Season 2 even better. Additional episodes, big, fun surprises and the special look behind-the-curtain are only a few of the elements that will have America buzzing about season two of ‘Ellen’s Design Challenge.’”
Executive producers for “Ellen’s Design Challenge” include DeGeneres, Jeff Kleeman of A Very Good Production, and Arthur Smith and Kent Weed of A. Smith & Co. Additionally, Telepictures also helps produce the HGTV show.
“Ellen’s Design Challenge” carries a $100,000 cash prize. The winner also has the opportunity to see their work featured in HGTV Magazine.
The sophomore season will see additional competitors and episodes (nine versus six), including a fun, 60-minute special that captures humorous behind-the-scenes moments. During its first season run on HGTV, “Ellen’s Design Challenge” consistently ranked as a Top 10-rated cable program for the Monday 9 p.m. timeslot among adults 25-54.
In March, the Season 1 finale ended in controversial fashion. Within a week of designer Tim McLellan being crowned champion, producers discovered that his seemingly unique sliding and hideaway table design already existed by European designer Simon Schacht.
As a result, McLellan was disqualified and fellow finalist Katie Stout took the title and spoils. All of this played out abruptly over the final few minutes of the lengthy finale.