The Kevin haters don't understand his role on the show, especially early on. He was there to be the relatable "every man" who's not afraid to ask the questions that the viewer might be thinking of. Bob, Norm, Tom, Richard, Roger, Electrician of the week, etc. are all grizzled professionals who have seen everything and it might be intimidating to a first time home owner watching the show to see them. Kevin gets to ask the simple questions and over the years has become a very knowledgeable and handy person himself.

@Arieeeee

3 жыл бұрын

@Brisdad53 I'm not going to argue against you about the current affair of this and other HGTV style shows. A lot of them have moved away from fixing "normal people" homes and turned into young couples with large trust funds playing decorator at their million dollar+ homes. Still, I like Kevin's role in the show.

@bobby-c7731

3 жыл бұрын

My wife started watching TOH and ATOH with me this year. She had an initially negative opinion of Kevin. I had to explain this to her. His questions are scripted in such a way that it makes the interactions with the masters more conversational and accessible. I love Kevin for this.

@bobby-c7731

3 жыл бұрын

@Brisdad53 Not all. When I started watching TOH I was a serious novice. I found Kevin's questions, and the experts' answers incredibly helpful

@bigmacdaddy1234

3 жыл бұрын

@DR PHIL Actually Bob was very handy and he knew very well what he was doing.

@bigmacdaddy1234

3 жыл бұрын

@DR PHIL Ok, so in his 50 years in the business he knows absolutely nothing, and you walk on water. Thanks for letting us know this.

Kevin's been a great host for TOH. I like when Tom calls him "sonny boy"!

Kev is the man. Never understood the hate. Dude is a legend.

@alexanderzerka8477

2 жыл бұрын

What are you talking about? I've literally not seen a single negative comment about him.

Keven O'Connor in my humble opinion is the best host in the history of This Old House. I love the guy.

@Draugluin999

2 жыл бұрын

Yea Bob vila was OK but Kevin is just as good as a host

@nick4leader

2 жыл бұрын

The benefit of Kevin is he's kind of a Layman so he can speak better to us ordinary people who don't necessarily have a lot of experience

1:47 the way he smoothly hit his head. He was born for the TV role

@ericholdsworth6611

2 жыл бұрын

Nice catch, saw that to, flawless transition.

@squierjoshyt

2 жыл бұрын

I was thinking the same thing. Classic Kevin.

I love how comfortable Kevin was on camera from his very first appearance. His ease and witty banter evidently got him the job!

@squierjoshyt

2 жыл бұрын

That's literally how it happened. They approached him.

@kennixox262

Жыл бұрын

I suspect that he had the job before this was aired.

TOH should've hired Kevin's wife to host. She seems like the prime motivator of that couple! LoL

@ActualGenius

3 жыл бұрын

Kevin talks, Kathleen works eh?

@marchetta67

3 жыл бұрын

She was actually their first choice to become the new host. But, she turned them down, and they "settled" for Kevin.

@DW7887

3 жыл бұрын

@@marchetta67 Trust Kevin, she is a beast - oh yes, guys talking about ex-wifes :-D

I think Kevin was the perfect host. Asks lots of questions, not intimidating to the viewer, and relatable

I remember this episode like it happened yesterday. He was very photogenic. The All American boy look. Reason they called him Sonny boy!!! He was the best choice to take TOH to its next level. Glad to see he's still hanging onboard. Always wondered how their house looks after all his time on the show.

@andrewfutterman3346

2 жыл бұрын

I don't think they live there anymore. I recall reading that they bought a new house and were living there, and were renting the old house to tenants. That's probably why they opted to keep the house as a two-family unit.

@lunaholiday8585

Жыл бұрын

I’d bet that’s a nice rental.

I like Kevin and I think he does a great job as host.

Finally I looked everywhere for this video and could never find it thanks TOH

@glorygloryhallelujah

3 жыл бұрын

Me too

Funny how us who've been watching TOH for ages always associate it with Bob but Kevin's been hosting longer than anyone.

@ronj2110

3 жыл бұрын

Kevin O'Connor is the best host since This Old House started

@armyvet8279

3 жыл бұрын

Kevin's a nerd. He's lost around tools.

@Sickoflife

3 жыл бұрын

@@armyvet8279 That is the entire point of his TV Persona, he is suppose to represent the average 1st time home owner that doesn't know anything.

@stoneyj1a1

3 жыл бұрын

Steve was the best

@Skammerd

3 жыл бұрын

@@xzxoxlx Bob Vila

"Sounds good, I'll put Kathleen on it right away" got him the job

@edman2740

3 жыл бұрын

I hope this gets pinned 🤣

So he was a customer first how cool.

Kevin is such a cool guy. He is very humble and very intelligent. Every tv host are due our respect, but because of Kevin's qualities, he is one of the best.

Do you ever think TOH shows up to the wrong house and the residents are like “shhh 🤫 don’t say anything “😆

I went over my stubborn wallpaper with 1/4 inch drywall!

O'Connor worked for Fleet Bank as a Vice President in the Sports Finance Group, then worked for Bank of America as a Senior Vice President in the Commercial Real Estate Group.[1] The producers of This Old House approached him to become their new host following the departure of Steve Thomas. O'Connor and his wife, Kathleen, had appeared on an episode of Ask This Old House (Season 1, Episode 22), in which painting contractor Jim Clark assisted them with a wallpaper-removal project.[2] O'Connor, also the host of Ask This Old House and Inside This Old House, holds a position on the editorial board of the This Old House magazine, published by This Old House Ventures, Inc. In September 2011, O'Connor debuted as the author of his first book, The Best Homes from This Old House.[5]

21 years in and I still think of him as the new guy. Even though he's been there the longest!

I like Kevin. I've also enjoyed these first time appearances. Thanks a lot.

Kevin tends to get a lot of flack for not being a tradesman. He isn't supposed to be the tradesman, he is the host and as the host, Kevin asks the questions a homeowner would ask to the experts. He also goes to different places to learn things that have more of a science background that isn't limited to a single trade. Examples include going to a place that studies and duplicates the forces of a hurricane, a place that sets fire to everything to know how people can stop or escape from fires, and a place that pre-makes concrete walls for foundation add-ons. Kevin helps where he can, which makes him more as an additional apprentice or journeyman, but he is the bridge between the experts and the audience.

@disjointedbuilds8107

3 жыл бұрын

This. Well put.

@greencello599

3 жыл бұрын

@DR PHIL None of the hosts are tradesmen. The point of having the host is to have that bridge between the experts and the audience.

Rumor has it that Tom Silva screwed Kevin’s toolbox (that’s visible at bottom right of the video at 1:07) to the floor as a practical joke that day.

Kevin does an outstanding job. I think of all the Hosts he does the best job.

Kevin and Steve Thomas were the best hosts in my opinion.

@stephanieray6587

2 жыл бұрын

I'm a Bob Vila fan myself... I recently was able to see the original episodes, and his website is very good.

I have to admit I didn't like Kevin when he first started but I have grown to really appreciate him. I now consider him my favorite TOH host.

Way to go Kev. The best host of TOH.

Kevin won the Emmy for lifetime achievement when he got Kathleen

@squierjoshyt

2 жыл бұрын

Indeed.

@karenrapoport7852

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah he was just some dorky VP of a Bank when he “scored” the plain Jane chick who plastered one room in the house he bought her.

@p0llenp0ny

Жыл бұрын

@@karenrapoport7852 Don't hate because you're lonely.

Kevin: What's in this stuff, there's a little smell to it. Jim: Yeah, it's sort of an enzhyme Kevin: hmm.. let's hope so.... I hope they hired him because of this reply! nice repartee

@natereik

3 жыл бұрын

@ 5:55 for those wondering

Love how Kevin hits his head at 1:47 :-D

He Looks just like that dude that hosts This Old House. Same name too.

@Dog.soldier1950

3 жыл бұрын

Amazing

Kevin O'Connor is the best host since This Old House started way back

@thyslop1737

3 жыл бұрын

Disagree

@squierjoshyt

2 жыл бұрын

@@thyslop1737 I disagree with you.

@mcarroll598

2 жыл бұрын

Totally disagree.

I can't believe he has been on 20 yrs already!

Kevin hasnt aged a day since 2003 lol.

@K-Riz314

3 жыл бұрын

Lol he really hasn't!

He was just a regular old homeowner who had zero idea, and now we look at this to see a time when he had NOT A SINGLE CLUE that he was about to become the host of both This Old House and Ask This Old House for the next 20 years! I watched this episode when it first came out!

I've been looking for this video, thanks for posting!

I don't believe that anyone doesn't like Kevin. He's a good kind man, funny, and is quick on the uptake in a way that's hard to do on camera. I hope he's here until he's ready to retire.

Kevin looks like a boy and much younger than his wife.

Finally waiting for this video 😀

Kevin hasn't aged a day in 20 years. But leaning off the scaffold like that against the opposite wall would age me 20 years in a day lol

Very nice! Keep 'em coming.

The clip we've all been waiting for...

Based on this first audition I think you should have hired Kathleen LOL

I believe Kevin was a banker before becoming host. Such an interesting transition...

@NickCBax

3 жыл бұрын

Yup. He was a VP with Bank of America.

@bofadeeznuts469

3 жыл бұрын

Nicholas Barnard good thing he finally got a decent paying job with ToH lol

Who would hate Kevin? He's a legend!

I remember this, it’s so weird now.

Kevin is one of the greatest host of This Old House. They made a good choice when they picked him.

We asked for it and u delivered it

Absolutely love that front door.

Kevin is a wonderful host but I think we need to see Kathleen on the show again!

I remember doing this exact project after watching this episode.

I always liked him and i think he the best one they have. I remember that he replaced Steve Thomas who i also liked because I think Steve wanted to concentrate on an acting career. either one of them was much better than Bob. I think his wife is pretty cute and i liked their dog. I wonder if they still have the dog. :)

I couldn't help but notice how much the camera loves Kevin; he just glows.

You can really see how much Kevin has grown since his first appearance 19 years ago. On a side note as a New Orleanian I really liked that Tulane University hat that Jim Clark was wearing. I wonder what his connection to the school is.

The dog is a sweetheart.

Cool to see the young Kevin :o) And his lovely wife.

@squierjoshyt

2 жыл бұрын

She's a babe AND super sweet. What a combination.

2:16 is it me or is Kevin pulling a face here when he thought the camera wouldn't catch it?

Kevin is more relaxed and natural than a lot of the homeowners who go on camera. Many seem like they're trying too hard and make fake, cheesy comments out of nervousness. I can see why they picked him up.

Nice how today we have an app that removes wallpaper. So much easier

Never new people didn't care for Kevin. I always thought he was a breath-of-fresh-air.

To be honest I'm not sure how Kevin's wife didn't get the job lol

Look at young Sonny Boy!

Heard rumors that Kathleen was the original choice 😆

So he asks for help to remove wallpaper, then he gets the job of hosting a home improvement show. Now he wears a tool belt. He must be tradesman now.

Kevin is my favorite host of This Old House and Ask This Old House.

Wow, who does not know this ??

What a cutie

@prozack1312

3 жыл бұрын

@DR PHIL hell yes I do

The wetter the better, l agree with him

Kevin O Conner the most beautiful man alive 😍 ❤ 💙 ♥

100 to 1 thumbs up to down ratio... welcome to the Hall of Fame Kevin!

When he walks into the light fixture and doesn't miss a beat lol

7:06 Kevin's lying against the wall while the scaffolding looks like it could move makes me nervous.

@GreddyReaddy

3 жыл бұрын

Went back to check it out and you’re right. If that scaffold would to slip it would have smashed his wifes face.

@cajunfid

3 жыл бұрын

@@GreddyReaddy And he would have gone straight down a flight of stairs. Yikes.

@squierjoshyt

2 жыл бұрын

Pretty sure they screw it to the floor so it doesn't move back and forth.

Conner said, " you know what, this remodel is gonna be expensive, ill just take your job" lol

Heck Kevin's wife is pretty hot!

Because I had heard Kevin O’Connor impressed Tom Silva so much from his appearance, I expected more, but it turns out he stuttered on camera just as much as anyone else. I have a hard time talking into a microphone; I can’t get through two sentences without a stutter. Seeing this gives me hope.

@squierjoshyt

2 жыл бұрын

I think he was more impressed with his questions and ability to generate conversation about what was going on, not necessarily his skills on camera.

She's doing all the work.. How'd he get the job?? LOL love you Kev

5:46 Close your eyes and just listen!

@PatrickWagz

3 жыл бұрын

@DR PHIL oh no! go to your safe place!!

Interesting. Cool

I like Kevin......it's a good name.

Whooaa pink house! Oh no Kevin 💅 !! Kathleen was a hottie! This old house really dropped the ball on her (no pun intended).

Kevin!!!!

Looks like he is hosting already

She sounds like George’s fiancé on Seinfeld

@garychambers5930

3 жыл бұрын

Right I was thinking she sounded familiar Hahahahahahahahahaahahahahahaaha

@javedakhtar

3 жыл бұрын

I wonder if she gets a separate room for her doll collection.

@garychambers5930

3 жыл бұрын

@@javedakhtar hahahahahahahahahaahahahahahaaha Hahahahahahahahahaahahahahahaaha

@BobLovesKaren

3 жыл бұрын

Hope she didn’t lick that wallpaper glue. 😂

Cool.

Kevin is awesome. HAPPY THANKSGIVING TOH

Kathleen is a cutie. how come we didnt end up with her. Would have brought a lot more viewers.

When I see a painted over wall paper that's in good shape. I mud the seams and call it a day.

@K-Riz314

3 жыл бұрын

Amen!

I like Kevin a lot but my favorite host was Steve Thomas. I loved norm he was so talented

Kevin and Steve were the best hosts. My experience with Bob was mostly from home again, and it was okay I guess.

I had no idea this was how Kevin was introduced to TOH.

It's cool thay Kevin in reppin Park City. My man

Kevin's wearing the same jeans!

Use laundry detergent and water in a sprayer for wall paper

I never heard hate for Kevin. He has chemistry with everybody. He’s not a pompous know it all like Vila was, and isn’t perceived as unintelligent like Steve was. Although my favorite Steve season was the wick wire house back in about 1989.

It's a shame they didn't hire Kathleen to host TOH instead of Kevin. She seemed to be doing most of the work

lol...what a nice little boy... hahaha

they look like brother and sister.

Is Kevin still living at the pink house?

haha kevin looks like a kid!

Kevin is thinking “ I want to be the host of toh “

i wonder how they approached him they said hey we like ya kid wanna be our host?