Saved and Remade

A good idea poorly executed. Some of the "experts" are skilled, talented and artistic. However, some are utterly hopeless with no ability whatsoever. It's quite embarrassing. We have an abundance of skilled craftspeople in this country so why use these idiots? Pathetic.

If the last year or so of Lockdown has taught me anything, it's that the BBC have run out of ideas for decent programs and have flogged this particular dead horse of 'creative' programs to death so much that I never want to watch one again. This program is inhabited by some people who shouldn't be let anywhere near power tools........ever.

The only two decent pieces were the trunk plastered with family photos and an Ottoman both made by the same guy who did a decent job. The rest is re-made using rough cuts of wood which often don't match the original item, unironed fabric, misplaced enthusiasm and dodgy workmanship. I feel sorry for the people who have to smile and praise the final results of their repurposed (butchered) precious family objects. The gold & diamond rings re-make as mentioned in another review was shocking in its execution. If they're happy then fair enough but I hope there's no Series 2. 'The Repair Shop' is the Rolls Royce and this is Del Boy's Reliant Robin after it's been hit by a bus.

The taste level on almost all the upcycles really is unacceptably low, which has always been the problem with upcycling. Who wants a grocery bag made out of old plastic grocery bags? Or a handknitted sweater out of pilly cheap yarn? Sow's ear still a sow's ear no matter how much labor someone has expended on it.

Unfortunately, the execution on many of these terrible ideas isn't very good either. There's one maker I'm a true diehard fan of, and what they make on this show is really bad. Really bad.

BTW, it is like The Repair Shop in that the intended theme is -- variously -- God doesn't make junk, and resurrection.

Unfortunately neither rubric applies to the creations in this program. Yikes.

Please ignore the reviews who compare it to the repair shop. This has a completely different outcome to people's treasured items. This show does not want to repair and clean the items it does the opposite, it drags the dusty old bits into something new and modern. The skilled designers have amazing ideas and a fresh way of seeing these old antiques. My own parents stuff is in the attic, me nor my children can display their stuff with all our modern decor so it just stays in boxes passed to another generations attics. Please make season 2 with the same designers!

Why would anyone bring anything precious to be "upcycled" (destroyed!) on this hideous show? The transformations wrought on their objects are nothing short of butchery - ludicrously conceived and clumsily executed, often with scant regard for the history or intrinsic worth of the items - beautiful longcase clock, for example, had its guts ripped out and was turned into a light. Often the new creations are hideously ugly - chairs made from old bicycles and so on. The makers lack personality as cast members (and that metalworker seriously needs to be introduced to a comb!) and the presentation is dull. Ghastly all round.