The ABC home-building reality TV show builds a home for five orphans who are later evicted by the family who took them in.
On Easter Sunday 2005, ABC's Extreme Makeover Home Edition aired an especially poignant episode. Five children, ages 14-21, from the Higgins family were orphaned. A couple from their church, with three children of their own, took them in. The result was 10 people living in cramped quarters.…
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— go to most recent comments126 - Mark
Of all the human weaknesses, I would think the most common weakness in capitalism is the lust for money. The fact that Christian church people took these kids in at all says alot. This blog proves that Christian persecution is still alive and well. Lets add up the capitalism. ABC makes money, the owners of the house make money, and the kids who had nothing are allowed to sue the two parties with money. Aint America great!
127 - Sheri
Yeah, some 'Christians' took the Higgins in, only to untimately take unfair advantage of a sad situation (Higgins kids are orphans) just to get a new house, mortgage paid, and new everything, including cars for the Leomiti kids. The Leomitis even kept the cars that were clearly designated for the Higgins. It is sad that so much greed exists, and do this to a family that lost everything. The Leomitis saw a situation and their greed and sel;fishness took over HUGE and they ran with it. I hope the Higgins win in court. And then some.
128 - Buford Toxiprego
I'm surprised that ABC didn't see this possible outcome. The contract should have been written with this possible result, and the house should have been sold with the proceeds split between the two families, with maybe 25%/75%, the kids getting the 75%. I hope the kids that were kicked out are awarded the full price of the house. I'd also like to know why the kids were kicked out.
ABC is loaded, and makes millions from sponsors of this show. Local builders probably donate most or all of the house which is excellent PR for their companies. Then there's all those no-cost volunteers from the community. Except for Ty, I bet the rest of the cast is paid modestly by Hollywood standards and told they are easily replaceable. I'm surprised ABC didn't immediately fork over the money to these kids, putting it in some kind of fund for them, just to protect their image, knowing this would be a big splashy story that would not reflect well on the network.
In the early 60's, I used to watch a show called Queen for a Day. Three ladies would vy a price for telling the biggest sob story. The audience would clap for the most deserving and the winner, getting the highest on the applause meter, would take home a washer/dryer or a new TV set. The losers would go back to their famlies of six and jobless husband with a carton of DASH (or some soap powder).
What I love about Extreme Makeover is that the gift the families are given can make a significant difference in their lives. It is very moving although sometimes I'm a little suspicious of the before video condition of some of the homes, wondering if people sometimes contribute to the problems of the home to gain sympathy.
At the end of the episode, two weeks ago -- a repeat I think -- when they posted at the end that the father of the family they built the Craftsman-style home for, died of his battle with cancer, I wept. How bittersweet for the family.
I sometimes wonder when it comes to cleaning time, whether some of the mothers wish their kids rooms didn't have all the junk hanging off the walls, with some of the over-the-top fantasy rooms they do.
129 - Sheri
Buford -
The episode with the Craftsman tools and such was indeed a repeat. It was a Season 3 episode. Prior to the repeat I had read a blog post someone made indicating the father in the episode - Gordon Harrison - had passed away. Then, I saw at the end of the episode what you and everyone else saw, the post script note indicating the Mr. Harrison had indeed passed away. I have the episode taped from when it aired originally, and I doubt I will be able to watch it any time soon, knowing what we all know now. My heart goes out to his wife and kids.
AS for this other family who kicked the Higgins kids out...I have yet to see what the Leomiti's justification was for calling the Higgins kids vile names and such. If it weren't for the Leomiti's taking them in in the first palce, ABC would have never bothered. But, because they used a double tragedy for their own greed, they got a brand new home, mortgage paid, and stocked full of stuff, and new cars.
130 - Sheri
PhatJack - yes therewas/is such an episode about these 2 families. The reason why you will not find it listed in any of the seasons (I think they are a Season 2 or 3 families) is because of the pending litigation. Thus, on the official EMHE website, if you look through all the seasons thus far, you won't find this episode in question, because ABC was/is listed in the Higgins' lawsuit. The reason was because the Higgins said that they got kicked out/evicted and called all sorts of names by the Leomitis, and that ABC was continuing to show their particular episode, and list them on the EMHE site, making it like all was well and good, when it wasn't. Thus, nothing on them on the EMHE site. I have the episode in question on videotape.
131 - Pat
Alot of people are blaming ABC for all of this... ABC was only trying to help all of the people involved. As stated in earlier comments...maybe none of us know what really happened between these two families...however if the "host" family would have had hearts at all they would never leave anyone without a place to call home and without any of the things that were given to them. I have had numerous of people/friends live with us. Some have worked out and some have not. Regardless of the situations ..I would never leave someone out in the cold. That is not the human thing to do. The thing is about what is going on now a days with all of these reality shows is that everyone wants it to be them. If the economy was not so bad then people would be able to build things for themselves and not have to lie or manipulate people. Maybe that was not their intentions were in the beginning, however that is what seems to have happened. Do NOT blame ABC, they were only trying to do the right thing. I hope that the Higgins family finds a place to call "home" regardless if they do it on their own or if someone helps them again. EVERYONE needs a home...Do on to others as you would want done onto you. If everyone thinks about those words before doing anything then this world would be a much nicer place.
132 - Heather
There are liars and cheaters in this world...it does not matter of what relgious background they have. I believe their is a heaven and a GOD. However I am not a bible thumper, I do not attend church every week or anything of the sort, however I do not agree with the people who slander people. You believe what you believe and let others believe in what they believe. No matter what this family has gone through it is up to them on how their future plays out. I feel really bad for the Higgins family. It seems like now a days a lot of people are hiding behind their religion to do dirty things to people. My mom lost her family when she was young,..there were no reality shows then to help her or her siblings....hopefully they will find it in their own hearts to try their hardest to get a good job and come together as a family and make their home together. You do not need a 9 room home to be a family or to be happy. Those are all "materialistic" items...love and family makes a "home" not the size or the amount of items in it.
133 - Lynette
I did not see this episode but have enjoyed what I have seen. I cannot believe adults would use children to prosper. I believe these people will get what they deserve. The children should not have to worry about being together and growing up as a family, the adults should be the ones to suffer. Extreme Makeover has done their best to bring these children a future, but due to this misforune they still have to worry. I hope justice will prevail.
134 - azure
this whole situation is sad honestly. i feel really bad for the kids who were left without a home. i can only imagine how hopeless they must feel to be put through such a double tragedy.
i hope they are blessed with a beautiful home.
135 - i hate this show
i hate this show. It's total bullshit. They give a person a house so they can make a shit ton on ratings. Yes it's wrong. Don't tell me it's not. I know it is. It's exploitation, manipulation, and lots of other -ations I'm sure. I hate the host too. I hate all of you for liking it. Bunch of pawns.
136 - i hate this show/you guys
what's so awesome about living in a massive expensive house in the first place/?? those low income people are just gonna trash it in the end. Low income people are low income for a reason. They mostly choose to live that way and don't mind it too much. quit giving them big houses that they won't really care for in the long run. the houses are probably built to shit anyways. It will probably collapse in a strong wind. wtf guys come on. this show is CRAP.
137 - this show is what's wrong with America
damn straight. a bunch of "hosts" claiming to be humanitarians giving their best Oscar performances on camera. They ain't got love for little handicapped people or low income black people. They have more love for their own haircuts. The main host/fucker has more love for his six pack and tan than he does for any of those duped families. what a bunch of tripe.
In the end, giving people lots of "stuff" isn't doing shit for them. It's all a big horrible show and it puts me in a bad mood.
138 - the ends don't justify the means
the ends don't justify the means...
....ESP. if the ends aren't virtuous to begin with.
139 - Christopher Rose
For what it's worth, the last four comments came from one IP address so it may well not be four different people...
140 - Sheri
"I hate this show/you guys" - guess what...I could so care less if you hate me. I have been hated by far more important people than some little loser like you. You are just jealous because you aren't the one getting a new home for free. As for choosing to live low income, nice try there. Not all jobs pay $10 + per hour nor the salary of a Donald Trump buttmunch type, ok? So get over that one. Besides your posts have nothing to so with what really is going on between the Leomiti and Higgins families.
141 - Sheri
Here's the update, for now: Enjoy...
142 - julie
To bad I can't read the article because there is a big advertisement from your menu going right through the middle of it.
143 - Gina
We should go on strike against Extreme Makeover until they make the Higgins Children/family a home of their own.
We will never view Extreme Makeover with the same respect.
144 - Christopher Rose
Julie - the page looks okay to me, hope you can read it ok now..
Justene - Big Hi from España! Miss you!!
145 - Money Pit Owner
I hate my house. Everything that I try to fix only leads to more problems discovered. Everything that composes my house has issues. I would love to have this show do an episode on it. Send me on vacation, pay off my mortgage, and rebuild by money pitt. It would be a dream come true. Better than winning the lottery. I would sell it for a nice profit and move to a place that is more suiteable for raising my family. I might even do whatever it takes to provide a better home for my children....But not what appears to have been done to the Higgens Children.
I do not know all of the facts but it does look like greed on both ends. The Leomiti family for using the children (if that is what happened) and the Higgens Family for suing the builders. It appears that we all want something for nothing.
Keeping in mind that the facts are not completely revealed to us. We do not know the true intentions of anyone involved. It is a rather sorry picture though.
146 - Holly
I feel for the Higgins children. I do what I can to make a difference and help others. I follow God's will and read the Bible regularly. However, my children and I no longer go to church because of past experiences.
Back when my daughter was a toddler, we went to church. Back then she couldn't hear and her eyes could not focus. She was a quiet, reserved, well-behaved child and never gave anyone any problems. The nursery staff made comments that because she is disabled that she was a "devil child". The minister did not want her in "his church". I tried taking my children to other churches and recieved the same type of comments. My daughter had extensive medical treatment and now leads as close to a normal life as she can but she still has limitations.
My daughter is one of the best behaved children in school. She has never been a problem child. We still don't attend church because too many pretend to be christians in our society yet they are quick to judge and put others down because they want to prove they are better they everyone else. But in reality they are worse than everyone else because they do not live by the standards true christians do.
The standard that is a priority to me is
God First
Others Second
Myself Last
I also follow the ten commandments. If you walk into any church in America on Sunday Morning, you will sadly find that almost everyone there only cares about themselves. They are not there to worship God, they are there to show off and put others down. God's house no longer belongs to him. I choose not to get caught up in the unchristian environment that church has become. I choose not to bring my children to a church that can't accept everyone. BUT WE ARE STILL CHRISTIANS!
The family that used the HIGGINS children for their own gain are the same type of people we encountered in our attempts at attending church. That is the reality of many churches in America.
147 - lee
I think that it is terrible what this foster family did to those children. How can they call themselves Christians? I hope that the saying "what goes around comes around" certainly rings true in their case. Their house was ill-begotten and may they have nothing but heartache within it.
148 - Matt S
ABC ought to make a future episode featuring the further hardship that the Higgins Family have gone through. Of course, we are assuming that there isn't a reason why the family chucked them out. They do seem to be out for a free ticket, suing ABC is a bit on the crappy side after all they tried to do for them.
I totally understand ABC broadcasting the episode complete with Happy Ending. You have to realise that EMHE helps a lot of people and that relies on the continuing good name of the show. If they updated the episode with the subsequent bad ending, you wouldn't have nearly the support that they currently enjoy.
Even the bits that are a bit forced or the dodgy editing, or the sports stars that get 2mins face time on the show just because they donated a jersey or something crabby like that despite earning multi-million dollar salaries are not so bad because we realise that these things are what allow Ty and the team to keep helping people!
149 - Monica
Its amazing how many people are prejudiced in this world..... true there are alot of people who claim to be Christian and do horrible things....there is no doubt.. But there are many that are real Christians who do live their lives according to the teachings of Jesus. But these people who rag on Christians and claim they are all "evil" are the very same people who claim to be so enlightened and feign unbiased belief systems and equality for all...... How your true colors show..... saying Christians are all evil is like saying all blacks are criminals and lazy and all Mexicans irresponsible breeders..... Society really has not crept up from the ooze as it claims to have... Christian bashing is just another form of racism...... It just has another face..... But is still ugly just the same...... This has nothing to do with my personal beliefs about Christians one way or another..... I just see it for what it is.....
150 - kat
All the facts should be known before judgement... but the kids are definetly entitled to something, i think ...because them being orphaned was the whole reason for the show... they shouldnt be left homeless
151 - faith
i beleive in my heart GOD has a purpose for everyone. Not just the higgin's family but things like this happen for a reason to show us everything that glitter's aint gold but this family has had enough turmoil in their lives like none of us probably we can judge them all we want but the meaning of this whole show is to help families. And in this one case something like this could change others lives. In life decisions we choose to make day to day GOD help us ALL!
152 - John W.
It is with a heavy heart that I have learned of the tragic events of this episode of Makeover.
As far as I am concerned the Higgins family was delt another bad hand which appears irreversible because of the ownership of the original house.
Having said that, I am not aware of the cause of eviction of the Higgins children but I would be interested in seeing them compensated for all the
material things that were donated out of the goodness of caring people who were duped under false pretense. These items should be removed from the home and stored until such time that the Higgins' have proper living facilities. Obviously
compensation should be persued for this family through the court system and hopefully some kind of restitution will be made.
PS: Please don't let this setback hinder the continuation of the work being done by the Makeover crew. You are a blessing and a Godsend
to so many deserving people. One bad apple won't spoil the hole barrel if it is removed in time.
Keep up the great work.
153 - DCrissey
In referance to comment [ #10 " June 29, 2006 @ 23:19PM " charles almon ] WHAT DOSE THIS HAVE TO DO WITH THE ISSUE AT HAND? Frankley I'm suprised you would post your name associated with such garbage!
154 - DCrissey
Another referance [#26 " June 30, 2006 @ 04:01AM " Conrad] WHAT'S WITH THIS ALSO? How about school teachers, social workers, Doctors? Why do you stereo-type Christians?
155 - John R
For the love of God, it's "LOSE", Not "LOOSE". You LOSE your house, your dog gets LOOSE.
156 - Evy
I feel very bad for the Higgins Family. What is embarassing is that these people used their church membership to make themselves appear to be caring people but, they took advantage of this situation and had a house built for themselves. The home was intended to reward the family that took the Higgin's family in but, also to help provide for the Higgins family and to help them heal from life's pain. Then these vultures took and kicked the Higgin's family out. They put on a great show but, God says when you get a megaphone and shout out your good deeds you have received your reward. They are all about show and they used people down on their luck to get what they did not deserve. This house should be sold and the original owners should get fair market value for their original house and the rest go to the higgins family. The sad part is they will not get to enjoy that home. God will return the favor because vengence is God's. He will settle this because Lies and deception are very wrong, Shame on you!!
157 - Kathy
The foster parents could not have known that they would end up on Extreme Makeover, so I don't think this STARTED with deception. Greed being greed, it grew inside. (For God's sake, I hope they're tithing.....LOL).
I would be honor bound if I were those foster parents to make no moves with those children without discussing it with them and selling the house. Certainly, the "kind hearted" foster family should keep SOME of the equity, but more of it SHOULD go to the Higgins children, in trust if necessary.
My .02 cents.
158 - Jeff
This story is difficult. I can't help but wonder if there were other compromises in the home after the show. When I have helped someone by bringing them into my home, I set boundaries and guidelines for behavior and care of the home. Healthy respect levels are also designated. Were those set by the owners of this home? Were those boundaries compromised because of a bad contract or egos from both families? I am not advocating for either side, but I think other questions need to be asked before anyone can judge this correctly. Otherwise we are rambling at the mouth. I hope the truth is found and is situation judged correctly. It seems we have only heard a one-sided story.
159 - Joyce
To the guy who says "this is what is wrong with this country", this is what is right with this country. People helping people who are in need.
To the people who say "I hate the show, I hate the people on it", etc, you have a choice and I'm sure there is a switch on your TV,USE IT if the show offends you so much. I don't care if the cast is worried about their hair,tans, and the other things mentioned in the comments. Yes they get paid, the network makes money, but the bottom line is THEY ARE HELPING PEOPLE WHO NEED IT.Keep up the good work and I don't feel the show is in any way responsible for what occured after the makeover, it should be kept between the two families and the court system
160 - joanne
not all christians are like that. dont ever compare christians to bad people. just because they did that. doesnt mean all christians are like that.
161 - Kyt
The Only reason why I even believe Jesus is God is because God himself witnessed to me. If it was left to the so-called Christians to witness to me, I would have been a devout Christian basher because of the hypocrisy, selfishness, back biting, gossiping, putting God on a very short timeline (1 hour service with a 15 minute feel good sermon), refusing to help anyone who is disabled grocery shop. I, a disabled person takes my disable friend grocery shopping when I can. The other believers refuse because they don't have the time. They have plenty of time to sit on their duffs eating at fine restaurants for 2 hours. At the so-called Christian Northwestern college, I had to walk an hour to catch the bus for a year, because NO ONE could drive 5 minutes out of their way to take me. I finally had to take out more student loans and buy a car. The song that plays on KTIS about why aren't my hands feeding drives me up the wall, because Christians say how awesome that song is and then turn around and refuse to use their precious hands to do a thing for the poor communities in their backyards. They will only send people and money to Mexico. What about the homeless in your own country? What about the disabled people who need help shopping? What about taking time out to take two people in wheelchairs out to eat 2 times a Year? People on disability can't afford to eat out much, if at all. The Higgins deserve to be sent to Hell for their selfishness. Wait until judgement day. The Lord will give them their just desserts then. They will then know how bad they were and how awful of a deed they did. I'm sure the people at their church are divided over the behavior as well. Gossip mills are probably speaking ill of the kids on one side, and speaking highly of the kids on the other side. Satan opened a door that will take God to close.
162 - BUTCH
I find it interesting that no one seems to be interested in what caused the home owners to "evict" the Higgins children. Everyone seems to want to blame them without hearing the "other side" of the story. Did the Higgins children become "unmanageable" because they felt that they owned the house, even though it was not their house or property that was rebuilt? Just a thought.
163 - Hugo
All these commenters here who think that the show is a charity, NO, the goal of the show is to make money for ABC.
And the sadder the story the more money they'll get.
As for the "they're christian" / "no they're not" comments, do grow up, if it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck well then it is a duck.
You can't have it both ways christians, if someone calling them self a christian does something good (like take in those children) then they're rightly praised and added to the christian list, well then if that same christian does bad you cannot say that he or she is not a christian because of that, they are and as long as they call themself christian they are as much a christian as you are.
Be honest about your faith you might be surprised about the result!
164 - kaitlyn
i realy want to give my mom a nice home. could e-mail me info about how to get sined up. please this is coming from a 10 year old.
165 - Barbara
One person commented that the couple that took these children in were "CHURCH PEOPLE"
Honey going and standing in a church no more makes you a christian than going and standing in your garage makes you a car!!! These people should be charged with fraud!!!
Real christians don't behave in such a way because they have God in their heart!!!
These people are the worst of the worst... And God will punish them for what they have done! ~~Barbara~~
166 - A
Hello!!! ABC does not accept donations...they are not a non-profit org. They do this for money, plain and simple. If that were not the case, they would go back and help the families that were burdened or screwed by the new home situation, i.e. bills, taxes, and in the case of the Higgins family. If you do not believe in the show, do not watch it...
167 - JH
Has Homemaker Over responded to all these comments? Have they at least made any attempt to assure this atrocious behavior can not happen again? I know contracts are legally binding, but I would expect ABC, who can afford to help so many, could at least go back and help the Higgins children, regardless of the contracts and the past. I still believe the intent of the program is altruistic, but please ABC do not let this happen again.
Making the Higgins have to go to court and file lawsuits is also wrong. Even if you do not build the Higgins a new home, why not just buy them a home and/or arrange for scholarships for these kids? Come on ABC, just do what is right. Ignore your legal team. Only the lawyers benefit from litigation. Use some common sense. Give the money being spent on legal fees to the kids. You would probably save money.
168 - Isabella
This is awful and should not have happend and it is soo bad that i think i will not get involved but i would and it would not be pretty because if you take in orphans you do NOT kick them out after you take them in and get your house redone because "it dosent belong to them" shame on you!
169 - Bryan
All of you are responding to just one side of the story and every argument has two sides. Before you throw the homeowners under the bus, remember that they helped the Higgins when no one else would. So now you all hate them? What hypocrites. Should they be forced to put up the Higgins forever now? No matter what the Higgins do? Get real.
170 - sharon rich
now now yall we havent heard the church peoples side maybe they kicked them out 4 a good reason maybe the eldest was doing illigal things out of the house or un-christian like things in front of their kids and they gave him many warnings after warnings and he didnt listean maybe they kicked the eldest out and said the others could stay and he choose 2 take them for he is their guardian and the checks come 4 them under his name
171 - Eugene
First, let's get off Christians? We were all born Christ-like! This is what you must/need to understand. Freewill is where you have the problem! Our choice to do right or wrong, to be selfish, uncaring, greedy and stupid! Unfortunately it's a part of life for many of us. If you don't know who you are and where you come from these become your guides. When you do find out life becomes seemingly harder. Living in this world you are often put in a situation to make this choice. Some decisions are little and some very big. There is a force here meant on tempting you every chance it gets. Educate your self! Stop thinking God won't talk to you, the thing with him is he has a thing about fake people! It's very important to have a one on one relationship with God. You must believe he is the first and no other comes before him! Before you can have one of anything you must have that (first one). Believe, no, know that he is it! Don't try to name him or define him. Just live your life day by day trying not to have to ask him to forgive you for anything my may have done that day! Believe that we are all a part of each other and a part of him. Believe in you heart and mind every step you take he's right there with you. Know that he sees all! Know that he will give you the shovel but he won't dig the whole for you! Know that we should have each others back! Stop believing asking for forgiveness means your gonna get it! Hell, wasn't created for nothing! Remember you don't belong here; one day your time card is going to be punched, final destination Heaven or Hell! If you don't believe in some kind of after life then answer the question, why are you here? I've often heard it said it's better to be safe now than sorry later! This world will get you side tracked, you think it has what you need, but I'm gonna have to tell you everlasting life can't be bought!
172 - mixie
has this court case finished
173 - elanosa
how sad that happened. Greed can be very powerful but I believe that "you get what you give".
174 - Judi
I have not read all the comments..way too extensive...but I personally think that the family that gives Christians such a bad name be held responsible to some degree.
Yes, it was their origninal property. How about ordering the 9 bedroom home be sold, and the monies split between the property's family, and the Higgins family. It's a shame the kids from the couple have to deal with this. Their parents are indeed selfish.
I don't know why the Higgins' were kicked out, I have not seen anywhere why, but some type of contract should have been created, stating that the family has an obligation to provide for the Higgins kids until they are on their own, in return for the home being rebuilt to accomodate such a large family. If they failed to do so, the home would be sold and proceeds divided between the two familes.
Just my thoughts
175 - Yo Paulie!
I think the whole show is stupid. All it consists of is a bunch of fruity guys and a ditzy broad showing up to blubber over somebody living in a moldy house or somthing. There is too much crying and too little actual construction on the show. They should change the name to EXTREME MAKEOVER FAG EDITION!