Taniya Nayak appears to be like ahead to hitting the highway yearly to fulfill new households trying to win The Nice Christmas Mild Combat. The inside designer, alongside along with her fellow decide Carter Oosterhouse, has the arduous process of deciding who wins $50,000 and a trophy in every episode.
With 4 households illuminating the evening sky and infusing the magic of the vacation season into their shows, the job isn’t simple. Nayak is aware of what it’s wish to be on either side of a contest as a previous champ of HGTV’s Battle on the Seaside. Right here the favored TV persona goes into the judging course of and peels again the curtain of what goes on throughout filming. Plus, Nayak talks about getting backlash on-line and the potential of doing a celeb version of the present.
What does it imply to see the present on for this lengthy and so that you can be a decide for greater than a decade?
Taniya Nayak: it’s one thing I take into consideration each day once I’m on the highway filming. I can’t let you know how typically I take into consideration how fortunate we’re that the present has had a lot success. How thrilling yearly we come again. In my view, it’s one of the vital enjoyable and feel-good exhibits to be part of. I by no means take it without any consideration.
Disney/Omar Vega
How would you describe your judging at present in comparison with whenever you began?
The know-how has modified tremendously. For us, we’re always stunned by what individuals are bringing to the desk. Even the classic, previous, and nostalgic shows by no means get previous. There may be room for all differing kinds, however the creativity has gotten unimaginable through the years. I believe lots of it has to do with folks watching the present and getting impressed and getting concepts.
I’m noticing, particularly this season, that folks have been doing their analysis on what Carter likes or what I like and molding their shows into issues they know will catch our consideration….For me, I like an excellent story and theme. I like when the work is finished neatly and there may be some sense of group. Quite a lot of instances shows can be just a little of this and just a little of that, which is enjoyable too. For me, I am going for extra thought-out theme shows.
The story and reference to folks and the generational side, how a lot of that performs a task in your alternative?
It does play a task extra internally so far as scoring goes. It’s arduous as a result of everyone is so beautiful and each single individual does it for the fitting causes. We type bonds with them in a very brief period of time. Within the judging course of, I attempt to preserve that separate. That’s most likely the toughest a part of all of it. Typically you actually would possibly adore somebody however their show could not maintain to what somebody’s show is likely to be.
That must be tough whenever you’re listening to these heart-wrenching tales. Then you definately get viewers commenting, “Why didn’t you decide grandma!” Do you get lots of social media backlash whenever you don’t decide a sure one?
Undoubtedly! It actually used to have an effect on me earlier than. It comes right down to lots of what you simply mentioned. The place you actually wish to decide this winner due to what they’ve been by, however in the end, that’s not what the competitors is about. The competitors is about their show. It has taken me some time and thru lots of backlash, such as you mentioned, on-line right here and there. I say that with love as a result of the backlash is coming from a spot of individuals feeling enthusiastic about it and getting so enthusiastic about it. It’s a contest on the finish of the day, so I don’t take it to coronary heart. On the similar time, yeah, there have been some feedback.
What’s one thing that folks could be stunned to know concerning the filming course of?
We really joke round once we’re filming what number of takes it takes to get the lights on second good. We have now to get the gang’s response and lights to go on. Typically the climate isn’t cooperating and a few issues shortcircuit. I all the time inform the viewers there that they are going to by no means watch the present the identical after being part of it and seeing what number of instances it takes. We all the time wish to painting our contestants in the very best mild as a result of they work so arduous. We will’t blame the climate. If it’s one thing the place it’s pouring rain for somebody and never for another person, we all the time take that into consideration.
One other factor I have a look at is whenever you’re going to those locations and in these winter garments. Is it all the time that chilly although?
For those who have been to ask me what my largest takeaway is about donig this present exterior the shows. It’s lots of these locations like Texas will begin off at 70 levels once I present as much as set. Then by the point I depart at 1 or 2 within the morning, it’s 37 levels out. Since we’re filming a present, you possibly can’t add layers as you go. What you begin with is what you finish with. There are not any including gloves or sweatshirts or jackets. It’s important to look the identical from begin to end for continuity. So, I’ll sweat my butt off as soon as I get there. Then I can be freezing by the point I depart. I discovered to layer it up and take care of the sweating firstly as a result of I’d a lot relatively be hotter on the finish of the evening.
Taniya Nayak and Carter Oosterhouse in ABC’s ‘The Nice Christmas Mild Combat’ (Disney / Jim Gensheimer)
Is there a spot you by no means thought of going to however completely satisfied you went?
On a regular basis. Carter and I’ve circled the nation quite a few instances. I really feel like the one state I’ve not been to is Alaska. We have now to get that on the radar for Mild Combat. Put up your show, we’re coming for you. There have been some in North Dakota, locations I’d haven’t usually gone to the place I believe this place is cool. I’m all the time stunned.
Something you possibly can tease about future episodes?
They’re always altering and getting higher. Know-how is continually altering. For Carter and I, once we are studying how they do it, it by no means will get previous for us. I really feel the viewers will get teh similar factor.
I believe the tone was set this season whenever you go to a home that appears such as you’re getting into a theme park with a Ferris Wheel and like a prepare rollercoaster factor. I all the time take into consideration the logistics concerned with HOAs and metropolis approvals. That has to take a lot time to get.
Precisely. Neighbors too. How about these beautiful neighbors that take care of the visitors and vivid lights by their bed room home windows at evening? Kudos to the neighbors as properly.
Is there one thing from the present we haven’t seen but however wish to do? For me as a fan, I’d like to see a celeb version or particular. What’s your opinion on that?
That’s so humorous, Scott, you mentioned that! Somebody DMed me Jamie Foxx’s home, and I used to be like, “What? We have now to do superstar homes.” Take a look at Kim Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian, and lots of others who put these lights up and they’re unimaginable.
We have to pitch ABC on this. It will even be enjoyable to see you and Carter go head-to-head.
Oh no, I’d give that one to Carter immediately. He has a much bigger yard than I do.
Typically area doesn’t all the time play a consider successful.
That’s true! Good level.
The Nice Christmas Mild Combat, Thursdays, 8/7c, ABC
