Look at it this way, people might not be willing to pay for what he does (with the help of corporate sponsors), but it does give viewers a different ideal to aim for. Instead of a bargain being the Holy Grail, they might try to get as close to that first-class reno as they can afford. Maybe they don't go for the newfangled high-tech roofing material, but they are at least willing to pay to have the old roof taken off.
The show showcases a lot of newer stuff people might not be aware of, uses the best of everything, and plays up the drama. I'd call it more idealized than unrealistic - something to shoot for if you have the dough. Better to spend $100,000 on the best than p**s away half that on something you don't like.
That's a valid point, since I work with these stuff every day I know what products are out there.
The down side to these shows are people get visions of sugar plums about these high end products that they see people like them getting ... until they find out what it cost. Then the depression sets in or they realize they're putting lipstick on a pig.
What I'd like to see that if they are going to run these shows, show folks what they realistically can do. Say they want granite counter tops, but don't have $10K to get them ... well granite tile can be done for $3K if you hire it out, much less if you DIY.
Facts are there are a lot of these shows that show people these DIY honey-dos that really should be honey-don'ts.
Holmes does know what he's doing, but he should do jobs that are economically in line with the house he is doing it on. We can do it these way BUT it will cost a small fortune and your first child, however these way will meet code, pass inspection and work just as well, last just as long for a fraction of the cost.
Folks get unrealistic expectations from these shows and I have to be the bad guy saying "Oh we can do that, you just can't afford it." well I say it nicer but that's what it boils down to.
Soon as I hear the words ... "I was watching HGTV ...." my head begins to split open.