Vila Eyes America as a Fix-Up Project

Bob Vila inspired viewers for two decades to tear up their old bathrooms. Now trading his tool belt for a dapper sport coat to host Home & Garden Television’s “Restore America,” he hopes to inspire viewers to pitch in and save run-down old landmarks that might otherwise be torn down.

Premiering Sunday, it’s the first original cable series for the puppy-eyed onetime contractor who has attained the sobriquet “America’s Handyman.” In 10 years as host of PBS’ “This Old House” and going on 10 seasons as host and producer of the Eyemark syndicated series “Home Again With Bob Vila,” he’s propped up many a sagging porch and rejuvenated many a vintage kitchen.

“Restore America,” too, is about the fix-up movement--but on a grand scale, said HGTV senior programming vice president Burton Jablin, who is series executive producer for the network’s sister company, Scripps Productions.

“What better way to showcase what is going on in the United States at the turn of the century than to show great restoration and renovation projects, and go to every state to do it?” Jablin asked. Four production companies have been hopscotching the country for nearly a year preparing four segments per state.

“When we first mentioned this to Bob last November, his eyes lit up,” Jablin said.

“Celebrating a community’s efforts--this is what turned me on about the prospect of doing this show,” said Vila, who, in order to accommodate his “Home Again” schedule, insisted on taping his stand-up segments at various historic sites near his Cambridge, Mass., headquarters.

Long planned to debut on Independence Day, the series opens in Texas, recounting restoration of Dallas’ Fair Park, a significant example of Art Deco public buildings, and a successful effort by the group Preservation Dallas to save Swiss Avenue, a street of grand old homes. The group’s leader, Virginia McAlester, the daughter of a former mayor, describes her heartfelt irritation at seeing historical plaques around town reading: “On this spot once stood. . . .”

Vila, who is Florida-born of Cuban descent, said his favorite episode, which can be seen July 11, profiles Norma Jean Sawyer, who led restoration of her beloved Bahama Village quarter of Key West, Fla., where quaint cottages have housed five generations of Afro-Caribbean immigrants.

“Restore America” will visit California and Hollywood’s fabled Spaulding Square on Oct. 3, and will also examine projects in San Francisco, San Diego and in Amador in Gold Rush Country.

For Vila, who is used to being in charge, both as a contractor and producer-host, this is something of a new experience. Indeed, he’s acted in guest spots on the departed ABC sitcom “Home Improvement”--he was the real-life inspiration for series star Tim Allen’s character--and even had a feature film turn, a 1993 cameo playing himself in “Hot Shots! Part Deux”--installing insulation in an ashtar (Moslem prayer tent).

But for this project, he’s not quite in charge.

“I’m strictly talent--I hesitate to call myself that. But that’s what everybody says: ‘You’re just talent for this, Vila,’ ” he said. “But that doesn’t mean I don’t rewrite my scripts or edit my commentary,” he quickly added.

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* “Restore America” can be seen Sunday at 7 p.m. on HGTV and repeats at 10 p.m. The network has rated it TV-G (suitable for all ages).