Ellen DeGeneres isn’t just a talk show host and comedian — she’s also a furniture design expert.
And now the daytime funnywoman is channeling that passion for a new six-episode design competition series that will premiere on HGTV next year.
“Ellen’s Design Challenge” — DeGeneres’ first show for cable TV — will feature six competitors tackling challenges to sketch, design and build furniture in just 24 hours.
Each designer will be paired with an expert carpenter to help them complete the tasks, which will be evaluated by a panel of judges with the winner receiving a cash prize. A six-part online companion series will also allow viewers to participate in another side of the competition.
“I’m so excited about this show because I love finding really special pieces of furniture,” said DeGeneres in a statement. “One time I found a beautiful one-of-a-kind armoire that spoke to me in a way I’d never experienced. It turned out there was a drifter living inside of it, but that’s a story for another time.”
DeGeneres will executive produce “Design Challenge” through her company A Very Good Production, along with A. Smith & Co. and Telepictures.