All American Handyman

Series

All American Handyman is a competition between handymen and handywomen with challenges based on home repair and improvement, and basic woodworking. The winner of the competition is the "All American Handyman", and is offered a development deal with HGTV. After each challenge, a number of competitors are eliminated. There are two challenges per episode. The series is based on HGTV Canada's Handyman Superstar Challenge.

Top 10 Finalists

Peter Wong -- WINNER

David "Dee" Pellot

Dennis Nourry

Elliot Boswell

Flagg Youngblood

Matthew McGuire

Rich Homburger

Sara Ashby

Caitlin Oliveira

Andrew Kowalyshyn

Episode 1: Hello Contestants, Goodbye Contestants

The twenty finalists are given two sheets of plywood to build anything they want within the time limit of two hours. Only ten(10) finalists make it the next stage, which includes the shape challenge and quizzes on building code and tools.

Episode 2: Teams of Two

The remaining eight contestants are paired into teams and given the task of finishing a section of a room. They must install a window, drywall, wainscot, trim, and wood flooring. To top it off, contestants have to install a flat screen TV on the wall.
After dropping two more contestants, the remaining six get one hour to install a salvaged door slab (including making the door frame) on a laundry room, as well as make a shelf above the washer and dryer.

Episode 3: Lay Out Kitchen Designs

Contestants are given one hour to incorporate a refrigerator, range, dishwaher, microwave and sink into a small, "L"-shaped kitchen. They must design and build the cabinets and install countertops as well.
After eliminating another handyman, the final four contestants face a trio of challenges, each to be completed in 30 minutes or less: repair a broken window pane; shingle a dog house; install a toilet.

Episode 4: This is the End My Friends

The final three contestants are given the task of designing and building an outdoor space including a deck, furniture, and a barbecue grill.

Season 2 (2011)

The second season is extended to have a total of 6 episodes, allowing the first to eliminate only 6 out of 20 instead of the first season's first episode where 12 out of 20 were eliminated.

Top 10 Finalists

Allison Oropallo

Andy Panko

Cheryl Pokorny

Jared Polston -- WINNER

Kate Schorzman

Lawrence Huffines

Natalie Spahle

Neil Smith

Pete Kelley

Shaun Killman

Episode 1: Make or Break

Initial findings, cutting down from 20 competitors to the top 14

Challenge 1:

Use two sheets of plywood to build anything the contestant wantsLow: Howard, Marcus, Chris, Edward, Mike, TonyaEliminated: Edward Wurch, Mike Burns, Tonya Tyler

Challenge 2:

Build a fence gate (no plans)Low: Howard, Marcus, Chris, Josh, AndyEliminated: Chris Gill, Joshua Cohen, Marcus Bailey

Episode 2: Good on Paper

Challenge 1:

Rough line drawing sketch of either Adirondack chair, planter box, or a small table

Chair: Shaun, Kurt, Neil, Allison, Stefano

Planter: Howard, Cheryl, Jared, Natalie

Table: Matt, Pete, Andy, Kate, Lawrence

Eliminated: Matthew, Steffano

Challenge 2:

Follow precise plans to build a toolbox

Eliminated: Kurt, Howard

Episode 3: Behind Closed Doors

Challenge 1:

Each contestant is tested one-on-one by each judge

Mike Holmes asks questions about building codes and general building knowledge, then has them attempt to find errors in a poorly built bathroom

Scott McGillivray has them transfer shapes from one board to cut those shapes out of another board

Guest judge Bill Kiss, CMO of Sears Tools, tests 'tool IQ' by having difficult situations where they must select the correct tool to use

Challenge 2:

Build a staircase up to a 49 inch high platform

Episode 4: Terrible Twos

Challenge 1:

Contestants are randomly divided into teams of two. Each team must finish a room, starting from studs, they are asked to put in insulation, drywall, a window, hardwood flooring and trim, and mount a TV to the wall

The teams are:

Shaun and Cheryl

Allison and Andy

Jared and Kate

Lawrence and Neil

After the first challenge, the weakest team (Lawrence and Neil) compete one-on-one to install crown molding around a number of difficult corners

Challenge 2:

Build a brick patio from the ground up

Episode 5: Know it or Blow it

Challenge 1:

Obstacle course of 3 30 minute challenges that require prior knowledge to simply accomplish. Replacing a damaged piece of hardwood flooring, install an electrical socket and light with a switch on a wall, and build a small stack of bricks to test masonry knowledge.

Challenge 2:

Install a double door, including frame, on a linen closet. Then install a shelving system and fill it with linens.

Episode 6: To the Top

Challenge 1:

Build a large garden shed in 6 hours, with the help of 2 crew who they must manage, having the night before to plan it.

Challenge 2:

Layout and build a kitchen using random used kitchen cabinets and new appliances.

Top 10 Finalists

Carol Webster

Chris Leslie

Christopher Topp

Julia Crawford

Michael West

Paul Steiner

Rodney Boyden

Scott Clark

Scott Heeres

Sonne Shields -- WINNER

Episode 1: Outhouse to the Doghouse

"Toilet Fixes and Custom Doghouse Build"

Challenge 1

Toilet replacement

Challenge 2

Custom doghouse build

Episode 2: Playground Battlefield

"Crying Babies and Playground Battles"

Challenge 1

Perform household fixes quietly without waking a sleeping baby

Challenge 2

Build custom playground

Episode 3: The Dream Garage

"From Clutter and Chaos to the Dream Garage"

Challenge 1

Window repair

Challenge 2

Teams of 2 to rebuild garage

Episode 4: Inspect and Garden

"Handymen Turned Home Inspectors Turned Garden Builders"

Challenge 1

Find home problems and repair them

Challenge 2

Build a tranquil garden retreat

Episode 5: Burnt by the BBQ

"The Crawlspace Obstacle Course and BBQ Island Build Off"

Challenge 1

Obstacle course

Challenge 2

Build a BBQ

Episode 6: Kitchen Crowns the Winner

"Media Room Redo and a Full Kitchen Build Out for the Win"

Challenge 1

Rebuild a media room

Challenge 2

Build a kitchen