Design is art, and art is subjective. Or something along those lines. When it comes toRock the Block, the hit HGTV design competition, fans expect exceptional designs from their teams of network all stars. For the most part, over the six seasons of the show,it’s a journey to see who might win and earn their names on the street sign.But Season 6 felt different.
WhenAlison VictoriaandMichel Smith Boydstepped onto the Utah block, it almost felt inevitable that they would win. Michel was already a winner, and Alison was looking for her first win in three tries onRock the Block. Having more experience than anyone in the cast, they had an advantage. Not only did they know how to play this game, they had years of experience onRock the Blockand how to hack the game. So afterJonathan Scottdid his final walk-through and the appraisers worked their magic, the drones revealed Alison and Michel were the winners, andthere was a collective sigh as to how and why they were the winners.
‘Rock the Block’s New Format Favored the Veterans
Season after season, HGTV employs some of the best designers and contractors on the network as they engage in clean, funny, and healthy competition. While HGTV fans are used to seeing their favorite personalities embark on a “before-and-after” reno in a single episode,Rock the Blockelongates it, focusing on single room or area challenges. Playing for additional money to be spent on the property,Rock the Blockhas notoriously pushed the stars harder than ever before on screen.As Alison Victoria said following her Season 6 victory, “This was a tough one. It was thehardest thing I’ve ever gone through in my life as a designer on television.”
Though the pool of talent is deep, Season 6 played with a theme,setting it up as Vets versus Rookies.Only there was a bit of a catch. Alison and Michel were the only completely full veteranRock the Blockteam, asJonathan Knightwas with his brother, making hisRock the Blockdebut. Now, no offense, neitherNew Kids on the Blockbro are designers with respect to their counterparts. Despite the scoreboard, when the appraisers came in, it was how Alison and Michel won. That’s how the game is played. Sure,each round has its own judging criteria, but all that matters is that final walk-through.
One of the biggest changes this season was how judging occurred. In the past, the HGTV star judging the round would be told in advance whose design belonged to which team. This season, it was all about blind judging. And that may have been to Alison and Michel’s favor. It might not only have been meant to equalize the playing field butalso to protect Alison and Michel from biased feedback.Why would you want the backlash from the fans that there was any favoritism towards the team? Alison was returning for her third stint in the game. Michel was looking for his secondRock the Blockvictory. As we’ve seen since the final episode,some fans are up in arms about the result. Not only are fans displeased with the result and feel that rigging was afoot, but the lack of results for the three other teams also raises questions about the final outcome. Did Alison and Michel win for storyline? Certainly, we can’t prove that, but the feelings are there.
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So, How Did Alison and Michel Win ‘Rock the Block?’
Rock the Blockis essentially two rounds.The first round, for the weekly judges and fans, is about watching the transformation and overall design. The second round is the appraisal. It’s about the overall value added to the property. As average viewers, we watch for the design. We want to see what the teams do that might inspire us or leave us dreaming of having. But we’re not real estate experts. We don’t hear the three individuals coming in discussing what the benefits of each team’s house did to the overall value. So, we’re only left to ponder. What was it that set theWindy City RehabandLuxe for Lesshosts over the top?
As she mentioned that she was “pulling in favors” as a former Park City resident with connections, the casita in the backyard space is likely what carried their victory. Although some fans felt the shipping containers were an eyesore that ruined the million-dollar view, they became a flex space that could serve as a guest house or office. Going back to the design of it all,Alison and Michel’s overall design was very specificand geared to a certain buyer. Though they called their space “Refined Rustic,” it may have been a descriptor better suited to their competitors. If you ask the average viewer,they might be inclined by the neutral palettes of the other teamscompared to the non-stop green tones throughout.Alison, the queen of kitchens, won that round for the third time, but now some question was whether it entirely deserved given the outcome. The name of the game was added value, and certainly that walk-in closet was something spectacular, but after being mocked for a basement pickleball court when another home had a legit backyard one, did it really help their case?
At the end of the day, Alison and Michel are exceptional at their jobs. They won, and that’s that. But in a game where the audience’s opinions and the rules are different, the fans are vocally going to champion the other teams, who actually grew their relationships as family. Michel and Alison, who thought she “had met Michel once before,” were created for television magic.This team played the game ofRock the Blockwhile the other three teams played for livability.Let’s just say,the Kalamaswere robbed! If the addition of the solar panels putLyndsay LambandLeslie Davis’home over the top when they won,it should have been what sealed the dealfor theRenovation Alohastars.1
Rock the Block
