INTERVIEW: Expert crafters bring design dreams to deserving families on ‘Reno, Set, Go!’

The mission — if you choose to accept it — is to renovate a room in a house in less than 36 hours. You’ll have the help of expert crafters working around the clock, and camera crews will be filming your every move. Read, set, go!

That’s the premise of the new Discovery Family show Reno, Set, Go!, which continues with new episodes Mondays at 10 p.m. The expert crafters are designer Cheryl Torrenueva and contractor Roger Morin. On the series, they help deserving families realize their dreams, but the finished product doesn’t come without a lot of work.

“Well, it’s definitely going to be a bit of a roller coaster,” Torrenueva said in a recent phone interview. “Every episode is totally different. We have a wide range of different situations. All of these deserving individuals have their own specific challenges — everything from fertility issues to children with mental illness or bankruptcy — and it’s really about getting the entire family together to make this makeover happen.”

Morin said the series has a lot of laughs and a lot of tears. All in all, he believes the audience will find the show heart-warming. “You’re going to need a tissue box,” he said.

Torrenueva and Morin work well together on Reno, Set, Go!, but they do approach each project from vastly different worlds. Torrenueva, begin a designer, is more into customized dreams for each family, but Morin is more of a pragmatist, constantly watching the clock and realizing they are under deadline pressure.

“I love to create designs that are going to be dream spaces for these deserving individuals,” Torrenueva said. “Then I turn to Roger, and I say, ‘Can you get this done? And everything is custom.’ Then Roger, you know, he always keeps me in check. … We have a great collaboration.”

Morin admitted that there were certain aspects of the renovation that are impossible to complete in 36 hours, so they need to make concessions and carry on. “You want to cater to the person that you’re designing for, but Cheryl is really sensible,” Morin said. “She doesn’t throw the world at me, so the designs are attainable. But we’ve had some close calls.”

In the development process, the Scott Brothers Entertainment show went through numerous changes. Morin was attached first to the project, and then Torrenueva jumped aboard the renovation train. “We auditioned together, and there was chemistry, which I hope shows on TV,” Morin said.

Torrenueva added: “They do these chemistry tests to make sure that the hosts have a very great working relationship. … It’s not like Roger and I are a couple, but we are definitely like brother and sister. I feel like we’ve known each other for so long. We get along. We’re silly. We laugh together, but we’re still very professional. We’re very fortunate to have this opportunity and to be able to work together.”

Morin added: “Sometimes things go sideways. You have to be comfortable to be able to say, ‘Hey, have a seat, or relax.’ I can say that to Cheryl, and she can say that to me. It’s fine. It’s a great working relationship.”

When the big reveal occurs on the show, Torrenueva is typically in anxiety mode. Not only do the team members have to finish the renovation, but they also have to get the house back in order. That means they clean up and ensure all materials are packed up in Morin’s truck and trailer.

“I’m putting everything that we haven’t used back into boxes,” Torrenueva said. “There’s always one person that is sort of standing at the door keeping watch, and we’re feeling anxious. We’re feeling excited. There’s so many emotions going through our minds and our hearts, and I think that’s going to really make our show stand out from some of the other ones because there’s so much family. And there’s so many people that are involved that are also experiencing the exact same emotions that we are.”

Morin likened the big reveal to being at a surprise birthday party. The audience may not know the homeowners personally, but there’s still a palpable excitement in the air.

“You want to see that person’s reaction,” Morin said. “It’s just this culmination of anxiety, but in such a good way. … I can speak for Cheryl and say we’re hiding in the room and waiting for them to come in, and we’re just as excited as probably the homeowner when they arrive because it’s overwhelming. And, of course, Cheryl was a little more anxious than me. It’s her design, and so she wants the people to love it. I kind of feel for her in the moment. If you gave Cheryl a day to dress the room and put all the accessories and everything, she would probably take the day, but she gets usually an hour before someone comes home. It’s a great experience.”

Torrenueva added: “I feel like this first season is where we get to try different things, try different approaches. We’re still always learning. Thirty-six hours is not a lot of time. … I really think that once people start to watch the show, you kind of get sucked in because it just gives you butterflies in your stomach. Your heart is pounding and so much emotion going on. I feel like this is such a perfect time for everyone and the entire family to get together.”

By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com

Reno, Set, Go! continues with new episodes Mondays at 10 p.m. on Discovery Family. Click here for more information.