Tiny House Nation
Staying true to trend, Tiny House Nation follows the show's affable co-hosts John and Zach as they travel the U.S. helping Americans build 400sf artisanal mobile homes, homes any millennial would be proud of, homes which fill many a Pinterest board.
The Format
The Show follows the typical HGTV format, although this format is slightly condensed, reflecting Netflix's hurried approach to developing surface level content.
The format is as follows:
- The hosts meet a likable couple, a couple with a dream to live in a new home.
- The couple lays out their plans, but their dream home seems far away.
- Complications arise. The hosts question, "Can we get this done?". "Will the couple like the results?"
- Our heroes the hosts get to work, bravely finding time to talk to the camera, while the anonymous real workers construct in the background.
- Our heroes the hosts come up with a clever idea, a sudden insight and unique idea that may cost thousands of additional dollars to implement. The couple is not consulted, but the hosts begin working on making the "spontaneous" change.
- The show builds to the climax. The work has been done. The Pottery Barn furniture has been brought in. Will the couple like how the home turned out?
- The couple oohs and aahs over the "work" the show's hosts have done. Their dream is complete. The lucky couple can finally live out the magic of hearing each other go to the bathroom while cooking fish sticks in a 400sf mobile can.
The Hosts
Our lovable hero hosts, John and Zach, are in fact not a couple, much to the chagrin of the Google users that have pushed the query to the top of the show's search results. The hosts keep the show moving, and do a respectable job in developing the show's story arc.
John, who is always good for a cameo picking up a hammer or pretending to do a bit of carpentry, is the front man of the show.
Both hosts know their roles. John, who is always good for a cameo picking up a hammer or pretending to do a bit of carpentry, is the front man of the show. He keeps the show moving with energy and enthusiasm, almost making you forget that he is not in charge of the build, but is instead filming a TV show in the middle of some poor contractor's best efforts to actually get the trailer completed on time and on budget.
Zach has built numerous tiny houses in Boulder, Colorado, and his passion for the homes is evident on the show.
Zach brings the street credit, "youth", and coolness to the show. Having lived life as a ski bum for most of his adult life, Zach decided to build his own Tiny Home, which I must say, is pretty sweet. Zach has built numerous tiny houses in Boulder, Colorado, and his passion for the homes is evident on the show.
While John prances around and practices his showmanship, Zach often can be found in the trenches, helping the contractor and creatively overcoming design problems that arise during the show.
Final Thoughts
Although the show can be cheesy and predictable at times, it is refreshing to see Netflix spend money on family friendly content. With the success that HGTV has had with shows like Fixer Upper, it is clear that the market for home construction content extends beyond moms wearing Magnolia t-shirts, sitting at home on the couch on a Friday night, silently stalking their children's facebook pages while their husbands sleep fall asleep in their chairs.
You'll like this show. You've seen each episode before, even if it really is your first time watching it. The format for each episode will be just good enough, that you'll be sure to see another episode again.