Common joins the ranks of other relatively new black male game show hosts – Steve Harvey, Wayne Brady, Cedric the Entertainer, Terry Crews, Alfonso Ribeiro, and maybe others. Did I just not get the memo on this seemingly intriguing trend? Or has no one else noticed? Not that I’m complaining. I’m glad to see these brothas working. It’s just a curious observation.
I also wasn’t aware that Common was a furniture design enthusiast. Ya learn something new about our celebrities everyday.
Premiering last night at 10 PM, ET/PT, Spike TV has launched its first-ever furniture design competition series, titled "Framework," hosted by Common.
The series will showcase the nation’s best emerging furniture designers as they compete for a $100,000 cash prize, and the opportunity to launch their furniture lines nationally.
Per the press release, over the course of ten weeks, 13 builders will put their artistry and skill to the test in a series of challenges that ask them to reconsider everything they know about designing and building furniture. The builders will use unconventional materials, rethink classic furniture pieces, and incorporate a variety of techniques and disciplines to demonstrate their mastery of furniture creation.
In each episode, a contestant will be eliminated by a panel of judges led by host Common. He will be joined by two of the most influential names in the furniture world today; award-winning designer Nolen Niu, whose client list includes Andaz hotels, and MGM Resorts International; and award-winning and internationally-reknowned designer Brandon Gore, whose own furniture line, Hard Goods, has been featured in Dwell, Vogue, Wired and many other design publications and won “Best Furniture Design” at Dwell on Design 2012.
“Framework” is a ten one-hour episode series created by Dwight D. Smith and Michael Agbabian of Mission Control Media (“Hollywood Game Night,” “Face Off”) who serve as Executive Producers. Andrea Richter (“Ink Master”) and Common also serve as Executive Producers.
Sharon Levy is Executive Vice President, Original Series, Spike TV and Chris Rantamaki is Spike TV’s Senior Vice President, Original Series. Kevin Bartel, Vice President, Original Series, Spike TV will serve as the Executive in Charge of Production.
Watch a trailer below: