Knoxville, Tenn. — October 2006 — Gionni Thompson, a 35-year-old father of three and a science teacher at Aurora, Colorado’s Hinkley High School, knows a thing or two about chemistry. According to DIY Network executives, he had all the right "tools" to be named winner of the cable network’s Stud Finder contest and will host his own home improvement series scheduled to premiere in 2007. Thompson’s winning smile and larger-than-life personality made him the clear winner in the contest which encouraged viewers to submit the names of friends, loved ones and even local contractors they felt had the expertise and enthusiasm necessary to host their own show. Thompson was chosen from hundreds of prospective Stud Finders who attended open casting calls or sent video submissions directly to DIY.
As part of his prize package, Thompson will take his very first trip to New York where he will appear on the Today Show and will be profiled in a one-hour special, "DIY's Stud Finder," in early 2007. Hosted by DIY host Amy Matthews, the program will feature other top finalists and a few of DIY’s resident experts.
"When we saw the tape from Gionni’s audition in Denver, we knew he had star quality," said Kathleen Finch, general manager of DIY Network. "He’s totally relatable and we really believe he will connect in a very special way with the DIY audience."
Freddy James, DIY’s vice president of programming, added: "I remember seeing the auditions in Denver and spotting Gionni on the line. It was clear that he had the good looks necessary to make it on television, but I was hoping that he had the skills to back it up. He's naturally funny and approachable and will be a terrific addition to DIY’s line-up."
DIY camera crews surprised Thompson, a resident of Centennial, Colo., in front of his high-school chemistry class last week with the school principal, marching band and cheerleaders in tow. Also on hand for the celebration was Matthews, one of the contest’s judges and host of DIY’s Bathroom Renovations; Thompson’s wife Tonya, an assistant principal at a East Middle School; and his five-year-old son Gio Gio (short for Giovanni). "This is just incredible," he said. "And I’m waiting for someone to wake me up and tell me it was all a dream." He added, "The students were all cheering for me and all of a sudden I realized, this is the real thing. I tried to keep it together for the kids, but I have to admit I was kind of teary. A little surprising for a guy that just got named DIY’s new stud."
"I grew up in Aurora and went to this high school and I know what these kids go through every day so this is great for them ," Thompson continued. "Maybe by seeing someone in their community do something outstanding, they will think – maybe I can do that – maybe success is not that far out of reach."
Thompson’s personal do-it-yourself expertise runs the gamut but said that his first experience working with tools wasn’t exactly a pretty site. "I was trying to fix up my basement and put up some new drywall – but because I used a rip saw, instead of a utility blade, my front lawn looked like I was preparing for the Winter Olympics." His skills improved and soon he was fixing up his first home, which he describes as a "run-down crack house, literally" and sold the property three years later for double the price he paid for it.
Recently, Thompson has tackled projects that would inspire even the best DIY’er. "I just put up a 42-inch plasma screen behind a two way mirror in my bathroom. That way I can watch the news while my wife puts on her makeup." In addition, he is almost as proud of the shoe rack he made for his wife a few months ago. He said, "Tonya has more shoes than Imelda Marcos so this was more of a necessity – she was tripping over herself in her own closet."
He said that he thought his audition went well but his nerves definitely got the best of him. "My wife really encouraged me to go for this, but the morning of the auditions I just kept hitting the snooze button. Finally, Tonya practically tossed me out of the bed and now I’m glad she did." Thompson added, "I have to admit that I actually drove around the parking lot about 10 times before I got out of the car. I’m one of those guys that always dreamed of having a stand up comedy career, but even though I went to open mike nights, I never had the guts to get up on stage. But I decided that this was my shot, and I’m glad I made the right decision to get out of the car that day."
Stud Finder runners-up were full-time firefighter Darla Pitts, a 31-year-old from Chicago who enjoys rehabbing old homes and flipping them for profit; and Matt Blashaw, a 30-year-old self employed handyman who resides in Brea, Calif.
About DIY Network
DIY Network is the best television and online source for any type of do-it-yourself project. DIY presents 90 percent original programming across a broad range of categories including home improvement, automotive, crafts, gardening & landscaping, and woodworking. Informational and entertaining, DIY’s programs and experts answer the most sought-after questions, plus offer creative projects that will inspire any project enthusiast. At DIY’s Web site, www.DIYnetwork.com, everything on-air is online with more than 15,000 projects, all with step-by-step instructions plus original Web site content. These companion resources instruct millions of people everyday, which is why DIY is one of the fastest growing digital networks – currently in more than 37.5 million homes – and DIYnetwork.com averages 2.5 million unique visitors per month.
