‘Ugliest House In America’ Star Retta’s Least Favorite Home Feature Is Carpeting In Bathrooms: “I Still Can’t Believe That’s A Thing”

For 6 seasons, beloved actor/comedian Retta has taken audiences across the county in search of homes that qualify for a spot on HGTV’s Ugliest House In America. Nominated by their owners for consideration, the properties are toured by Retta as she gives her hilarious evaluations. Once the worst of the worst is crowned, celebrated designer Alison Victoria steps in and surprises the homeowners with a $150,000 renovation! It’s no wonder that desperate homeowners who are in over their heads are clamoring to be on this show.

“I feel they generally are like, ‘oh, this has great bones,’” said Retta. “And then they’re like, ‘oh my God there’s so much meat, I can’t get to the bones.’” Over the years, the host has seen people contend with difficult materials like “concrete” or “cinder blocks” as they attempt to self-renovate their homes. “If you’re trying to do it yourself, it’s a true, true challenge,” observed Retta.

Over the years, Retta has seen her fair share of ugly houses. “We’re about to hit our hundredth ugliest house, so they’re all starting to blend together,” said Retta. Out of all the places with potential candidates for the title, the Midwest holds a special place in her heart. “I’m always impressed by the houses I see there,” said Retta, noting that the infamous Poseidon house in Season 1 was located in Minnesota. “Midwesterners tend to be the most willing to show us crazy.”

After a tough day of viewing ugly houses, Retta likes to unwind with a “good lemon drop martini” in a hotel bar. “A lot of times, those houses are in difficult terrain,” revealed Retta. “Sometimes, we have to travel in a group because there’s no cell service.” Despite hardships during production, Retta keeps the proceedings light and breezy. However, she already has a dream spinoff series in mind. “Comfortable Houses In Europe,” revealed Retta with a smile. 



Retta stopped by the DECIDER studio to talk about the current season, her fabulous wardrobe, and whether she’d be open to participating in a Parks & Recreation reboot someday.

DECIDER: You have traveled all over the country for Ugliest House In America. Which states are your favorite?



RETTA: I’ll say Minnesota because we’ve been there a lot [laughs]. I’m grateful to all the people who are more than willing to show us their ugly houses. Next, California because I usually get to sleep in my own bed, but I’m rarely in California.

Out of the three episodes that have aired so far, which region—Midwest, Great Lakes and Mid-Atlantic—impressed you the most and why?

We’re about to hit our hundredth ugliest house, so they’re all starting to blend together, but I’m going to say the Midwest. I’m always impressed by the houses I see there. There’s a mix of everything. I mean, the Midwest is where we saw the Poseidon house. That was insane. Midwesterners tend to be the most willing to show us crazy.

Something I’ve taken away from this show is how difficult it is to buy a home in the current market. People end up buying something they think can renovate and get in way over their heads. Do you feel for these new homeowners?

They generally are like, “oh, this has great bones!” And then they’re like, “oh my God there’s so much meat, I can’t get to the bones.” You know what I mean? Some places the builders used concrete or cinder blocks…. they are not easy to tear out. You’ve got to put in a little muscle, a little elbow grease. If you’re trying to do it yourself, it’s a true, true challenge.

The houses may be ugly, but you look incredible on the show. Who is your stylist? How do you prepare for each season?

I work with Jaime Elyse. Jamie did my second Emmy dress, and I think she’s done everything since. I’ve worked with her on a lot of things, so we have a good collaborative relationship. I look through Pinterest, magazines and what not. I’ll be like, “I want something like this,” and then she’ll bring me fabrics to choose from. Or we will shop for things and do a lot of editing. I have a few friends who have their own lines. They’ll send me stuff, whether I want it or not [laughs]. Everything has to fit with what we’re doing that season.

I love how your floral dress matched the carpet castle. Was that planned?

No, that’s never planned. I usually base the outfits on what we think the weather is going to be when we’re in the state. I remember in Colorado, I did mostly earth tones and sand colors just because I thought they would go with the state, not particularly for the houses. A lot of times, I end up serendipitously matching the house.

Each house is judge by three criteria: ugly appearance, bad function, and the surprise. If you had to add a fourth metric, what would it be and why?

Smell. Sometimes, I just must call it out. I’ll ask, “does smell in here? Like, you smell that, right? Is that just me?” A lot of times, though, I try to hide my dismay. Often, there’s a moldy smell in an old house, what we call the “grandma smell.” Sometimes these houses are in swamp land, so there’s the swamp smell. Smell would absolutely be the next criteria.

No doors on bathrooms is a surprising recurring feature in these homes. Is there something you see repeatedly that baffles you?

Carpeting in bathrooms. I still can’t believe that is a thing. Also, there is a new thing that we started calling the “door-dow,” which is a window that used to be a door and gets switched.

How do you give your eyes a rest after viewing some of these houses? Do you just go sit in a beige box and relax?

I hit up the hotel bar after seeing a particularly crazy house, especially if it was some place that was hard to get to. A lot of times, those houses are in difficult terrain. That’s one of the things we encounter frequently. Sometimes, we must travel in a group because there is no cell service. We want to make sure everyone is there and can communicate. After a day of coming down some mountain or some path that wasn’t meant for traffic, a good lemon drop martini is needed.

Scariest House in America was such a great spinoff of Ugliest House in America. What’s the next spinoff you’d like to do?

I”d like to do “Comfortable Houses In Europe.’

If you could treat yo’self to any luxury item for your home, what would it be and why?

Hmmm. I just redid my pool and the pool house. So, I don’t know. Maybe I would treat myself to a bigger home? One of those baller, baller homes.

Everyone knows there’s a reboot of The Office on the way. What would you think about a potential reboot of Parks & Recreation? Would you want to be involved?

I would like it. You know, things are really tough in Hollywood right now. I’d love a job!

Ugliest House In America airs Mondays at 9/8c on HGTV