Ivan Ilyich will star in a new interior design show on HGTV, and he's got a decorating "Ilyich" to scratch.
In a press release from network president Jane Latman, she said, "Ivan is intelligent, polished, lively, and agreeable. We are all very excited for this new chapter for HGTV."
Producers are happy to land such a highly regarded official at the Court of Justice after Chip and Joanna Gaines moved on to form the Magnolia Network. Ratings were sagging in their absence, and execs are hopeful Ilyich's show becomes the new staple show for the network.
One critic complained that the show is "most simple and most ordinary and therefore, most terrible."
However, filming was put on hold for the time being and the show will recommence this winter after the star recovers from a nasty fall he suffered while filming the first episode. During a segment when he was hanging some curtains, Ilyich fell awkwardly and hurt his side.
They were able to finish the episode, but the production slowed as Ivan's pain increased and his mood darkened. The rest of the season was then postponed after he complained about the growing discomfort and pain.
"We're waiting to hear the doctor's diagnosis," said one executive. "Hopefully we can get Ivan out of bed and back to doing what he loves most: renovating and redecorating."
To make matters worse, reviews from critics who previewed the first episode have been harsh: one critic complained that the show is "most simple and most ordinary and therefore, most terrible."
Other critics wondered if Ivan knew what he was doing at all: "Basically, he just spent the whole episode agonizing over all the small little details, like the "bigger meaning" of draperies and tapestries. And in the end, he basically just put shiplap over everything."
Despite these setbacks, the network is still excited about the show. There are plans for one episode where he remodels Anna Karenina's sitting room and another where he will design a man cave for Uncle Vanya (all with a rumored Property Brothers cameo!).