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Retta Returns! HGTV Resurrects Ugly & Scary House Shows
If the many faces of comedian Retta keep you in stitches, you’ll be all smiles about this announcement.
HGTV is bringing the expressive comedian back to the network to host another round of “America’s Ugliest Houses” and “America’s Scariest Houses.”
In a press release, HGTV parent company Warner Bros. Discovery announced that it has ordered six episodes of each show, 12 episodes in total with Retta at the helm.
Whether she’s hunting for ugly or scary, Retta will travel the country touring properties nominated by homeowners who believe their place is one of the ugliest—or scariest—in the country.
“I’m back looking at ugly houses in America babeee!” said Retta in the press release. “And yes I am also back (with much less enthusiasm) to look at the scary ones. Look, between that months long SAG strike and the current uncertainty of the market, Mami needs the work. This mortgage won’t pay itself.”
Ugly Houses Snag Beautiful Ratings for HGTV
Retta may feel a little uncertain in some of the scary houses, but HGTV has no doubt about its formula for success in the shows.
Last season, “Ugliest House in America” drew more than 10.3 million viewers. And while the houses are interesting, its Retta’s hilarious hot takes of the “stunningly bad designs, cringe-worthy layouts and sorely outdated styles” that have made the show a hit.
“Scariest House in America” also scared up plenty of viewers, with more than 8.3 million people tuning in to its freshman season. And Retta’s responses to the stories of hauntings and hair-raising sights and sounds were unforgettable.
The Good, the Bad, the Ugly and the Scary of Next Season
Just a glance at a video posted on both HGTV and Retta’s Instagram accounts gives fans a pretty good idea of exactly what to expect when “Scariest House in America” returns in September. The series will feature six new episodes spotlighting what the press release calls “spine-tingling elements to embrace the spirit of Halloween.” After Retta takes a terrifying tour of the property, she’ll offer hilariously unfiltered views about each home’s scary appearance, bad function and fright factor.
The home deemed the “scariest” of them all will get a “renovation revival” by designer Alison Victoria.
Alison Victoria will also be on hand to help alleviate the ugly in “America’s Ugliest Houses.”
Retta will travel the country finding the worst of the worst when it comes to ugly appearance, poor functionality and hideous design choices, ultimately crowning one house the “Ugliest House in America.”
That home will get a $150,000 renovation by Alison Victoria. The new season will premiere in 2026.