A Widowed Father of Three is Featured on the next Extreme Makeover: Home Edition  11/28/05

A WIDOWED FATHER OF THREE GIRLS RECEIVES A MUCH-NEEDED RENOVATION TO HIS DAMAGED HOME, JUST MONTHS AFTER HIS YOUNG WIFE'S SUDDEN DEATH, ON ABC'S "EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION"

Chef Bobby Flay Teaches Jeff Novak How to Cook, And Band Uncle Kracker Performs

"Novak Family"-- Ty and the "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" gang transform the lives of Jeff Novak, a recently widowed Special Education teacher and his three young daughters, Zoey, Harley and Presley of Boardman Township, Ohio, when they rebuild and renovate their damaged house into a beautiful, spacious home in just seven remarkable days, on "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Jeff and Jackie Novak spent most of their time caring for others, whether it was for their three young daughters or in the classroom as schoolteachers. As avid fans of "Home Edition," the Novaks made it their goal to make a difference in the lives of others, as the show had done.

On Mother's Day of 2005, the Novak family spent their morning hiking and playing in the park. In the evening Jeff and Jackie settled down and watched "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," as they did every Sunday. After the show, they kissed each other goodnight and exchanged "I love you's" as they always did. Neither had any idea that, on this night, it would be the last thing they would ever say to each other. An hour later, Jeff brought their newborn, Presley, into bed for a feeding. But Jackie didn't wake up. At the young age of 28, Jackie, the mother of three girls, was pronounced dead of a pulmonary embolism.

While the Novaks' lives were turned upside down by the loss of their mother, their home was continually being ravaged by problems. Raw sewage annually fills the basement, their only shower leaks into the kitchen and family room below, and there's only one bathroom in the whole house for Jeff and three growing girls. Additionally, the windows are a problem without any screens or air conditioning... Jeff is forced to leave the windows propped open, which is a safety concern for curious toddlers. The entire floor plan, composed of small rooms, is a logistical disaster, making surveillance of the young children impossible for Jeff. But although the house is riddled with problems, unquestionably the biggest challenge for Jeff is suddenly becoming a single parent of three little girls and staying strong in the face of tragedy.

In this episode, the show that brought the Novaks together on Sundays will be the show that keeps the Novaks together for the rest of their lives.

While Ty and the gang, along with the local builder T.C. Quality Homes and the hundreds of workers and volunteers, transform the Novak house into a comfortable and safe home, the Novak family will go on vacation to Daytona Beach, Florida.

While on vacation, celebrity chef Bobby Flay teaches Jeff Novak how to cook, and the band Uncle Kracker performs a special song for the family after their new home is revealed.

The design team for this episode of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" will feature team leader Ty Pennington, Paul Dimeo, Paige Hemmis, Constance Ramos and Daniel Kucan. The series is produced by Endemol USA, a division of Endemol Holding. It's executive-produced by Tom Forman and co-executive produced by Denise Cramsey.

"Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" is broadcast with Spanish subtitles via secondary closed captioning. This program carries a TV-PG parental guideline.

Source: ABC Press Release