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The Daily Star, Oneonta, N.Y., Friday, July 22, 2022 20 By Dana Simpson TV Media Onscreen ugly ducklings: While Retta may be best known for her role as criminal mom Ruby Hill on NBC's "Good Girls" or as Donna Meagle in the network's earlier sitcom "Parks and Recreation," the actress and comedian has another passion she'd like viewers to know about: ugly houses. Having first made her hosting debut on HGTV's "Ug- liest House in America" earlier this year, Retta returns Sunday, July 24 (July 31 in Canada), for a new, special installment: "Ugliest House in America: Ugly in Paradise." Not dissimilar to its flagship series at its core, "Ugly in Para- dise" sees the talented host travel across her homeland to find the tackiest, gaudiest, grimmest and downright ugli- est homes in some of the most beautiful neighborhoods. Fo- cused primarily on aesthetical- ly displeasing homes in gor- geous vacation destinations across the States, Retta brings her humor and charm along for the ride once again. "Retta brings so much levity to the series as she celebrates the ugly alongside the home- owners," Betsy Ayala, senior vice president of programming and development for HGTV, said in a statement. "Everyone loves a good laugh, and this show is full of them." Considered to be a second season in the series, "Ugly in Paradise" spans five episodes that showcase the worst of the worst — each made more hideous by the stark contrast to their beautiful surroundings. Don't worry, though. The homeowners are in on the joke: each of the 15 homes featured this season (as with the last) were nomi- nated by the homeowners themselves. Every episode will cover three houses, containing all manner of sins "from linoleum- covered walls and carpeted bathrooms to epic odors and pest infestation," before HGTV crowns one "The Ugliest House in America" and begins a $150,000 design overhaul by "Windy City Rehab's" Alison Victoria. The winner (or loser, depending on how you spin it) will be chosen "based on ugly appearance, poor functionality and hideous design choices." realtalk Retta hosts "Ugliest House in America: Ugly in Paradise" B/The Pine Shop 6 x 7.5 Quality Home Furnishings. Finished, Unfinished & Upholstered. Oreck Vacuum Sales & Service. Old Village Colonial Paints Finishing is Available

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