What awaits Canada’s worst handymen by Johnnie Bachusky Red Deer Express Jan 29, 2009

Producers for Canada’s Worst Handyman show hate the label “reality”. They insist their production is a documentary, a serious form of journalism outlining the progress or non-progress of five ordinary people from all walks of life who attempt to learn new and technically challenging skills over a set period of time. While the show does have its hilarious knee-slapping moments, producers are quick to emphasize there is always a serious thread running though the show – notably the “science” behind each and every task, along with the way participants attempt, often vainly, to resolve the problems of each one put before him or her. As well, there is a notion with many in the television-watching world that “reality” is somehow equated to fakery, or something deliberately set up in order to generate laughs by exposing the humiliations endured by five hopelessly inept would-be handymen. The scenes that generate the chuckles are of course the entertainment aspect of the show. But what many fail to realize is that everything that is seen and heard is true. Nothing has been scripted beforehand. The challenge for each participant is to rise above each failed attempt – push on and persevere. And sometimes, despite the trials and the so-called humiliations, great things do happen for participants. Dez Nanassy, 37, of Woodstock, ON., was one such participant. Dez was a handyman in last year’s show, along with his wife Jennie who nominated him. Before the show, Dez, who is a developmental support worker for Community Living London, was a quiet reserved kind of guy, a shy fellow who never did much outside of work and home. However, his handyman experience on the show changed all that. “The show made me more outgoing, more adventurous and more wanting to get out in the spotlight,” said Dez, who was ultimately voted “best of the worst” in last year’s series. “I enjoyed my 15 minutes of fame and wanted to keep going.” During and after the filming of the third season Dez and Jennie kept a journal. They then turned it into a 212-page book called Nanassyville: Our Reality Behind the Reality. The book, available for purchase on the couple’s web site at www.deznation.com, chronicles their Canada’s Worst Handyman experience, including blog posts and perspectives on everything from on-screen arguments to incidents that were cut. One of the goals behind their book was to dispel any public perception the Canada’s Worst Handyman show was fake or doctored in any way. He said Nanassyville: Our Reality Behind the Reality gave many fans of the show a true insight into what really happens - what they see is truly what they get, and that means nothing, absolutely nothing, is fake or doctored. There may be skilful editing but everything is true. “It’s hard. You are with four people you don’t know and you are thrust in this environment,” said Dez, noting he endured stress, conflicts with other participants and once even broke down in tears. “Many people who watched the show look too much into it, thinking these people are so stupid or questioning how they live. “But c’mon it is just like you going on Canada’s Worst Surgeon – there is a 10-minute lesson on heart surgery and you are told to ‘Go do it.” Meanwhile, the 15 minutes of fame and good fortune from the airing of Season 3 was only just the beginning for Dez and Jennie. Since the show was aired they have had numerous media requests for interviews and have been sought for many public appearances. The couple was also asked to help raise money, though the sale of their handyman t-shits, for worthy local causes. As well, Dez was recruited to do news reporting for a local cable station. And most recently the couple was filmed for the new Howie Mandel reality show Howie Do It. “It was like a tornado all at once. The next thing you knew the newspapers and radio stations are calling, and I’m doing local television shows,” said Dez. “And now I got pranked by Howie Mandell for his new show.” It has certainly been a long and fulfilling journey for the couple, and it is hard to imagine it began when Dez was this shy and reserved guy who rarely left his home or office. His current celebrity status may soon come to an end but what is more important is that his experience on Canada’s Worst Handyman has changed his life so much that the possibilities for his future are limitless. And there’s no hocus pocus behind that. It’s reality. jbachusky@reddeer.greatwest.ca 403-309-5456

The joke's on Desmond 
Posted By Carla Garrett, STAFF WRITER Woodstock Sentinel Review

Jan 23, 2009

A live audience chants "pig" at Woodstock's Desmond Nanassy as he faces harsh accusations about how he mistreats his wife. At the time, Nanassy believed he was on a new TV talk show about married couples. "I didn't know what was going on," Nanassy said, recalling his latest reality TV experience. "I thought we would be the happy couple." Instead, the host embellished "little things that are jokes around the house" to make Nanassy look like a verbally abusive, controlling husband. "It was like a Jerry Springer episode," he said. After agreeing to go on a 30-day sensitivity training boot camp "to get out of there," Nanassy was finally let in on the joke. "I fell to the ground laughing," Nanassy said after learning he was the target in the new practical joke show "Howie Do It" hosted by Canadian comedian Howie Mandel. You can watch the prank unfold Friday on NBC and Global. This will be the Woodstock couple's second television appearance, after his wife Jennie Nanassy nominated her husband to be a contestant on "Canada's Worst Handyman." Jennie was also behind their latest appearance and knew all about the prank. "He needed to be taken down a notch," she said with a laugh, adding she was so excited when offered the opportunity. But between the tear-jerking laughs as she watched her husband being played, there were some tense moments.
"I was worried he would be upset. I was not sure how he would react," she said. "I was on pins and needles." Jennie said it was also difficult to hide her laughter on stage when she was playing into the fake talk show. "I had to look like what he did really hurt me, so I couldn't look at him," she said. After about 45 minutes, Jennie said it was time to "put him out of his misery." "He was so confused he laughed," she said. After the taping, Desmond said he was handed a wad of cash and signed a contract. The pair was also invited to watch a live screening of the show in Windsor with Howie Mandel. "We had so much fun doing both shows," Jennie said. Both she and Desmond said they are open to appearing on more reality shows in the future. "You never know," Desmond said. "I'm just going to keep my face and name out there."

Dez Nanassy on Howie Mandel's New Show Written by Adam J. Nyp

A Woodstock resident, best known for taking part in reality television is expected to be on the small screen again this evening. Dez Nanassy was the subject of a prank on the hidden camera show "Howie Do It". Dez is expecting the episode he is on will air tonight on Global and NBC at 8 o'clock. Nanassy told the Heart FM breakfast club this morning that he went to Toronto for the taping, believing he was going to be cast in another reality show. But as it turns out, Dez was being set up to become a guest on a prank talk show that turns against him.

To hear the interview with Dez, click here: http://www.1047.ca/audio.php

Should you have any questions, comments &/or concerns please contact         Dez@DezNation.com or Webmasters@DezNation.com