While you plan for a hopefully relaxing and enjoyable Independence Day holiday weekend, I would like to share with you a rather exciting venture I have been involved with; a new reality tv series that will launch on Monday, July 3.

Everyone (of a certain age) remembers the iconic cop show CHiPs. It ran from 1977 to 1983 and starred Larry Wilcox and Erik Estrada. Erik made television history as one of a very few Latino main characters in a series and made the list of “The 10 Sexiest Bachelors in the World” by People Magazine, November of 1979. Known for his physical fitness and amazing smile, his poster graced the walls of many a smitten teen.

Now, age 74, Erik is still a heartthrob and causes a stir wherever he goes. I know this firsthand because two partners and I have produced the reality series, Divine Renovation, hosted by Erik. The commotion he causes with people clamoring to meet and take a selfie with him is pretty astounding!



The pilot season of Divine Renovation shot last Fall in Wilmington, North Carolina, premieres Monday on Amazon Prime Video, followed by other transactional platforms, as well as a run on UP TV in a few months.  The premise behind Divine Renovation is to identify individuals or families in desperate need of home enhancements. We bring together neighbors, businesses, not for profits and, in some cases, houses of worship to join us in helping make those enhancements a reality. It is in building this community of volunteers that we create a story of kindness that needs to be told. We also provide what I like to call a “spiritual uplift” in each episode: some kind of fun or meaningful event for the family we are helping.

I can’t reveal too much, but as an example, a store that sells delicious homemade frozen confections shows up in a cool vehicle and gives away treats to all the kids (and adults!) involved. It is a real feel-good ending to that episode.

The producers of Divine Renovation along with Erik and officers

My partners Monty Hobbs, Matthieu Chazareix and I created this series after shooting the film The Thursday Night Club, a heartwarming story penned by Steven Manchester, about looking outside yourself and doing good for others. After wrapping that film, we were inspired by the notion of continuing to develop content around kindness and paying it forward.

We realized that we could do this in real life by producing a reality series, and actually create an environment of cooperation and goodwill by bringing in the community to help us achieve our goals.

Divine Renovation, the Series was born. Considering who would be an appropriate host, Erik’s name was thrown into the ring. As soon as we contacted him to tell him about the show, he agreed to join us on this journey.

Season 1 (the pilot season) shot in beautiful and historic Wilmington, North Carolina, will be available to view starting Monday, July 3. In the six episodes, you will meet a formerly homeless mother of a teenage son, a disabled veteran afflicted by a post-service injury, a former firefighter whose life was forever changed by a near death car accident, a lovely elderly couple with mobility issues,  and a working single mom with a charming little boy, challenged by autism and Down’s Syndrome. In each episode, our contractor, the Divine Renovation team and Erik assess the needs of these individuals or families, and along with local businesses and volunteers, help fix what has long been neglected in their homes. And, we make sure to have some good fun along the way!

Our goal with Divine Renovation is simple: to show that despite the dark and chaotic world we live in, people still really do care.

I hope, as you celebrate America, peace and independence this holiday weekend (and beyond), you will enjoy watching Divine Renovation and the still very handsome and engaging Erik Estrada, as we endeavor to do good, pay it forward and show that kindness is contagious.

Watch the :30 trailer