'Bargain Block' Star Keith Bynum Calls Out HGTV After Show's Sudden Cancellation
Gay Detroit designer calls TV industry 'worst people' as hit series featuring him and husband Evan Thomas ends
Keith Bynum isn't mincing words about his experience with HGTV following the cancellation of "Bargain Block," the hit Detroit-based home renovation series he starred in alongside husband Evan Thomas.
The 38-year-old designer took to Instagram on June 22 to share his frustrations with the television industry, telling followers that TV is "full of some of the worst people I've ever encountered" after the show's four-season run came to an end.
"The last six months have been a pretty wild journey," Bynum wrote in the post. "Our entire business and lives have been put through the ringer at the hands of a giant corporation, yet we persist lol. Though you may not be seeing us for much longer on HGTV, we're excited that we've built such an amazing base of followers and we're very excited about the future."
The announcement marks the end of a remarkable journey for the couple, who moved to Detroit sight unseen in 2017 and quickly became beloved figures in the city's revitalization efforts. Their show, which premiered in 2021, followed the pair as they transformed abandoned properties into stylish starter homes for first-time homebuyers.
Bynum didn't hold back in his criticism of the industry, telling People that "TV is full of a lot of great people, but it's also full of some of the worst people I've ever encountered." He added that he and Thomas "have always tried hard to stick to what we know and what we're good at, which is being ourselves."
The couple's approach to their work has consistently focused on community impact over profit margins. Working primarily in Detroit's Northwest side neighborhoods, including Pembroke and Fitzgerald, they've rehabilitated and resold more than 30 homes, purchasing properties from the Detroit Land Bank for an average of $6,500 each.
Real estate expert Shea Hicks-Whitfield, who worked alongside the couple throughout the series, previously told Pride Source that the duo became like family to her and her son Beau. "They're like my baby brothers," she said, describing how their relationship evolved into a chosen family dynamic. The trio's work has consistently focused on affordability and community impact, with Hicks-Whitfield noting that Detroit's median income of $35,000 makes the $100,000-$150,000 homes they create accessible to first-time buyers who might otherwise be priced out of homeownership.
The show's success was undeniable, attracting more than 14 million viewers and ranking high among cable series. It even spawned a spinoff, "Bargain Block New Orleans," which premiered alongside the fourth Detroit season. The series prominently featured Detroit landmarks and showcased the city's creative renaissance, with Bynum noting that Detroit is "chock-full of beautiful things."
In a followup Instagram post on June 26, Bynum addressed the emotional toll of the situation, speaking about "letting go" of "anger and hurt." Fellow HGTV star Egypt Sherrod, whose show "Married to Real Estate" was also recently canceled, offered support in the comments.
"Once we clear the rubble, we can build back better," Sherrod wrote. "Onward and upward my friend. The world is still watching and cheering us all on."
Fans have been responding to the news online with many expressing surprise and anger as well as overwhelming support for Bynum, Thomas and Hicks-Whitfield. In a July 4th weekend post, Bynum shared his gratitude for the response to the cancellation news.
"Starting to feel like life is going to be right again," he wrote. "Thank you all for the thousands of messages of love and support. Me, Evan and Shea have been shocked beyond belief to see the response and we're so grateful."
Hicks-Whitfield responded enthusiastically in the comments with "Yesss! Love y'all," while fans expressed their disappointment with HGTV's programming decisions. One follower wrote that the show was "one of the BEST shows ever on HGTV," adding they brought "empathy, originality and passion for the houses and neighborhoods you revived, all wrapped in a hit show."
The couple's impact on Detroit extends beyond television. They've established their own design firm and resale shop in the city, and recently purchased a second home in northern Michigan, making them what Keith jokingly called "true Michiganders, according to the internet."
While HGTV has not responded to requests for comment about Bynum's statements, the designer promised fans that announcements about future projects are coming soon. "We love you all and we're very excited to announce what's next soon," he posted to Instagram.
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