Come hear from and meet Richard Karn, TV’s favorite carpenter! Appearing in a Q&A on the Main Stage on Friday, March 6 at 6 pm and Saturday, March 7 at 11 am

Richard Karn is well-known to television audiences for his eight extraordinary seasons performing as the highly skilled contractor and plumber “Al Borland” opposite Tim Allen on the hit sitcom Home Improvement. He is also known from hosting the iconic television game show Family Feud for four years, and his role in the More Power TV show (also with Tim Allen). Richard can currently be seen in the hit Hulu comedy PEN15. His many other TV performances include Last Man Standing, That 70’s Show, and The Detroiters.

Richard also has many film credits, which include Air Bud: Seventh Inning Fetch, Air Buddies, Snow Buddies, Gordon Family Tree, Mr. Blue Sky, Amanda and the Fox, The Horse Dancer, Horse Camp, A Daughter’s Nightmare, Picture Perfect, The Pooch and the Pauper, and the Hallmark Christmas movies Christmas in Mississippi, The Perfect Christmas List, Check Into Christmas and A Dog for Christmas. His theatre roles include Shear Madness, I

Ought to be in Pictures, Spelling Bee, Aladdin and his Winter Wish, The Foreigner, Losing It, Gameshow and Me and My Girl.

We asked Richard to tell us more about his enjoyment of home improvement in his off-screen life, and some of his insights and recommendations, in anticipation of his two appearances at the PA Home + Garden Show, followed by a meet-and-greet:

What home gadget or tool should every homeowner own?

I would say a cordless drill.

What’s your favorite “Tool Time” moment from Home Improvement?

The episode with the soundproof room. (This is where Al Borland mistakenly thinks he cannot be heard by Tim and begins to vent. Hilarity ensues.)

What’s your favorite series on TV?

Landman!

In your opinion, what's the most underrated tool in your toolbox?

Your phone. Anything you want to do, i.e. how to screw in a light bulb, you can just look it up.

Do people come up to you on the street and ask you carpentry advice, given your role on Home Improvement?

Yes, people do approach me and ask for home improvement advice. There are a lot of stories about that.

What are projects you tell people to NOT attempt as DIY?

Do not attempt to do a bathroom or a kitchen.

What is one thing as a carpenter that you would recommend to any beginner?

Recommend to a carpenter at the beginning to pay attention to the person you are out there with, and learn from them.

What is one thing as a carpenter that you would never attempt?

I would never attempt rewiring my house.

What is your favorite type of music to listen to when you’re working?

Classic rock mainly, but more of the soft rock than hard rock.

What’s your favorite paint color?

A warm white, almost a cream. And there are probably 50 variations of that.

What’s your next home project?

I am going to resurface the pavers on the roof, but I am going to do it by sections, rather than in one undertaking.

Tell us about your pet(s).

We have a dog, Cookie, a rescue. She’s a dachshund and can even catch her own tale!

What do you enjoy about being at a home show?

Walking around and seeing all the cool stuff, seeing what’s new and asking questions.