“Saturday Night Live” alum Leslie Jones is bringing her signature no-holds-barred humor to the world of vacation rentals in a brand-new HGTV series that promises plenty of laughs and dramatic property transformations.
The comedian has teamed up with renovation expert Jasmine Roth for “Roast My Rental,” a new HGTV competition series that takes aim at some of America’s most cringeworthy short-term rental properties.
The series is slated to premiere on July 24 and will follow the duo as they attempt to rescue struggling vacation homes that have become magnets for bad reviews and disappointed guests.
“Millions of people check into vacation rentals each year, but sometimes what’s posted online is not reality. There are rentals with great photos, but the reviews tell a very different story, and I’m gonna find out why,” Jones said in a statement.
And Jones is used to rentals.
“As a comedian who’s been on the road for years, trust me, I’ve stayed in a lot of rentals and have seen the good, the bad, and the ‘oh hell no.’ These owners know their rentals aren’t working, so they’ve asked me to call out the problems, help fix them, and offer them a shot to turn these 1-star disasters into 5-star escapes,” she revealed.
According to HGTV, Jones will first do what she does best: deliver brutally honest critiques of rental properties plagued by awkward layouts, dated decor, questionable design choices, and other guest-turning flaws.
Once the roasting is complete, Roth will step in with a plan to transform the homes into more appealing destinations for future travelers.
The premise taps into the booming short-term rental market, where competition among property owners has become increasingly fierce.
With guests often judging a vacation rental based on online photos alone, even minor design mistakes can lead to poor reviews and fewer bookings.
Each episode will reportedly give Jones and Roth just 72 hours to overhaul the troubled properties before welcoming new guests through the door.
The goal is simple: Turn rental disasters into sought-after vacation escapes that can command stronger reviews and higher occupancy rates.
Jones, who has long been outspoken about her love of design and home improvement, brings a unique perspective to the series.
While her comedic commentary will undoubtedly provide much of the entertainment, the show also aims to offer practical lessons for rental owners hoping to improve their properties and stand out in an increasingly crowded marketplace.
Roth is no stranger to high-pressure renovations.
The HGTV veteran, known for helping homeowners recover from renovation mishaps and construction disasters, will once again put her design expertise to the test as she works against the clock to create spaces that are both functional and visually appealing.
The series arrives as short-term rentals continue to play a major role in the travel industry. From beach cottages and mountain cabins to suburban getaways, travelers have more options than ever before—and increasingly high expectations when it comes to design, comfort, and amenities.
For Jones, “Roast My Rental” offers the perfect opportunity to combine comedy with a passion for home design.
For property owners, it could provide a valuable blueprint for avoiding the kinds of mistakes that leave guests running for the checkout button.
Whether viewers tune in for the laughs, the renovations, or the before-and-after reveals, the new series appears poised to shine a spotlight on what separates a five-star vacation rental from an internet-famous disaster.
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