Living with Ed

Living with Ed shares the story of actor Ed Begley, Jr. -environmental activist extraordinaire- and his less than eco-active wife Rachelle Carson, as they try to find middle ground between going save-the-earth crazy and wasteful planet killer. The show premiered on HGTV and is also run on the Planet Green network.

Many celebrities are environmental activists.

Ed Begley, Jr. has been gracing both the big and small screens since the 1970s. One of his earliest appearances was in the groundbreaking 1970s sitcom Maude. Since then he has been known as a character actor with a dry wit and good comedic ability. Begley, Jr.’s acting career is long and varied, but some of his best known roles have been in the following productions:

• This is Spinal Tap
• St. Elsewhere
• Six Feet Under
• Best in Show
• A Mighty Wind
• The West Wing
• She-Devil
• Mary Hartman
• Arrested Development

Begley’s wife Rachelle Carson is also an actress, though her career never reached the heights of her husband’s work. Carson married Begley, Jr, in 2000, and it was his second marriage. Carson also teaches Pilates in a home studio.

The basic premise of Living with Ed is exploring what happens when couples do not see eye to eye on environmental issues. Begley, Jr. has a long standing reputation of being one of the "greenest" members of the Hollywood community. He has promoted the cause of living an eco-friendly lifestyle since the 1970s. He is absolutely devoted to living a green life and believes in making sacrifices for the cause, especially in terms of living a less extravagant, no frills life.

Carson, on the other hand, is not against environmental activism per se, but she is far less dedicated to the movement. She would prefer a more comfortable lifestyle and often objects when Begley, Jr. installs rain barrels, solar panels and other features that she feels detracts from the appearance of their home. In one episode, she refuses to drive with her husband in their hybrid car to the Sundance Film Festival, opting instead to fly to the event because she didn’t want to show face there without having traveled in luxury.

The show explores these themes of the differences between husband and wife by centering each episode around a particular environmental improvement to the home or some other eco-friendly task.

The first series of the show dealt more with the personal changes in the Begley–Carson household, but they opened the story lines up more in the second season. In season two, most episodes featured a celebrity friend of the couple and either showed the celeb friend having a so-called "green audit" of their home – in which they learned how they could improve their living space to be more environmentally friendly – or focused on the friend showing off how they already make sacrifices for the environment.

One such remarkable story was a visit to Larry Hagman’s house. Hagman has a very large, extravagant home, but he also has a football field size area of his property covered with solar panels. The result of the paneling? Hagman pays on $13 per year on his electric bills.

Other celebrities who have featured on Living with Ed include:

• Cheryl Teigs
• Bill Nye
• Jay Leno
• Jackson Browne
• Sharon Lawrence
• Helen Hunt
• Mario Van Peebles

The real reason Begley, Jr. does this reality show is to educate the public about ways to go green. As he makes changes in his own life and suggests new ways of living to his friends, he also advertises environmental friendly products, companies and services that anyone can use to make a change. He also demonstrates how small changes, like switching light bulbs, can make a big difference and how living an eco-friendly lifestyle is a learning process.

Being featured on Living with Ed has become a big deal for so-called "green collar" businesses, and because of the show, sponsorships and endorsements by Begley, Jr. have become much sought after.

You can learn more about Begley, Jr.’s tips for living an environmentally sound life here, on the show’s website.

• Kelly Osbourne Pics
• Kourtney Kardashian Pics
• Lauren Conrad Pics

• What Couples are Still Together from The Bachelor
• Rock of Love Bus
• CBS Survivor Application
• Kate Gosselin
• Jon and Kate Plus Eight

• Main Page
• Category:Celebrity Reality Shows
• Real Housewives of Atlanta
• Extreme Makeover Home Edition
• Food Network Chopped