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Durangoan disqualified from design competition

Ellen’s Design Challenge finalists Katie Stout, left, and Tim McClellan, center, speak to Ellen DeGeneres before the last round of competition on HGTV’s popular furniture design series Monday night. McClellan, a Durango resident, was disqualified.

Outrage broke out online Monday night after a Durango man was disqualified from Ellen DeGeneres’ new show “Ellen’s Design Challenge” on HGTV.

Tim McClellan made it to the final round and won for his furniture designs, but was later disqualified because his piece mirrored another designer’s work too closely.

He may not have won, but he gained plenty of fans and potential customers who defended his work online after the finale aired.

“Let’s cut to the chase Tim. Where may I purchase your furniture? I thought every piece you built was beautiful,” said Scott Williams on McClellan’s professional Facebook page.

Others were disappointed that McClellan was not caught sooner.

“Everyone involved including Ellen should be fired. None of you were aware of Tim’s similarities until after?” raged Frank Gates on Twitter.

McClellan handled the reaction with grace, tweeting Monday that it was “A most blessed and wonderful experience!”

The comments continued to roll in Tuesday morning, with viewers debating whether McLellan plagiarized the piece.

“The real question is: did he know that a similar piece existed?” Mindy Cohen, of Houston, commented on the The Durango Herald’s website via Facebook.

Chip Wade, an HGTV host, tweeted his support to McClellan.

“An amazing stand-up guy with great original designs – a pleasure to work with,” Wade said.

Herald Staff



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