The show told the story of how Linda Riggins, who struggles with arthritis, and husband William Riggins, who is legally blind, were living in a home near downtown Raleigh with structural cracks, bug infestation and other problems.

It also told about Linda Riggins' work for Building Together Ministries to help needy families in the community.

Sunday's show was the culmination of an effort that began in late November when the show's frenetic star, Ty Pennington, surprised the Rigginses with a knock on their door. They had been chosen for a home makeover, he told them.

The show picked the family because of the couple's service to the community and the condition of the old home.

On Sunday, the Riggins were treated like stars, arriving in a limo to a party at the North Raleigh Hilton, organized by homebuilder HomeLife Communities.

Along with more than a hundred builders, volunteers and others who helped with the project, the Riggins watched their story unfold on an array of televisions.

During the broadcast, Linda Riggins described for her husband what was on the television screen. She cried when she watched herself tell her story at the beginning of the program.

The family saw for the first time what they missed in Raleigh when the show sent them to Disney World for the week, beginning with the demolition of their old home with the help of some demolition derby cars.

"Ka-boom!" William Jr., 6, shouted as he watched. "Kaboom. Here we go; here we go! Kaboom!"

Pennington and the show's team of designers guided the frantic work to tear down the old house and build a new one, as well as renovate the community center across the street where Linda Riggins works. But much of the labor was done by homebuilder HomeLife Communities, along with dozens of local designers and businesses, who helped build and furnish a new home in less than a week.

The home, which had been under wraps, has dark wood floors and trim; paisley wallpaper; a spacious kitchen; and a luxurious master suite, with a sitting room featuring a restored loveseat from the Riggins' old home. The 3,100-square-foot stone house is almost twice the size of the old home.

The children's rooms are full of bright colors and toys. There's a Lego-themed room for William Jr.; lots of dress-up clothes for Christa Marie, 4; and a room filled with dozens of dolls for Earlene, 3.

Last week, Linda Riggins said she was a little nervous about how the show would portray her family. But on Sunday night, she was elated.

"We were very pleased with the show. It was well done, and to be with everyone who contributed to it, it was pretty special," Linda Riggins said Sunday night.

Linda and William Riggins get settled in at the Skybox Grill and Bar in North Raleigh for a private party for the premiere of an episode of TV's 'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition' that featured their family and their new home.