By J.D. Reed/Reported by Wendy Cole

Outdoorsman Stephen Thomas has dealt with Alaskan ice floes and has raced a sailboat across the Pacific, but he faces a greater challenge in October, when 12 million viewers get a look at him as the new host of PBS's This Old House, the network's hottest show. Thomas, who renovated his own old place north of Boston, replaces Bob Vila, the series' popular anchor. Vila was fired after he failed to drop endorsement deals. Says Thomas of his role: "It's all about telling stories. Norm Abrams (veteran carpenter and regular on the show) is the nuts-and-bolts guy. Together we have a really nice balance."