HGTV debuts one of its newest shows, “Junk or Jackpot?” on Friday, December 26. Ahead of the premiere, the show’s host, Bobby Berk, talks about how everything came together.
John Cena Specifically Wanted Bobby Berk to Host ‘Junk or Jackpot?’
Berk talked to TV Insider about “Junk or Jackpot?” and the former “Queer Eye” star had plenty to say. “It’s a mixture of ‘Antiques Roadshow’ meets ‘Hoarders’ meets ‘Queer Eye’ meets a renovation show,” Berk shared.
He added, “It taps into all the things you love about finding out the value of unknown treasures and that satisfaction you get out of seeing a space really out of control get under control and redone.”
In addition, Berk explained, the show also incorporates “the emotional component of helping good people get their lives on track.” He declared, “It really checks all the boxes for a really great show.”
Berk also revealed there’s a great story behind how the show came to be. WWE star and actor John Cena initially came up with the concept and is a producer on “Junk or Jackpot?”
“It’s all thanks to John Cena…he was out to dinner with friends one night and talking about collections,” Berk noted.
He added that Cena “needed to get rid of some stuff to make some room for a renovation. Some of his fan collections had gotten out of control.”
Cena came up with the concept for the show, which he thought would be “a really cute show,” and pitched it to HGTV. In addition, Berk shared, Cena specifically wanted the former “Queer Eye” star to host it.
“Of course, when John Cena asks you to host a show, you say, ‘Yes, sir.’ The rest [is] history,” Berk added.
Berk Loves Officially Being a Part of the HGTV Family Now
Since initially talking about the concept for “Junk to Jackpot?” Cena and Berk have stayed in touch. Berk revealed, “He was texting me yesterday actually, before we started the press tour. He is really great at saying the right words to encourage. It has been awesome.”
Berk also said Cena is “so sweet.” He explained, “A lot of times you meet people that give the perception of being warm and lovely. Sometimes it’s just acting. With John, he really is the sweetest, sweetest, man.”
So far, Berk noted, working with HGTV has been “amazing.” He added that he has been “HGTV adjacent” for years, working on projects with ties to the network. “Just a friend of the family, but never part of the family,” he suggested.
Now, however, “It has been amazing to finally be a part of the HGTV family full-time now.”
He would love to see HGTV do a second season of “Junk or Jackpot?,” but he has been working with the network on other possibilities as well. “Junk or Jackpot?” premieres on HGTV on December 26.
