It’s been madness at HGTV lately, with the network canning a slew of popular shows out of nowhere. Even the hosts were caught off guard! So the last thing I was expecting was the announcement of a new show, but here we are. Junk or Jackpot? will premiere later this year, with former Queer Eye interior design expert Bobby Berk taking on hosting duties. Each episode will see Berk evaluating a homeowner’s beloved collection(s), to help them determine what to keep vs. what to sell, and what they end up selling will pay for home renovations. Kind of feels like the network execs just copied Antiques Roadshow and then realized, “Oh wait, we’re HGTV!” so they tacked on the reno bit at the end. But I’m not really complaining, because “antique” and “collection” are my family bloodlines. Plus I’m a fan of Bobby Berk, who was the only Fab Five member to leave Queer Eye amidst rumors of cast tension (though he maintained it was merely a contract issue). Oh, and did I mention that Netflix also announced this week that they’re ending Queer Eye after season 10?
Bobby Berk is helping homeowners hit the jackpot!
The Queer Eye alum, 43, is officially set to star in his own HGTV series, Junk or Jackpot?, premiering in late 2025, PEOPLE can exclusively reveal.
In the six-episode season, Berk is tasked with helping homeowners decide if they should part with their unique collections — from “superhero figurines” to “rare puppets and dolls” — in order to raise enough funds to renovate their outdated homes, the network shared in a press release.
While celebrating each distinct collection, Berk will also provide the support each homeowner needs to sort through and appraise their precious items so that they can give their homes a “dream makeover.”
“I’m excited to help passionate people sift through their cherished items and give them reimagined spaces that will best honor what they hold dear,” Berk, who also identifies as a big collector himself, said in the release.
The show is executive produced by John Cena, who revealed that, “The idea for Junk or Jackpot? was born out of a conversation I had with friends. People often wonder if their collections are trash or treasure, and this show will help them find out.”
While Berk technically made his HGTV debut as a guest judge on the home competition show Rock the Block in April 2025, this is his first official solo venture with the network.
The news of the new series comes just a day after Netflix announced on July 9 that Queer Eye, which Berk starred on for eight seasons before exiting amid cast tensions, is officially ending after its upcoming tenth season.
…The announcement of Berk’s new series also comes after HGTV shocked viewers by seemingly canceling 5 fan-favorite shows. The network has not responded to multiple requests for comment.
Bargain Block, Married to Real Estate, Farmhouse Fixer, Izzy Does It, and Battle on the Beach have not been renewed by the network, according to the shows’ stars who all spoke out on social media about their surprise at receiving the news.
What I’m not clear on from this reporting, or from HGTV’s own press release, is whether we get to see the renovations the homeowners can now afford, or if the entire show is spent on the collections. I’m plenty interested in the collections, though no renos at all would mean the network is really getting away from itself. Or maybe I’m just being huffy because my family would have been PERFECT for this premise, if only they’d been in production a year ago when my mother was downsizing! Seriously, we would’ve given Bobby a whole season! While my mother and I are no slouches, my late father was expansive and obsessive with his interests. I’d say he was one stop short of hoarder. Everything from the complete works of John Dickson Carr to the complete Freddy the Pig series to more Rocky & Bullwinkle paraphernalia that you’d think existed on the planet. Plus, you know, my mother and I are certified characters who’d make for great TV. So Bobby undeniably missed the jackpot by not having us on the show, but still, I wish him good luck.
Photos credit: Ilana Panich-Linsman/Netflix via Netflix Press
Well. At least one gay person still has a job after the recent purge. I never have enjoyed HGTV, but am realy, really tired of reality content. Why can’t we have nice things anymore, like This Old House top down renovations (wasn’t Jonathan Knights canceled show similar) and cooking shows that are instructional like Jacques and Julia instead of 50 versions of Chopped? This is a total ripoff of aleeady existing shows. Blah.
I really liked Jonathan Knight’s show. I love historic homes and his was the only renovation show that featured the kind of 18th century ones you find in New England, where I went to school for 10 years. Allison (sorry I forget her last name) does historic homes in Chicago and re-uses a lot of interesting architectural elements; but those are mid to late 19th century or early 20th, and not quite as charming to me.
I do like Bobby and I’m interesting in collections (American Pickers features a lot, but mostly the kind only people with barns are able to store), so I will try out this show for sure.
It sounds a bit like Legacy List, another PBS show, where Matt Paxton helps families who are downsizing go through their stuff, sometimes including attics, barns, sheds to find things that have meaning but also tease out the collections, antiques that have value.
He’s got a newer show called Filthy Fortunes that is more focused on selling and clean out, but I stopped watching it because although MP’s engaging it was giving Hoarders vibes RE the people whose stuff they were wading through and that is too sad, troubled headspace for me.
Legacy List is one of those Sunday afternoon shows that is incredibly soothing to do housework while half-listening to. They never judge and the family stories are sweet and interesting. HGTV could never capture this vibe.
I’m so happy! I love Bobby. I can recommend his book Right at Home, but my home doesn’t look like that. 😂 I can dream, though. I don’t normally watch HGTV, so this will be my first show there.
I’d watch this. Appraisal of stuff you hope are treasures is scintillating watching for me. Who’s Freddy the Pig?
Freddy is a stellar pig detective who solved cases between 1927-1958 on the Bean Family Farm across a series of 26 beautifully illustrated books. He found his calling after reading a copy of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes he found in the barn.
Kismet, thank you. I hope they are still in print. I never heard of them, but a pig detective is a must-read for me.