Bobby Berk's New HGTV Show Fills 'Queer Eye' Void with Feel-Good Transformations

Bobby Berk, the Emmy-winning interior designer known for his transformative work on the first eight seasons of Netflix's Queer Eye, has launched a new show on HGTV titled Junk or Jackpot?. The series premiered with episodes airing Friday nights, where Berk assists homeowners overwhelmed by collectibles by appraising their items, selling valuable ones, and using the proceeds for stunning home renovations.

In a candid interview, Berk explained his motivation for choosing this project: "It's a lot of fun! I really wanted to find a show that allowed me to have a big emotional component that actually helped change people's lives and not just change the sheets." This approach echoes the heartfelt makeovers of Queer Eye, where Berk and his co-stars—Antoni Porowski, Jonathan Van Ness, Karamo Brown, and Tan France—uplifted everyday heroes, often veterans and community leaders, through personal growth and home redesigns.

Berk departed Queer Eye in 2023 after its eighth season, marking the end of his tenure on the rebooted series that originated as Queer Eye for the Straight Guy in 2003. The show became a cultural phenomenon, earning multiple Emmys and praise for its authentic representation of gay men supporting diverse individuals, including LGBTQ+ people, in their journeys of self-acceptance.

Berk holds deep gratitude for the Queer Eye audience, describing them as "the amazing people about the family of fans that a show like Queer Eye brings to the table... like our fans are just there because they love us. They're there because they wanted to feel good. They wanted that warm, happy, sense that the world is going to be okay." He emphasized the show's appeal to "the salt of the Earth and the most wonderful people out there," noting, "If you were an asshole, you probably weren't a Queer Eye fan!"

This fanbase, drawn to narratives of kindness and community support, aligns with broader LGBTQ+ media trends that prioritize affirming stories. Queer Eye's success demonstrated how visibility of queer professionals could inspire viewers across identities, fostering empathy and positivity in a divided world. Berk's new venture continues this legacy, promising content that shows "people out there helping each other and lifting each other up and doing good in the community."

As 2026 begins, Berk positions Junk or Jackpot? as a direct successor to Queer Eye's void: "Queer Eye fans are lovely, wonderful people who want to see good in the world. I think that this show is going to fill that void for them that they're missing now and bring in new people that are just wanting to see good things happen to good people." Unlike purely decorative shows, Junk or Jackpot? incorporates emotional depth, helping clients not only reorganize spaces but also realize financial potential from their treasures, funding life-improving changes.

Berk's personal journey adds layers to his appeal within LGBTQ+ communities. He met his husband, a maxillofacial surgeon, online nearly 20 years ago—a relationship that has sustained him through career highs, including nearly skipping his Queer Eye audition for a trip to Spain. The couple now splits time between a village in Portugal and Los Angeles, where his husband teaches trauma surgery. Berk has reflected on Queer Eye as "one of the most amazing gifts," crediting it with providing real gay representation that reassured him and others: "I'm going to be okay because I see the five of them and they're okay."

For LGBTQ+ audiences, Berk's return underscores the demand for queer-led content that transcends entertainment to promote healing and joy. Queer Eye broke ground by centering gay men as experts aiding people of all genders and orientations, influencing subsequent shows to embrace inclusivity. Junk or Jackpot? extends this by focusing on universal themes of renewal, accessible to transgender people, nonbinary individuals, and allies seeking affirmation through design and decluttering.

Interview host Ricky Cornish of Pride Today praised the concept as "seriously so adorable," capturing the kiki-like rapport Berk brings to screen. As Berk noted in past reflections, Queer Eye was a "game changer" for representation, and his HGTV pivot ensures that uplifting queer visibility persists. Viewers can watch Junk or Jackpot? on HGTV Fridays, with the full Pride interview available online.