Interview: Jonathan Knight Is Back on HGTV — But We've Never Seen Him Like This

When I think about Jonathan Knight, I think about Boston. I think about historic farmhouses in the Northeast à la his first HGTV show, Farmhouse Fixer. And, of course, I think about his band, New Kids on the Block. What I don't think about is Denver, Sacramento or 72-hour home renovations — but unsurprisingly, the popstar-turned-renovator (who still performs with the band at their residency in Las Vegas) has yet another project to add to his repertoire.

Jon is starring in the reboot of HGTV's fan-favorite television show Crashers — which airs on the network Monday nights at 10|9c.

Stepping into this new role means Jon, as he puts it, has big boots to fill. Ahead, he opens up about the hard work, what happens behind the scenes, why fans should get excited about Crashers and more.

In Conversation With Jon Knight on Crashers

HGTV: When you think of the original Crashers show from the mid-2000s, what three words come to mind?

Jon: Ooh. Ambushed, chaos and then … happiness. Happiness [from the reveals]. The reveals are the best part.

HGTV: How does it feel to be carrying on the legacy of Crashers?

Jon: It's an honor I get to do this. I absolutely love working with HGTV. At the same time, we've had legends host this show before me, and to step into their boots — it's quite an honor. I talked to Alison Victoria (who hosted Kitchen Crashers from 2011 to 2016) before I decided to do the show. It's very different from anything else I've done. Thank goodness I did two seasons of Rock the Block, because that really prepared me for the chaos that is a 72-hour renovation. It's been really fun. We do construction in a completely different, chaotic way, but we have to do that to get it done.

HGTV: Which is more chaotic, Rock the Block or Crashers?

Jon: They're both chaotic. We have, what, a week in Rock the Block to get a room done? I would say Crashers is a bit more chaotic. I'm trying to jump in and finish projects [in 72 hours], so it's all hands on deck. It's a tough balance to keep it all moving. And you're not just renovating — you're in front of a camera filming.

HGTV: When HGTV first approached you with the idea, was it an immediate "yes" or did you have to think about it for a while?

Jon: It was definitely a "yes" in my head, but I didn't say yes right away, because I didn't want to get caught up in the excitement and the emotions. I called my agent and said, "I need 24 hours to think about it." Then, I started making phone calls to family, friends, Alison [Victoria]. I think the hardest part about this one is filming out of state. I haven't been home [in months]. So, there's a lot of homesickness right now.

HGTV: Who's taking care of the farm while you're gone?

Jon: My husband. The poor guy. He's calling me every day — asking me questions — and it's hard to run things over the phone from so far away. But, you know, we're working it out, and thank goodness he's the type of guy that's like, "Go do what you love. The farm's here when you get back." We probably talk five or six times a day and just check in. I'm pretty lucky to have him.

HGTV: You said you made a call to Alison (Sin City Rehab) after HGTV gave you the offer. Did she give you any advice?

Jon: I've worked with Alison so many times. We competed in Rock the Block [Season 6]. We did Barbie Dream House Challenge together, too. It was really good talking to her. She just said, "Hold onto your hat. It's gonna be quite the ride." But at the same time, when I talked to people about [competing in] Rock the Block, they were like, "Oh, my goodness, you don't want to do that. It's madness. It's craziness." I think that just intrigued me even more, because I love taking on a challenge. [If] somebody says, "You can't do it," I'm gonna get it done.

HGTV: You have a ton of experience renovating homes. How did the 72-hour timeline in Crashers change your approach to renovation?

Jon: A usual kitchen renovation is going to take two to three months, and we're doing it in 72 hours. That's where the chaos comes in. That's where the contacts in your phone come in handy — when you're calling 20 different showrooms trying to figure out what's available … It's been a roller coaster of, "What do we have available? What looks nice? What do the homeowners want? Can we get it in time?"

HGTV: Sounds like a lot of pressure on you to make it happen.

Jon: Yeah, but it's been great. We have some really good contractors and amazing designers. I love the fact that we have a different designer on each episode, because we're getting different styles and different takes on design.

HGTV: So, there's a little something for everyone, right?

Jon: Exactly. This show is just as relatable now to homeowners as it was when it first started.

HGTV: What do you think makes it stand the test of time?

Jon: A lot of people will leave a space undone because they don't know what to do with it. People don't have time. They don't have money. So the space just sits, and then we're able to come in and facilitate that. We're changing people's lives. It sounds overdramatic, but it's really [true]. And I think that's been my favorite part of construction and renovations: changing a space — and that snowballs into changing people's lives.

HGTV: What's one of the most life-changing moments you experienced while filming?

Jon: In the pilot, we renovated the kitchen of a divorced couple still living together with their kids. When we were done, they were like, "This is gonna make the family dynamic so much better." There's a lot of psychology that goes on with construction.

HGTV: The homes you renovate are usually in the Northeast. What was it like renovating and filming in Colorado and California?

Jon: The construction part has been really different for me. We use different materials back east that they don't use out here. In Sacramento, nobody had basements, which [made it harder] to reroute electricity. We had to jackhammer through a cement floor to get to the electrical lines. Back home in Boston, you go down to the basement and just run wires down there. It's been a good learning experience working with the contractors out here and asking questions.

HGTV: If someone approached you and said they'd make over an area of your home for free, would you do it?

Jon: Absolutely not. I'm such a perfectionist. I would want to know what's going on. I want to pick the finishes. I want to pick the countertops. But maybe if it was a room I don't use that much?

HGTV: Do you think your husband would go for it if someone approached him?

Jon: No, absolutely not. He's just as particular as I am. And that's a problem sometimes. We both have our own vision of what a space looks like, and we always have to meet in the middle to make it work.

HGTV: Sometimes that's the hardest part about moving in with someone.

Jon: We did a house for a couple like that [on Crashers]. They both had different visions of the space. So, you have to do a balancing act and make sure you give some to one spouse and some to the other spouse, so it's a cohesive family environment.

HGTV: In each episode, you go to a public place in search of homeowners who will let you renovate. How many people did you talk to until you finally found clients willing to go for it?

Jon: It depends. Sometimes six or seven. Sometimes three. It's really about a feeling — that human connection — I get, and it's also about the space. Sometimes, we'll hear about a space and as I ask more questions, I [realize] there's no way we can do it in 72 hours.

HGTV: The first season of Crashers, starring Josh Temple, premiered on HGTV in 2009. What is your favorite home trend from the 2000s?

Jon: The 2000s were awful. It was all just gray and white. Everybody was putting, like, 20 different tiles in their bathroom shower. I'm just glad it's all gotten streamlined. The only good thing that came out of the 2000s was subway tile — which was kind of boring, but now it's classic. Companies are making it more artisanal, and it's versatile.

HGTV: In the 2000s, were you buying into any of these decidedly bad trends?

Jon: I'm guilty. It's funny. When you're around construction and design, you can walk into a space and be like, "Oh, I remember that era." It's hard, because when things become trendy, that's all you find in the store. We really try to keep things classic, but it's easy to fall into that trap.

HGTV: What do you want viewers to know about the Crashers reboot?

Jon: That it could happen to them! You never know where I'm gonna be. [laughs] … I love being able to give back to people. Reveal day is my favorite, because we're working 12 hours a day every day to get it all done — and the end result is a happy, happy homeowner. That's the best feeling in the world.