Former Queer Eye star Bobby Berk has spoken out for the first time about the show’s cancellation — and the awkward timing of his new series announcement.
Netflix confirmed in July that the Emmy-winning makeover show would conclude with a 10th and final season, filmed in Washington, D.C. For eight seasons (plus a Japan special), Berk was part of the beloved Fab Five alongside Jonathan Van Ness, Antoni Porowski, Karamo Brown, and Tan France.
When Berk left the show at the end of season eight, interior designer Jeremiah Brent stepped in to join the team.
‘We had such an amazing run’
Reflecting on the announcement, Berk told Us Weekly:
“We had such an amazing run. Technically, with [the special in] Japan, we did 11 seasons, which is the longest-running Netflix original show ever. To be a part of that was phenomenal. I can’t wait to see their final season.”
But speaking to People, the 43-year-old also admitted the timing of events left him feeling blindsided.
New show, bad timing
On 10 July, just one day after Netflix confirmed Queer Eye’s cancellation, Berk’s new HGTV series Junk or Jackpot? was announced — leading some to question the optics.
Berk insists the dates were out of his hands:
“I swear on my mother’s life, my show announcement date was set. This was planned. Show announcements don’t happen on a whim.”
Still, he added:
“[Netflix] could have easily given me a heads-up on when that was going to be announced. I mean, I was on the show for eight seasons. But yeah, it’s fine.”
Karamo Brown even reached out to him after the double announcement, joking:
“Girl, the day after?”
To which Berk replied:
“No, no, no. I promise you it was already planned.”
A cultural touchstone comes to a close
The rebooted Queer Eye debuted in 2018 and became one of Netflix’s biggest unscripted hits, helping redefine makeover television with its mix of design, food, fashion, grooming, and culture.
It followed in the footsteps of the original 2003 Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, which ran for five seasons and featured Carson Kressley as its fashion expert.
With filming now wrapped on its final season, the Fab Five’s legacy is secure — even if Berk has already moved on to his next chapter.
