Jack McBrayer Talks HGTV’s 'Zillow Gone Wild' & Friendship With Conan O’Brien
Inspired by the enormously popular Instagram account with over 2 million followers that tracks America’s quirkiest houses, HGTV’s digging its home and garden heels into the social media landscape to bring us our next obsession: Zillow Gone Wild. Having garnered immense popularity on social media following its inception four years ago, the account offers a refreshing departure from typical real estate listings and the perfect opportunity for the small screen treatment. Hosted by Late Night With Conan O’Brien alum and 30 Rock star, Jack McBrayer, the series invites viewers to join the Emmy-nominated actor on tours of the most outrageous, one-of-a-kind homes sellers put on the market. In an exclusive interview with Collider about Zillow Gone Wild, which premieres May 3 on HGTV and Max, McBrayer admits the show is a smart, effective way for “people to express themselves” through their homes. It’s also an element he says allowed him to think of houses differently during his tour across the country.
While in conversation with Collider about the series based on the idea by the show’s executive producer Samir Mezarahi, McBrayer says Zillow Gone Wild works effectively to bridge the gap between television fans and social media users for an escape that embraces inventive ways to market a unique property. “What’s interesting about this show is the social media that it is tied to is really based on real estate listings, which I think all of us are guilty of just perusing in our downtime just because we’re naturally curious people,” McBrayer says. “I’m a little reluctant to say voyeuristic because that sounds a little creepy, but as humans we want to see what other choices people are making and how they’ve decided to surround themselves, again, just to express themselves through their own home.”
McBrayer tells Collider he is “thrilled” to be the host of the social media account’s real-life version and take audiences for a spin on the wacky and weird of non-traditional homes and their unique history in nine weekly episodes. In addition to his mission to find the strangest and most extraordinary homes, McBrayer reveals how working with former boss and longtime friend, Conan O’Brien influenced his humor and whether he’d ever work alongside his bestie, Alexander Skarsgård.
