Harpo Productions’ newest TV endeavor, “Oprah’s Big Give,” pits regular-people contestants against each other to see who can give to their neighbors in the most creative and impactful way. If you caught the March 2 premiere (the show airs at 8 p.m. Sundays on ABC), you saw that none other than Chicago’s own Nate Berkus is the show’s weekly host. We chatted with Berkus about the show, his role in it and what he hopes people will get out of it.
Q: How is it that you got tapped to be the host of “Oprah’s Big Give?”
A: Oprah asked me when they came up with the idea to do the show, and my immediate reaction was, “Absolutely. It would be an honor.”
For me, there was a very personal connection to the concept, because I had known what it was like to rely on the kindness of strangers when I survived the tsunami in 2004. So it felt like a really natural thing to do.
Q: You, too, have plenty of experience in giving to others — especially as it relates to the home.
A: You know what I have to say about that? I think there are a lot of talented designers out there. And I think there are a lot of people who do what I do, and they do it really, really well. And I think that I’m one of the luckiest people I know to not only have the opportunity to do design, which I love, but to be able to put it out there for others.
Q: Name a couple of your fondest memories involving giving to others.
A: Well, there was the woman in New York City whose husband had passed away, and the interior of her home reminded her of her husband being ill. I was able to go in and redo it, freshen it up for her and her daughter. It was almost like a new beginning for them.
After Hurricane Katrina, I was able to go down as part of Oprah’s Angel Network and rebuild brand new neighborhoods from scratch — to give [a home to] people who in some cases had lost everything. And not just a home, but a home that was practical and beautiful.
For me, design really does make such a huge difference in peoples’ lives. When you have a well-designed space or a really personal space that you get to go home to every day, I think it affects the quality of your life.
Q: What are some things that regular people without a lot of money and resources can do to help others improve their home lives?
A: The truth is, every home needs improvement. And it’s amazing what you can do with a gallon of paint. If you have a neighbor whose house feels a little bit rundown, get in there and help out.
If you’re living next door to an elderly couple and their yard needs work, volunteer to do it. If you’ve got a friend who is really busy around the clock — making lunches, taking the kids to school — and their bedroom could use a fresh coat of paint, get your girlfriends together, take the afternoon, and do it.
The spirit of this show is not just about giving away millions of dollars. Our 10 contestants on this show are regular people. And they’re not all angels. And, you know, every week the challenge on the show changes. Sometimes they do give away suitcases full of money, and sometimes they don’t give away any money at all.
What I’m hoping will happen is that people will watch this show on Sunday night, and it will spark a conversation with their families, and they’ll figure out what they can do.
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swunderlich@tribune.com
