Fix It & Finish It, a new syndicated series debuts on September 8 and features Antonio Sabato Jr. and his crew traveling the country to help families fix and finish their homes. Every weekday, the team will be in a different city finding homes with rooms needing a full makeover. The contractors and designers will take on the challenge and go in and create magic by turning the rooms around in 16 hours or less. “We do it quick, we do it right,” promises Sabato Jr.
I chatted with Antonio (who I had a major crush on when I was a teen and he played sexy Jagger Cates, a bad boy with a heart of gold on General Hospital) while he and his crew were on location in Mississippi. The love for his latest project was evident even across the miles and through the phone. “This show has been such a great journey and a blessing from day one,” he gushed. (and today, Sabato Jr. has even more to smile about; he’s just been named as a Season 19 participant on Dancing With The Stars!)
When he set out to create a TV show, he originally though about focusing on a different passion of his, “I’ve always worked on my own home and different places that I’ve owned. I really enjoyed it. But I’m a mechanic, a motorcycle and car builder,” He reveals. Producer Scott Steinberg told him, “instead of doing a racing show or a car show. Let’s do something else. You’re passionate about designing and rebuilding homes, why not take your expertise on the road so people can see it?” And with over 50 shows later, Sabato is happily road tripping around the U.S. meeting interesting and inspiring people.
Some of the people Sabato Jr. has enjoyed meeting are the local tradespeople, builders and designers that he works with in each city. “The local community is coming together to give back to all of the homeowners and it’s been amazing.” But of course, the highlight of each episode is the people whose lives the show is benefiting. “Every single day is a brand new episode with its own kind of flavor, and a history and a story to go with it. They all have been amazing,” he says. Despite a plethora of moving experiences, a few renovations have stood out.
“I was doing a teenager’s room and this kid was 15 and he’d never had his own bedroom. He had been sleeping on a sofa for many years. This house was almost destroyed by Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. And we built this teenager a brand new room. It was hip. It was awesome. And to see his reaction when he walked in was quite incredible,” mused Sabato Jr.
“We also met a man who was 83 years-old and whose home had been broken into 15 times. He had to barricade his door. And we came in, and we fixed it, and redid his living room.”
Antonio admits that it’s extremely rewarding to help people, the families whose lives he effects, affect him too. He told me, “we change their lives forever, but at the same time, they change ours too. Because my crew and myself, we’re just so blessed to be here. We never have a bad day. We’re so pleased to do this; there’s nothing better. I’m just so happy to be a part of this.”
To find Fix It & Finish It on your local TV station, click here. To apply to be on the show, click here!
Fix It & Finish It > Syndicated > Daily, starting Sept. 8
Chef Jeff Henderson also has a new syndicated series, Flip My Food that will join Fix It & Finish It to make an exiting programming block! Read more about Chef Jeff’s new show here!
images courtesy of Bellum Entertainment/ photographer Andrew Doyle
Mr. Antonio,I live in Ellabell,Ga about 25 miles from Savannah,Ga.We lost our home about 3 years ago due to the bad economy.We had to move into a mobile home,that we had to redo.Me and my husband of 45 years have a large family.we have 4 children,12 grandchildren and we are expecting our 2cd great grand. Our kitchen has always been the heart of our home .We had family dinners every Sunday, Holidays, birthdays and any other occasion we could . I beleave this is what keeps family’s together. I kept my large old table and benches,hoping that one day we would be able to expand our kitchen so our family can continue our tradition.This is my dream.My family is my life.If there is any way you can help I would greatly appreciate it .Thank you Bonnie Smith
Mr Antonio my Daughter is bed stay she can’t walk or talk she lives in a 3 ring swimming pool my wife doses ever thing for her I’m disabled. A friend won’ts to give me a house but it needs work could you fix it an finish it for my little angle ??
Hi mr.antonio I am 54 yrs and my mom 81 has alzheimers we live in fix income we need your help do repair on our kitchen pls help it very cold in our home.
My name is Erma Jones and I would like to be a part of your show. My husband is a disabled Vet and he can’t do landscaping. I live in a three bedroom trailer. Me being a senior would love a small deck outside so my husband could enjoy the sun in the evening. I also need floor work done in the water heater room. Both of us are on fixed incomes and can’t afford to pay a contractor. Please, we need your help. We watch your show every morning and are fans of it. We hope you can help us. Thank you in advance for your assistance.
My husband and I are both handicap, he is blind, and I’m on full time oxygen. My bedroom is in bad need of a makeover. Also the room with my Safe Step tub. It would not fit my bathroom so we had it put in the spare room. The bedroom and the spare room look pretty bad. I hope you can help me. I live in Talladega, Al.
Hello my name is angel vann and I need real urgent work o my house. I an a pancreatic patient and live on my own. My bathroom floor is falling apart, my basement is caving in and I can’t use my sink I have seen the great job you do and how great you use your talent. I would love to have you come and help me with some of these issues. Anything you can help me with I would greatly appreciate. Que dios te bendiga ANGEL
Mr. Antonio, I was unable to do a video as this was a surprise that can hopefully happen. We live in Charlotte NC. My father had gotten Dialysis recently (couple years back) and there is tile floors all over house. Its starting to get chilly here and he is always cold! it would be nice to get him some comfort to get home a little warmer. If you can help ill send rest of info once you’ve contacted me! Thanks for looking God bless keep helping people.
I watch your show religiously and I think its great to help peop[le in need. I am in need of a deck. I resently purchased an older home in North Carolina and the back yard needs attention. HELP !
Tired of watching your show. You come to New Orleans often, yet I’ve not seen you help one person who has no money to finish fixing their place due to no funds from Katrina. There are so many people needing help. Myself am going on 70, and have not had a toilet for 7 weeks, it is falling through the floor. Due to problems still from Katrina. All the people you help are quite capable of paying to have work done. While so many of us are still living in places that are falling down around us. I’d like to see a show where you help someone who desperately needs the real help.
I kind of know where you ARE COMING FROM ive sent in for some help myself I also have watched most if not all there shows,i so am praying that they do help people without money cause me and my boyfriend both are out of work due to health,,our kitchen is a mess floors are in really bad shape and for 2 years now we have not had any heat our windows in kitchen are cracked,,i could go on and on but if I get help fro them I will let you know..
I have watched your show and like what I watched. I need some remodeling done on my house. Doesn’t need to be aired on t v. If interested call my cell 8702060790 I live in Arkansas and will explain what I need done.
Love your show. As a widow there is always something that needs to be done on my house. Would love a new deck off my carport. My husband use to do all construction, but died last year. I am not to much of a handy man but I do a little painting. Do you have any pictures of decks you have build? Would love to see them if so. Would love to win the remolding contest.
I can’t believe u guys come to your homes and fix for free. I have huge house need help some upgrades down stairs as well with a covered pato….
Hello Mr.Antonio.My husband and I finally saved enough money to renovate my family room.Now my yard is a mess, but we can’t afford any landscaping now.We r always giving and never ask for anything in return, but will truly appreciate it if we can get your help with making our yawn look beautful.my name is Yolanda.My number is 9855174990. We live in Independence, La . Thanks in advance.
I want to comment on a show that play today with Rev.Eric Richardson and his wife I was completely.floored when I saw him years ago my brotther am I caught him trying to molest our youngest brother in which we beat the crap out of him, he was arrested an serve time,.I pray that you don’t air that show again.
Sincerely
Clifton Reed
Montgomery AL
I want to know if I own a moble home I need a help with my room my shower is in the room. Will you gelp me?
I live in Batesville, Mississippi and unfortunately, I missed the opportunity to send a video of myself, family and room I’d like to remodel. My address is 10574 Dummyline Road, Batesville, MS 38606. I wish I had the opportunity to send a mini camcorder DVD of myself, family, and my attic that I would desperately love to have just (1) room made out of it. My home is a one and a half story home that was built in 1992. We never got the chance to finish our Attic area so I’d love to be a winner of a remodeling project. I can supply a phone number or whatever else if necessary, I mean if I got the chance to try for this project. In the meantime, my email address is honeyfaulkner32@gmail.com….. I would love to hear from you! Thanks, Mary Faulkner 9/25/2014
Dear Mr Antonio,I live in Charleston SC,which I now own the house that was left to me by my deceased mother,my front yard is unbearable.When my mother was alive, she fill the yard with dirt numerious amout of times,but for some reason when ever it rains the dirt run into the street,therefore i am asking you for your help.I watch you every morning on CBS @9;30 am, Sincerely Yours Patricia Snipes.
MR. ANTONIO I HAVE SEEN YOU ON TV FIXIT&FINISHIT MY DECK AND PUT MY WASHING DRYER UP STAIR.828-437-2509
MR. ANTONIO I HAVE SEEN ON TV FIX &FINISH IT AND I WOULD FIX MY DECK AND I WOULD PUT MY WASHING AND DRYER UP STAIR .
Mr.Antonio, when you came to new Orleans I think you forgot about me and my mother.We live at 2632 st Ann st. not to far from the French quarters. We have been having a lot of problems getting back into our home we are in one of our properties since Katrina just today we rode around to the house and my mother was so upset she is sickly we just came from the doctors and I have been out of work for a year I’ve been taking care of my mother I’m sickly to but by the grace of god he gives us life we are desperately needed your help I sent something to Ellen I didn’t get a response.I hope you have to come back to Nola our address is 2311republic st.phone no.504 909-3834 Lucille Batiste. My mother said that she hopes to live in her house before she dies. My Dad worked so hard that he did not have a chance to enjoy it he died sept16,1994.also you have the best partner in Dwts I’ll be rooting for .desperately Lucille