Jennifer Nettles Judges Unique Talent on TBS’ ‘Go-Big Show’
We’ve all heard that old show business maxim “Go Big or Go Home.” Well that philosophy drives the Go-Big Show, a new extreme talent competition airing Thursday nights on TBS. Jennifer Nettles serves as a judge for the new competition along with Snoop Dogg, Rosario Dawson and Cody Rhodes. Comedian Bert Kreischer hosts the show, which finds alligator trainers, gymnasts, stunt archers and other outrageous talents competing for the grand prize of $100,000.
“It is basically an extreme talent show,” Nettles says during a recent phone interview. “We have so many talent shows now that are basically singing or dancing. This is everything except that plus fire. It’s extreme motocross, extreme body manipulation, extreme animal wrangling, extreme trick shots, extreme everything. It’s a ton of fun, a ton of adrenaline, a ton of laughs. I’m excited to get to be a part of it with a fantastic panel of celebrity judges. It’s a big shot of adrenaline and a boat full of belly laughs for sure.”
For Nettles, becoming a judge on the show was appealing because it took her out of her comfort zone. “I love that it was different and for me. As a performing artist, it’s always intimidating whenever you offer sort of a qualification for how somebody else is performing or singing,” she notes. “This, on the other hand, is all about art and all about adrenaline. Can you go as big as you can really against yourself? It’s whoever gets out there and does the best them that they can do and offers the judges the biggest feeling. So it’s go big or go home and that, to me, was really, really exciting. Also there’s a lot of pull from the American carnival sideshow situation and that history and legacy, that’s super appealing to me too. Lord knows I played a ton of fairs in my time so I’ve gotten to see lots of fun acts and this is like that on steroids.”
During filming, Nettles says they had emergency medical services (EMS) standing by in case they were needed. “They had them standing by for the extremity of the acts, but really they had them standing by for the judges because several times I swear that my heart stopped in the middle of the show,” the Sugarland singer says. “These contestants are super talented and have a ton of hours into what it is that they do and more than anything a ton of heart.”
Nettles was surprised at how many acts incorporated fire into their routines. “The way that that element has been incorporated in many of these acts was really, really thrilling,” she says excitedly. “Some of these acts are really dangerous. Some of these acts you will see them actually beating world records on the show, and some of them beating their own world records.”
Before each act performs, there’s a video that shares their backstory, giving insight into their unique talents and how they acquired them. “I definitely have a soft spot and as a mom, I have a ton of compassion. I want everybody to win,” she sighs. “Even though everybody can’t win, I wanted everybody to win or at least to feel like winners for coming on, but everybody on that [judges] panel is super, super encouraging. The whole panel including myself, Snoop Dogg, Rosario and Cody, we were grateful to get to be there and to get to witness this talent. Everybody was very encouraging of all the acts.”
A native of Douglas, GA, Nettles is happy that the show was filmed in her home state. “We shot this whole show down in Macon, GA in a COVID bubble,” she says. “And when I say bubble, I mean extreme bubble. We were tested three times a week, right up the nose. We lived in a hotel that was connected to the arena that was our soundstage studio where all of the competition and shooting happened. So we could go outside into the parking lot to walk around, but otherwise we walked directly from our hotel room and never left the building to get to the set. It was very well done, very safely controlled, very meticulously handled by TBS. And I’m just so grateful that it was because we were given the opportunity to bring something so cool and something new at a time when it’s been so hard for people to create new shows, new content for audiences and fans out there to be able to enjoy. So I was grateful to be able to work and have some fun and offer everybody something new.”
Audiences also have an opportunity to enter The Go-Big or Go Home Sweepstakes for a chance to win a new pick up truck. Participation in the contest will also benefit the Salvation Army. Between now and January 27, go to TBS.com/GoBigSweeps to enter to win. “Just from entering we’ll be donating to the Salvation Army up to $10,000 so you can feel good just about checking it out and entering,” Nettles says, “but what you enter for is a chance to win a full size pickup truck worth over $60,000. So get in on it, you can go big yourself.”
