Andy Panko (l) stands with Scott McGillivray, a celebrity judge on HGTV’s show “All American Handyman.” PHOTO COURTESY OF ANDY PANKO EDISON — Last fall, Andy Panko found himself hooked on HGTV’s show “AllAmerican Handyman,” which was airing its first season.
This September, Panko will get to watch himself compete on the second season of the reality TV show, where 20 people from across the country go through various home improvement and do-ityourself challenges to see who is “the handiest of them all.” They work under the watchful gaze of celebrity judges Mike Holmes of “Holmes on Homes” and Scott McGillivray of “Income Property,” as well as a third judge whose identity will be revealed when the show airs. Actress Molly Culver is the show’s host.
In the end, one contestant will walk away with the coveted title of “All American Handyman,” a $10,000 Sears prize package and an HGTV development deal.
“This was right up my alley,” Panko said of the show. “I thought it would be a cool thing to do.”
Last November, Panko applied to be a contestant, supplying information and a five-minute video clip showcasing some of his work. This included his remodeled kitchen of cherry wood cabinets and granite countertops, and his makeshift workshop in his garage.
“It took me about a couple months,” he said.
Panko, who works for a hedge fund in New York City, included in the video clip that he had done some standup comedy at places like Caroline’s on Broadway.
“I figured I would throw that in to show my personality, hoping for a better chance to get on the show,” he said.
It worked. In March, Panko received word that he made the final cut, from among 8,000 prospects, to be one of the contestants. Filming for the show took place over 10 days in April at the Brooklyn Navy Yard in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Panko said he realized that there was no “glitz and glamour” of being on a TV show.
“These were long days, but fun overall,” he said. “There was a lot of waiting time, and sometimes there were two and three tries where we had to do it again or they had to take shots at different angles.”
Weather was also a factor, Panko said, with contestants sometimes working in the difficult elements outdoors.
“Some days were cold, where we had to wear multiple layers,” he said.
Panko said he has not seen the final version of the show, which is expected to start airing in early September and run for six weeks.
“I am curious to see how they portrayed everyone,” he said.
Home improvement construction has always been a favorite pastime for Panko.
“I grew up in Woodbridge and my father remodeled our house, and I spent my time helping him with various projects,” he said. “My hobby took off from there.”
Panko graduated from the University of Delaware with a finance degree and received an MBAfrom Rutgers University. In 2007, he decided to leave the business world to start his own construction business; however, after a short time he decided it was not what he had expected, and decided to go back into the business world.
“It was a wiser decision. My wife and I were expecting our first child then,” he said. He and his wife, Jean, now have two young girls.
“I love my hobby and have no regrets, because if I never did that, I would never know. It was also a safer and easier decision to go back to my job [in the business world], and it has better benefits,” he said.
Panko said his family and friends supported his decision to apply to be on the show.
“It definitely gave me opportunities, and if I was given another opportunity like this, I would do it in a second,” he said.
For more information, visit www.hgtv.com.