Jeffrey Dean Morgan reveals how his wife convinced him to host Destination X despite initial doubts.
“I Think You Have The Wrong Person”
When NBC first called Jeffrey Dean Morgan about hosting their new competition show, he was genuinely confused.
The Walking Dead star couldn’t imagine himself as a TV host.
He’s just a farm-dwelling dad who plays tough guys on TV and admits he can be a pain in the butt sometimes.
Not Your Typical Host Material
Jeffrey never saw hosting in his future. “I’m still not actually completely sure how the hell this happened,” he laughs.
Unlike polished hosts like Ryan Seacrest, Jeffrey’s known for his crass humor and sarcastic style.
What Is Destination X Anyway?
The show follows contestants traveling across Europe in a blacked-out bus.
They must figure out their location through challenges each week, with the worst guesser getting eliminated.
Think of it as The Amazing Race meets Big Brother with a dash of mystery thrown in.
Producers Wouldn’t Take No For An Answer
The Belgian version featured a slick, James Bond-type host – totally not Jeffrey’s vibe.
But producers were relentless, convinced the actor’s rough-around-the-edges personality was exactly what they needed.
Personal Struggles Behind The Scenes
When the offer came, Jeffrey was juggling filming “Dead City” while dealing with his father’s declining health.
“I was a bit of a mess,” he admits candidly. The timing couldn’t have been worse for taking on something new.
His Wife’s Brutal Honesty
It was Hilarie Burton who finally convinced him to say yes.
Drawing from her MTV hosting experience, she told him bluntly, “You’re not getting any younger!”
She saw something in him that would connect with viewers – plus he probably wouldn’t get injured, unlike his zombie-fighting roles.
Dad’s Practical Advice
Before his passing in July 2024, Jeffrey’s father weighed in with classic dad honesty: “Well, son, I’m not really a reality show guy.”
Jeffrey’s perfect response? “I’m not either, which might make it all that much more interesting!”
Permission To Be Himself
What finally sold Jeffrey was the producers’ promise: they wanted him exactly as he is.
They weren’t looking for polish – they wanted someone edgy who guys would grab a beer with and women would find entertaining.
No Showman Required
Jeffrey studied Alan Cumming’s hosting on “Traitors” but quickly realized he didn’t need to create a persona.
From his motorcycle entrance in the premiere, Jeffrey put his authentic stamp on the show, just being his unfiltered self.
Surprising Outcome
Turns out, this zombie-slayer made a pretty great “ringmaster of the circus.”
After spending six weeks filming across Europe, Jeffrey had the time of his life trying something completely different at “the ripe old age of whatever I may be.”
Catch the wild ride that is Destination X when it hits your screens this Tuesday night at 10! Can’t make it? No worries – just stream it on Peacock the next day when you’ve got time to kick back and enjoy the chaos.
