Karyn: Weeping willow. That's my favorite!

Jay: Hey! This is my interview Barb...go find your own guests! Sorry about that folks. Karyn, I'm glad you could take a moment to talk with me. Let's get right to the juicy stuff, any secrets about the season you can tell us?

K: Would it still be a secret if I shared?? Psssst…one of the teams that you see in the first four episodes will win the whole thing!

J: Y'know, it's not too late to get Barbara back here. Anyway, how did you get the job as co-host?

K: After my agent submitted me (by sending over my reel and resume) I was called to audition for Cathy, Patrick Titley (my director) and some of the producers on the show. I went to the junkyard and did some bits with Tyler, as well as a few mock interviews with the producers who were pretending to be a team scavenging and building. I then had a meeting with Cathy and Patrick, where we talked about the show and what it would be like hosting it. They asked (quite a few times!) “do you really think you'd be able to handle the extremely un-glamorous junkyard?” I assured them I could handle it, and then it was up to the folks at Discovery and my agent to hash out the details. All in all it was a pretty simple process for me!

J: Had any of your previous jobs prepared you for the "un-glamorous junkyard"?

K: I've done a bunch of interview shows and I've done a heck of a lot of live TV in the past. So I felt prepared for the actual hosting part of the show. I do not think any show can truly prepare you for the Junkyard though, since its such an original undertaking. You just have to know and accept the fact that you're gonna break a few fingernails and you're gonna get pretty damn dirty on the job.

J: So, had you been a fan of the show before you applied for the job? Were you even aware it existed?

K: I was aware of the show, and was a fan, after seeing George [Gray] host it a few seasons ago. He and I had hosted a show together called “Movies For Guys Who Like Movies” for the TBS Superstation prior to his Junkyard days. I initially tuned in to see my friend, but continued to check it out after he had left.

J: And we all know what happened to George...maybe you'll be the next Bob Barker! Was there something about the show that made you want to apply?

K: I love doing live television, but since there isn't much of that available outside of news, I look for shows with a live feeling. The teams really are building. The drama that unfolds during the course of an episode is real. So I'm a lot more inspired and excited on a show like JYW then I would be on a soundstage shooting something fake. I am also a curious person who loves to learn- so the fact that I get engineering lessons on the job is an added bonus.

J: Live Junkyard Wars...quite a concept! Earlier you alluded to George Gray who left the show and was replaced by Tyler Harcott. As you may know, he and I are both Canadian. Honestly, it's just you and me talking, what's the guy like off-camera?

K: I love Tyler! He and I hit it off 10 seconds after meeting each other at my audition. We have a similar sense of humor, so we crack up a lot on set. He's a really good guy who wants to make the best show we can. So he's willing to get wet, have mud thrown in his face and basically do what it takes to make the show entertaining. He loves to talk about hockey and does so with our lighting guy all the time. He's been great about the host switch, and I've had nothing but fun working with him. And he's tall. Which is nice, because it means that my 5’8” frame doesn't have to slouch so the guy co-host can look macho!

J: Oh yeah, we Canadians are a hoot, eh? Since you brought up the host switch, let me ask you about that. How do you feel about having to fill Cathy's shoes? Any apprehension?

K: Yes and no. Yes because she is so loved by the fans who may feel let down now that she's gone. For many people, JYW and Cathy are synonymous. They may not like me just because I'm not her! But I'm not too worried about it because she gave me the job! So I must be doing something right.

J: Pretty good gig when you are hand picked by the boss to replace her! You talk about having seen past shows...any machine that stands out for you?

K: For some reason I loved watching those ridiculous machines drill through stuff in the Mechanical Moles episode. I'm not really sure why. I just seemed to find it amusing.

J: One final question. Of the machines in the upcoming series, which one do you really get a kick out of?

K: That's a tough question…. I absolutely love the “Tiki Tank” that the Brooklyn Benders built in the Paintball Tanks episode. Its beautiful, ugly and hysterically funny all at the same time. One of the Ice Warrior machines is amazing- it looks like it came straight out of a galactic comic book. It has this strange spacecraft/bug vibe that is just so cool. Unfortunately I cant say who built it! All of the planes that were built for the Flight special are stunning. Wait till you see them.

J: I can't wait! Unfortunately, our time is up. Karyn, thank you so much for taking time from your schedule to talk with us. In closing, will we see you in the next series?