He’s no stranger to TV and other media appearances… now our man Shaq is set to be a cool guest star on a new CBS “reality TV” show that uses a familiar theme, but takes it to another level.
The show is CBS’s “Secret Celebrity Renovation,” in which stars like Shaq help do big upgrade and renovation projects for homes that – shall we say – could use a little TLC (tender loving care).
For this particular show, O’Neal is keeping it in the family. The home being remodeled is the one owned by Shaq’s own – and very much loved – Uncle Roy, in Orlando, Florida. Shaq has called Roy his “true uncle.” Uncle Roy put a roof over the heads of O’Neal’s family in 1992 when the rookie was drafted to the Orlando Magic.
According to Shaq, Roy “politely declined” having his home remodeled for the show when he first asked. Shaq says he called for help, telling USA TODAY, “I had to get my mom, the oldest sibling,” O’Neal says. “She talked to him and made him do it.”
The new editions of the show will start airing in September, Friday evenings at 8 PM. This is the second season for the program. For this year, Shaq says the show will be “the best celebrity renovation ever.”
USA TODAY asked what made him sure this would be such a good show. Shaq: “I watch some renovation shows, and when I see the reveal, that’s no renovation. I don’t know if there’s a word above luxury, but that’s exactly what this renovation is. Like his stove, refrigerator and wood trimmings, I don’t have those in any of my mansions. This was something else.”
As to why the choice of Uncle Roy for the renovation project, Shaq said: “I’m a very gifting family guy. But if I call him and say ‘Uncle Roy, I’ve got a million, do you want $100,000?’ he’ll always say ‘No, you work hard for that.’ He has never asked for anything in all my time, not money for a flight or a business deal, nothing.”
Asked if viewers would see any tears or other strong emotions, Shaq had an interesting family insight, “We were not allowed to share emotions by shedding tears growing up. We share emotions just by giving a hug and saying, ‘Thank you.’”
On another subject, O’Neal told the newspaper that he was disappointed in not being able to buy all of Bill Russell’s Championship rings after the Boston Celtics superstar died last week.
Shaq talked about how Russell inspired him as a young player, and even later in his career: “I grew up knowing Bill Russell was a great man. But I didn’t know until I talked to him how great. He couldn’t stay in the same hotels as his (white) teammates, people would write him harsh words. Back then, he never made the kind of money I make, but never complained. These conversations taught me to be mentally strong, never to complain and to not be a cry baby with everything at my disposal.”
Back in 2021, Shaq had talked about buying Russell’s championship rings at auction. Unfortunately, that didn’t work out for him: “I was too late. I didn’t want to go through the auction process. I wanted to find out who was in charge and make an offer you can’t refuse and buy everything. But they kept making me go through this auction process, and by the time the (auction catalog) came, and I picked my item numbers, it was a day too late. Boy, was I (angry).”
Sorry that Shaq couldn’t get the rings. Maybe they’ll come up again in the future. Meanwhile, be on the lookout for the new CBS show in the coming weeks! For the entire interview (and video) with Shaq, check this out: Shaq rules ‘Secret Celebrity Renovation.’ talks LIV Golf controversy (usatoday.com)