Jack Whitehall has recently uncovered some unexpected talent among the celebrity contestants of his new game show, *Nation’s Dumbest*, which airs on FOX. The show features a roster of twelve well-known figures pitting their wits against each other in a series of intelligence tests and physical challenges. According to Whitehall, the surprises come thick and fast, with one contestant standing out in particular.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/jack-whitehall-072126-9bcc5b2596984f13978ef1b21dcf15ad.jpg)
In an exclusive interview with *PEOPLE*, Whitehall expressed his astonishment at the performance of Steve-O, the infamous stunt performer and television personality. Known for his daring antics on the shows *Jackass* and its various spinoffs, it was reasonable for the comedian to approach Steve-O with measured expectations. “I think a fair few of them surprised me, Steve-O, in particular,” he stated, having seen some of the wild stunts that the daredevil has attempted over the years.
Whitehall recounted a memorable moment from the first day of filming, where Steve-O arrived on set a good thirty minutes late. The delay was attributed to the need for production to cover a rather provocative tattoo of a penis on his forehead. “So I would say that set the bar quite low in terms of assumptions about his levels of intelligence,” Whitehall said with a chuckle, adding, “The bar was almost subterranean.” To his surprise, Steve-O managed to exceed the low expectations that had been set.
Jon Heder, another contestant and co-star on the show, echoed Whitehall’s sentiments. He described Steve-O as “formidable,” playfully suggesting that the stunt star had probably cartwheeled into the room rather than entered traditionally. “I was like, ‘Oh, this guy’s brain is fried from all the stuff he’s been through,’” Heder joked, while recognising the untapped intelligence lurking beneath the surface.
The lineup for *Nation’s Dumbest* includes a diverse cast of personalities, such as Hilaria Baldwin, Carmen Electra, Anthony Michael Hall, Chase Hudson, Ice-T, Elle King, Matt Leinart, Dr. Drew Pinsky, JoJo Siwa, and Andrew Yang. The show, described to its participants during a press day, presents celebrities with trivia-based questions reminiscent of summer school, alongside physical challenges and surprising tests of knowledge. Each week, one of the contestants graduates as the cleverest and may even escape the unfortunate title of “The Nation’s Dumbest.”
For Whitehall, hosting the programme has been a dream come true given his affection for reality television. He was immediately drawn to *Nation’s Dumbest* due to its unconventional format and engaging blend of challenges. “It felt very anarchic and mischievous,” he explained. He also appreciated the variety it offered, from physical games to logic tests, something that clearly fits his comedic style.
Moreover, Whitehall relished the single advantage of being the host: he does not have to compete. “Most importantly, that I get to host it and not actually have to answer any of these questions because I think I would be flailing around for my life if I were an actual contestant on this show,” he quipped.
*Nation’s Dumbest* aims to entertain audiences with its quirky twists on traditional game shows, promising laughs and surprises as celebrities tackle challenges while attempting to prove their intelligence. The show currently screens on Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET, with episodes available on Hulu a day later.
Whether the contestants can truly prove themselves or will fall to their comedic instincts remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Whitehall is ready for a healthy dose of chaos and hilarity in this unique take on a game show format. The show invites viewers to tune in and witness which celebrity will eventually earn the dubious distinction of being dubbed “The Nation’s Dumbest.”