Game shows thrive on everyday people competing for their shot at glory, and “The Floor” seemed to get that right; at least at first. The Fox trivia competition, hosted by Rob Lowe, hooked viewers with its simple yet engaging premise: 100 contestants battle in head-to-head trivia duels for a chance at $250,000. But as the show progresses into its third season, some fans are checking out.
The reason? More and more reality stars, actors, and minor celebrities are joining the mix, and viewers aren’t happy about it.
Are the Contestants Really Everyday People?
Season 1 featured actor Dyllan Christopher from “Unaccompanied Minors” and “Armageddon,” though his presence largely flew under the radar. By Season 2, “The Santa Clause” star Eric Lloyd joined in the ‘Christmas Movies’ category, shocking contestants when he revealed his identity. That seemed to open the floodgates, and now, Season 3 is stacked with even more recognizable faces.
Some of the latest contestants include David Madden, a “Jeopardy! Tournament of Champions” winner from 2006; Kent Ferguson, a 1992 Olympic springboard diver; Jahmani Swanson, a professional athlete; Brian O’Halloran, an actor best known as Dante from “Clerks”; and Kenny & Mari, a couple from “Bachelor in Paradise” Season 7.
For a show marketed as a battle between everyday people, the viewers are starting to feel like the scales are tipping.
Fans Are Not Here for It!
According to TV Insider, many viewers have taken to social media, calling out the shift in casting.
“I’m not a huge fan of celebrities and stars from reality shows being on gameshows like The Floor. I always felt like game shows in general are meant to be played by regular people. It’s a trend on reality tv shows like Deal or No Deal Island to bring in reality stars from similar shows, which I suppose makes sense. but doing so on gameshows like The Floor is a trend I don’t like,” one person wrote.
Another added, “Thought the same thing, having bachelors, an actor, Olympian. Give us just basic 9-5ers come on. Plus the mom daughter stuff, who cares.”
The frustration makes sense; while some contestants are still average Joes, others have built careers off their public personas or competitive pasts. That raises the question: Is “The Floor” still the same show people began watching?
Where Does “The Floor” Go From Here?
So far, Fox hasn’t addressed the growing concerns, and it’s unclear whether future seasons will stick with this trend or pivot back to regular contestants. Despite the criticism, “The Floor” continues to pull in viewers, and the format itself remains relatively fun to watch. But if the show keeps leaning into celebrity contestants, it risks losing the very audience that made it popular in the first place. For now, fans will have to decide if they’re willing to roll with the changes… or if it’s time to step off “The Floor” altogether.
“The Floor” airs Wednesdays on Fox, with episodes streaming next-day on Hulu.
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