In 2001, NBC premiered a brand-new reality TV competition series that was so extreme it made viewers squirm. That show was none other than Fear Factor with hit podcast host and UFC commentator Joe Rogan as host.
The show lasted for six seasons and saw contestants pitted against each other as they had to take part in a variety of stunts that tested them both physically and mentally. Viewers watched men and women surround themselves with poisonous snakes, gross bugs, and had to chow down on disgusting animal parts. Each episode built into a nerve-wracking finale, where the remaining players faced a high-octane stunt designed to bring immediate fear in each contestant.
A new announcement by Fox revealed that Fear Factor will return to our screens soon and promises to bring an “unexpected twist.”
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Fear Factor Is Heading Back To Our Screens 25 Years After The Show First Premiered
It’s been nearly 25 years since the first-ever season of Fear Factor premiered on NBC. The show lasted six seasons before getting canceled in 2006. After a few unsuccessful revivals, the show hopes to make a comeback in the 2025-2026 television season on Fox.
On May 12th, Fox announced that the show would be returning, bugs, and all. A description of the brand-new revival, which is said to be titled, Fear Factor: The Next Chapter, promises viewers that it’ll be more intense than ever before. There will also be a new twist that will keep fans glued to their screens.
“The iconic reality competition Fear Factor is coming back bigger, bolder and more daring,” Fox shared. “Dropped into an unforgiving, remote location, a group of strangers will live together under one roof, and face mind-blowing stunts, harrowing challenges and a twisted game of social strategy where trust is fleeting—and fear is a weapon.”
For the first time ever, Fear Factor brings contestants under one roof. With everyone chasing the same grand prize, the question isn’t just who can survive the stunts, but who can survive each other. Will they play nice, or will mind games and manipulation become part of the strategy?
Fox Entertainment CEO Rob Wade shared that the revival is going to be a fresh new take on the fan-favorite show. “The reinvention piece is critical here. It’s called Fear Factor, and we’re going to take the brand name, but I think the producer’s come up with a really interesting take on it, and it’s not going to feel like the show from 20 years ago.”
The other big question fans have: will Joe Rogan reclaim his role as host? For now, that remains up in the air.
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Why Was Fear Factor Canceled?
After six seasons, Fear Factor was canceled in 2006. Struggling ratings and stiff competition from American Idol on Fox played a major role in its downfall. Even host Joe Rogan was shocked that the show lasted for so long.
“It was bizarre for me being there, being the host of it, as it was for anyone to watch it. Ninety percent of the time I would show up at work and I’d be shaking my head going, ‘I can’t believe this is a real show,” he shared via Distractify. “I thought it was something completely ridiculous. I’m like, ‘There’s no way this is going to stay on television.’ Then, 148 episodes later…”
Fear Factor Was Revived In 2011, But Only Lasted One Season
Fear Factor was brought back five years later with Joe returning as host. This time, instead of three men and three women competing against one another, there were four teams of two people who knew one another. But the series pushed the limits a little too far, even for Joe. A certain stunt appeared to be the real reason for its immediate cancellation after less than 10 episodes.
“The second time around we did it for seven more episodes… and then I was worried because there were some episodes… where they really kept upping the ante further and further and there was a few accidents,” Joe said. “Nobody got hurt; [it was] nothing serious. But it was like wow. This is more risky than we ever did before.”
That episode was titled “Hee Haw! Hee Haw!” and saw a challenge in which contestants had to drink donkey semen. According to Life & Style, the episode was pulled because of its grotesque nature. Twins Brynne and Claire Odioso appeared on the episode and were faced with taking the challenge or risk going home.
“If you vomited, you would have to start over. I ended up just vomiting in my glass and drank that. The cameramen were vomiting. It smells. It’s so bitter, and it has a little hint of hay,” they shared.
On his The Joe Rogan Experience, Joe shared that he was not the one to come up with the challenge and believed that it was too extreme. He shared, “When I’m the voice of the reason, you got a really f****d-up program!”
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Fear Factor Was Revived By MTV In 2017
Fear Factor was eventually given another chance, and this time it was picked up by MTV. The show returned in 2017, but Joe didn’t bother coming back. Instead, the new host was rapper Ludacris, with the show removing gross challenges like eating gross animal parts and took elements from horror films and urban legends to create new stunts.
“MTV is about celebrating youth culture, and with the reinvented Fear Factor, we are putting the power in our audience’s hands to face and overcome their biggest fears,” MTV president Chris McCarthy said to the Hollywood Reporter. “We are thrilled to partner with Ludacris, one of the biggest global stars who has a rich history with MTV, to energize this franchise for a whole new generation.”
Chris wanted to put a fresh and youthful spin on the show after the successes of MTV shows like Jersey Shore and The Hills. In his interview with The Hollywood Reporter, he shared that the new challenges will be ones that most young people have feared, like drowning and a fear of heights.
“We are updating the challenges that will include fresh physical stunts and mental challenges, relevant to today’s culture. Each episode will provide contestants the platform to test their physical, emotional and mental strength, as well as the opportunity to overcome their biggest fears. No two episodes will be alike. We’re not about grossing out for gross out sake. This is an adrenaline-filled show that is about testing physical, mental and emotional strength, as well as the ability to overcome our biggest fears. “
The show lasted for two seasons and was canceled in 2018.