Nation's Dumbest is an American game reality show that premiered on Fox on July 15, 2026. Hosted by Jack Whitehall, the series is based on the Norwegian game show of the same name.
Format Twelve celebrities compete against each other in educational-style challenges to prove they are not the "nation's dumbest".
Each episode is divided into four challenges. The first is an individual logic puzzle the contestant must complete within an allotted time limit, the second are individual challenges set within a classroom where the contestant must get the correct answer, and the third is a physical team-based challenge. If there are 3 contestants left, the team challenge is replaced with a solo field challenge.
Throughout the first three challenges, the contestants compete for gold stars, which correspond to the number of answers they can get wrong in the final challenge, referred to as the "final exam". Contestants start off with two stars and will gain a star if they win a challenge or lose one if they lose a challenge. No contestant can have more than three stars or less than one.
In the final exam, the remaining contestants are asked increasingly difficult trivia questions by the host. When a contestant loses all of their gold stars by answering incorrectly, they "flunk" and remain in the competition for another week. The last remaining contestant "graduates" and is removed from the competition. In the final episode, the contestants will gain an extra podium with 3 extra stars during the final exam. The last remaining contestant at the end is declared the "winner" and earns the title of "nation's dumbest".
Contestants who fail to participate in two challenges are disqualified, or "expelled", from the competition.
Contestants Contestant Notability Age Residence Result Elle King Singer-Songwriter 37 Nashville, Tennessee Dr. Drew Pinsky Television Personality/Physician 67 Pasadena, California Andrew Yang Entrepreneur/Former Presidential Candidate 51 Manhattan, New York Carmen Electra Actress/Model 54 Los Angeles, California Expelled Jon Heder Actor 48 Vancouver, Washington Steve-O Stunt Performer/Comedian 52 Sumner County, Tennessee Ice-T Rapper/Actor 68 Edgewater, New Jersey Matt Leinart Former NFL Quarterback 43 Manhattan Beach, California JoJo Siwa Singer/Performer 23 Palm Springs, California Anthony Michael Hall Actor 58 Playa del Rey, Los Angeles Hilaria Baldwin Television Personality 42 Greenwich Village, New York Chase Hudson Musician/Influencer 24 Los Angeles, California
Elimination table Place Contestant Episodes 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11th Chase 6th 9th 5th 4th 7th 5th 4th 3rd 3rd DUMBEST 10th Hilaria 4th 10th 8th 6th 3rd 2nd 2nd 2nd 2nd GRAD 9th Anthony Michael 8th 5th 9th 8th 6th 4th 5th 4th GRAD 8th JoJo 11th 2nd 2nd 7th 4th 6th 3rd GRAD 7th Matt 5th 8th 4th 5th 2nd 3rd GRAD 6th Ice-T 10th 11th 7th 2nd 5th GRAD 5th Steve-O 3rd 3rd 6th 3rd GRAD 4th Jon 9th 6th 3rd GRAD Expelled Carmen 12th 7th 10th EXPE 3rd Andrew 2nd 4th GRAD 2nd Dr. Drew 7th GRAD 1st Elle GRAD
Production On November 4, 2025, it was announced that Fox had ordered the series. On May 7, 2026, it was announced that the series would premiere on July 15, 2026, with the host and contestants announced on the same date.
Episodes
Reception Critical response
Notes
References
External links