PENNSYLVANIA, USA — FOX’s new game show "The Floor," takes trivia to a whole new level.
FOX43 got the chance to chat with Gene Magee, a traveling performer and actor from Orlando, FL. He's one of the 81 season one contestants battling for a whopping $250,000 grand prize.
Magee says a friend reached out to him in June of last year, suggesting he apply for the show.
At that point, he didn't know many details about the show, other than it involved trivia.
“I wasn’t expecting anything at all," Magee told FOX43. "Next thing you know I get an email saying ‘Pending background check, you’ve been cast as a contestant on season 1 of 'The Floor.'"
By the end of July, Gene was flying to Ireland to film.
“My mindset was like, 'If I don’t win this show, it’s okay because I got a great trip to Ireland!'" he said.
This is how the game show works—Contestants stand on an LED floor that is split into 100 squares, each one representing "categories" or areas of expertise.
Gene's category was "Comedians."
Contestants are randomly chosen, then pick one of their Floor "neighbors" to head-to-head in a quiz "Duel."
They work against a clock to identify pictures and words.
Gene told FOX43 he has performed in front of large crowds all over the country, but says the duels were like nothing he’s ever experienced.
“I’ve MC’ed in front of thousands, in front of stadiums, I’ve been on the castle stage at Magic Kingdom [in Disney World]," he said. "This was pressure like I’ve never felt before.”
When a contestant wins a duel, they take over their opponent's space on The Floor. Whoever has the most spaces at the end of each episode wins $20,000. The last person standing at the end of the season gets the $250,000 grand prize.
And what was it like getting to know host Rob Lowe?
“Rob Lowe is exactly how you think he is—he was fun, he was charming," Magee explained.
Gene says the whole season was filmed in a matter of a few days, which made for long hours. But when the cameras were off, the production team kept things light with lots of music and dancing.
They also got the chance to have sidebar conversations with Rob Lowe.
He says the hardest part of the whole experience was keeping it a secret from his family and friends.
“I couldn’t tell anybody at all!” he said.
Now that the secret is out and the show has started airing, Gene is having watch parties for each episode with his loved ones.
Gene first appears on the February 13 episode. He wouldn't say just how far he goes on the show but says he felt very comfortable with his category.
"I think you will like what I do on 'The Floor,'" Magee said.
"The Floor" airs every Tuesday at 9:00 p.m. on FOX43.
Download the FOX43 app here.