The stupidest in the nation had an unexpected challenge when it came to covering something up Donkey star Steve O‘s penis tattoo.
“He had a lot of time in the makeup chair trying to cover it up,” host Jack Whitehall said exclusively Us weekly. “And every time we took on a physical challenge, he would start sweating, as would the entire production team.”
Whitehall, 38, joked that “a few pixels were used to keep the show family friendly.” He also noted that it took a lot to ensure that Steve-O’s graphic tattoo remained covered during his time on the Fox show.
“And we didn’t have much,” he joked. “We spent most of the CGI budget making Ice-T’s face look like he wanted to be there.”
Despite the extra work, Whitehall praised 52-year-old Steve-O.
“I think Steve-O impressed me. I probably made some knee-jerk assumptions about his intelligence level based on the information I had about him,” he added. “I saw him clutching his testicles. I saw him doing bungee jumps on a porta potty.”
Whitehall continued: “I was aware that he had a penis tattoo on his forehead. So I would say the bar was set pretty low. But he really exceeded expectations. He was smart and had some very triumphant moments.”
The stupidest in the nation is described as “a proven format in multiple international territories that channels celebrities’ inner school spirit as they return to summer school and take on a mix of tricky tasks, fast-paced physical challenges and long-buried classroom knowledge.”
According to the description, each week “the ‘smartest’ celebrities graduate and whittle down the field until a high-stakes final exam decides who is left with the award no one wants – the title of ‘The Nation’s Dumbest’.”
The summer television schedule is overflowing with highly anticipated premieres and returns, including Legally Blonde’s Elle, a spinoff of Dancing With the Stars, Every Year After and more. Based on “Every Summer After” by Carley Fortune, “Every Year After” follows Percy (Sadie Soverall), who grew up on holiday in Barry’s Bay and spent all her time (…).
“I think I would be pretty immersed in the show if I were a contestant. I don’t have a lot of general knowledge,” Whitehall told Us. “And I have some glaring blind spots – particularly in American pop culture and American sports. I could fail at a show like this.”
Whitehall jokingly described himself as a “pretty delicate flower” and added: “I don’t think I would have the resilience to put myself in the show. … I wasn’t particularly academic (at school). I was more interested in art and theater – more of a theater kid. I wasn’t particularly good academically, but I think people just make assumptions about me because I have that voice and I sound pretty intelligent.”
The comedian used it to his advantage The stupidest in the nation.
“On the show I can seem pretty smug and about everything,” he shared. “But I think that’s just because I have the fancy British accent and then all the answers are on a clipboard in front of me.”
The stupidest in the nation Premieres on Fox on Wednesday, July 15 at 9 p.m. ET.
