Joe Rogan is linked to shocking new role despite previously tearing it apart

Daily Mail​

13-05-2025

Joe Rogan has been linked to the looming return of Fear Factor - despite consistently slamming the show since he last hosted it.
Fox is reworking the iconic NBC program for a modern audience, and when asked whether Rogan will reprise his original role, the network's entertainment president said 'it's too early for us to say.'
Fox Television President Michael Thorn did not deny reaching out to the old show's 'major talent', however - saying the new show was still in its earliest stages.
'We just ordered the series and we are just in the process of hiring showrunners and talking about hosts and everything right now,' Thorn said during a press conference revealing Fox's 2025-2026 schedule Sunday.
'Obviously he's major talent tied to the show, but it's too early for us to say how we're going to move forward right now.'
Thorn, Formerly president of scripted at Fox Entertainment, was also asked why the series was ripe for revival.
After nearly 20 years off the air, Thorn said the series - where contestants battle it out over a series of terrifying stunts - is simply 'a phenomenal title.'
'It's visceral storytelling at its best,' he insisted, despite Rogan saying otherwise. 'And that visceral storytelling really - just as you know, across scripted and unscripted - really works with our audience.
'And the chance to reinvent it with a reality element honestly was a no-brainer.'
Rogan - currently the host of one of the most lucrative podcasts in the world - has yet to comment on the series pickup.
A little-known comic when the old Fear Factor aired, he has an estimated net worth of $200million and a lucrative contract as a commentator with the UFC.
He hosted the NBC version of the show for its duration from 2001 to 2006 - a stint he has spoken of in a negative light
When asked about his time hosting Fear Factor in 2008, Rogan panned the show's concept as 'mindless', telling the Denver Post: 'I enjoyed the money, but I didn't enjoy doing the show.
'It was boring, and after a while, it was mindless. It's not something I would look forward to, but it was a great paycheck.'
When asked he would ever consider again doing a reality show, Rogan did not reject the idea.
Then, in 2011, he rejoined as host for the ill-fated first Fear Factor reboot, which was canceled after just one season.
He later expressed regret over the decision on his eponymous podcast, admitting 'I didn't have as much money back then.
'Also, it was a lot more money than I got the first time.
'It was a big deal that it was gonna come back, but I immediately regretted it,' He added.
'After a while it was like, Jesus Christ, how many animal d**ks can you serve people?'
The show - in its original form - was notorious for its disgusting stunts, which included serving contestants cow testicles.
The new version - which does not have a firm release date - is being billed as 'bigger, bolder and more daring'.
At the scheduling event Sunday, Fox also revealed it had bought the rights of another 2000s game show, The Weakest Link.
The details of both transactions remain under wraps.