Nation’s Dumbest had an unexpected challenge when it came to covering up Jackass star Steve-O‘s penis tattoo.
“He had a lot of time in the makeup chair to cover that up,” host Jack Whitehall exclusively told Us Weekly. “And every time we were doing a physical challenge, he started sweating and so did all of the production team.”
Whitehall, 38, joked that “a fair few pixels were utilized to try and keep the show family friendly.” He also noted that it cost a lot to make sure Steve-O’s graphic tattoo remained covered during his time on the Fox show.
“And we didn’t have much,” he quipped. “We spent most of the CGI budget on making Ice-T’s face look like he wanted to be there.”
Despite the extra work, Whitehall praised Steve-O, 52.
“I think Steve-O impressed me. I probably made some knee-jerk assumptions about his levels of intelligence from the information that I had about him,” he added. “I’d seen him staple his testicles. I’d seen him bungee jump in a porta-potty.”
Whitehall continued: “I was aware that he had a tattoo of a penis on his forehead. So I’d say the bar was set pretty low. But he really exceeded expectations. He had some smarts [and] had some very triumphant moments.”
Nation’s Dumbest is described as “a proven format across multiple international territories, channels celebrities’ inner school spirit as they head back to summer school, facing a mix of brain-teasing tasks, fast-paced physical challenges, and long-buried classroom knowledge.”
According to the description, each week “the ‘smartest’ celebrity graduates, narrowing the field until a high-stakes final exam determines who will be left standing with the distinction no one wants — the title of The Nation’s Dumbest.”
“I think I would be quite deep into [the show if I was a contestant]. I don’t have great general knowledge,” Whitehall told Us. “And I have some glaring blind spots — particularly in American pop culture and sport. I could come undone on a show like this.”
Whitehall playfully called himself “quite a delicate flower,” adding, “I don’t think I would have the resilience to put myself on the show. … I was not particularly academic [in school]. I was more into the arts and drama — more of a like theater kid. I wasn’t great academically but I think people just make assumptions about me because I have this voice and I sound quite intelligent.”
The comedian used it to his advantage on Nation’s Dumbest.
“On the show, I’m able to look quite smug and above it all,” he shared. “But I think it’s just because I have the fancy British accent and then all of the answers written on a clipboard in front of me.”
Nation’s Dumbest debuts on Fox Wednesday, July 15, at 9 p.m. ET.
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