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The 1% Club Makes a Critical Mistake with New Host

The 1% Club returns this summer with a much worse host.

FOX has fallen victim to the Ryan Seacrest curse, where the network decides that nearly every show needs to feature a familiar face.

In this instance, that familiar face belongs to comedian Joel McHale, who has been tasked with hosting yet another television show.

Joel McHale will now host The 1% Club.
(CBS)

The 1% Club Season 2 Gets a New Host

Last year, Patton Oswalt served as the host of The 1% Club.

The veteran actor brought his wit to the stage, implying that he could easily be one of the intelligent contestants competing for that cash prize.

Now Oswalt is out and McHale is in as the FOX show prepares to return for the second season.

Unfortunately for the viewers, the show will replace Oswalt’s wit with McHale’s sarcasm.

That sarcasm can work for many TV shows, but doesn’t lend itself well to a quiz show where intelligence is fully displayed.

Patton Oswalt used to host The 1% Club on FOX.
(Michael Desmond/Hulu)

What is The 1% Club on FOX?

The 1% Club is a new game show in which 100 contestants compete to solve skill and logic-based puzzles that increase in difficulty with each round.

If you miss a question, you go home. If you answer it correctly, you move on to the next round, where the next question is more difficult.

This is the perfect show to play with at home, especially if you don’t care for the time limit for answering a question.

While the contestants on stage must answer more promptly, we can pause the questions at home until we are set on an answer.

Patton Oswalt on A.P. Bio
(Patrick McElhenney/Peacock)

I enjoyed playing with my wife during the first season, seeing which of us could make it the furthest during each episode.

Each player has a $1,000 stake; if they miss a question, that cash goes into the prize pool. With $1,000 per player, the prize pool can grow to as much as $100,000 for the winner.

The game also provides a mulligan for each player, where you can pass on a question and advance to the next round. But using your pass costs you the $1,000 stake you had in the game.

Making it deeper into the game allows you to cash out that $1,000 if you need to walk away.

Joel McHale is now hosting The 1% Club on FOX.
(ABC)

Losing Patton Oswalt is Bad News for FOX

Watching the first season of The 1% Club, I loved hearing what Patton Oswalt had to say about each question. And in between rounds, Oswalt always had a great rapport with the players.

It was a good give-and-take between the host and the contestants, and it always came off as an enjoyable experience for everyone involved.

Enter Joel McHale, who has become best known for mocking people on any show he appears on.

The most prominent victim of McHale’s jokes has been Ken Jeong, who often plays up and into the jokes that McHale makes at his expense.

Joel McHale takes over as host on The 1% Club.
(ABC/Christopher Willard)

Sure, that type of comedy might have its place on television, but the set of The 1% Club isn’t a place for it.

I had been looking forward to The 1% Club returning for another season, but now I dread watching the first new episode.

I pride myself on giving new shows a chance before leveling an opinion, but I have also given McHale enough chances to know how he will take on this hosting role.

FOX and the producers made a poor choice in selecting McHale as the new host of The 1% Club, and it may have cost the show a long future on television.

The 1% Club returns on June 10, but this viewer will have to work up the patience to tune in for Joel McHale in the premiere.

Watch The 1% Club Online

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Allison

Thursday 12th of June 2025

I miss Oswalt. McHale tries too hard..

Daniella

Tuesday 10th of June 2025

For what it’s worth I saw a preview episode and Mchale was quite good. I usually find him kinda tiresome but he was really engaged in the conversations with contestants and funny. Definitely felt more suited to it than Patton and l love Patton’s comedy.

L. Smith

Monday 9th of June 2025

I am tired of seeing Mchale. I do not think he is funny at all. animal show is never funny. Not sure if our group will be watching and challenge ourselves. Several has said we should break up.

Shirley

Sunday 1st of June 2025

I agree; Patton Oswalt is a warm and personable host that I really enjoyed watching. On top of that, I would say he is above average intelligence. While McHale is an average Hollywood comedian, Fox really screwed up by showing Oswalt the door in favor of McHale. As much as I was looking forward to Season 2, I won’t bother to watch it anymore.

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