Fear Factor Returning to TV With "Unforgiving" New Twist

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Mel Gibson’s Home Burned Down While Filming Joe Rogan’s Podcast

Get your gag reflexes ready because Fear Factor is back.

The intense reality competition series is returning to TV later this year, Fox announced May 12. However, nearly 25 years after the show first premiered on NBC, the challenges come with a surprising twist.

"The iconic reality competition Fear Factor is coming back bigger, bolder and more daring," Fox revealed in a press release. "Dropped into an unforgiving, remote location, a group of strangers will live together under one roof, and face mind-blowing stunts, harrowing challenges and a twisted game of social strategy where trust is fleeting—and fear is a weapon."

The revival, currently titled Fear Factor: The Next Chapter, will debut during the 2025-2026 television season.

Fear Factor first debuted on NBC in 2001 and was hosted by Joe Rogan until it went off the air in 2006. The show's adrenaline-pumping obstacles included major stunts, dangerous games and stomach-turning challenges in which players had to eat disgusting bug and animal parts in an attempt to win the $50,000 cash prize.

The network hasn’t confirmed whether The Joe Rogan Experience host will be back for the new iteration.

As for why it's the right time to bring back the shock-and-awe series?

Michael Weaver/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank

"It’s visceral storytelling at its best," Fox network president Michael Thorn told press during the network's May 12 Upfront presentation. "The chance to reinvent it with a reality element, honestly, it was a no-brainer. So, it’s coincidental but exciting.”

And Fox Entertainment CEO Rob Wade noted the new format will really shake thing up.

“The reinvention piece is critical here," Wade said. "It’s called Fear Factor, and we’re going to take the brand name, but I think the producer’s come up with a really interesting take on it, and it’s not going to feel like the show from 20 years ago.”

While you wait for Fear Factor's return, keep reading to see when more of your favorite shows premiere or return this year.

Peacock/NBCUniversal

Poker Face (Peacock) - May 8

Charlie Cale is back on the run, and in season two we’ve taken her journey to the next level one murder mystery at a time. From minor league baseball to big box retail, from funeral homes to alligator farms and even a grade school talent show, Charlie navigates her crime solving existential road-trip with deadpan wit, human empathy, and her signature uncanny lie-detecting ability.

Netflix

Forever (Netflix) - May 8

Judy Blume's groundbreaking 1975 novel, Forever, is being reimagined for a new generation by Mara Brock Akil. It’s an epic love story of two Black teens exploring romance and their identities through the awkward journey of being each other’s firsts, set in Los Angeles, 2018.

Netflix

Karol G: Tomorrow Was Beautiful (Netflix) - May 8

Karol G was told her dream was too big, that she was the wrong gender, and from the wrong place, to ever be a global star. But only fools bet against a Bichota. Karol G: Tomorrow was Beautiful, a documentary from This Machine and director Cristina Costantini, traces Karol’s rise from humble beginnings in Medellín, Colombia, to international stardom, as she proves the critics wrong with an electrifying, record-breaking stadium tour. It’s a rare look at the unique determination, raw talent, and relentless work ethic that has launched Karol G to superstardom and paved a path for future generations of Latinas.

Prime Video/Amazon MGM Studios/ACM Awards

Academy of Country Music Awards 2025 (Prime) - May 8

Hosted by Reba McEntire, the country music celebration 60 tears in the making returns on Prime Video live from Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, TX.

Disney/Christopher Willard

Vanderpump Villa Reunion (Hulu) - May 8

After an Italian summer of high stakes, scandal, and celebration at Castello Rosato, Lisa Vanderpump reunites her staff for one final night of reckoning—only this time, she’s handing the hosting reins to her VIP guest, the one and only Stassi Schroeder.

Paramount+

Criminal Minds: Evolution (Paramount+) - May 8

Season 18 picks up six months after prisoners attack the notorious Sicarius Killer, Elias Voit, leading his restless followers on the dark web to begin wreaking havoc all over the country. In order to stop this nefarious group from killing more innocents, the BAU is forced to work alongside an increasingly unpredictable Voit who has his own agenda.

Xavier Guerra/World of Wonder/Paramount+

RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars (Paramount+) - May 9

In this new season, there will be 18 All Stars, the largest in the franchise’s herstory, returning to compete in the ultimate competition for the crown. 

For the first time ever, season 10 will introduce a brand-new format across 12 episodes: the Tournament of All Stars. The queens will be divided into three groups of six, each competing in their own bracket across three episodes. At the end of each bracket, the top three queens with the highest point totals will advance to the semi-finals where they’ll go head-to-head with the top queens from the other groups in another round of fierce competition over two episodes. The tournament will then culminate in an epic  Lip Sync Smackdown for the Crown grand finale episode, where the finalists will battle it out for a grand prize of $200,000 and a place in the coveted Drag Race Hall of Fame.

Discovery Channel/Warner Bros.

Gold Rush: Mine Rescue (Discovery Channel) - May 9

With gold prices surging to new records, the modern-day rush is on. Chasing gold fever, miners take big risks on poor ground with outdated equipment. Gold recovery experts Freddy Dodge and Juan Ibarra are back on the road in North America, turning small-time miners’ pitfalls into profits. 

In the season premiere, Freddy and Juan face off at a hard rock mine spanning three elevations at 4,000 feet in the Cascades. Battling impenetrable rock, the guys devise an innovative 180-foot chute featuring a spiral concentrator in their first-ever Washington state rescue.

Apple TV+

Long Way Home (Apple TV+) - May 9

Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman are back on the road for an unforgettable motorcycle adventure across Europe. In the new season, the duo traverses breathtaking landscapes from Scotland to England, taking the scenic route through Scandinavia, the Arctic Circle, and continental Europe. With 17 countries on their route, Ewan and Charley dive into local cultures and take on thrilling challenges.

Lifetime/A+E Networks

The Judd Family: Truth Be Told (Lifetime) - May 10

Profiling one of the greatest country music families of our time, the doc examines Naomi Judd’s complicated bond with her daughters, Wynonna and Ashley, that both tied them together and drove them apart. Directed by Alexandra Dean, the documentary explores the complex mother-daughter dynamics and intergenerational trauma as seen through the eyes of The Judd Family. In addition to exclusive interviews with Ashley, Wynonna, close family members and those who knew Naomi best, the documentary features never-before-seen photos, home videos, unreleased songs, and audio.

NBC

Joan Rivers: A Dead Funny All-Star Tribute (NBC) - May 13

The one-hour all-star comedy special will feature today’s biggest comedians as they pay homage to Joan Rivers’ razor-sharp humor and impact on pop culture. 

To celebrate the decade since her passing, the comedy community will revisit Rivers’ legendary cabinet of jokes and add their own personal spin to reflect today’s social and cultural landscape, along with a dose of their original material.  

Paramount+

Novocaine (Paramount+) - May 13

Novocaine follows Nathan Caine (Jack Quaid) who was born with a rare genetic disorder that prevents him from feeling any pain. When the girl of his dreams (Amber Midthunder) is taken hostage in a bank heist, he turns his inability to feel physical pain into an unexpected strength in the fight to get her back.

Hulu/Disney

The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives (Hulu) - May 15

The scandalous world of Mormon #MomTok is back and bigger than ever for season two. When an original swinger from their infamous sex scandal makes a surprise return, friendships threaten to unravel as secrets, lies, and allegations explode. In a battle for the soul of #MomTok, will betrayal shatter the sisterhood, or will the truth set them free?

Prime Video/Amazon Studios

Overcompensating (Prime) - May 15

The show is a college-set ensemble comedy about the wild, chaotic journey of Benny (Benito Skinner), a closeted former football player and homecoming king, as he becomes fast friends with Carmen, a high school outsider on a mission to fit in at all costs. With guidance from Benny’s older sister and her campus-legend boyfriend, Benny and Carmen juggle horrible hookups, flavored vodka and fake IDs. Deeply funny and personal, the show explores the lengths to which we all overcompensate while on the path to finding out who we really are.

James Van Evers/Max

Duster (MAX) - May 15

Set in the 1970s Southwest, Duster explores the life of a gutsy getaway driver for a growing crime syndicate that goes from dangerous to wildly, stupidly dangerous when a tenacious young agent comes into town hellbent on taking his crime family down.

Netflix

Love, Death + Robots (Netflix) - May 15

Dinosaur gladiators, messianic cats, string-puppet rock stars, it can only be Love, Death & Robots. The fourth volume sees Jennifer Yuh Nelson (Kung Fu Panda 2, Kill Team Kill) return as supervising director for ten startling shorts showcasing the series’ signature, award-winning style of bleeding-edge animation, horror, sci-fi and humor. Buckle up.

FX/Disney

Welcome to Wrexham (FX) - May 15

Wrexham AFC Women’s Team continues to battle amongst the top teams in the Welsh Adran Premier League and strives to stand out amidst a crowded field of talented women footballers. With new players and continued support from the Club and fans, can they make a name for themselves at the top of the League?

Meanwhile, somewhere in a galaxy far away… actually, a series of towns, cities and boroughs likely across Wales, England and California, Humphrey Ker trains for a marathon. Will Wrexham AFC’s beloved Executive Director raise funds for charity, survive humiliation at the hands of the players and staff, and complete 26.2 miles without injury or chaffing?

Follow along as Welcome to Wrexham’s cameras bring you unprecedented access on the pitch, inside the locker room and alongside the players while the action unfolds in some of the biggest matches Wrexham AFC has ever played.

Sandy Morris/Paramount+/Showtime

The Chi (Paramount+ With Showtime) - May 16

In season seven, with Alicia at the helm, the pivotal women of The Chi rise to reclaim their power. Yet as loyalties are tested and new rivalries are stoked, it becomes clear that there’s only one crown and it will come at a heavy cost.

Hulu/Disney

Matteo Lane: The Al Dente Special (Hulu) - May 16

Matteo Lane's comedy is like catching up with your old friend at brunch. In his latest special, he shares a glimpse into his travels, unique family background and friendships.

AppleTV+

Murderbot (Apple TV+) - May 16

Based on Martha Wells' best-selling, Hugo and Nebula Award winning book series The Murderbot Diaries, Murderbot is a sci-fi thriller/comedy about a self-hacking security construct who is horrified by human emotion yet drawn to its vulnerable clients. Played by Alexander Skarsgård, Murderbot must hide its free will and complete a dangerous assignment when all it really wants is to be left alone to watch futuristic soap operas and figure out its place in the universe.

Lifetime/A+E Networks

I Was Honey Boo Boo (Lifetime) - May 17

Rising to fame at just six-years old on the show Toddlers & Tiaras, Alana Thompson, famously known as “Honey Boo Boo,” returns to television with the new Lifetime biopic, I Was Honey Boo Boo. Premiering on Saturday, May 17, Alana narrates the movie, offering a glimpse into what happened behind the scenes from her perspective. She reveals how her on-screen confidence concealed the harsh reality of constant criticism and family struggles, particularly with her mother, Mama June.

National Geographic/Disney

Tucci in Italy (National Geographic) - May 18

The five-part series follows Stanley Tucci on a visually stunning and deeply personal exploration of the country’s breathtaking landscapes, rich history, and the complex connections with its food that have shaped each region’s distinct culture and, of course, their iconic pasta.

Discovery Channel/Warner Bros.

Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing (Discovery Channel) - May 18

Fan-favorite legends return to take on new challengers in an all-out battle of skill, innovation, and grit. The competitor who demonstrates the best bushcraft, ingenuity and stamina to outlast their opponents in head-to-head, multiphase challenges will earn the crown, a coveted perfect 10.0 Primitive Survival Rating and a $100,000 cash prize. This season, survivalists will face heartbreaking medical tap outs, legacy-defining moments, and the most shocking elimination ever seen in the franchise.

Oxygen/NBCUniversal

Unknown Serial Killers of America (Oxygen) - May 18

Oxygen examines the most heinous type of criminals there are – serial killers. Yet for every Dahmer or Bundy, there are many more equally as terrifying that the public is completely unaware.

Each hour-long episode of Unknown Serial Killers of America profiles the horrific stories of these unconscionable criminals, and delves into what transformed them into evil monsters. With first-hand accounts from law enforcement who worked the cases and stories from loved ones of the victims, the series sheds light on serial killers who evaded the spotlight and examines how they were able to get away with their gruesome crimes for so long.

Crimes explored over the six-episode season include a case involving multiple unidentified bodies found in a barrel that are linked to a predator of women and children decades later; killings of multiple gay men; and an amateur sleuth who uncovered clues leading to a likely killer and a murderer of 12 black women who eludes authorities until chilling video evidence is found.

Fox

Lego Masters (Fox) - May 19

Imagination, design and creativity are brought to life when teams of LEGO enthusiasts go head-to-head, with infinite possibilities and an unlimited supply of LEGO bricks. Once again, teams of two will compete against each other in even more ambitious brick-building challenges – including a masquerade party and a colossal wedding cake challenge, with additional episodes celebrating iconic IPs including Star Wars, Wicked and Batman – to be crowned the country’s most talented amateur LEGO builders.

Netflix

PostMortem (Netflix) - May 20

Following the recent death of both of her parents, comedian Sarah Silverman finds comedy in the darkest corners of life. She hilariously navigates the absurdities of death with her signature wit, from unexpectedly finding the "deal of a lifetime" while planning their funerals to cherishing the bittersweet experience of hearing her mother’s last words. Sarah Silverman:

Prime/Amazon MGM Studios

Motorheads (Prime) - May 20

The YA drama is about first love, first heartbreak, and turning the key in your first car. Set in a once-thriving rust-belt town that’s now searching for a glimmer of hope, the series is an adrenaline-filled story of a group of outsiders who form an unlikely friendship over a mutual love of street racing, while navigating the hierarchy and rules of high school.

Reiner Bajo/Disney

Nine Perfect Strangers (Hulu) - May 21

Nine new strangers connected in ways they could never imagine are invited by mysterious guru Masha Dmitrichenko (Nicole Kidman) to join a transformational wellness retreat in the Austrian Alps. Over the course of a week, she takes them to the brink. Will they make it? Will she? Masha is willing to try anything in the interest of healing everyone involved, including herself.

Fox Media

Gordon Ramsey's Secret Service (Fox) - May 21

Restaurateurs who are looking for a quick fix or social media glow-up are in for the surprise of their lives when famed culinary titan Gordon Ramsay trades his signature chef knives for a state-of-the-art surveillance vehicle and cutting-edge spyware in FOX’s all-new unscripted series, Gordon Ramsay’s Secret Service.

In a Gordon Ramsay series first, Chef Ramsay will venture into struggling restaurants under the cover of night. With the help of a secret source on the inside, he’ll gather raw, unfiltered evidence and get a 360-degree view of the major issues facing each restaurant. This insider will not only remain a secret to the staff, but will also help Ramsay infiltrate the restaurant after-hours for a dramatic nighttime black light kitchen investigation that reveals more filth and grossness than ever before.

By the time Ramsay reveals his identity, it will be too late for staff to cover up their culinary crimes. Gordon Ramsay’s Secret Service will be his toughest assignment yet, as he takes drastic measures to transform not only the restaurant but also the staff -- because Gordon knows he can upgrade the menu and renovate the restaurant, but the most important change has to come from the people. Are the restaurant and staff willing to accept Gordon’s mission, or are they too far gone to be saved?

Fox

MasterChef: Dynamic Duos (Fox) - May 21

MasterChef enters its 15th season with a brand-new theme… Dynamic Duos! This season, Gordon Ramsay and renowned restaurateur Joe Bastianich return, alongside new judge James Beard Award nominee Chef Tiffany Derry, who will bring her no-nonsense point of view to the table. For the first time in MasterChef history, pairs of home cooks will participate together, in hopes of becoming America’s next MasterChefs.

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