Australia has a new television obsession, and it’s got us all playing along from our couches with unbridled confidence. Nine’s The Floor has rapidly become the show everyone’s talking about at work the next day, with viewing parties popping up faster than reality TV romances. And I am obsessed.

Hosted by the eternally charming Rodger Corser (whose dimples deserve their own fan club), this clever Dutch-format game show has become quite the ratings sensation. Who knew watching people answer trivia questions could be this addictive?

The Floor pits 80 contestants against each other in a battle of knowledge, and it’s as strategic as it is entertaining. Players compete head-to-head on a giant floor grid, with each square representing a different specialist topic — think anything from Australian cuisine to famous characters and gold medallists. Win your match-up? You claim your opponent’s square and expand your territory. Keep winning, and you could walk away with the massive $200,000 grand prize. It’s like Risk meets Trivial Pursuit, and viewers simply can’t get enough.

The brilliance of The Floor lies in its perfect balance of intellect and entertainment. Unlike traditional quiz formats, contestants can strategically choose their battles, making the competition as much about psychology as pure knowledge. It’s addictive. It’s strategic. It’s reality TV with substance.

The show has been particularly successful at drawing viewers away from other prime-time favourites, including Seven’s Farmer Wants a Wife. HUGE!

Adding to the excitement are a number of familiar faces who are hitting The Floor, like former MAFS bride Jules Robinson, as well as a former MasterChef star and an NRL champion. This celebrity element adds another layer of entertainment as viewers get to see how their favourite personalities perform under pressure.

The Floor

Image: Nine

Based on a hugely successful Dutch reality series, The Floor has already proven its global appeal. The US franchise has become a sensation as well, due in part to the fact that ’80s heartthrob turned Parks and Recreation star Rob Lowe has taken on hosting duties for the series. The Australian adaptation, meanwhile, has managed to capture the essence of what makes the international versions work while adding our own distinctly Aussie flavour.

The show’s host, Rodger Corser — an acclaimed Aussie actor — has spoken about how happy he has been with the show and wishes that he had taken on this opportunity sooner.

“Presenting and hosting a show like The Floor… I would have been almost afraid to do five, 10 years ago. I would have been like, ‘That’s not what I do,’” he explained.

Concerned that he wouldn’t “be taken seriously as an actor” if he took on a presenter role at the time, Rodger looks back and wishes he had “cared less”.

The Floor
Image: Nine

“Hindsight is 20/20,” Rodger added.

“You go, ‘Oh well, that didn’t really matter, did it?’ [But] at the time, it is really important, and you said no to the opportunity because you thought you might be seen in a certain way. I would have done something like [The Floor] a hell of a lot sooner.”

If you’re tired of dating shows and looking for something that engages your brain while still delivering proper edge-of-your-seat entertainment, The Floor is your answer. It’s the perfect show to play along with at home, inevitably leading to heated debates about whether you could definitely have answered that question about Australian Olympic medallists correctly.

So grab your snacks, settle in, and join the rest of Australia as we become increasingly invested in which contestant will expand their territory and claim the ultimate prize. Your new quiz show obsession awaits.

Feature Image: Nine.