Chip Gaines shares the unlikely person who inspired his new show ‘Human vs Hamster’

During an interview with Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie on the “Today” show, “Fixer Upper” stars Joanna and Chip Gaines shared some insight into their new game show, “Human vs Hamster.”

The show, which will premiere on their Magnolia Network, is “a competition series that puts humans to the test against trained hamsters in various athletic competitions.”

While Chip Gaines admitted the idea for the show came straight from “the mind of Chip Gaines,” he was also inspired by an unlikely person: Jason Kelce.

“I feel like I was inspired,” he told Kotb and Guthrie. “Jason Kelce, he rips his shirt off at some stadium and something about that moment inspired me about this idea, hamsters vs. humans.”

“So I feel like I should throw him a bone in the sense that he was the one who inspired the whole idea.”

Chip Gaines is recalling this particular moment from the January playoff game between the Buffalo Bills and the Kansas City Chiefs.

It’s the same game Kelce spotted a little girl holding a sign for Taylor Swift and proceeded to make sure Swift saw the sign by hoisting the girl up in the air so she was visible to the pop star who was sitting in the box.

“When I saw him rip his shirt off, I just felt I wish I was furrier. I wish I was hairier. Have you ever had that thought?” Chip Gaines jokingly asked Kotb and Guthrie.

According to the creator of the show, the hamsters are “terribly athletic little creatures.” They are “so smart” and “have been training” for the competition, Joanna Gaines added.

The eight-episode series will make its small-screen debut on Nov. 21.

This story was originally published October 24, 2024 at 1:03 PM with the headline "Chip Gaines shares the unlikely person who inspired his new show ‘Human vs Hamster’."